LIGHTNIN' HOPKINS:
The Very Best Of (Rhino)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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If "The Very Best Of" sounds like hyperbole to you, you can hardly be blamed. There are a lot of "Best Of" collections out there, and often as not they've got at least a portion of filler that belies the claim. Not so here. This is indeed the very best of one of the very best.

Lightnin' Hopkins' stature among bluesmen is unquestionable, but to get to his very best is more than a little work. He recorded in several decades for a lot of labels, and his recorded output could charitably be described as uneven. For this collection, Rhino has dug deep, digging into the catalogs of now obscure labels like Aladdin, Gold Star, Sittin' In, Fire, Candid and Jax, along with Bluesville and Folkways, to assemble 16 outstanding cuts recorded between 1947 and 1961. This is Lighnin' in his prime, the Lightnin' you should know.

If you need an introduction to this legendary performer, this is the album you need. If you're a fan with at least a few discs on the shelf, this one is still likely to fill a few holes. At the very least, it will put all your favorites, and his very best, all in one place on your CD rack.

Track List:

Katie Mae Blues * Shotgun Blues * Baby Please Don't Go * Automobile * Give Me Central 209 (Hello Central) * Coffee Blues * I'm Begging You * Contrary Mary * Moanin' Blues * Penitentiary Blues * Fan It * Conversation Blues * Last Night Blues * Mighty Crazy * Mojo Hand * Baby Don't You Tear My Clothes

© 2000 - Shaun Dale