Lester, Julius – “Julius Lester” – [Vanguard]

mickeyslim   8/5/2015   12-inch, Blues

Julius Lester accompanies himself on the 12-string, this is one of the two recordings he made in his lifetime. It’s some original and traditional folk blues music from 1966. The guitar and voice seem disconnected, I thought it was two different people at first. Lester’s voice is pretty sounding, unlike other southern blues crooners.

Lester went on to host a radio show at WBAI, teach Afro-American Studies at University of Massachusetts Amherst, but really made a name for himself writing books for children and young adults (which makes for interesting liner notes by Lester.)

Hollow front-porch blues. Slim approved.

PGM: DO NOT PLAY THE FIRST TWO TRACKS ON EITHER SIDE, THE RECORD IS BROKEN!