Lightnin' Hopkins - The Complete Prestige/Bluesville Recordings

Down home and soulful

For a Hopkins fan or a music historian this set is fantastic. Sam Hopkins was a master story-teller - period - and there is a lot of spoken material that inter-weaves his personal history, regional blues history, and general reflections from a different time and a predominantly rural black culture. Having grown up in the rural South as a small boy, I sat at the feet of such story tellers for hours transformed by their spell. That said, if one only wants to listen to Sam Hopkins's music, there are better recordings or at least better quality recordings and one can obtain a suitable collection for less dough. This is a must-have set for a special sub-genre of enthusiasts and for them it is a rare treasure, indeed. April 11, 2007

indescriptible

SON SOLO 7 DISCOS..REUNEN LAS GRABACIONES DE HOPKINS PARA prestige Y bluesville EN UN PERIODO DE 4 AÑOS!! ES NADA MAS QUE ESO...Y ES ABSOLUTAMENTE RECOMENDABLE Y DE ESCUCHA OBLIGATORIA PARA QUIEN AME EL BLUES!!!! 112 TEMAS QUE RETRATAN TODA UNA VIDA...EL CONCIERTO DE SWARTHMORE, PREVIAMENTE INEDITO, ES ESENCIAL PARA COMPRENDER EL REVIVAL DEL BLUES EN LOS '60! REALMENTE, UNA EDICION MARAVILLOSA, DIGNA DE UN ARTISTA UNICO EN SU TIPO! March 17, 2007

Awesome Collection

Yes, it is expensive but if you are interested in the blues then it's a really good deal. As has already been explained, the 7th disc is only interviews. But the 6 discs of music are incredible. I had to work up my nerve to make this purchase a few years ago. Luckily, I did get a discount but I still say it's worth the hefty price tag. I'm listening to 'Last Night Blues' right now and it's just as haunting today as it was when I first bought the set. February 24, 2006

Blues in a box set

This seven disk, expensive box set is often a difficult pill to swallow, but I am glad that I did. On six disks twelve Lightnin' albums from the 60's are combined. If you are interested in Lightnin', do the math. The Complete Prestige/Bluesville Rocordings is a value. The seventh disk is full of interviews that may seem dull to some, but to a fan willing to spend $ to get the blues they are a welcome addition. A very interesting way to learn about the man is from his own voice in interviews like these. The liner notes are a simple histoy, a few pictures and a discography. Again, I am glad I bought it. August 10, 2001

Rated Five Stars With A Footnote

This is one fantastic collection of music! However, I was a little disappointed by the apparent lack of effort that went into the finished product. With such a comprehensive assortment of music, I expected to find at least liner notes or a booklet with some biographical material or reviews. Also, it should be noted that the final disk in this set is only spoken word. While the novelty of it is awesome, and you get to here Lightnin's stories first hand, at my first listening I was somewhat off set because I wasn't expecting it. However, those things aside, this set is worth every penny! April 11, 2001

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