Autobiography In Blues
by Lightnin' Hopkins

This is a fascinating album to listen to in the 21st century, because it feels so removed from our current time period and how music is made. As an enthusiast of music from the 1960s, the recording quality of many an album depresses me and this is no exception, with audible tape hum in the background, though nowhere near enough to overpower the music. Hopkins frames this album as the story of his life so far (minus a few covers), taking us through the ups and down of life as a blues singer in mid-century America. Acoustic Blues is not one of my favourite genres and I found myself wishing the songs would pick up in certain places - but perhaps that defeats the point of the blues. And while Hopkins’ voice is in fine form, his guitar-playing is shoddy in places, to the point where I wondered if multiple takes had been attempted, or if he just went when the tapes started rolling. It definitely adds an air of authenticity - sort of like your grandfather telling you stories from his youth - but it’s sadly at the expense of technical polish. Overall, not painful to listen to, but I won’t be returning here anytime soon.

Overall: 2.5/5
Highlights - The Foot Race Is On, That Gambling Life, Get Off My Toe