Lester is a great player (though obviously not what you'd call a modernbluesharmonica player) and singer .... and a hell of a nice guy. I got to interview him for a newspaper story in the early 90s.
Lazy Lester is the real deal! He wrote the book on Swamp Blues Harmonica. There is a reason Kim Wilson covered three of his songs with The T-Birds especially considering he never covered a Little Walter song in the early days. He also used to do a lot of Lightnin’ Slim songs in his early live shows that he pretty much played the solos just like Lazy Lester did on the originals. Why he is not listed in Adam’s list of great Harmonica players is a huge mystery to me. ---------- Thanks, Albey Scholl The Shadows Blind Willies Blues Club Atlanta, GA http://www.blindwilliesblues.com/
lazy appears in kenny wayne shepherds 10 days out in the grand finale concert with members of muddy waters band he sounded good as ever as far as lists go they mean nothing to me its all about your own taste
as far as adams list he says he does not really like those lists but the bar has been set so high and that is great there will always be room for improvement and if you are a perfectionist you will only be that much more successful
I love Lazy Lester's sound, I like his vocal style, his songs are full of humour. I learned by playing along to 'Lazy Lester Rides Again. I've never met him, but I'm sure he's a top bloke. I like Lazy Lester a lot.
The sum of the parts is wonderful, and just proves you don't have to be flashy and technical to be musical. Great man? sure. Great musician? probably. Great harp player? hmmm....
If playing with soul, feeling and great natural tone is wrong...I don't want to be right. Lester is a bad ass and many greats have taken what he has given and carried it on. Back in his day, it was about the music, not the harp. Making music that people paid for and wanted to go hear, dance and get the weekend going. He probably wouldn't be the biggest hit at a SPAH convention, but put him in a club with a good rhythm section in back and he would take you to school the old fashioned way...
I just saw Albey's comments above! In 1992, I lived and went to college in Nashville, Tennessee, had been playing the harp for 3 years or so and was ate up with it. Went to a club called the bordwalk cafe with my sister to take in a show with none other than Lazy Lester backed by The Shadows! :O) First set, Albey and his boys tore the shit up! Great tunes and set the tone for the night just like it should be done. Then Lester got up and did his thing...one of the most memorable nights of music in my life and the best time ever spent being with just my sister. We got drunk as you could get and didn't want the show to end. Albey, great era for you guys and i still have the CD i purchased that evening. I hear you and know waht you are about. Thanks for a great evening and memories that have lasted 19 years and will continue as long as i breathe. That is what we should all shoot for as harp players and musicians. To hell with the fancy stuff if it doesn't do this part too.
