Untidy Selections: Mr. Scruff's Favourite Albums | Page 5 of 14 | The Quietus

Baker's Dozen

Artists discuss the 13 records that shaped their lives

4. Lightnin’ HopkinsPenitentiary Blues

Lightnin’ Hopkins met Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry for the first time at a late night session, and the next day, alongside Big Joe, they were booked into the studio to record some off-the-cuff tunes. My dad had this in his collection, and it always stood out to me as a very unique record, due to the long tunes and late night hazy atmosphere of the recording. When I left home, I vowed to get my own copy. I eventually picked one up in a shop in Edinburgh about ten years ago for £10. It reminds me of spending time with my dad, and more often than not, this was the album I asked him to put on. He has since lost his copy, so I managed to get him a replacement too.

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