Lazy Lester - Rides Again (Expanded Edition) (1987/2013)

The prime of Lazy Lester's recording career was his stint for Excello Records in the 1950s and '60s, and he hadn't recorded in the studio for quite some time when the Rides Again album was cut in England over the course of four days in late May 1987. You wouldn't say this is a peak of his work by any means, but if you accept that he couldn't be reasonably expected to replicate the magic of his vintage swamp blues with producer J.D. Miller, it's fairly decent. Lester himself is in good voice and blows the harmonica well on a set mixing remakes of Miller-era material with newer songs. While the backup band (including members of the Junkyard Angels and Blues 'N'Trouble) were journeymen without high name recognition, they play in a suitably loose and energetic style. Esteemed British producer Mike Vernon's liner notes for the expanded edition has the curious effect of lowering your hopes for the session in its studied detailing of various imperfections, but it's not an effort to be ashamed of.