Lightnin' Hopkins

Lightnin' Hopkins is the star of this live recording, made at an August 1961 concert at the Ash Grove in Hollywood featuring Hopkins, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee (with Big Joe Williams sitting in on three numbers). It isn't remotely unique, joining a long list of club recordings by all three, although the original LP (on the Davon and Horizon labels) was obscure enough that collectors may welcome this CD. The sound is excellent, and the original master tape has yielded one extra Terry/McGhee track ("Po' Boy") and one extra Hopkins/Terry/McGhee song ("Early Morning Blues") from the same show–the producers have also added on two more songs ("I'm A Stranger Here," "Trouble In Mind") from an L.A. Troubador show by Terry and McGhee, bringing the running time up to 60 minutes. The sound is excellent, the performances are spirited enough, and the addition of the ominous "Early Morning Blues" shifts the record more toward blues than the folk/hootenanny orientation of the released Hopkins/Terry/McGhee tracks. "Blues For the Lowlands" is the best of the Terry/McGhee tracks, beautifully showcasing their harmonica/guitar interplay.

Lightnin' Hopkins was one of the greatest and most popular authentic blues artists. These 26 titles comprise the first 13 singles released by Lightnin' Hopkins between 1947 and 1952. They weren't his first recordings but they were the first released under his own name. Although he did record with other musicians and even with full bands it's these acoustic classics that best illustrate his art and they are some of the most endearing blues tracks ever recorded. Includes the popular songs "Katie Mae Blues", "Big Mama Jump" and his biggest chart hit "Shotgun Blues". A true genius of the genre this Lightnin' Hopkins release by Jasmine is a must have for blues and R&B fans.

Lightnin' Hopkins went from gigging at back-alley gin joints to starring at collegiate coffeehouses, appearing on TV programs, and touring Europe to boot. His once-flagging recording career went right through the roof, with albums for World Pacific; Vee-Jay; Bluesville; Bobby Robinson's Fire label (where he cut his classic "Mojo Hand" in 1960); Candid; Arhoolie; Prestige; Verve; and, in 1965, the first of several LPs for Stan Lewis' Shreveport-based Jewel logo.

This new compilation brings us the best of Hopkins' 1946-1948 recordings for the Los Angeles based Aladdin Record label. Remarkable solitary blues recorded in the fully-formed individual style on which he would build a life-long career. Hopkins scored national hits with "Shotgun Blues" and "Short Haired woman", essential, evocative Texas blues, rooted in a tradition going back to Blind Lemon Jefferson.

10 CD Wallet Box featuring the best of late 40s/early 50s rhythm & blues, jump blues, boogie blues and just plain ol' blues.

"St. Germain" is the eponymous fourth studio by French house producer Ludovic Navarre, under his main pseudonym St Germain. This is jis first album in 15 years. One official single has been released from the album, "Real Blues", a beautiful track filled with spiraling production and the fiery vocals of Lightnin' Hopkins.