Lafayette LEAKE - Easy Blues

Styles: Electric Chicago Blues, Piano Blues, Boogie-Woogie Blues
Recorded: 1978
Released: 2000
File: mp3 @ 320 k/s
Size: 108.50 MB
Time: 46:16
Art: Full

1. Feel So Blue - 5:21
2. Train Boogie - 5:00
3. Short Dressed Woman - 4:12
4. Fine Little Angel-take 2 - 4:15
5. Fast Boogie, No. 2 - 4:23
6. I'm Gonna Leave You On The Outskirts Of Town - 5:38
7. Trouble In Mind - 3:38
8. Easy Blues - 2:45
9. Fast Boogie, No. 1 - 7:18
10. Fine Little Angel-take 1 - 3:39

Personnel: Lafayette LEAKE - Piano, Vocal
John Littlejohn - Guitar
Nick Holt - Bass;
Fred Below - Drums

Notes: Born in Winona, Mississippi, Leake was a desperately shy man, and much of his life remains mysterious. He seems to have had formal training at some point; he was proud of his ability to play Chopin, and would notate his friend Little Brother Montgomery's playing by ear. In the early '50s, Leake replaced Leonard Caston in the Big Three Trio, and although he never recorded with that group, his enduring friendship with Willie Dixon, his reliability and his good taste made him a session mainstay, who recorded with all the major stars of Chicago blues.

This album was cut during a European tour in Black & Blue's customary one day, but it has no feeling of haste or perfunctoriness, and is very well recorded. It's obvious that the other musicians found Leake a pleasure to accompany: Below's drumming has its habitual, crispy perfect bounce, Holt is unobtrusive but unceasingly propulsive, turning his instrument down to sound like an upright bass, and Littlejohn's echoing solos add a welcome tinge of aggression and emotion. Lake's own playing is unfailingly tasteful and inteligent, not outstaying its welcome even during the more than seven minutes of 'Fast Boogie No.1'. As a singer, he is dry but not unemotional, working within a narrow range but always securely on pitch. Lake's own compositions, 'Feel So Blue' has a well-crafted lyric of some bleakness. It's a pity that he was not recorded as a featured artist more often. But...still his music is enjoyable and pleasant. Check this one!

                                                                     Easy Blues
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