The Best of Lightning Hopkins

Arhoolie Records founder Chris Strachwitz often said that listening to blues musicians like Sam “Lightnin’” Hopkins (spelled “Lightning” by Strachwitz) was one reason he launched the record label. It is only fitting, therefore, that he compiles a “best of” collection of Hopkins’ songs from Arhoolie’s 1960s catalog plus his recordings from the late 1940s on the Gold Star label. The juxtaposition of the two time periods shows an evolution of Hopkins’ style from country blues to a more urban approach to the blues. Included in this collection is an early version of “Tim Moore’s Farm” and his protest song about the Vietnam War, “Please Settle in Vietnam.”

Track Listing

101	Whiskey Blues	Lightnin' Hopkins	02:44
102	Come on Baby	Lightnin' Hopkins	02:37
103	Grosebeck Blues	Lightnin' Hopkins	02:24
104	Mojo Hand	Lightnin' Hopkins	02:55
105	Going Home Blues (Going Back and Talk to Mama)	Lightnin' Hopkins	02:57
106	Jesus Will You Come By Here	Lightnin' Hopkins	02:12
107	Tim Moore's Farm	Lightnin' Hopkins	02:42
108	Have You Ever Loved a Woman	Lightnin' Hopkins	04:20
109	Big Mama Jump	Lightnin' Hopkins	02:36
110	Mr. Crow and Bill Quinn	Lightnin' Hopkins	02:30
111	Unsuccessful Blues	Lightnin' Hopkins	02:24
112	Bald Headed Woman	Lightnin' Hopkins	03:51
113	Zolo Go	Lightnin' Hopkins	02:49
114	Please Settle in Vietnam	Lightnin' Hopkins	04:13
115	Short Haired Woman	Lightnin' Hopkins	05:49
116	The Dice Game	Lightnin' Hopkins	01:21
117	Once Was a Gambler	Lightnin' Hopkins	04:57