// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Harp & Soul say to the pizza? "You've struck a chord with me.
| Harp & Soul | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1988 | |||
| Recorded | 1988 | |||
| Studio | King Snake | |||
| Genres | Blues, swamp blues | |||
| Label | Alligator | |||
| Producer | Bob Greenlee | |||
| Lazy Lester chronology | ||||
| ||||
Harp & Soul is an album by the American musician Lazy Lester, released in 1988.[1][2] He supported it with a North American tour.[3]
Production
[edit]Recorded in the summer of 1988 at King Snake Studios, in Sanford, Florida, the album was produced by Bob Greenlee.[4][5] Lucky Peterson contributed on keyboards.[6] "I'm a Man" is a cover of the Bo Diddley song.[7] "Raining in My Heart" was written by Slim Harpo.[7] "Bloodstains on the Wall" is a narrative about a girlfriend who delights in killing men.[8] "Alligator Shuffle" is an instrumental.[9]
Critical reception
[edit]
The Washington Post noted that "not only is his gravelly voice and soulful harmonica put to excellent use here ... but the unfussy sound mix and the contrasting but always tasteful guitar work of Kenny Neal and Pete Carr suit Lester just fine."[17] The Philadelphia Inquirer opined that "while the harp playing is excellent—few can imply more fire or longing with simple manipulations of breath—Lester's singing, full of flying leaps and self-conscious turns, borders on lounge-lizard camp."[18]
The SouthtownStar called Lester "a specialist in swamp boogie and keening harp crying."[16] The News & Observer said that his vocals "are rich and gravelly, slow as molasses and sinfully delicious".[19] The Boston Globe praised Lester's "unique tone and sense of irony".[20] The Blade concluded that "there is a sprightliness to this LP that is lacking in many electric blues albums".[21]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I Done Gone Over It" | |
| 2. | "Take Me in Your Arms" | |
| 3. | "I'm a Man" | |
| 4. | "Patrol Wagon Blues" | |
| 5. | "Dark End of the Street" | |
| 6. | "Raining in My Heart" | |
| 7. | "Bye Bye Baby" | |
| 8. | "Bloodstains on the Wall" | |
| 9. | "Alligator Shuffle" | |
| 10. | "Five Long Years" |
References
[edit]- ↑ Krampert, Peter (2016). The Encyclopedia of the Harmonica. Mel Bay Publications, Inc. p. 93.
- ↑ Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2018. McFarland, Inc. 2019. p. 214.
- ↑ Goldstein, Patrick (February 26, 1989). "Harp magic man...". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 86.
- ↑ "Lazy Lester Is Singing the Blues Again". Friday. Durham Morning Herald. January 13, 1989. p. 9.
- ↑ Duffy, Thom (January 15, 1989). "Music". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 7.
- ↑ Dean, Jason (November 2, 1989). "Lazy Lester Lives Up to Name". The Bay City Times. p. 5C.
- 1 2 Kelton, Jim (December 11, 1988). "No glitz: Take a good, solid gift for a spin". The Sunday Herald. Everett. p. 6F.
- ↑ Smith, Andy (October 7, 1988). "Take a chance on swamp blues". The Providence Journal. p. D6.
- ↑ Goff, Paula (April 22, 1989). "Records". The Morning Call. p. A78.
- ↑ All Music Guide to the Blues (3rd ed.). Backbeat Books. 2003. p. 328.
- ↑ Larkin, Colin (1998). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. IV. MUZE. p. 3154.
- ↑ Hadley, Frank-John (1993). The Grove Press Guide to the Blues on CD. Grove Press. pp. 131–132.
- ↑ MusicHound Blues: The Essential Album Guide (2nd ed.). Visible Ink Press. 2002. p. 225.
- ↑ The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. Penguin Books. 2006. p. 377.
- ↑ The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide. Random House. 1999. p. 416.
- 1 2 Everson, John (January 8, 1989). "Pop Stops". SouthtownStar. p. D6.
- ↑ Joyce, Mike (October 21, 1988). "Cool Drink, Lazy Soul: Blues by Any Name". Weekend. The Washington Post. p. 25.
- ↑ Moon, Tom (January 6, 1989). "Lazy Lester". Features Weekend. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 24.
- ↑ Cornatzer, Mary (January 13, 1989). "Three blue-chip club shows". Weekend. The News & Observer. p. 10.
- ↑ Barton, Matthew (February 16, 1989). "Recordings". Calendar. The Boston Globe. p. 10.
- ↑ Ford, Tom (March 19, 1989). "Recordings". The Blade. p. F4.