Autobiography in Blues is an album by the blues musician Lightnin' Hopkins, recorded in 1959 and released on the Tradition label the following year.Tradition Records Discography: Original LP Releases accessed November 7, 2018Both Sides Now: Tradition Label Discography accessed November 7, 2018Wirz' American Music: Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins discography accessed November 7, 2018O'Brien, T. J. Lightnin' Album of the Week: Week 20 January 15, 2011 accessed November 7, 2018
Reception
AllMusic stated: "Not having recorded commercially for several years, Lightnin' was in serious mood, resulting in a set of masterful performances that carried more weight than his later, frequently arbitrary sessions". The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings awarded the album 3 stars, calling it a "satisfying example of Lightnin' in a private setting" and noting that "the recording lends warmth to both voice and acoustic guitar".
DownBeat reviewer Pete Welding awarded the album 5 stars. He wrote that the album, "has the ring of utter truth, and the validity of its message is immediately apparent to listeners from every disparate cultural background — not just the background that produced the music".
Track listing All compositions by Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins and Mack McCormick except where noted "In the Evening, the Sun Is Going Down" – 4:13 "Trouble in Mind" (Richard M. Jones) – 2:53 "Mama and Papa Hopkins" – 4:42 "The Foot Race Is On" – 2:42 "That Gambling Life" – 4:52 "When the Saints Go Marching In" (Traditional) – 2:44 "Get off My Toe" – 4:59 "75 Highway" – 4:10 "Bottle It up and Go" – 3:42 "Short Haired Woman" – 3:38 "So Long Baby" – 1:47 "Santa Fe Blues" – 3:11
Personnel Performance Lightnin' Hopkins – guitar, vocals
Production Mack McCormick – supervision, engineer
References