Blues Masters: The Very Best of Lightnin' Hopkins

Lightnin' Hopkins

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 15, 2000)
• Original Release Date: August 15, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B00004UEIY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #73,201 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Katie Mae

2. Shotgun Blues

3. Baby Please Don't Go

4. Automobile Blues

5. Give Me Central 209 (Hello Central)

6. Coffee Blues

7. I'm Beggin' You

8. Contrary Mary

9. Moanin' Blues

10. Penitentiary Blues

11. Fan It

12. Conversation Blues

13. Last Night Blues

14. Mighty Crazy

15. Mojo Hand

16. Baby Don't You Tear My Clothes

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Another day, another Lightnin' Hopkins collection. It's only to be expected for a musician whose career lasted six decades, and whose recorded output was so profuse (often for several labels simultaneously) that the neophyte is hard pressed to determine which of the many albums, compilations, and box sets to acquire. One could do worse than this collection from Rhino Records, which includes classics such as "Coffee Blues" and "Mojo Hand," and even includes a few songs that aren't to be found on Mojo Hand: The Lightnin' Hopkins Anthology, generally considered the ideal collection for the beginning Hopkins aficionado. While hard-core fans probably have all these songs somewhere in their extensive collections, this CD is ideal for those seeking an introduction to the seminal bluesman. After all, he did help develop Texas blues, played a hand in developing the blues from rural to urban art form, and rode the 1960s folk-blues revival to one of the longest careers in blues history. Covering the 20 years of Hopkins's career between 1941 and 1961, the collection also provides a brief history of the development of the blues over the same period. --Genevieve Williams

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lightnin' Hopkins Is the Real Deal, November 19, 2000

By	Steve Vrana (Aurora, NE) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

It's encouraging to hear contemporary artists like Keb Mo', Robert Cray, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd carry on the blues tradition into the new millennium. However, I'm always drawn back to the originals like Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Howlin' Wolf and of course Lightnin' Hopkins.

This newly packaged collection of songs from Rhino is an excellent companion to Rhino's 1993 anthology Mojo Hand. The Very Best of duplicates seven tracks from that release and focuses on Hopkins' work from 1947 to 1961, but offers enough new material to make this a worthwhile purchase. And with Hopkins' lack of loyalty to any one record label, no fewer than seven different labels are represented on this 16-track collection.

On many of these songs Hopkins performs solo accompanying himself on guitar (and adding piano on "Mighty Crazy"). On a handful of tracks he is backed by a bass player and on "Shotgun Blues," a second guitarist. Only on "Conversation Blues" and "Last Night Blues" is there a full band of bass, drums and harmonica (provided by Sonny Terry) backing Hopkins.

This is an excellent introduction (or addition) for fans of acoustic Texas folk/blues performed by one of the genre's greatest practioners. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of "best of Lightnin Hopkins", May 2, 2008

By	William C. Keesee (Hawaiian Gardens, Ca United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Just wanted to say that Item was every thing I expected of it and your attention and response to order was outstanding. will most probably be ordering from you again.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The blues do not get any bluer than this........., August 17, 2006

By	Brian Kerecz (Bethlehem, PA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The blues do not get any bluer than this. This was my first foray into Texas/folk blues, and it will most certainly not be my last, as the music on this CD are some of the most representative blues music I have ever heard. One of my favorite songs is a song sung by both Hopkins and Sonny Terry, Conversation Blues. If you do not like this song, the blues are simply not for you! But every song on here is exceptional, something I had not expected as I picked this up more out of curiosity than anything else. Now, it is one of my favorites to listen to, right up there with Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, and Muddy Waters. The album covers Hopkins career for a 20 year period, from 1941 to 1961, and is ideal for anyone who is starting out their Hopkins' collection(as I was).

Sam "Lightning" Hopkins learned the blues, at least in part, from Blind Lemon Jefferson, and for a time even became his guide. Let the music on this CD be your guide to Texas/folk blues. Surely there can be no better guide for an introduction into this genre.

A definite 5 star pick, especially for all that Rhino has managed to pack on here for the inexpensive price. A must have.

One thing to note however: If you believe from the outset that you will come to love Hopkins' music, Rhino's release of "Mojo Hand" is recommended; it is a 2-CD set of Hopkins career. Either way, you will not go wrong.