"Slim Harpo Rocks" by SLIM HARPO (November 2011 GERMAN Bear Family Records CD Compilation with Jurgen Crasser Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…I'm A King Bee…Buzzin' 'Round Your Hive…"

Saying that Slim Harpo 'Rocks' is probably pushing it a tad – but that doesn't stop this CD compilation from being another winner in a series that is fast becoming definitive. There's a lot on here - so let's the details out of the way first…

Released November 2011, Bear Family BCD 17129 AR breaks down as follows (75:41 minutes):

1. Wild About My Baby (1960 recording 1st issued on a 1978 USA 45 on Blues Unlimited 2015, A-side)
2. I Got Love If You Want It (1957 USA 45 on Excello 2113, B-side)
3. I'm A King Bee (1957 USA 45 on Excello 2113, A-side)
4. You'll Be Sorry One Day (1959 USA 45 on Excello 2162, B-side)
5. That Ain't Your Business (1957 recording 1st issued in 1976 on the UK LP called "Blues Hangover – The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 4" on Flyright 520)
6. Buzz Me Babe (1960 USA 45 on Excello 2171, A-side)
7. My Little Queen Bee (Got A Brand New King) (1964 USA 45 on Excello 2246, A-side)
8. I'm Waiting On You Baby (1964 recording 1st issued in 1993 on a UK CD called "I'm A King Bee" on Ace CDCHD 510)
9. Something Inside Me (1961 recording 1st issued in 1969 on a US LP called "Rural Blues Vol.2 – Saturday Night Function" on Imperial 94001)
10. Bobby-Sox Baby (from Slim Harpo's 1961 USA LP "Raining In My Heart" on Excello LP 8003)
11. I Need Money (Keep Your Alibis) (1964 USA 45 on Excello 2246, B-side)
12. Yeah Yeah Baby (1960 recording 1st issued in 1993 on a UK CD called "I'm A King Bee" on Ace CDCHD 510)
13. Shake Your Hips (1966 USA 45 on Excello 2278, B-side)
14. Harpo's Blues (1965 USA 45 on Excello 2265, B-side)
15. Don't Start Cryin’ Now (1961 USA 45 on Excello 2194, B-side)
16. Boogie Chillun (1964 recording 1st issued in 1993 on a UK CD called "I'm A King Bee" on Ace CDCHD 510)
17. Baby, Scratch My Back (1965 USA 45 on Excello 2273, A-side)
18. Buzzin' [Instrumental] (1963 USA 45 on Excello 2239, A-side)
19. Hey Little Lee (1968 USA LP called "Tip On In" on Excello LPS-8008)
20. The Music's Hot (1970 USA LP called "Slim Harpo Knew The Blues" on Excello LPS-8013)
21. Wondering And Worryin' (1958 USA 45 on Excello 2138, A-side)
22. Late Last Night (1959 recording 1st issued on the 1996 CD compilation "The Scratch – Rare And Unissued, Volume 1" on AV/Excello CD 3015)
23. That's Alright (aka "You'll Be Sorry One Day") (1959 recording 1st issued in 1976 on the UK LP called "Blues Hangover – The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 4" on Flyright 520)
24. That's Alright Baby (aka "Don't Start Cryin' Now") (1960 recording 1st issued in 1993 on a UK CD called "I'm A King Bee" on Ace CDCHD 510)
25. Cigarettes (1959 alternate version 1st issued on a 1986 UK LP called "Baton Rouge Blues – The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 42" on Flyright 607)
26. Buzz Me Babe (1959 recording 1st issued in 1993 on a UK CD called "I'm A King Bee" on Ace CDCHD 510)
27. I'm A King Bee (1957 alternate recording 1st issued in 1976 on the UK LP called "Blues Hangover – The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 4" on Flyright 520)
28. You Ain't Never Had To Cry (1959 recording 1st issued in 1976 on the UK LP called "Blues Hangover – The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 4" on Flyright 520)
29. I Got Love If You Want It (1957 recording 1st issued in 1980 on the UK LP called "Got Love If You Want It – The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 20" on Flyright 558)
30. Wondering And Worryin' (1957 recording 1st issued on the 1996 CD compilation "The Scratch – Rare And Unissued, Volume 1" on AV/Excello CD 3015)
31. Rainin' In My Heart (1961 USA 45 on Excello 2194, A-side)

[Note: As you can see from the track list above - there were many unreleased recordings put out on reissue vinyl albums by revered labels like Flyright, Imperial and England’s Ace Records – many of which (not all) are featured here on CD for the first time. Most songs however are Excello Recordings from 1957 to 1970 – American 7" singles and key album tracks.]

