LIGHTNIN' HOPKINS
In The Key of Lightnin' (Tomato)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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Lightnin' Hopkins was one of Chris Strackwitz' early discoveries as he was forming the Arhoolie label in Berkeley in late fifties and early sixties. Tomato has brought back these recordings produced by Strackwitz, Jim Malloy, and Kevin Eggers. Eggers is one of the go-to guys behind the re-formed Tomato Records, a label that he helped launch over 25 years ago. Lightnin's life is a how-to book of the blues: jumping freight trains in the 20s, a short stint on a prison farm in the 30s, and recording the blues after World War II. The 50s brought him to wider audiences and the beginnings of the folk music movement, and by the time Strackwitz recorded these sides in Berkeley, Lightnin' received the respect of folk artists Pete Seeger and Joan Baez, sharing the stage at festivals with them. Lightnin's been gone over 20 years now, but the crisp and clean production sounds like he's playing just across the room. I enjoyed the playful banter about short-haired women, cigars, and gambling that's inserted here and there on the disc as these between-take remarks show us the humorous side of Lightnin' Hopkins. Get in key, In the Key of Lightnin!

Track List:

Lightnin' declares... * Cryin' Shame (Shake That Thing) * Last Night I Lost the Best Friend That I Ever Had * Baby, Please Lend Me Your Love * "Short Haired Woman" discourse * Short Haired Woman * "Cigar" chatter * Pneumonia Blues * What'd I Say * Katie Mae * Black Cadillac * One For The Gamblin' * "I Gave Up Card Playin'" pronouncement * I Once Was A Gambler * Where'd You Stay Last Night? * Careless Love * "Black Lightnin' rap * Lightnin' Slow Blues

© 2002 - Eric Steiner