George kindly alerted me to Mojo Hand - The Complete Fire Sessions by the legendary Texan Bluesman Lighnin' Hopkins which has recently been released. Lightnin' is no stranger to these pages.
Here is some blurb from the Rough Trade website -
Lightnin’ Hopkins is widely considered one of the great popular architects of the blues style that came be known as “country blues” and which proved to be huge influence on the future development of Rock ‘n’ Roll. “Mojo Hand” was one of Hopkins‘ signature tunes. Mixing his own style with Louisiana Creole and voodoo culture, the song ripples with an occult energy.This album, recorded for Fire Records, is especially interesting because it casts Hopkins in a more R&B-flavored environment. This obvious effort to get a hit takes for some excellent blues; moody and powerful performances play throughout. The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings wrote that "Lightnin' is focussed and businesslike and delivers a strong and varied sequence of songs; the bassist and drummer unobtrusive but very much there”.Much more important than that he was a mentor to the likes of Steve Earle and Townes Van Zandt who were busy learning their trade in the less salubrious areas of Houston.I wonder if he has a Townes cover out there somewhere. Townes has certainly covered Lightnin'
The album is excellent as you would expect. Heck- given the time of year I am even throwing in a Christmas song. Don't say I'm not good to you
Lightnin' Hopkins - How Long Has That Train Been Gone
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