Sam "Lightning" Hopkins

Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins (1912-1982) is perhaps my favorite acoustic blues artist. From Houston, Texas, Hopkins began his recording career during the 1940s. His guitar style seems simple at first listen, but it is full of intricate and creative runs, rhythms, and turnarounds.

Hopkins uses a monotonic bass on most of his tunes - usually in the key of E - sometimes F (capoed at the first fret) - and A. He also performs tunes in C and G. His style has influenced many other rock and blues guitarists - most prominently the Vaughan brothers -- Jimmy and the late Stevie Ray from Austin, Texas. When listening to Lightning Hopkins you may notice that he doesn't always pay attention to musical form or structure. As Lightnin' once told a concerned backing musician, "Lightnin' changes when Lightnin' wants to change." Brilliant!!!!

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