LIGHTNIN' HOPKINS
Lightnin' Hopkins - The Singles Collection Vol. 1 + Vol. 2 1946-1962 [2024] (6 x CDs)
Sam “Lightnin’” Hopkins was a towering figure in the blues genre and one of the true blues greats, a singer, guitarist, songwriter and occasional pianist from Texas, who through a life as a long-time solo performer developed a highly distinctive style, playing rhythm, lead, bass and percussion, with a legendarily unstructured approach to the 12-bar format. Musicologist Mark McCormick said that Hopkins is “the embodiment of the jazz-and-poetry spirit, representing its ancient form in the single creator whose words and music are one act”. Born in 1912, he did not get an opportunity to record until the post-war years, and then recorded prolifically for a variety of labels
The two box sets, The Singles Collection Vol. 1 1946-53 and The Singles Collection Vol. 2 1951-62, released in 2024 by Acrobat Records, are a testament to his enduring legacy and a treasure trove for blues enthusiasts. These collections chronicle Hopkins' prolific recording career, capturing the essence of his artistry during two pivotal decades.
Volume 1 spans the years 1946 to 1953, featuring 78 tracks that include his early hits like "Shotgun Blues" and "T Model Blues." These recordings showcase Hopkins' ability to blend rhythm, lead, bass, and percussion into a seamless, unstructured approach to the 12-bar blues format. His collaborations with pianist Wilson "Thunder" Smith and his work on labels like Aladdin, Modern, Gold Star and RPM Labels, highlight his versatility and innovation.
Volume 2 continues the journey, covering 1951 to 1962 with 71 tracks that delve into Hopkins' evolution as an artist. This 3 CD set comprises the A & B sides during his years on the Sitting in with Decca, Herald Chart, Bluesville and Prestige labels. The remastered tracks bring new life to these classic recordings, preserving their authenticity while enhancing their sound quality. The accompanying liner notes provide valuable context, offering insights into Hopkins' life and the cultural backdrop of his music. These tracks reflect Hopkins' ability to adapt to changing musical landscapes while staying true to his roots. His storytelling prowess shines through in songs that capture the struggles and triumphs of everyday life, making his music both timeless and deeply relatable. Acrobat Records has curated these sets ensuring that listeners can experience the breadth and depth of Hopkins' work.
Owning these box sets is not just about enjoying great music; it's about connecting with a rich musical heritage. Lightnin' Hopkins' influence extends far beyond the blues, shaping genres like rock and roll and inspiring countless musicians. These collections are a celebration of his genius and a reminder of the power of music to transcend time and place. For anyone who loves the blues or appreciates the roots of modern music, these sets are an essential addition to their collection. (B)
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Track lists
Vol. 1 CD1
01 Lightnin' Hopkins - That Mean Old Twister 3:08
02 Lightnin' Hopkins - Katie Mae 3:00
03 Lightnin' Hopkins - Rocky Mountain Blues (I Can't Stay Here) 2:48
04 Lightnin' Hopkins - I Feel So Bad 2:09
05 Lightnin' Hopkins - Big Mama Jump 2:32
06 Lightnin' Hopkins - Short Haired Woman 2:23
07 Lightnin' Hopkins - Fast Mail Rambler 2:48
08 Lightnin' Hopkins - Thinkin' and Worryin' 2:53
09 Lightnin' Hopkins - Play With Your Poodle 2:31
10 Lightnin' Hopkins - Down Home Baby 2:16
11 Lightnin' Hopkins - Big Mama Jump 2:41
12 Lightnin' Hopkins - Short Haired Woman 2:24
13 Lightnin' Hopkins - Sugar Mama 2:38
14 Lightnin' Hopkins - Picture on The Wall 2:48
15 Lightnin' Hopkins - Woman, Woman 2:44
16 Lightnin' Hopkins - Nightmare Blues 2:39
17 Lightnin' Hopkins - Have to Let You Go 2:39
18 Lightnin' Hopkins - Morning Blues 2:46
19 Lightnin' Hopkins - Baby Child 2:44
20 Lightnin' Hopkins - Changing Weather Blues 2:55
