Tag: Lightnin’ Hopkins

Omoplatoscopical Hot Links

Weeki Wachee Mermaids present an all new show featuring “Alice’s” new adventures in the watery depths of the “Spring of Live Mermaids” located on Florida’s West Coast at the Junction of U.S. 19 and Florida 50.

They Wonder Who I Am, Lightnin’ Hopkins (1955)Samuel John “Lightnin” Hopkins (1912-1982) was 8 when he was introduced to the blues by Blind Lemon Jefferson and was inspired to make a cigar box guitar. Jefferson later tutored him and reportedly never let another guitarist accompany him.

Instant Karma.

Basketmobiles.

Invisible Magic.

360 degrees of a street.

How to hide from a bear.

Shooting pool on a rolling sea.
[h/t Bunkerville]

His lawnmower wasn’t manly enough.

The story behind Todd Rundgren’s Hello It’s Me.
[Facebook link h/t Octo.]

The Arctic is having the coldest summer on record.

[Top image: Found in Bad Postcards.]

From the Archives: 1 year ago. 5 years ago. 10 years ago.

Saturday Matinee – Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Willie Dixon and a Big Wad of Blues

Sister Rosetta Tharpe‘s  version of “Didn’t It Rain” (Manchester, England in 1964). She exemplified the musical connection between gospel, blues and rock and roll. The song first appeared as piano sheet music in 1927, but I’d guess it dates to the 1800s [h/t Bunkessa].

What a treasure trove this is [via]. In the early 1960s The Blues was largely ignored in the U.S., yet many classic artists found a receptive audience  in Britain. From the Utoobage description:

“Recorded live for TV broadcast throughout Britain, these historic performances have been unseen for nearly 40 years. Filmed with superb camera work and pristine sound, 14 complete performances and 4 bonus performances are included by Sonny Boy Williamson, Muddy Waters, Lonnie Johnson, Big Joe Williams, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Howlin’ Wolf, Big Joe Turner, Junior Wells, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe.”

Spotted Willie Dixon on bass in that vid, so let’s post this:

Yeah, he stuttered in real life, yet Dixon wrote and performed an incredible amount of classic blues tunes.

This compilation should hold you for a while. Have a great weekend, folks, and may you never be nervous.