Smokes Like Lightnin': The Lightnin' Hopkins Story

 Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins was an extraordinary Texas country bluesman whose career began in the 20's and stretched up until his death in 1982. Hopkins was a brilliant guitarist whether playing electric or acoustic laying down eccentric, intricate boogie runs making it all sound so easy. He was also a remarkable storyteller writing mainly autobiographical songs many improvised right on the spot.

 Getting a handle on Hopkins recording legacy can be a daunting task since he was one of the most prolific bluesman ever cutting sides for dozens of labels. Among the labels he cut sides for included Aladdin, Modern/RPM, Gold Star, Sittin' In With, Jax, Mercury, Decca, Herald, Arhoolie, Jewel, Candid, Vee-Jay, Folkways and Prestige among others.

 In the 1920's he met the legendary Blind Lemon Jefferson who he played with and served as his guide. In his teens, Hopkins began working with another legendary singer Texas Alexander, who was his cousin. Hopkins spent a stretch in Houston's County Prison Farm in the 30's but when he was freed he hooked back up with the older bluesman.

 In 1946 Hopkins and Alexander were still playing together in Houston when a talent scout ran across the duo. Hopkins was the main attraction and Alexander was left by the wayside. Hopkins was paired with pianist Thunder Smith and quickly signed to Los Angeles based Aladdin Records. He recorded prolifically for the label between 1946-48 scoring hits with "Katie May", "Shotgun Blues", "Short Haired Woman" and others.

 After Aladdin he cut sides for a slew of labels both in solo and small band settings. For Modern/RPM he had a hit with the tough "Tim Moore's Farm" in 1949, Gold Star where he hit with "T-Model Blues" that same year, Sittin' in With where "Give Me Central 209" and "Coffee Blues" hit in 1952 and some incredible sides for Herald in 1954 where Hopkins laid down some amazing electric blues.

 By the end of the 50's Hopkins blues fell out of favor and he was a largely forgotten figure. In 1959 along came folklorist Mack McCormick who "rediscovered" Hopkins. He began to be presented as a folk-blues artist opening him up to a whole new audience who were discovering the blues for the first time.

 As the 60's dawned he moved from playing juke joints to holding court at coffeehouses, college campuses, festivals and began touring Europe. Hopkins recording career skyrocketed and he basically cut records for anybody willing to pay his fee upfront. He mostly recorded with acoustic guitar during this period for a numerous labels including 11 records for the Prestige/Bluesville imprint.

 Throughout the 70's he remained busy appearing in a number of blues documentaries, played the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Carnegie Hall, toured Europe and continued to record. He died of cancer in 1982.

Essential Listening

Mojo Hand: The Anthology (Rhino): An great place to start to get a handle on Hopkins vast catalog This 41 track, 2-CD anthology covers all phases of his career including his stints at labels like Aladdin, Gold Star, RPM, Sittin' in With, Mercury Herald and Prestige/Bluesville.

The Complete Aladdin Recordings (EMI): Hopkins earliest sides cut between 1946-48. 43 great sides mostly solo except for 13 sides with piano partner Thunder Smith. Includes early classics like "Katie May" and "Short Haired Woman" among others.

The Essential Gold Star Sessions Vol. 1 & 2 (Arhoolie): Two excellent volumes devoted to Hopkins late 40's recordings for Bill Quinn's Gold Star label.

Remember Me: The Complete Herald Singles (Ember): 26 great sides Hopkins cut for the Herald label in 1954. Contains some of the wildest electric blues he ever recorded.

Complete Prestige/Bluesville Recordings (Prestige): This is a seven-CD box set that collects all 11 LPs that Lightnin' Hopkins recorded for Bluesville and Prestige during the first half of the 1960s. Hopkins plays acoustic guitar on these sides which were aimed primarily at the folk/blues crowd. The music is uniformly good and includes previously unreleased live recordings plus a lengthy interview conducted by Sam Charters.

Jake Head Boogie (Ace): Early recordings from the late 40's and 50's issued on the Modern and RPM labels and finding Hopkins playing tough electric country blues.

Houston Bound (Relic): Recorded in 1960 for Bobby Robinson's Fire label. Some of the last sides he cut aimed directly at the R&B market. Includes the classic title cut plus a dozen others.