Search - Lightnin Hopkins :: 1946-1951

Unparalleled Blues Purity

Jenni Greco | Nashville, TN | 06/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 5 CD set is almost too much of a good thing for lovers of raw country blues guitar music, a revelation of emotion and execution by a rare master of his art. For anyone interested in hearing the unencumberd essence of the human soul, this set is imperative. Though just about any recording by Hopkins is recommended (and there are quite a few) these discs capture him in his prime, playing with a conviction and power at a time when he had nothing to lose, before his "discovery" by white blues lovers in the sixties. The fact that themes are often repeated should be of little concern to those wishing to experience a primal example of evolution in country blues. Not only is this set a fantastic bargain for 5 discs, it is priceless when you get to hear what they contain."

4.5 Stars for Lightnin' Hopkins

D. B Pepper | Plainview, NY United States | 06/18/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are a few songs on these discs that I don't like, because I feel Lightnin' was being a bit lazy, but let's face it; the bulk of this music is some primordial, powerful stuff. "Tim Moore's Farm" and "Unkind Blues" are dazzling. The last song that Lightnin' Hopkins performs on the Yazoo DVD which he shares with Roosevelt Sykes, which I believe we can call "Grandpa and Grandma Blues", though the title isn't given, is wonderfully improvised and similar to some of the music on this box set."