''In the Key of Lightnin is an album by blues musician

Lightnin' Hopkins Samuel John "Lightnin" Hopkins (March 15, 1912 – January 30, 1982) was an American country blues singer, songwriter, guitarist and occasional pianist from Centerville, Texas. In 2010, ''Rolling Stone'' magazine ranked him No. 71 on its list o ...

, recorded at the sessions that produced ''

Lightnin'! ''Lightnin'!'' is an album by the blues musician Lightnin' Hopkins recorded in California in 1969 and released on the Poppy label as a double LP. Copyright dispute Poppy Records failed to meet the terms of its agreement and, in 1972, Chris Strach ...

'' in California in 1969, but not released until 2002 on the

Tomato The tomato is the edible berry of the plant ''Solanum lycopersicum'', commonly known as the tomato plant. The species originated in western South America, Mexico, and Central America. The Mexican Nahuatl word gave rise to the Spanish word ...

label.Discogs: ''In the Key of Lightnin' '' album details
Discogs.com, accessed November 22, 2018

Reception

The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings ''The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings'' is an encyclopedia of blues music albums released on CD. Content The book was released on 31 October 2006 and was written by Tony Russell and Chris Smith with contributions by Neil Slaven, Ricky Russel ...

said: "''In the Key of Lightnin contains unissued material from the Poppy sessions with the full band on "What'd I Say" and "Katie May". Five tracks are snatches of inconsequential talking".

Track listing

All compositions by Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins except where noted # "Lightnin' Declares" – 0:20 # "Cryin' Shame (Shake That Thing)" – 2:32 # "Last Night I Lost the Best Friend I Ever Had" – 2:52 # "Baby, Please Lend Me Your Love" – 3:14 # ''"Short Haired Woman" Discourse'' – 0:28 # "Short Haired Woman" – 3:27 # ''"Cigar" Chatter'' – 0:41 # "Pneumonia Blues" (

Blind Lemon Jefferson Lemon Henry "Blind Lemon" Jefferson (September 24, 1893 – December 19, 1929)Some sources indicate Jefferson was born on October 26, 1894. was an American blues and gospel singer-songwriter and musician. He was one of the most popular blues sing ...

) – 2:42 # "

What'd I Say "What'd I Say" (or "What I Say") is an American rhythm and blues song by Ray Charles, released in 1959. As a single divided into two parts, it was one of the first soul songs. The composition was improvised one evening late in 1958 when Charl ...

" (

Ray Charles Ray Charles Robinson Sr. (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential singers in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Ge ...

) – 2:32 # "Katie Mae" – 6:38 # "Black Cadillac" – 3:03 # "One for the Gamblin'" – 3:45 # ''"I Gave Up Card Playin'" Pronouncement'' – 0:28 # "I Once Was a Gambler" – 1:45 # "Where Did You Stay Last Night?" – 3:46 # "

Careless Love "Careless Love" is a traditional song, with several popular blues versions. It has been called a "nineteenth-century ballad and Dixieland standard". The death referenced in an old version was the son of a Kentucky governor. Although published acco ...

" (Traditional) – 1:59 # ""Black Lightnin'" Rap" – 0:30 # "Lightnin' Slow Blues" – 2:49

Personnel

Performance

– electric guitar, vocals *

Francis Clay Francis Clay (November 16, 1923 – January 21, 2008) was an American jazz and blues drummer, best known for his work behind Muddy Waters in the 1950s and 1960s, and as an original member of the James Cotton band. Clay's jazz-influenced style is ...

– drums (tracks 2, 3, 6, 8–11, 15, 16 & 18) *Jeff Carp – harmonica (tracks 9 & 10) *Paul Asbell – guitar (tracks 9 & 10) * Moose Walker – piano (tracks 9 & 10) *Geno Skaggs – bass (tracks 1, 9 & 10)

Production

Jim Malloy James Malloy (May 23, 1932 – May 18, 1972), was an American racecar driver. Born in Columbus, Nebraska, Malloy's family moved to Englewood, Colorado, where he attended grade school and high school. Malloy lettered in football and baseba ...

, Kevin Eggers – producer

References

{{Authority control Lightnin' Hopkins albums 2002 albums Tomato Records albums