Lightning Hopkins

The Best of Lightning Hopkins (Arhoolie) The pre-eminent Texas bluesman, Lightning Hopkins was a fascinating figure who bridged the gap between rural and urban styles. Arhoolie owner Chris Strachwitz claims in the disc’s liner notes that he started the label with the express purpose of recording Hopkins in the juke joints of Houston. This disc collects some of Hopkins’ early recordings made for the Gold Star label in the late Forties with later sessions he cut for Arhoolie in the Sixties and the mix paints an interesting picture of the range of Hopkins’ talent.

This article appears in December 28 • 2001.

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