From the 'Great Sessions' thread, and unezrider and Johnm mentioned Otis Rush's totally excellent Cobra sessions here already.
I picked up Slim Harpo - The Excello Singles Anthology recently, double CD recommended by the same Detroit blues hound that turned me on to Otis Rush.
Not all '50s, Slim recorded for Excello from '57 to '71. All musicians would find these recordings compelling. Slim has this incredibly light touch on everything he does. Great, gentle voice, understated harp, his approach to music is a breath of fresh air. The arrangements totally kick butt, lot of space, melodic as hell, great musical ideas. Get it!
Mike Leadbitter was a big champion of the Slim Harpo cause. Here's an early piece of flag waving from R&B Scene, February 1965 (p 6, 14 & 16) which turned me on to the music of Slim Harpo.
BUZZING WITH THE KING BEE
The Slim Harpo Story
BY MIKE LEADBITTER AND JOHN BROVEN
Much has been said about the Excello label, and its artists, but, as in so many instances, a lot of fiction has crept in with the facts. Before saying anything about Slim Harpo, I think that it is necessary to say something about the man who was, and still is, responsible for recording him. This man is Jay Miller?record shop owner, talent scout, and song writer, who comes from the small Louisiana town of Crowley.
Miller's shop has now grown into a recording studio and office for his several record labels. Although he records anything, and professes a preference for C & W music, it is through his blues recordings that he has become famous in England. Through his contract to record blues for Excello, plus the recordings that appear on his own labels like Feature, Rocko, Zynn, a steady stream of Louisiana artistes have become nationally known. These artists not only record solely for Miller, but are also managed by him, and their songs copyrighted through his Jamil Music Co., Lightnin' Slim, Lazy Lester, Lonesome Sundown, Whispering Smith, Leroy Washington, and scores of others owe their all to him. Slim Harpo comes from this same recording environment, though he has something the others haven't yet. This is the credit for having a million seller in the "pop" field called "Rainin' In My Heart."
Slim was born in the parish of West Baton Rouge on February 1Ith, 1924, and christened James Moore. The art of the harmonica came naturally to him, and by the time he was in his 'teens he was proficient enough to entertain his school mates. Then, whilst in his 10th grade, tragedy struck. He lost both his mother and father, and became the sole supporter of a brother and three young sisters. He had no alternative but to leave school, and started work as a stevedore in New Orleans.
Later he returned to Baton Rouge to work as a labourer and in the evenings would play harp in the local clubs, building up his repertoire, and gaining much valuable experience. It was in one of these clubs that Jay Miller, out on a talent hunting trip, found him in 1957. Miller, excited by his discovery took him to Crowley and recorded him for the Excello label. His first record?the very distinctive "I'm A King Bee" became an immediate hit. This driving song with its lyrics devoted to sexual prowess is still in my opinion his greatest record.
His second release was entitled "Strange Love" and was issued in 1958, but was mediocre compared with its predecessor, and the same can be said for his next, "You'll Be Sorry One Day." Then came another two classics?"Buzz Me Babe," and "Blues Hang over." Slim's strange, almost nasal vocal style coupled with some really beautiful harp work turned these into two superb blues. Slim is at his best on slow, dragging numbers featuring heavy bass guitar, and these two, coupled with "King Bee," made him a name to be reckoned with on the R & B scene.
It is a pity that Slim's first excursion into the pop field in 1961 produced the million selling "Rainin' In My Heart." Although this was a great record as far as pop records go, it turned Slim away from the blues to the new, and more lucrative market, that appeared before him. Although no one could blame him for this, its effect was saddening to the lovers of the "down-home" Slim Harpo. The other effect of this success was that Slim left Baton Rouge on a long series of engagements and could not be induced back to the studio to cut a follow-up. Although Excello quickly issued an L.P. entitled "Rainin' In My Heart" plus a single to cover up, it was not until the end of last year that the money trail ended and Slim was recorded again. The result of this was an attempt to cash in on his two big hits, and we now have "Little Queen Bee," and "Still Rainin' In My Heart." Both of these are well done, but are nothing compared to the originals.
Until the day when someone brings out Slim's L.P. in England, I urge anyone who hasn't got it to have a good try. Except for a couple of below average items, the rest, including his best issued items, and some great unissued ones such as "My Home Is A Prison," (a brilliant remake of the Lonesome Sundown success), make this a buy I would recommend to anyone. It is hoped that Jay Miller will allow Slim to record as he did in his early days once more, and thus provide us with another memorable blues. It makes me sorry to see an artist of such tremendous potential going to waste through no fault of his own. Now that Stateside have issued three of his songs on the L.P. "Authentic R & B," perhaps we can persuade them to give us more. We certainly hope so!
Discography
All Slim sides were recorded in Crowley between 1957 and 1964. Usually his backing consists of lead guitar, bass guitar, drums, and occasionally sax and piano added. The people who back him include the following; Al Foreman (lead guitar), Bobby McBride (bass guitar), Warren Storm (drums), Katy Webster (piano), and Lionel Torrence (tenor sax). Slim has played harp on all his records up until now except on "My Home Is A Prison," on which Lazy Lester is heard.
Excello 2113?I'm A King Bee/I Got Love If You Want It.
Excello 2138?Wonderin' And Worryin'/Strange Love.
Excello 2162?You'll Be Sorry One Day/One More Day.
Excello 2171?Buzz Me Babe /Late Last Night.
Excello 2184?Blues Hangover /What A Dream.
Excello 2194?Rainin' In My Heart/Don't Start Cryin' Now.
Excello 2239?Buzzin'/I Love The Life I'm Livin'
Excello 2246?I Need Money (Keep Your Alibis)/Little Queen Bee.
Excello 2253?We're Two Of A Kind/Still Rainin' In My Heart.
Excello L.P. 8003?"Rainin' In My Heart."
Rainin' In My Heart/Blues Hangover/Bobby-Sox Baby/I Got Love If You Want It/Snoopin' Around/Buzz Me Babe/I'm A King Bee/What A Dream/Don't Start Cryin'Now /Moody Blues/My Home Is A Prison/Dream Girl.
