Blues Texas 1947-51 / Various

Bill Quinn began his Gold Star label with the idea that he'd record "hillbilly" music (political correctness hadn't reared its dubious head yet). Therefore, when he first recorded Lightning Hopkins, the king of the blues, it's amusing that the tag "King of the Hillbillies" was still printed on the record label.Quinn had two major stars in Lightning and L'il Son Jackson, though the former became world-famous and the latter faded into the world of auto mechanics. Lightning's work on Gold Star (and on sides Quinn sold to Modern) is his best: he accompanies himself on guitar (both acoustic and electric) and creates much more atmosphere and plays fewer cliches than on later sides when a bass and drummer were considered mandatory backing.There are also a few sides by "Lightnin' Jr.", L.C. Williams, who has a strong blues voice in spite of TB and addiction to cheap wine (which killed him early)."Thunder" Smith, Lightning's first partner on records (for Aladdin), offers three very good sides, accompanied by Rocky Stoneham on guitar. He was truly in the tradition of great Texas blues singers and pianists but his recording career was brief.Lee Hunter, brother of the more famous Ivory Joe, does justice to his blues, but again he made few recordings. The other artists are all interesting, especially L'il Son Jackson whose only failing is that his guitar style is too repetitive, though he uses it very effectively to compliment his powerful vocals.Every serious fan of post-war blues needs this CD!