Song of the Day: Lightnin’ Hopkins “Mojo Hand”

Lightnin’ Hopkins is widely considered one of the great popular architects of the blues style that came be known as “country blues” and which proved to be huge influence on the future development of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Born Sam Hopkins and nicknamed Lightnin’ for his quick and agile guitar style, was a formidable songwriter, guitarist and singer, who had a sharp and angular style all his own.

Coming out of Centreville, Texas where a chance meeting with Blind Lemon Jefferson (one of the early, storied fathers of American blues music) at the age of only eight, unleashed in the young Hopkins a lifelong love of the rhythm and blues, he would go on to become a great innovator in his own right.

“Mojo Hand” was one of Hopkins‘ signature tunes. Mixing his own style with Louisiana Creole and voodoo culture, the song ripples with an occult energy. The song tumbles along through a solid blues shuffle with Hopkins‘ formidable guitar fills and soloing lighting the edges of each of the verses. The down and dirty recording style really suits the material and highlights what made Lightnin’ Hopkins such a unique performer.