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 mastered from the original analog master tapes by mastering maestro Kevin Gray. 200-gram LPs pressed at state-of -the-art plant Quality Record Pressings and plated by Gary Salstrom. Deep groove label pressings, tip-on jackets on thick cardboard stock. Born in Centerville, Texas in 1912, Sam Hopkins, better known as Lightnin' Hopkins, was immersed as a child in the sounds of the blues and he developed a deeper appreciation at the age of 8 when he met Blind Lemon Jefferson at a church picnic. That meeting had a profound effect on the youngster who went on to learn from his older cousin, country blues singer Alger "Texas" Alexander. Rolling Stone magazine included Hopkins at number 71 on their list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time: "Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins learned the blues form Blind Lemon Jefferson in the Twenties. He was a ferocious electric stylist in the Fifties, though he's perhaps best known for his nimble acoustic fingerpicking during the Sixties folk-blues revival. As unpredictable as John Lee Hooker, he seemed to be making it up as he went along, and often was." (71/100 Greatest Guitarists: David Fricke's Picks) “Recorded for Prestige's Bluesville subsidiary in 1960, Lightnin' is among the rewarding acoustic dates Lightnin' Hopkins delivered in the early '60s. The session has an informal, relaxed quality, and this approach serves a 48-year-old Hopkins impressively well on both originals like ‘Thinkin' 'Bout an Old Friend’ and the familiar ‘Katie Mae’ and enjoyable interpretations of Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee's ‘Back to New Orleans’ and Arthur ‘Big Boy’ Crudup's ‘Mean Old Frisco.’ Hopkins' only accompaniment consists of bassist Leonard Gaskin and drummer Belton Evans, both of whom play in an understated fashion and do their part to make this intimate setting successful. From the remorseful ‘Come Back Baby’ to more lighthearted, fun numbers like ‘You Better Watch Yourself’ and ‘Automobile Blues,’ Lightnin' is a lot like being in a small club with Hopkins as he shares his experiences, insights and humor with you.” — All Music Guide Musicians: Lightnin' Hopkins, vocals and guitar Leonard Gaskin, bass Belton Evans, drums