In the Key of Lightnin'

In the Key of Lightnin' is an album by blues musician Lightnin' Hopkins, recorded at the sessions that produced Lightnin'! in California in 1969, but not released until 2002 on the Tomato label.[2]

In the Key of Lightnin'
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 27, 2002[1]
RecordedMay 20, 1969[1]
StudioSierra Sound Laboratories, Berkeley, California
GenreBlues
Length43:31
LabelTomato
TOM 2098
ProducerChris Strachwitz, Jim Malloy, Kevin Eggers
Lightnin' Hopkins chronology
Lightnin'!
(1969)
In the Key of Lightnin'
(2002)
Lightning Hopkins in Berkeley
(1969)

Reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings    [3]

The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings said: "In the Key of Lightnin' contains unissued material from the Poppy sessions with the full band on "What'd I Say" and "Katie May". Five tracks are snatches of inconsequential talking".[3]

Track listing

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All compositions by Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins except where noted

  1. "Lightnin' Declares" – 0:20
  2. "Cryin' Shame (Shake That Thing)" – 2:32
  3. "Last Night I Lost the Best Friend I Ever Had" – 2:52
  4. "Baby, Please Lend Me Your Love" – 3:14
  5. "Short Haired Woman" Discourse – 0:28
  6. "Short Haired Woman" – 3:27
  7. "Cigar" Chatter – 0:41
  8. "Pneumonia Blues" (Blind Lemon Jefferson) – 2:42
  9. "What'd I Say" (Ray Charles) – 2:32
  10. "Katie Mae" – 6:38
  11. "Black Cadillac" – 3:03
  12. "One for the Gamblin'" – 3:45
  13. "I Gave Up Card Playin'" Pronouncement – 0:28
  14. "I Once Was a Gambler" – 1:45
  15. "Where Did You Stay Last Night?" – 3:46
  16. "Careless Love" (Traditional) – 1:59
  17. ""Black Lightnin'" Rap" – 0:30
  18. "Lightnin' Slow Blues" – 2:49[1]

Personnel

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Performance

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  • Lightnin' Hopkins – electric guitar, vocals
  • Francis Clay – drums (tracks 2, 3, 6, 8–11, 15, 16 & 18)
  • Jeff Carp – harmonica (tracks 9 & 10)
  • Paul Asbell – guitar (tracks 9 & 10)
  • Moose Walker – piano (tracks 9 & 10)
  • Geno Skaggs – bass (tracks 1, 9 & 10)[4]

Production

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "In the Key Lightnin' Hopkins - Lightnin' Hopkins | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  2. ^ Discogs: In the Key of Lightnin' album details, Discogs.com, accessed November 22, 2018
  3. ^ a b Russell, Tony; Smith, Chris (2006). The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. London: Penguin. p. 282. ISBN 978-0-140-51384-4.
  4. ^ a b "In the Key Lightnin' Hopkins - Lightnin' Hopkins | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved May 25, 2021.