Lazy Lester - His Golden Years (Remastered) '2020

Tracks list

Contrary to his colorful sobriquet (supplied by prolific South Louisiana
producer J.D. Miller), harpist Lazy Lester swore he never was all that
lethargic. But he seldom was in much of a hurry either, although the relentless
pace of his Excello Records swamp blues classics Im a Lover Not a Fighter and I
Hear You Knockin might contradict that statement, too.

While growing up outside of Baton Rouge, Leslie Johnson was influenced by Jimmy
Reed and Little Walter. But his entry into playing professionally arrived quite
by accident: while riding on a bus sometime in the mid-50s, he met guitarist
Lightnin Slim, who was searching fruitlessly for an AWOL harpist. The twos
styles meshed seamlessly, and Lester became Slims harpist of choice.

In 1956, Lester stepped out front at Millers Crowley, Louisiana studios for the
first time. During an extended stint at Excello that stretched into 1965, he
waxed such gems as Sugar Coated Love, If You Think Ive Lost You, and The Same
Thing Could Happen to You. Lester proved invaluable as an imaginative sideman
for Miller, utilizing everything from cardboard boxes and claves to whacking on
newspapers in order to locate the correct percussive sound for the producers
output.

Lester gave up playing for almost two decades (and didnt particularly miss it,
either), settling in Pontiac, Michigan in 1975. But Fred Reif (Lesters manager,
booking agent, and rub board player) convinced the harpist that a return to
action was in order, inaugurating a comeback that included a nice 1988 album for
Alligator, Harp & Soul. His swamp blues sound remained as atmospheric (and, dare
one say, energetic) as ever on subsequent releases including 1998s All Over You
and 2001s Blues Stop Knockin, featuring Jimmie Vaughan. Lester continued playing
and recording into the 21st century, releasing One More Once on the Spanish
Karonte label in 2010. He died of cancer in August 2018 at his home in Paradise,
California; Lazy Lester was 85 years old. ~ Bill Dahl & Al Campbell

Tracklisting:
01. Lazy Lester - Im Gonna Leave You Baby (Remastered) (2:12)
02. Lazy Lester - Lesters Stomp (Remastered) (1:54)
03. Lazy Lester - Go Ahead (Remastered) (2:24)
04. Lazy Lester - They Call Me Lazy (Remastered) (2:55)
05. Lazy Lester - I Told My Little Woman (Remastered) (2:53)
06. Lazy Lester - Tell Me Pretty Baby (Remastered) (2:18)
07. Lazy Lester - Im a Lover, Not a Fighter (Remastered) (2:43)
08. Lazy Lester - Sugar Coated Love (Remastered) (2:44)
09. Lazy Lester - I Hear You Knockin (Remastered) (2:10)
10. Lazy Lester - Through the Goodness of My Heart (Remastered) (2:09)
11. Lazy Lester - I Love You, I Need You (Remastered) (2:21)
12. Lazy Lester - Late in the Evening (Remastered) (2:00)
13. Lazy Lester - A Real Combination for Love (Remastered) (2:29)
14. Lazy Lester - Bye Bye Baby, Gonna Call It Gone (Remastered) (2:20)
15. Lazy Lester - You Got Me Where You Want Me (Remastered) (3:01)
16. Lazy Lester - Patrol Blues (Remastered) (2:36)
17. Lazy Lester - (Im so Glad) My Babys Back Home (Remastered) (2:52)
18. Lazy Lester - Whoa Now (Remastered) (2:46)
19. Lazy Lester - If You Think Ive Lost You (Remastered) (2:17)
20. Lazy Lester - Im so Tired (Remastered) (2:25)
21. Lazy Lester - My Home Is a Prison (Slim Harpo) (Remastered) (2:52)
22. Lazy Lester - Role on Ole Mule (Tabby Thomas) (Remastered) (2:00)
23. Lazy Lester - Nothing but the Devil (Lightnin Slim) (Remastered) (2:57)
24. Lazy Lester - Gonna Stick to You Baby (Lonesome Sundown) (Remastered) (2:05)
25. Lazy Lester - Hoodo Party (Remastered) (2:25)
26. Lazy Lester - Rooster Blues (Lightnin Slim) (Remastered) (2:33)

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