Incomplete, but dazzling
Tim Weber | Iowa | 05/04/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For what is here, this is a marvelous Lightnin' Hopkins CD. The tantalizing thing is, there's so much more from this session. "Lightnin' in New York" features tremendously fun and entertaining tracks like "Mighty Crazy" and the definitive version of "Mister Charlie", as well as "Trouble Blues," a searingly painful blues that is among the best songs Lightnin' ever recorded. The problem? There are six songs from this Nov. 15, 1960 session that are not here. These cuts (all good) appeared on Mosaic's "The Complete Candid Otis Spann/Lightnin' Hopkins Sessions" a three-disc masterpiece that features two prime discs of blues pianist Spann and one of Hopkins (14 tracks!). That Hopkins disc in its entirety might be his absolute finest. That limited-edition box set is no longer available, but if you find it used or up for auction, jump at it. Anyway, it would have been nice if, on this "Lightnin' in New York" reissue, they had been able to add those bonus cuts. Why not? Anyway, pretend you're not missing anything and enjoy some fabulous Lightnin' Hopkins music."
Lightnin' Still Strikes
V Jones | NC | 05/22/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What can be said about a legend? My mom introduced me to Lightnin' Hopkins when I was a young teenager. After living a little while and being able to appreciate this giant, I had no choice but to get this CD. My favorite is the last track, Rollin' Mill."