From:   "Dik de Heer" 
Date:  Wed Jun 19, 2002  7:31 pm
Subject:  Born To Be With You : Lazy Lester
 
LAZY LESTER (By Shaun Mather)

Born Leslie Johnson, 20 June 1933, Torras, Louisiana

Born in Torras, just outside Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Lazy Lester is
one of a handful of blues artists who made their name cutting for the
Excello label in a laid back swamp drenched style. His opportunity
came after a chance encounter with Lightnin' Slim who was travelling
the Louisiana country on a Greyhound bus searching for his harmonica
player who'd gone missing prior to a session. Lazy Lester filled the
void and in the process became a regular session man at JD Miller's
Crowley, LA studio.
In 1956 he tried his hand as a front man and stayed with the label for ten
years cutting such gems as I'm A Lover Not A Fighter, I Hear You Knockin',
Sugar Coated Love and The Same Thing Could Happen To You. He continued
as a session player as well, shining particularly brightly on Lonesome Sundown's
My Home Is A Prison in November 1960.
Lazy gave up music in the mid-70's, settling down in Pontiac, Michigan.
Music was in the blood though and he was eventually persuaded to return to
the scene. His 1988 Alligator album, Harp & Soul was a fine return and
sounded like it could have been cut during his 50's-60's heyday. His latest
offering was 1998's All Over You, which I've not heard. I saw him give two
great live shows in Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury where he was backed by our
own Big Joe Louis (whose solo act at the Rhythm Riot was stunning by the
way) and would welcome the opportunity to see him again.

Recommended listening:
I Hear You Knockin'!!! - Excello/AVI
Harp & Soul - Alligator