Needed Time

- Lightnin' Hopkins

Tom Feldmann - National Reso-Phonic guitar/vocals

Paul Liebenow - Upright Bass

Jed Staack - Drums

Lyrics

Jesus won't you come round here

Jesus won't you come round here

Jesus won't you come round here

Now is the needed time

Oh, now is the needed time

Now is the needed time

I'm down on my knees and praying

Down on my knees and praying

I'm down on my knees and praying

Now is the needed time

Oh, now is the needed time

Now is the needed time

Even if you don't stay long

Even if you don't stay long

Even if you don't stay long

Now is the needed time

Oh, now is the needed time

Now is the needed time

Jesus won't you come round here

Jesus won't you come round here

Jesus won't you come round here

Now is the needed time

Oh, now is the needed time

Now is the needed time

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This is a very rare side of Lightnin' Hopkins, in all of my searching I've yet to come across another gospel song recorded by him.

Recorded in 1950, Needed Time appears only on a few of the slew of "re-issues" that have been compiled, most notably Jake Head Boogie and Lightnin Hopkins Sings the Blues.  It was also used extensively on the 1972 film "Sounder" starring Cicely Tyson.



Born, Sam Hopkins in Centerville, Texas in 1912, Hopkins was immersed in the sounds of the blues and he developed a deeper appreciation at the age of 8 when he met Blind Lemon Jefferson at a church picnic.  He went on to learn from his older (somewhat distant) cousin, country blues singer Alger "Texas" Alexander.

He was discovered in in 1946 by Lola Anne Cullum from the Los Angeles based record label, Aladdin Records and recorded 12 tracks with pianist Wilson Smith.  An Aladdin Records executive decided the pair needed more dynamism in their names and dubbed Hopkins "Lightnin'" and Wilson "Thunder".

Hopkins rarely performed outside Texas until the 1960's, however he recorded prolifically throughout his career.  It is estimated that he recorded between 800 and 1000 songs and  is credited as recording more albums than any other bluesman. 

Hopkins died of esophageal cancer in Houston in 1982 at the age of 69.  A statue of Hopkins stands in Crockett, Texas.

More info on Lightnin' Hopkins