Release Date: 1960 (C-5530).
Recording Date: June 12, 1959 - October 31, 1959.
Release Info: Vinyl, LP, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Mono.
Styles: Acoustic Blues, Country Blues, Texas Blues.
Yet again it's taken an anonymous (and dubious?) source to bring back to catalogue a record of major documentary importance. This album (now with an additional track) originally appeared on Tony Standish's Heritage label and was culled from Mack McCormick's attempts to document the surviving Texas blues traditions of the Fifties/Sixties. The star of the album is without doubt Lightnin's elder brother, Joel. A true throwback, Joel Hopkins' archaic vocal and rudimentary guitar playing were, in 1959, a far more logical continuation of the Texas tradition than that of younger brother Lightnin'. The extended vocal lines of Texas Alexander, the playing of JT "Funny Paper" Smith, even nuances of Ramblin' Thomas and Little Hat Jones can all be detected but never more so than in the hypnotic, eight minute improvisation, "Thunder In Germany". Such was the impact on me the number got three successive plays. Fans of Lightnin' will probably find Joel, in comparison, earthy, by contrast, stark, and musically somewhat hard going.
Lightnin's own contribution emanates from the same source and will for some be far easier listening. I well recall how primitive a practitioner I first thought him to be when introduced to his music in 1962, but back to back with Joel he sounds positively ordered. Given Hopkins's formative career as a juke box artist the temptation to class these post jukebox days as "Hopkins for the folklorists" is quite tempting, but to his credit Lightnin' turns in several committed reworkings, a charming rendition of "Creole Belles" (as "Getting Out Of The Bushes Tap Dance") and "Suicide Blues" has to be one of the most remarkable insights into the contemplation and effects of suicide that's ever been committed to tape. This, too, I played repeatedly just to convince myself of what I was hearing. Whilst there may be a few like minded souls who will purchase this record to expand their understanding of Texas blues most, I suspect, will ignore this album as not warranting the expense. What this reissue will provoke in some of us is a lament for the stillborn Oliver/McCormick Texas book. If publication of the work has proved impossible how about a series of features for "Blues & Rhythm" based on the research? Paul? Mack? Anybody? ~ Alan Balfour Blues & Rhythm 53, July 1990 (p 37)
Credits: Joel Hopkins - Vocals, Guitar (tracks: A1 to A5); Sam Lightnin' Hopkins - Vocals, Guitar (tracks: B1 to B5); Tony Standish - Liner Notes; Andrew Hanson - Photography By; Ed Badeaux - Photography By; Mack McCormick - Recorded By.
Tracklist:
A1. Good Times Here, Better Down The Road - Joel Hopkins
A2. Match Box Blues - Joel Hopkins
A3. Accused Me Of Forgin', Can't Even Write My Name - Joel Hopkins
A4. I Ain't Gonna Roll For The Big Hat Man No More - Joel Hopkins
A5. Thunder In Germany, Red Cross On My Own - Joel Hopkins
B1. Long Way From Texas - Sam Lightnin' Hopkins
B2. Whiskey, Whiskey - Sam Lightnin' Hopkins
B3. Getting Out Of The Bushes Tap Dance - Sam Lightnin' Hopkins
B4. Suicide Blues - Sam Lightnin' Hopkins
B5. Look Out, Settegast, Here Me And My Partner Come - Sam Lightnin' Hopkins
Joel Hopkins Side (second selection recorded October 31, 1959; remainder June 3, 1959, Dickinson, TX by Mack McCormick).
Sam Lightnin' Hopkins Side (all selections recorded November 19, 1959, Houston, TX by Mack McCormick).
Notes:
B3 Lighnin' tap dancing whilst playing and talking.
B5 Prefaced by brief dialogue between Lightnin' & Mack McCormick.
Original issue Heritage HLP 1001, plus one bonus track (A1) taken from Candid 8026.
Photography by Ed Badeaux (Joel Hopkins), Andrew Hanson (Lightnin' Hopkins).