21 Lightnin' Hopkins - Rollin' Blues 2:42
22 Lightnin' Hopkins - Shotgun Blues 2:39
23 Lightnin' Hopkins - Honey, Honey Blues 2:31
24 Lightnin' Hopkins - Moonrise Blues 2:57
25 Lightnin' Hopkins - Miss Me Blues 2:18
26 Lightnin' Hopkins - Abilene 2:24
Vol. 1 CD2
01 Lightnin' Hopkins - Worried Life Blues - You're Not Going to Worry 2:50
02 Lightnin' Hopkins - Daddy Will Be Home Some Day 2:27
03 Lightnin' Hopkins - So Long 2:46
04 Lightnin' Hopkins - My California 2:34
05 Lightnin' Hopkins - Shining Moon 2:46
06 Lightnin' Hopkins - Ida May 2:44
07 Lightnin' Hopkins - Mercy 2:33
08 Lightnin' Hopkins - What Can it Be 2:36
09 Lightnin' Hopkins - Lonesome Home 2:43
10 Lightnin' Hopkins - Appetite Blues 2:31
11 Lightnin' Hopkins - Walkin'blues 2:47
12 Lightnin' Hopkins - Lightnin' Blues 2:34
13 Lightnin' Hopkins - No Mail Blues 2:47
14 Lightnin' Hopkins - Ain't it A Shame 2:51
15 Lightnin' Hopkins - Tim Moore's Farm 2:39
16 Lightnin' Hopkins - You Don't Know 2:42
17 Lightnin' Hopkins - Treat Me Kind 2:37
18 Lightnin' Hopkins - Somebody Got to Go 2:42
19 Lightnin' Hopkins - Baby Please Don’t Go 2:51
20 Lightnin' Hopkins - Death Bells 2:40
21 Lightnin' Hopkins - Mad With You 2:29
22 Lightnin' Hopkins - Airplane Blues 2:37
23 Lightnin' Hopkins - Unsuccessful Blues 2:20
24 Lightnin' Hopkins - Rollin' Woman Blues 2:45
25 Lightnin' Hopkins - Jail House Blues 2:40
26 Lightnin' Hopkins - T Model Blues 2:33
Vol. 1 CD3
01 Lightnin' Hopkins - Lightnin's Boogie 2:33
02 Lightnin' Hopkins - Unkind Blues 2:59
03 Lightnin' Hopkins - Fast Life Woman 2:45
04 Lightnin' Hopkins - European Blues 2:37
05 Lightnin' Hopkins - Automobile 2:47
06 Lightnin' Hopkins - Zolo Go 2:46
07 Lightnin' Hopkins - Old Woman Blues 3:03
08 Lightnin' Hopkins - Untrue Blues 3:05
09 Lightnin' Hopkins - Henny Penny Blues 2:07
10 Lightnin' Hopkins - Jazz Blues 2:28
11 Lightnin' Hopkins - Jackstropper Blues 2:47
12 Lightnin' Hopkins - Grievance Blues 2:58
13 Lightnin' Hopkins - Bad Luck and Trouble 2:37
14 Lightnin' Hopkins - Beggin' You to Stay 2:37
15 Lightnin' Hopkins - Jake Head 2:53
16 Lightnin' Hopkins - Lonesome Dog Blues 2:44
17 Lightnin' Hopkins - Last Affair 3:02
18 Lightnin' Hopkins - Don’t Keep My Baby Long 2:18
19 Lightnin' Hopkins - One Kind Favor 2:51
20 Lightnin' Hopkins - Needed Time 2:53
21 Lightnin' Hopkins - Candy Kitchen 2:42
22 Lightnin' Hopkins - Another Fool in Town 2:54
23 Lightnin' Hopkins - Mistreater Blues 2:40
24 Lightnin' Hopkins - Black Cat 2:35
25 Lightnin' Hopkins - Santa Fe Blues 2:49
26 Lightnin' Hopkins - Someday Baby 2:29
Vol. 2 CD1
01 Sam Lightnin' Hopkins - Gotta Move Boogie 2:41
02 Sam Lightnin' Hopkins - Praying Ground Blues 2:58
03 Lightnin' Hopkins - Long Way From Texas 3:03
04 Lightnin' Hopkins - Tell Me Boogie 3:11
05 Lightnin' Hopkins - Give Me Central 209 2:58
06 Lightnin' Hopkins - New York Boogie 2:47
07 Lightnin' Hopkins - New Short Haired Woman 2:57
08 Lightnin' Hopkins - Coffee Blues 2:39
09 Lightnin' Hopkins - You Caused My Heart to Weep 2:32
10 Lightnin' Hopkins - Tap Dance Boogie 2:36
11 Lightnin' Hopkins - Dirty House 3:01
12 Lightnin' Hopkins - Bald Headed Woman 2:54
13 Lightnin' Hopkins - New Worried Life Blues 2:45
14 Lightnin' Hopkins - One Kind of Favor 2:59
15 Lightnin' Hopkins - Everything Happens to Me 2:41
16 Lightnin' Hopkins - Papa Bones Boogie 2:34
17 Lightnin' Hopkins and His Guitar - Freight Train Blues (When I Started Hoboin') 2:49
18 Lightnin' Hopkins and His Guitar - Broken Hearted Blues 2:51
19 Lightning Hopkins - Gone Again 2:46
20 Lightnin' Hopkins - Down to The River 2:55
21 Lightnin' Hopkins - The War is Over 3:12
22 Lightnin' Hopkins - Policy Game 3:03
23 Lightnin' Hopkins - Merry Christmas 2:45
24 Lightnin' Hopkins - Happy New Year 3:13
Vol. 2 CD2
01 Lightenin’ Hopkins - Cemetery Blues 3:05
02 Lightenin’ Hopkins - Highway Blues 2:36
03 Lightenin’ Hopkins - I'm Wild About You Baby 2:50
04 Lightenin’ Hopkins - Bad Things on My Mind 2:51
05 Lightnin' Hopkins - Lightnin's Boogie 2:33
