Country Blues


Country Blues is an album by blues musician Lightnin' Hopkins recorded in 1959 and released on the Tradition label.

Reception

reviewer Cub Koda stated: "In 1959, armed with nothing more than a single microphone mono tape recorder, folklorist Mack McCormick recorded Hopkins in an informal setting in hopes of catching some rough-edged performances that he felt were lacking from the bluesman's then-recent studio efforts. That he succeeded mightily is evidenced in this 15-song collection, almost casual in the way Lightnin' tosses off themes, lyrics, and emotion in a most cavalier fashion.... here is Lightnin' truly in his element, playing for his friends and his own enjoyment, minus the commercial overlay of the times or the imposed "folk blues" posturing of his later acoustic recordings. Not the place to start, but a real good place to visit along the way".
The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings awarded the album 3 stars calling it a "satisfying example of Lightnin' in a private setting" and noting "the recording lends warmth to both voice and acoustic guitar".

Track listing

All compositions by Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins except where noted
  1. "Long Time" – 1:36
  2. "Rainy Day Blues" – 3:06
  3. "Baby!" – 3:05
  4. "Long Gone Like a Turkey Through the Corn" – 3:41
  5. "Prison Blues Come Down on Me" – 3:24
  6. "Backwater Blues " – 2:45
  7. "Gonna Pull a Party" – 3:38
  8. "Bluebird, Bluebird" – 1:29
  9. "See See Rider" – 3:10
  10. "Worrying My Mind" – 3:27
  11. "Til the Gin Gets Here" – 1:02
  12. "Bunion Stew" – 1:55
  13. "You Got to Work to Get Your Pay" – 2:30
  14. "Go Down Old Hannah" – 3:30
  15. "Hear My Black Dog Bark" – 3:49

    Personnel

Performance