Rides Again - Expanded Edition Lazy Lester

£12.56

Genre:
Blues
Label:
Ace Records
Format:
CD
Catalogue Id:
CDCHD 1304

This product is also available in these versions:
Rides Again - Expanded Edition (MP3), MP3 (£7.99)

I have been a huge fan of Lazy Lester’s brand of Louisiana swamp blues ever since that fateful day, many years ago now, when John Broven and Mike Leadbitter, of Blues Unlimited fame, introduced me to the Excello label and the production work of J.D. Miller, the label’s owner. I was hooked on Lester’s loping vocal and harmonica styling; the former owing a certain debt to one of the most influential bluesmen of that time, Jimmy Reed, while his harmonica work often appeared to emulate the phrasing and lilt of the accordion, an instrument much maligned, but which has been an all important part of Louisiana’s Cajun and Zydeco cultures.

With the use of a pared-down rhythm section, utilising two guitars and assorted percussion to support his vocal and harmonica work, Lester created a sound that was truly unique – and almost irresistible.

It had always been part of the master plan for the burgeoning Blue Horizon label – if indeed there had actually been a master plan – to record Lazy Lester, Lightnin’ Slim and Slim Harpo at some future date. It was not until 1987 that I finally succeeded in getting Lazy Lester into a recording studio.

Many years of working in the studio in Crowley alongside J.D. Miller made Lester very singular of mind and perceptive as to what was required to get the best results. Those attributes stood him in good stead during these sessions. Musicians to be involved on the planned four-day sessions would be members of the Junkyard Angels, Blues’n’Trouble and special guests Bob Hall, Dave Bronze and John “Big Figure” Martin. The scene was set. I had requested that we should cut no more than three titles that Lester had recorded previously for Excello – and that’s exactly what we got. The others would be chosen from new song demos that had been especially written for the occasion, although only one of those actually made it to the studio and then was never completed – at least, not at that time. Lester had other material that he was anxious to commit to tape and we made the collective decision to also try and jam a couple of items and see what would happen.

Now, you will have to take it from me that some US blues musicians can be tricky to work with. Not so with our man Leslie Johnson. He would prove to be open to almost any suggestion but also full of his own ideas – most of them pretty cool too. In an attempt to be as faithful to my good memories of those days back in May 1987, I got in touch with all the musicians that had participated to see if they might have had a different point of view. Everyone was of the same mind: Tim Elliott stating that his abiding memory was of “just how relaxed the sessions were and how everything just flowed – fabulous times”.

On the 13 November 1988 “Rides Again” became the recipient of the W.C. Handy 1987-88 Blues Award For Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year (Foreign) presented by the Blues Foundation of Memphis. You could say, that although we might not have expected nor needed that, it was most welcome.

By Mike Vernon

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Track listing

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Side 1

  • 01 Preview Sugar Coated Love (Original vinyl version: Take 1)

  • 02 Preview Travelling Days (Original vinyl version: Take 3)

  • 03 Preview The Same Thing Could Happen To You (Original vinyl version: Take 2)

  • 04 Preview Can't Stand To See You Go (Original vinyl version: Take 1)

  • 05 Preview Out On The Road (Original vinyl version: Take 1)

  • 06 Preview Lester's Shuffle (Original vinyl version: Take 2)

  • 07 Preview I Hear You Knockin' (Original vinyl version: Take 4)

  • 08 Preview Irene (Original vinyl version: Take 3)

  • 09 Preview St Louis Blues (Original vinyl version: Take 1)

  • 10 Preview Blowin' A Rhumba (Original vinyl version: Take 2)

  • 11 Preview Nothin' But The Devil (Original vinyl version: Take 1)

  • 12 Preview Hey Mattie (Original vinyl version: Take 4)

  • 13 Preview Travelling Days (Previously unreleased: Take 1)

  • 14 Preview Travelling Days (Previously unreleased: Take 2)

  • 15 Preview The Same Thing Could Happen To You (Previously unreleased: Take 1)

  • 16 Preview The Same Thing Could Happen To You (Previously unreleased: Take 4)

  • 17 Preview Lester's Shuffle (Previously unreleased: Take 1)

  • 18 Preview I Hear You Knockin' (Previously unreleased: Take 1)

  • 19 Preview Blowin' A Rhumba (Previously unreleased: Take 3)

  • 20 Preview Hey Mattie (Previously unreleased: Take 1)

  • 21 Preview Hey Mattie (Previously unreleased: Take 3)

  • 22 Preview I Ain't Glad (Previously unreleased: Take 2)

  • 23 Preview Rockin' With Lester (Previously unreleased: Take 1)

Delivery & Returns

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We offer free P&P to UK addresses. For all other territories packaging is free and postage is charged on a weight basis.

We use Royal Mail First Class for UK deliveries and standard Air Mail for all other territories, very large orders will usually be sent via parcelforce. You may cancel your order at any time prior to your order being dispatched by emailing us at orders@acerecords.com ensuring that you quote your name, address and order reference number or by telephoning +44 (0) 208 453 1311 between 9am and 5pm GMT/BST, Monday to Friday. Please note: As music downloads are dispatched immediately after purchase, there is no possibility of cancelling these orders.

In the event that any products supplied to you by us are damaged or defective, we agree to replace or repair the damaged or defective products or refund the amount you paid for such goods (including postage & packaging) providing you notify us (either via post at or e-mail: orders@acerecords.com ) and return the goods within 28 days of purchase. Physical goods should be sent back to us in the same condition you received them to: “Returns” Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the e-mail address above including a copy of your notification.

You have the right to cancel your order within seven days of purchase, or seven days of receipt of the goods (whichever is the longer). If you choose to cancel your order, full payment will be returned to you. Returned items should be sent to: “Returns” c/o Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the email address: orders@acerecords.com including a copy of your notice of cancellation and order number.

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