In the Key of Lightnin' explained

In the Key of Lightnin'
Type:	Album
Artist:	Lightnin' Hopkins
Border:	yes
Released:	August 27, 2002
Recorded:	May 20, 1969
Studio:	Sierra Sound Laboratories, Berkeley, California
Genre:	Blues
Length:	43:31
Label:	Tomato
Producer:	Chris Strachwitz, Jim Malloy, Kevin Eggers
Chronology:	Lightnin' Hopkins
Prev Title:	Lightnin'!
Prev Year:	1969
Next Title:	Lightning Hopkins in Berkeley
Next Year:	1969

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.^[1]

Reception

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".^[2]

Track listing

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^[3]

Personnel

Performance

• 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

• Jim Malloy, Kevin Eggers – producer^[4]

Notes and References

1. https://www.discogs.com/Lightnin-Hopkins-In-The-Key-Of-Lightnin/release/9562029 Discogs: In the Key of Lightnin' album details
2. Book: Russell, Tony. Smith, Chris. The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. 2006. Penguin. London. 978-0-140-51384-4. 282.
3. Web site: In the Key Lightnin' Hopkins - Lightnin' Hopkins | Songs, Reviews, Credits . May 25, 2021. AllMusic.
4. Web site: In the Key Lightnin' Hopkins - Lightnin' Hopkins | Credits . May 25, 2021. AllMusic.