Lightnin' Hopkins: Goin' Away
Analogue Productions CPRJ 1073 SA
Stereo Hybrid
Jazz
Lightnin' Hopkins
Part of the ultimate audiophile Prestige stereo reissues from Analogue Productions — 25 of the most collectible, rarest, most audiophile-sounding Rudy Van Gelder recordings ever made. All cut at 331/3 and also released on Hybrid SACD
All mastered from the original analog master tapes by mastering maestro Kevin Gray
Sam “Lightnin’” Hopkins, a true poet who invented most of his lyrics on the spot and never seemed to run out of new ideas, was a blues giant of post-war blues whose style was rooted in pre-war Texas traditions. While he cranked up his amp to fierce proportions when performing for his friends at Houston juke joints, producers who recorded him for the so-called folk-blues market usually insisted that he use an acoustic guitar for more “authentic” results. Either way, Lightnin’ seldom made a bad record, and this June 4, 1963, session on which he played acoustic was among his finest, thanks much to the sensitive support of bassist Leonard Gaskin and drummer Herbie Lovelle, who did a remarkable job of following his irregular bar patterns and abrupt song endings.
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Comment by Gilles Daugenet - May 16, 2022 (1 of 2)
This SACD is simply outstanding ! On one side of the enclosure there is the drums, on the other side there is Lightnin' Hopkins with his guitar and in the middle the bass, the sound is clear and limpid ... it's a marvel !
Comment by Brian VanPelt - July 19, 2022 (2 of 2)
I completely agree with Gilles.
It's just Lightnin' singing and playing guitar, a bass player and
someone playing a drum. It's like being in the recording booth for
the original sessions. There is absolutely no distortion of any kind,
and there's not even tape hiss. This is unreal.
The soundstage is occupied on the left by the bassist, I think. The
right is occupied by the drummer, and Lightnin' is in the center with
his guitar. Every detail can be heard. Lightnin's voice is very well
recorded - which I know is difficult to do. You can hear that he sings
too close to the mic on occasion, but he doesn't distort even then.
All of the instruments sound real/authentic on this completely
acoustic album.
The amazing sound quality adds to the mesmerizing quality of this
album. It's pretty much perfect.