Musicologist Robert McCormick on Lightnin' Hopkins: [Hopkins is] "the embodiment of the jazz-and-poetry spirit, representing its ancient form in the single creator whose words and music are one act." Originally released in 1959, Smithsonian Folkways has reissued the Centerville, Texas country blues singer-songwriter's self-titled album for the first time in years. Recorded with a borrowed acoustic guitar, the 10-tracker was put on to tape in a small apartment in Houston, Texas by musicologist Sam Charters, who also writes liner notes for the release. Considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time, Hopkins's distinctive style is defined by a fingerstyle that simultaneously handles bass, rhythm, lead and percussion, and his talking-style singing, full of humor and double entendres, sound better than ever thanks to fine remastering job (from og master tapes) from the label.

• remastered from original master tapes
• classic Folkways-style tip-on jacket
• original liner notes
• music label: Folkways 1959 / 2018

reviewed by rei kwondo 08/2018