Lazy Lester
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 "I'm 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 two's styles meshed seamlessly, and Lester became Slim's harpist of choice.
In 1956, Lester stepped out front at Miller's 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 I've 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 producer's output.
Lester gave up playing for almost two decades (and didn't particularly miss it, either), settling in Pontiac, Michigan in 1975. But Fred Reif (Lester's 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 1998's All Over You and 2001's 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 /TiVo
Artistas semelhantes
Discografia
12 álbum(ns) • Ordenado por Mais vendidos
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All Over You (25th Anniversary Edition)
Blues - Lançado por Antone's Records em 10 de nov. de 2023
24-Bit 88.2 kHz - Stereo -
I Hear You Knockin'!
R&B - Lançado por Universal Music Enterprises em 27 de mar. de 1994
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Superharps II
Carey Bell, Lazy Lester, Raful Neal, Snooky Pryor
Blues - Lançado por Telarc em 1 de jan. de 2001
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
His Golden Years (Remastered)
Blues - Lançado por Master Tape Records em 3 de out. de 2020
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
All Over You
Blues - Lançado por Texas Music Group em 6 de out. de 1998
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Harp & Soul
Blues - Lançado por Alligator Records em 1 de jan. de 1988
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Blues Stop Knockin'
Blues - Lançado por Texas Music Group em 21 de ago. de 2001
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Rides Again (Expanded Edition)
Blues - Lançado por ACE RECORDS em 1 de jan. de 1987
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
You Better Listen
Blues - Lançado por Bluestown Records em 21 de fev. de 2011
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Les pionniers du Blues, Vol. 18 : Lazy Lester
Blues - Lançado por Mpm em 6 de out. de 2019
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sugar Coated Love / I´m a Lover Not a Fighter (Remastered)
Blues - Lançado por CHILLS ´N FEVER em 12 de jan. de 1958
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Nothing But The Devil (Live (Remastered))
Blues - Lançado por Antone's Records em 20 de set. de 2023
24-Bit 88.2 kHz - Stereo