Lazy Lester - Lazy Lester

Harpist Lazy Lester swears he never was lethargic. People say he seldom was in much of a hurry either, although the relentless pace of his swamp blues classics "I'm a Lover Not a Fighter" and "I Hear You Knockin'" might contradict that statement.

Lester's entry into playing professionally was by accident. While riding on a bus in the mid-50s, he met guitarist Lightnin' Slim, who was searching fruitlessly for a harpist. Their styles meshed seamlessly, and Lester became Slim's choice. In 1956, Lester stepped out front at Miller's Crowley, La., studios for the first time. 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 south Louisiana producer J.D. 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.

This cult legend of swamp blues and bayou harp master has worked with some of the finest in the business (Slim Harpo, Katie Webster, Derek O'Brien, Guitar Gable and Teddy Morgan to name a few) mixing his roots in Louisiana along with back-country blues. Lazy's low-down, raw sense of grittiness and leisure seasoned with a touch of stripped down, bare guitar-vocal tunes captures insight to a side of Lazy that most have never heard. Lester returned with a 1988 album for Alligator, Harp & Soul and a W.C. Handy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Artist. His swamp blues sound remains as atmospheric (and dare we say it, energetic) as ever on subsequent releases, including 1998's All Over You. On side A, Lazy Lester plays solo acoustic guitar, harmonica and foot percussion. On Side B, Lazy Lester is accompanied by Henry Gray on Piano and Jimmy D. Lane on rhythm guitar.