Autobiography in Blues

Autobiography in Blues
Studio album by
Lightnin' Hopkins
Released1960
RecordedFebruary 16 & 26, 1959
StudioHouston, TX
GenreBlues
Length43:33
LabelTradition
TLP 1040
ProducerMack McCormick
Lightnin' Hopkins chronology
Country Blues
(1959) 		Autobiography in Blues
(1960) 		Down South Summit Meetin'
(1960)

Autobiography in Blues is an album by the blues musician Lightnin' Hopkins, recorded in 1959 and released on the Tradition label the following year.[1][2][3][4]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[5]
The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings[6]

AllMusic stated: "Not having recorded commercially for several years, Lightnin' was in serious mood, resulting in a set of masterful performances that carried more weight than his later, frequently arbitrary sessions".[5] The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings awarded the album 3 stars, calling it a "satisfying example of Lightnin' in a private setting" and noting that "the recording lends warmth to both voice and acoustic guitar".[6]

Track listing

All compositions by Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins and Mack McCormick except where noted

  1. "In the Evening, the Sun Is Going Down" – 4:13
  2. "Trouble in Mind" (Richard M. Jones) – 2:53
  3. "Mama and Papa Hopkins" – 4:42
  4. "The Foot Race Is On" – 2:42
  5. "That Gambling Life" – 4:52
  6. "When the Saints Go Marching In" (Traditional) – 2:44
  7. "Get off My Toe" – 4:59
  8. "75 Highway" – 4:10
  9. "Bottle It up and Go" – 3:42
  10. "Short Haired Woman" – 3:38
  11. "So Long Baby" – 1:47
  12. "Santa Fe Blues" – 3:11

Personnel

Performance

Production

References

  1. ^ Tradition Records Discography: Original LP Releases accessed November 7, 2018
  2. ^ Both Sides Now: Tradition Label Discography accessed November 7, 2018
  3. ^ Wirz' American Music: Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins discography accessed November 7, 2018
  4. ^ O'Brien, T. J. Lightnin' Album of the Week: Week 20 January 15, 2011 accessed November 7, 2018
  5. ^ a b Music, All. Lightnin' Hopkins: Autobiography in Blues – Review at AllMusic. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  6. ^ a b Russell, Tony; Smith, Chris (2006). The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. London: Penguin. p. 278. ISBN 978-0-140-51384-4.