Roots of Blues -- Sam "Lightnin' " Hopkins „ Let Me Play With

Recorded: Los Angeles, August 15, 1947
Lightnin' Hopkins (vcl) (g), Wilson „Thunder" Smith (p) (vcl), unknown (d)

Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins, Born in Centerville, Texas, Hopkins love for the blues was sparked at the age of 8 when he met Blind Lemon Jefferson at a church picnic in Buffalo, Texas.[1] That day, Hopkins felt the blues was "in him" and went on to learn from his older (somewhat distant) cousin, country blues singer Alger "Texas" Alexander.[1] In the mid 1930s, Hopkins was sent to Houston County Prison Farm for an unknown offense.[1] In the late 1930s Hopkins moved to Houston with Alexander in an unsuccessful attempt to break into the music scene there. By the early 1940s he was back in Centerville working as a farm hand.

Hopkins took at second shot at Houston in 1946. While singing on Dowling St. in Houston's Third Ward (which would become his home base) he was discovered by Lola Anne Cullum from the Los Angeles based record label, Aladdin Records. She convinced Hopkins to travel to L.A. where he accompanied pianist Wilson Smith. The duo recorded twelve tracks in their first sessions in 1946. An Aladdin Records executive decided the pair needed more dynamism in their names and dubbed Hopkins "Lightnin'" and Wilson "Thunder".

Hopkins recorded more sides for Aladdin in 1947 but soon grew homesick. He returned to Houston and began recording for the Gold Star Records label. During the late 40s and 1950s Hopkins rarely performed outside Texas. However, he recorded prolifically. Occasionally traveling to the Mid-West and Eastern United States for recording sessions and concert appearances. It has been estimated that he recorded between 800 and 1000 songs during his career. He performed regular at clubs in and around Houston, particularly in Dowling St. where he had first been discovered. He recorded his hits "T-Model Blues" and "Tim Moore's Farm" at SugarHill Recording Studios in Houston. By the mid to late 1950s his prodigious output of quality recordings had gained him a following among African Americans and blues music aficionados.

In 1959 Hopkins was contacted by folklorist Mack McCormick who hoped to bring him to the attention of the broader musical audience which was caught up in the folk revival.[1] McCormack presented Hopkins to integrated audiences first in Houston and then in California. Hopkins debuted at Carnegie Hall on October 14, 1960 appearing alongside Joan Baez and Pete Seeger performing the spiritual Oh, Mary Don't You Weep. In 1960, he signed to Tradition Records. Solid recordings followed including his masterpiece song "Mojo Hand" in 1960.

By the early 1960s Lightnin' Hopkins reputation as one of the most compelling blues performers was cemented. He had finally earned the success and recognition which were overdue. In 1968, Hopkins recorded the album Free Form Patterns backed by the rhythm section of psychedelic rock band the 13th Floor Elevators. Through the 1960s and into the 1970s Hopkins released one or sometimes two albums a year and toured, playing at major folk festivals and at folk clubs and on college campuses in the U.S. and internationally. He travelled widely in the United States, and overcame his fear of flying to join the 1964 American Folk Blues Festival; visit Germany and the Netherlands 13 years later;; and play a six-city tour of Japan in 1978.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Blues
• Roots_of_Blues
• History_of_music

[welk2703]

anyhow it is it is great!!

[bigwillhenk]

very nice

[CavenEdwards]

Sam lightning hopkins is the greatest blues guitarist ever. My grand daddy's favorite guitar player. I see why!

[gootenslog]

@PeaceAndJustice357

To heck with Rocket 88.....This is the first rock and roll song.

[PeaceAndJustice357]

This is off the hook right here. The real Rock & Roll

[ThomasDeLello]

You spell that ... SURE , not shore.

[9mej]

thank you for the comment im shore we are right betwen ourselves

[carolinaguitarman]

It sounds great, but I'm with you. This sounds more like 1957 than '47. Just the sound quality alone makes me think post 40's.

[9mej]

are you shore that this was recorded in 1947 he is playing a electric guitar here i thought he strated playing the electric guitar later on in his carear

[plattform5163]

Thanks for sharing this legend!