"Slim Harpo Rocks" comes in Bear's now standard packaging for this series – a 3-way foldout card digipak containing a detachable oversized booklet inside (32 pages for this issue). Pages 5 to 18 feature an in-depth essay on James Moore (his real name) by noted writer and musicologist JEFF HANNUSCH and Pages 19 to 29 have a full Discography on all 31 recordings by archivist BILL MILLAR. The text is peppered with trade adverts, black and white and colour photos of the great man with his guitar in hand and harmonica in mouth - as well as lovely repros of 3 rare album sleeves. It’s the usual classy act from Bear. And then of course is the great sound courtesy of JURGEN CRASSER. I’ve raved about his work before (see my TAG for him and reviews for the astonishing "Blowing The Fuse" series (16 compilations) and the "Sweet Soul Music" series (10 discs). It's old Blues and R'n'B for sure, but it sounds great - full of atmosphere, echo and life.

Second only to Jimmy Reed, Slim was the most successful Blues and R'n'B artist on the Excello label and a product of JAY MILLER'S legendary studio in Crawley, Louisiana. One of Slim's most famous and beloved songs "I'm A King Bee" defined his witty languid style for decades (lyrics above) – yet as his debut single - it never charted. "King Bee" would later however take on a life of its own – to a point where like Elmore James who found a riff and stuck with it – Slim would repeat the style again and again (both the CD and the inlay beneath the see-through tray picture the 7" of "I'm A King Bee" on Excello 2113). Slim pumped out more soundalikes for years (both Muddy Waters and The Rolling Stones covered it).

Highlights include "I Got Love If You Want It" (another signature hit for him) and the rockin' harmonica-driven of "That Ain't Your Business" where sauciness is always close to the surface ("…when I pulled down the shade…and turned out the light…"). The huge drum sound of "Buzz Me Babe" is irresistible foot-tapping stuff – in fact – there's a great fun vibe about so many of the songs on here. "I'm Waiting On You Baby" first turned up on an Ace CD in 1993 and it's a "did me wrong girl" bopper – misery with a beat. "Shake Your Hips" was famously covered by the Stones on their 1972 2LP masterpiece "Exile On Main St." – it shuffles along like his cover of John Lee Hooker's "Boogie Chillun". But best of all is the slinky "Baby, Scratch My Back" which I've been featuring on R'n'B compilations for years in the shop shuffle – it now sounds just HUGE. And it all ends on the lovely "Rainin' In My Heart" - a winner from 1961.

Niggles - it's a shame there isn't more from the later years – the track "Hey, Little Lee" is from his 1968 LP "Tip On In" and the recording quality is fantastic – chugging along like a cool Sixties R 'n' B tune should. "The Music's Hot" from the 1970 LP "Slim Harpo Knows The Blues" is the same – sounding tremendous – and both in STEREO. The song "Tip On In" is excellent too - but again a no-show when there was room. But still, it's a great listen overall and makes you ache for more...as a good compilation should.

The incomparable Bear Family folks – class and quality - they may cost you – but the best always does.

I'm off now to review the Chuck Berry set and hide the bills from the missus…and convince her that the recession is not my fault all in 'her' mind...

SLIM HARPO USA LPs referenced in the Bear Family discography:

"Slim Harpo Sings Raining in My Heart"
USA 1961 LP on Excello LP 8003 [Mono]

Side 1:
1. Rainin' In My Heart [31]
2. Blues Hangover
3. Bobby-Sox Baby [10]
4. I Got Love If You Want It [2]
5. Snoopin' Around
6. Buzz Me Baby [6]

Side 2:
1. I'm A King Bee [3]
2. What A Dream
3. Don't Start Cryin' Now [15]
4. Moody Blues
5. My Home Is A Prison
6. Dream Girl

"Baby Scratch My Back"
USA 1966 on Excello LP 8005 [Mono]

Side 1:
1. Shake Your Hips [13]
2. Midnight Blues
3. Harpo's Blues [14]
4. Buzzin' [18]
5. My Little Queen Bee [7]
6. I Love The Life (I'm Livin')

Side 2:
1. Baby, Scratch My Back [17]
2. I'm Gonna Miss You (Like The Devil)
3. Rainin' In My Heart
4. Wonderin' Blues
5. We're Two Of A Kind
6. I Need Money [11]

"Tip On In"
USA 1968 LP on Excello LPS-8008 [Stereo]
Hey Little Lee [19]


"Slim Harpo Knew The Blues"
USA 1970 LP on Excello LPS-8013 [Stereo]
The Music’s Hot [20]

PS: The "Rocks" Series CD-Only Compilations (released 2002 to 2026) by Bear Family Records of Germany features the following artists (alphabetical order):

