238658923659

326 Part VI: The Part of Tens Blues Masters: The Very Best
of Lightnin’ Hopkins
Rhino, 2000. Lightnin’ Hopkins (1912–82) was one of the originators of Texas
blues, which had a more swinging, jazzier feel than the harder-edged Chicago
style. This compilation highlights the best of his work, recorded early in his
career, and Rhino chose well in assembling 16 tracks that show Hopkins in
his prime, from 1947 to 1961. Hopkins’s long career spanned six decades,
beginning in the ’20s when he served as the legendary Blind Lemon
Jefferson’s guide and continuing until his death in 1982.
T-Bone Walker: Complete Capitol
Black & White Recordings
Capitol, 1995. Complete Capitol Black & White Recordings is a three-CD boxed
set that contains 75 tracks of vintage T-Bone Walker music, all recorded in the
’40s. This set includes Walker’s original version of “Call It Stormy Monday”
(covered by the Allman Brothers on their most well-known album, At Fillmore
East). For more info on Walker, flip back to Chapter 12.
T-Bone Walker: Complete
Imperial Recordings
EMI America, 1991. Walker is so important that he merits two selections. His
Imperial recordings from the ’50s are perhaps even more spectacular as the
material, arrangements, and backing bands perfectly complement his mature
style. “Cold, Cold Feeling,” “I Got the Blues,” and the sensational swinging
shuffles in “Strollin’ with Bone,” “The Hustle Is On,” “You Don’t Love Me,” and
“Party Girl” are definitive postwar electric blues.
The Best of Muddy Waters
Chess, 1975. Muddy Waters defined the Chicago sound by bringing his Deltainfluenced
music north from the Delta in the early 1940s. This compilation is
TEAM LinG