It's been four years since Lazy Lester, who is the sole survivor of the Excello swamp blues sound still actively recording, released an album, the exceptional All Over You, so a new one was overdue.

Happily, Lester has remedied that with the release of Blues Stop Knockin' (Texas Music Group/Antone's). It's more of the same formula, with remakes of Excello classics (Lonesome Sundown's "Gonna Stick To You Baby," Slim Harpo's "I'm Your Breadmaker, Baby," Lester's own scorching instrumental, "Ponderosa Stomp"), a Jimmy Reed cover ("I Love You Baby"), and even a few wild cards thrown in (a rocking cover of Lee Dorsey's "Ya Ya" and an acoustic reading of Little Brother Montgomery's "No Special Rider," featuring Lester on guitar).

I could listen to this stuff all night long. Lester's vocals are as relaxed as ever (if he were any more relaxed, he would be horizontal); maybe a little grainier with age, but his harmonica work is still as energetic as ever. The backing musicians include guitarists Jimmie Vaughan and Derek O'Brien (who also produced and captures that atmospheric Excello sound perfectly), drummer Mike Buck, pianist Riley Osbourn, and bassist Speedy Sparks. Guest musicians include guitarist Sue Foley, bassist Sarah Brown, and pianist Gene Taylor (on the moody closer "Sad City Blues"). Needless to say, they provide outstanding support. This is a release that slipped in under the radar this fall, so you may have missed it. Go back and check this one out, and hope that Hip-O will reissue a collection of Lester's great Excello sides soon.