1. Hank Ballard (Bear Family BCD 17580)

2. Chuck Berry (BCD 17139 AR) [see REVIEW]

3. Eddie Bond (BCD 17726)

4. Pat Boone (BCD 16933 AR)

5. Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown (BCD 17537)

6. James Brown (BCD 17775)

7. Roy Brown (BCD 17749)

8. Sonny Burgess (BCD 17629)

9. Johnny Burnette (BCD 16992 AR) [see REVIEW]

10. The Cadillacs (BCD 16281 AR)

11. Jimmy Cavallo (BCD 17648)

12. Sanford Clark (BCD 17664)

13. The Coasters (BCD 17526)

14. Eddie Cochran (BCD 17136 AR)

15. Jackie Lee Cochran (BCD 17785)

16. James Cotton (BCD 17651)

17. Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup (BCD 17555 AR)

18. Bobby Darin (BCD 16310 AR)

19. Bo Diddley (BCD 17751)

20. Fats Domino (BCD 16825 AR)

21. The Drifters (BCD 17278 AR)

22. Champion Jack Dupree (BCD 17536)

23. Duane Eddy (BCD 17249 AR)

24. The Everly Brothers (BCD 17321 AR)

25. Charlie Feathers (BCD 17688)

26. Narvel Felts (BCD 17594)

27. The "5" Royales (BCD 17522)

28. Connie Francis (BCD 16318 AR)

29. Don Gibson (BCD 16991 AR)

30. Glen Glenn (BCD 16671 AR)

31. Big John Greer (BCD 17743)

32. Bill Haley (BCD 16807 AR)

33. Roy Hall (BCD 16747 AR)

34. Wynonie Harris (BCD 17746)

35. Dale Hawkins (BCD 16826 AR)

36. Ronnie Hawkins (BCD 16873 AR)

37. Screamin' Jay Hawkins (BCD 16687 AR)

38. Wanda Jackson (BCD 16631 AR) [see REVIEW]

39. Etta James (BCD 17750)

40. Sonny James (BCD 16679 AR)

41. Benny Joy (BCD 17645)

42. Buddy Knox & Jimmy Bowen with the Rhythm Orchids (BCD 16872 AR)

43. Sleepy LaBeef (BCD 15981 AR)

44. Brenda Lee (BCD 16886 AR)

45. Jerry Lee Lewis (BCD 16396 AR)

46. Smiley Lewis (BCD 16676 AR) [see REVIEW]

47. Little Richard (BCD 17138 AR)

48. Bob Luman (BCD 16985 AR)

49. Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers (BCD 16545 AR)

50. Mac Curtis (BCD 17719)

51. Carl Mann (BCD 16684 AR)

52. Jimmy McCracklin (BCD 17552)

53. Scotty McKay (BCD 17519)

54. Clyde McPhatter (BCD 17614)

55. Memphis Slim (BCD 17687)

56. Amos Milburn (BCD 16926 AR) [see REVIEW]

57. Roy Milton (BCD 17712)

58. Ella Mae Morse (BCD 16672 AR) [see REVIEW]

59. Ricky Nelson (BCD 16856 AR)

60. Roy Orbison (BCD 15916 AR)

61. Little Junior Parker (BCD 17535)

62. Carl Perkins (BCD 16752 AR)

63. The Platters (BCD 17558 AR)

64. Lloyd Price (BCD 16999 AR)

65. Piano Red (aka Dr. Feelgood) (BCD 16639 AR) [see REVIEW]

66. Jimmy Reed (BCD 17572)

67. Louis Prima (BCD 17318 AR)

68. Charlie Rich (BCD 16513 AR) [see REVIEW]

69. Billy Lee Riley (BCD 17597)

70. Marty Robbins (BCD 17245 AR)

71. Jack Scott (BCD 16841 AR)

72. Ronnie Self (BCD 17656)

73. Shirley & Lee (BCD 15785 AR)

74. Slim Harpo (BCD 17129 AR)

75. The Treniers (BCD 16164 AR)

76. Ike Turner (BCD 17679)

77. Big Joe Turner (BCD 17215 AR) [see REVIEW]

78. Conway Twitty (BCD 16670 AR)

79. Ritchie Valens (BCD 17525)

80. Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps (BCD 17134 AR)

81. Johnny Guitar Watson (BCD 17764)

82. Link Wray (BCD 17600)

83. Rusty York (BCD 16543 AR) [see REVIEW]

Series Sampler Compilations from 2024 and 2025

84. Bear Family Records Rocks, Vol. 1 (BCD 17734) 

85. Bear Family Records Rocks, Vol. 2 (BCD 17735) 

The Bear Family "Rockin' Rollin'" Series features:

1. Johnny Horton

2. Marvin Rainwater

3. Marty Robbins Vol.1

4. Marty Robbins Vol.2

5. Marty Robbins Vol.3