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 ...
recorded in California in 1969 and released on the Poppy label as a
double LP
A double album (or double record) is an audio album that spans two units of the primary medium in which it is sold, typically either records or compact disc. A double album is usually, though not always, released as such because the recording i ...
.
Copyright dispute
Poppy Records failed to meet the terms of its agreement and, in 1972,
Chris Strachwitz
Chris Strachwitz (born July 1, 1931) is a German-born American record label executive and record producer. He is the founder and president of Arhoolie Records, which he established in 1960 and which became one of the leading labels recording a ...
Tomato Records
The Tomato Music Co. Ltd., also known as Tomato Records, is an American independent record label founded in New York City in 1977 by music manager Kevin Eggers. It was a successor to his previous record labels Utopia and Poppy, the label was self- ...
Smithsonian Folkways
Smithsonian Folkways is the nonprofit record label of the Smithsonian Institution. It is a part of the Smithsonian's Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, located at Capital Gallery in downtown Washington, D.C. The label was fo ...
, reissued the recordings on CD under the original title with some of the song titles slightly corrected.
Rolling Stone
''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first known for its ...
'' review stated: "This is a twin LP package of twenty tracks by the great blues singer and
guitarist and includes many of his older classics, as well as a lot of new material. It is excellently recorded and is one of the best blues packages of the year".
AllMusic
AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databa ...
's Jason Ankeny stated: "''Lightnin'! is a fine introduction to Hopkins' electric blues material". ''
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 Russe ...
'' stated: "The programme contains a good deal of familiar stuff, not outstandingly well done".
Track listing
All compositions by Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins except where noted
Original Double LP (1969)
# "Hold Up Your Hand" – 3:05
# "My Starter Won't Start This Morning" – 3:12
# "
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 ...
) – 2:44
# "One Kind Favor" – 4:25
# "
Baby Please Don't Go
An infant or baby is the very young offspring of human beings. ''Infant'' (from the Latin word ''infans'', meaning 'unable to speak' or 'speechless') is a formal or specialised synonym for the common term ''baby''. The terms may also be used to ...
Richard M. Jones
Richard M. Jones, born Richard Marigny Jones (sometimes written Richard Mariney Jones), (June 13, 1892 – December 8, 1945) was an American jazz pianist, composer, band leader, and record producer. Numerous songs bear his name as author, includi ...
) – 3:09
# "Annie's Blues" – 2:19
# "Baby" – 2:34
# "Little and Low" – 3:30
# "I Hear You Calling" – 2:00
# "Mojo Hand Part 1" – 2:50
# "Mojo Hand Part 2" – 2:30
# "Have You Ever Had a Woman" – 4:16
# "Ain't It Crazy" – 2:27
# "Black and Evil" – 3:06
# "Rock Me Baby" – 3:27
# "Hello Central" – 4:32
# "Back Door Friend" – 3:04
# "Little Girl, Little Girl" – 6:00
# "It's Better Down the Road" – 4:25
CD Reissue (1993)
# "Mojo Hand" – 3:00
# "Rock Me Baby" – 3:30
# "Hello Central" – 4:32
# "Ain't It Crazy" – 2:25
# "Little and Low" – 3:00
# "Hold up Your Head" – 3:05
# "Good Times Here, Better Down the Road" – 4:25
# "Annie's Boogie" – 2:20
# "My Starter Won't Start This Morning" – 3:10
# "One Kind Favor" – 4:25
# "Little Girl" – 6:00
# "Baby Please Don't Go" (Traditional) – 2:55
# "What'd I Say" (Charles) – 2:45
# "I Hear You Calling Me" – 2:00
# "Trouble in Mind" (Jones) – 3:10
# "Come on Baby" – 2:35
# "At Home Blues" – 3:05 originally released on ''
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 ...
– electric guitar, vocals, piano, organ
* Francis Clay – drums
''Additional musicians on "Rock Me Baby":''
*Jeff Carp – harmonica
*Paul Asbell – guitar
* Moose Walker – piano
*Geno Skaggs – bass
Production
*
Chris Strachwitz
Chris Strachwitz (born July 1, 1931) is a German-born American record label executive and record producer. He is the founder and president of Arhoolie Records, which he established in 1960 and which became one of the leading labels recording a ...