Lightnin' Hopkins - Blues & Rhythm Series Classics 5023: The Chronological Lightnin' Hopkins 1948 (2001)

Lightnin' Hopkins' ability to express himself as a seemingly perpetual one-man show is dramatically demonstrated on this second installment of his complete works in chronological order. Comfortably ensconced in Houston, TX, during February of 1948, the guitarist cut 22 sides for the Aladdin record label, tapping into a set of blues traditions that place him in league with Mississippi John Hurt, Furry Lewis, Fred McDowell, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Hopkins' cousin Texas Alexander, and even Henry "Ragtime Texas" Thomas, whose spirit seems to surface momentarily during the pleasantly melodious "Honey Honey Blues." This part of the survey concludes with two sides issued on the Houston-based independent Gold Star label. These were not the first Gold Star recordings for Lightnin' Hopkins, nor would they be the last. The next installment in the series (Classics 5045), which covers 1948 and part of 1949, consists entirely of Gold Star material. Listening through the early strata of Lightnin' Hopkins' enormous recorded legacy, one gets the distinct impression that each and every session is worth tapping into and absorbing in its entirety. This is real, honest blues with no frills, and the people behind the Classics label are to be championed for reissuing the entire body of work, warts and all. ~arwulf arwulf