06 Lightnin' Hopkins - Don't Think Cause You're Pretty 2:38
07 Lightnin' Hopkins - Lightnin's Special 2:23
08 Lightnin' Hopkins - Life is Used to Live 2:46
09 Lightnin' Hopkins - Movin' on Out Boogie 2:18
10 Lightnin' Hopkins - Sick Feelin' Blues 2:13
11 Lightnin' Hopkins - Nothin' But The Blues 2:20
12 Lightnin' Hopkins - Early Morning Boogie 2:13
13 Lightnin' Hopkins - Evil Hearted Woman 2:44
14 Lightnin' Hopkins - They Wonder Who I Am 2:08
15 Lightnin' Hopkins - My Baby's Gone 2:45
16 Lightnin' Hopkins - Don't Need No Job 2:18
17 Lightnin' Hopkins - I Had A Gal Named Sal 2:16
18 Lightnin' Hopkins - Blues for My Cookie 2:25
19 Lightnin' Hopkins - Hopkins Sky Hop 2:12
20 Lightnin' Hopkins - Lonesome in Your Home 2:44
21 Lightnin' Hopkins - Grandma's Boogie 2:36
22 Lightnin' Hopkins - I Love You Baby 2:28
23 Lightnin‘ Hopkins With His Protege Ruth (Blues) Ames - Finally Met My Baby 2:22
24 Lightnin‘ Hopkins With His Protege Ruth (Blues) Ames - That's Alright Baby 2:53
25 Lightnin' Hopkins - Shine on Moon 2:39
26 Lightnin' Hopkins - Sitting and Thinking 2:43
27 Lightnin' Hopkins - Remember Me 2:39
28 Lightnin' Hopkins - Please Don't Go Baby 2:42
Vol. 2 CD3
01 Lightnin' Hopkins - The Blues is A Mighty Bad Feeling 2:26
02 Lightnin' Hopkins - Lightnin' Don't Feel Well 3:20
03 Lightnin' Hopkins - My Little Kewpie Doll 2:20
04 Lightnin' Hopkins - Walkin The Streets 2:43
05 Lightnin' Hopkins - Mussy Haired Woman 2:58
06 Lightnin' Hopkins - So Sorry to Leave You 4:22
07 Lightnin' Hopkins - Got to Move Your Baby 4:03
08 Lightnin' Hopkins - Death Bells 3:53
09 Lightnin' Hopkins - Sail On 4:18
10 Lightnin' Hopkins - Back to New Orleans 3:21
11 Lightnin' Hopkins - Hard to Love A Woman 4:02
12 Lightnin' Hopkins - Happy Blues for John Glenn - Part 1 5:22
13 Lightnin' Hopkins - Last Night Blues 5:18
14 Lightnin' Hopkins - Walkin' Blues 3:25
15 Lightnin' Hopkins - Sinner's Prayer 3:40
16 Lightnin' Hopkins - Angel Child 3:34
17 Lightnin' Hopkins - Automobile Blues (The Fox Chase) 3:20
18 Lightnin' Hopkins - Mojo Hand 3:00
19 Lightnin' Hopkins - Katie Mae 4:01
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Music weaves itself into the fabric of our emotions, dances through the corridors of memory, and whispers to the soul of who we are. Sharing these stories deepens the connection, turning the experience into something timeless and profound.
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This looks like yet another great collection that I'll download.
ReplyDeleteI've got LOTS and LOTS of incredible stuff from your site - jazz, folk, rock. Very nice to get some top notch blues.
Coffee is one of my favourites and may I humbly suggest an addendum - Toni Price singing Too Much Coffee, a great tune, played at breakneck speed, that would fit in very well with the rest of your highly caffeinated mix
Hi Baz.
DeleteThank you for the kind words. I'm happy to hear that you're enjoying the compilations and finding gems across jazz, folk, rock, and now blues; it's wonderful to see the diversity resonate with you. Enjoy exploring this collection, and here's to many more musical discoveries ahead.
Thanks too for the Toni Price singing Too Much Coffee suggestion.
Cheers.
The story is when Sam started he was on a bill with another singer named Thunder. Sam's manger said lets call you "Lightning". The name stuck and Mr Thunder was lost in time. Thanks BB
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information, lemonflag.
DeleteThe way I understand it is, Lola Anne Cullum, a talent scout for Aladdin Records, recognized Hopkins' raw talent and brought him to Los Angeles to record. During his early days with the label, Hopkins was paired with blues pianist Wilson "Thunder" Smith. To create a dynamic and memorable duo, an Aladdin executive decided to give them evocative stage names. Hopkins was christened "Lightnin'," while Smith was dubbed "Thunder." And as you say "Thunder" eventually faded into history.
Cheers.