Legendary Houston bluesman, Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins was an icon of American music. This CD compiles the crème of his 1946-1948 recordings for the LA-based Aladdin Record company - remarkable solitary blues recorded in the fully-formed individual style on which he would build a life-long career. Lightnin's guitar style was compelling - old, yet new. His ad-libbed chord changes and stop-time rhythms, produced the hit, "Katie May" right out of the gate. Hopkins scored national R&B hits for Aladdin with his "Shotgun Blues," "Short Haired Woman" - Essential, evocative Texas blues rooted in a tradition going back to Blind Lemon Jefferson and Blind Willie Johnson.