Lightnin' Hopkins - Double Blues

Lightnin' at his best!

This is a lotta Lightnin', a compilation of 2 albums recorded in 1964, with a running time of 76 minutes. I have been a fan of Lightnin' Hopkins for 40 years and have many of his recordings. The first 7 songs are are from the album Down Home Blues, which in my opinion is Lightnin's finest work ever. These cuts are really well recorded and showcase Lightnin' at his laid back best. The sound is very clear and showcases his incredible dynamics, going from fast & intense to whisper quiet. His stories and vocal inflections are just so right-on; my neck hairs still stand up when I hear it, 40 years after hearing it for the first time. His guitar playing is a treasure, going from rhythmic boogie to chilling single notes, with the best of his signature flourishes and flurries. Standing on 75 Highway and other slower songs have a heart rending intensity. This is the real deal!! Blues does not get any better than these 7 cuts!!
Cuts 8-17 are from the Soul Blues record. Though these cuts lack the absolute magic of the first 7, they are still fine Lightnin'. Some of these (My Babe, for example) show off some of his flashier guitar work and show that he was one of the all time great blues guitarists and a foremost proponent of the Texas style. Some great story songs here too.
If you are new to the blues, this CD will be a fine introduction. If you are a seasoned blues fan and collector, you would be remiss not to have this one! I could listen to just those first 7 songs for days!
August 2, 2008

This Lightnin Disc ROCKS, it rolls, and it JUKES!!!

I'm a serious Sam Hopkins fanatic having over 20 of his discs in my collection, this by far is my favorite. It was stolen from my car recently and I was greatly aggrivated, hence coming to Amazon to purchase. Mr. Hopkins was virtuoso guitarist, an underrated vocalist, and a folk poet's poet! If you don't like this disc, you just don't like music. February 7, 2001

Chock some up for po' lightnin: this disc is excellent

I own about a dozen lightnin albums--this is my favorite, both because of the number of tracks but the quality of lightnin's improvisation. He is subtly backed, still allowing his own lyrical, distinctly 'texan' sound to shine through.

Both boogies and ballads give this disc a comprehensive sampling of lightnin's style and subject. Whether he sings of women, god, gambling, travelling, or death, his music is harrowing.

The liner notes are quite good, also. Check out "I'm Gonna Build Me a Heaven of My Own" and "Lonsome Graveyard." Two of his best songs ever recorded. Whether he sounds transcendental or satiric, lightnin is the king of texas blues. Buy this disc immediately. March 30, 2000

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