Alligator Lazy

I read somewhere that if an alligator expends too much energy at any given time, he can actually kill himself from overexertion. We're not talking about riding the Tour de France here; seems an alligator can turn himself into a pair of shoes and a purse by simply walking to the 7-Eleven. So, alligators do a lot of hanging out, waiting for just the right time to do their thing, then ease back into a state of extended relaxation.

Back before I met my overachieving wife and started raising overachieving kids, I was the human version of an alligator. Some might have called me a slacker, but I understood the difference: for slackers, it's about avoiding work, but for alligators, it's about timing. It's about a unique blend of laziness and survival.

Rightly so, my blues hero at the time was Lazy Lester.

At first it was because I liked his name, but in reality, Lazy Lester is hardly lazy.

A swamp blues harp player since the 1950's, Lazy Lester (nee Leslie Johnson) was a hitmaker for Nashville's classic Excello label as well as a sideman for Slim Harpo, Lightnin' Hopkins and Katie Webster. Over the years, his songs have been covered by artists as diverse at the Kinks, Dwight Yoakam and Dave Edmunds.

For the past 20 years, Lester has been performing at blues festivals around the world and making some great (and highly underrated records) with the likes of R.E.M.'s Mike Buck and Fabulous Thunderbird Jimmie Vaughan.

Back in my days of laziness, I used to have a cassette copy of his 1966 album, True Blues, that was given to me by the father of a high school friend who was a big blues fan. It followed me around for many years until it was eaten by a 1979 Mustang. Today, a decent copy of True Blues will run you about $300 on the open record market (which has me cursing the old Mustang).

Recently, I've been listening to his 2001 record, Blues Stop Knockin', a fun record that comes a lot cheaper than True Blues.

My favorite from Blues Stop Knockin'? Lester's cover of Lee Dorsey's Ya-Ya, 'cuz he's "sitting in La-La, waiting for (his) Ya-Ya". It doesn't get lazier than that, does it?

You'll have to buy the record to hear Ya-Ya, but can click here for a taste of his great tune, Sugar Coated Love.

Now, you need to excuse me: I've written 384 words and I need a nap.

Comments

[Steve]

Two of the great raw blues songs of all time.
Lazy Lester-I'm a Lover not a Fighter and Lightin Hopkins-Mojo Hand

[Tor Hershman]

Here's an alliagTOR song perfect for the Totally Out There X-rated HollerDay Special.

WARNING: Will never be played by Vatican City Radio

http://www.soundlift.com/band/music.php?song_id=82930

Stay on groovin' safari,
Tor Hershman