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about

“Lazy Louie” is a raucous Chuck Berry-styled rocker that comically laments a shiftless layabout. Guests include Calexico’s Martin Wenk with raspy, muted trumpet. Michael Roe of the Seventy-Sevens (77s) plays Ronnie Wood-styled boogie-woogie guitar. Johnny Iguana of Chicago’s the Claudettes plays barrelhouse piano inspired by Otis Spann and Nicky Hopkins.

lyrics

Five men standing on southpaw hill
Two won’t work, but the other three will
One’s half bent and the other won’t stand
He don’t wanna play in a rock and roll band

Starin’ him down but he just won’t go
He don’t give a hang that he’s holdin’ up the show
Buy him a Cadillac twenty feet long
He still won’t dance for the Chuck Berry song

What am I to do with Lazy Louie?
Hangin’ ‘round all day with nothing doing
Louie’s like a new man, a useless one at that
I can hope someday I’ll get the old one back
You know he used to be so helpful – he put an end to that!

Panic at the church house, what happened to the steeple?
Opened up the door and they let out all the people
Louie’s in the back row, sleeping in the pew
He ain’t gonna do what the preacher said to do

What am I to do with Lazy Louie?
Hangin’ ‘round all day with nothing doing
Louie’s turned a new page, an empty one at that
I can hope someday he’ll turn the old one back
You know he used to be so helpful – he put an end to that!

Can’t turn the key and my jacket’s unzipped
I want the bag open, but it just won’t rip
I scream and I cuss, and I pout and frown
While one little fella keeps letting me down

What am I to do with Lazy Louie?
Hangin’ ‘round all day with nothing doing
Ready for his close-up, but he doesn’t want to act
I can hope and pray I’ll get the old Lou back
You know he used to be so helpful – he put an end to that!

credits

from The Threefinger Opera, released May 5, 2022
Written by Jeff Elbel. Guitar on "Lazy Louie" by Michael Roe of the 77s, Kerosene Halo, and Lost Dogs, courtesy of Lo-Fidelity Records. Recorded by Mike at DevonLou in Citrus Heights, CA. Piano on “Lazy Louie” by Johnny Iguana of the Claudettes. Recorded by Johnny in his piano room and basement lair in Chicago, IL. Johnny appears courtesy of Forty Below Records.

John Blum: drums
John Bretzlaff: guitar solo
Mike Choby: organ
Jeff Elbel: vocal, guitar
Maron Gaffron: vocal
Stacey Krejci: bass
Tom Sharpe: percussion
Chris Taylor: interior artwork

Written by Jeff Elbel. Copyright © (P) 2021 by Marathon Records (ASCAP). Published by Zimbalon (ASCAP). Unauthorized use is a violation of applicable laws. Request use anytime!

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