Slim Harpo - The Original King Bee

The Original King Bee (The Best of Slim Harpo) — on 180-gram LP from Analogue Productions!

Mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio from the original analog tapes

Plated and pressed at Quality Record Pressings

Old-style tip-on jacket by Stoughton Printing

Hi-Fi News "Album Choice" selection for September 2018

"Mastered by Cohearent Audio from the best analogue tapes, this compilation covers 1957-1969, so judgments about sound quality are not meant to be taken as sonic absolutes. Rather, it reflects what care and integrity can do with iffy "historic" originals. Harpo was a blues legend revered by the British — The Rolling Stones covered "I'm A King Bee," while The Yardbirds, The Kinks, Them and others also plundered his catalogue. This disc gives you 14 original recordings from the Excello label, including the 1957 takes of 'I'm A King Bee,' 'I Got Love If You Want It,' and 1960s 'Moody Blues' which may have inspired the band that left blues for Prog, sounding almost too good to be true." — Sound Quality: 90% — Ken Kessler, Album Choice, Hi Fi News, September 2018

"A flat, quiet pressing on 180g vinyl, nicely packaged in a tip-on jacket from Stoughton Printing, it's typical of AP's quality work. ... Chad Kassem did find and use, as the source for his compilation, a 1983 analog tape that had been used by Rhino Records for the original 1983 LP version of this reissue: The Best of Slim Harpo: The Original King Bee. ... Kassem's latest passion is a classic piece of American roots music." — Robert Baird, Stereophile, May 2018

"Analogue Productions' 'greatest hits' package is in the spirit of early blues releases, and it's a much better packaging than Excello's own 'best of' release from 1969. ... The new reissue was mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and is pressed on 180-gram vinyl by Quality Record Pressings. It easily beats the fine Rhino mastering from Richard Simpson (of RCA fame). Original pressings of Slim Harpo's Excello albums — from which these songs were culled — sound thin, bass shy and two-dimensional compared to Gray's new mastering. But that doesn't begin to describe how good this LP sounds. ... This is big raw sound that grips you and won't let go. It succeeds because Slim Harpo was one of the underrated great blues singers and hopefully this great sounding reissue will remedy that failing. Highest recommendation for sound and music." — Recording = 9/10; Music = 10/10 - Dennis D. Davis, Hi-Fi +, Issue 155

"What's the point in listening to us doing 'I'm A King Bee" when you can hear Slim Harpo do it?" — Mick Jagger, 1968

Slim Harpo died in 1970. Better known by his stage name than his given, James Isaac Moore, he epitomized the swamp blues style, and at the time of his passing he was at the brink of enjoying the kind of fame he'd deserved since the release of his first single, the infectious "King Bee" 13 years earlier.

Harpo was just beginning to play for urban, white audiences when he succumbed to an unexpected heart attack. There were plenty of people who were aware of Slim and not all of them were young British musicians who knew a good tune when they heard it. Pete Welding, writing in Rolling Stone, described Harpo as "a stylist who's carved out his own niche, and within the relatively narrow confines of that approach he's unbeatable — and of course, immediately recognizable ... the emphasis is on forceful, direct rhythm, tight and simple arrangements (even when horns are used) that work beautifully with Slim's sly, laconic singing and harmonica playing and, above else, feeling."

What an iconic performer — perfect for the full Analogue Productions reissue treatment. The Best of Slim Harpo (The Original King Bee) has his iconic hits from a formidable career: "I'm A King Bee," "Got Love If You Want It," "Baby Scratch My Back," "Shake Your Hips," "Te Ni Nee Ni Nu," "Mohair Sam" and more. They're included on an incredibly silent and rich-sounding 180-gram LP pressed by Quality Record Pressings. Mastering from the original analog tapes was by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio. Finally, it's all contained in a old-style tip-on heavyweight cardboard jacket from Stoughton Printing. Spectacular sound and an eye-catching package. That's the Analogue Productions difference.

Just up the Mississippi from Baton Rouge, on February 11, 1924, James Isaac Moore was born. He would live in the area for practically all of his life. As a child he took up harmonica, and later, in adulthood, supported himself and his family as a laborer, as a gas station attendant, he hauled sugar cane, and did other odd jobs. He didn't become a professional musician until he began to record in the mid-'50s. In 1955, Moore began recording with Lightnin' Slim at J.D. Miller's studio in Crowley, Louisiana.

Two years later Moore first recorded as a featured artist. The initial session at Miller's studio resulted in three completed masters, all originals: "I'm A King Bee," "Got Love If You Want It" and "This Ain't No Place For Me." Still, Slim, through his career, didn't tour much, and his record label — Excello — was a small independent with promotion and distribution problems typical for its size. Most of Slim's fame and fortune came second-hand.

We're betting you'll enjoy this Slim Harpo compilation as much as we've enjoyed putting it together and bringing it to you. As Mick pointed out, there's nothing like the original. And Slim Harpo was original to the hilt. We're excited to honor his memory with this exceptional release.

Side A

1. Baby Scratch My Back

2. Got Love If You Want It

3. I'm A King Bee

4. Shake Your Hips

5. Te Ni Nee Ni Nu

6. I've Been A Good Thing (For You)

7. Raining In My Heart

Side B

1. The Music's Hot

2. Mohair Sam

3. Tip On In

4. Moody Blues

5. The Hippy Song

6. Don't Start Crying Now

7. Rock Me, Baby

Customer Reviews (5.00 Stars) 4 person(s) rated this product.

FABULOUS SLIM HARPO RELEASE posted on 06/29/2022 5 Stars Reviewer: Ben S. Until recently, I really didn't know much about Slim Harpo. For those of you who love the Stones and other great classic blues and blues rock bands, this is required listening. After hearing this album, you will completely understand why so many musicians were influenced by Slim Harpo. As for the pressing, it's just superb. The vinyl is flat, quiet, and rich in sound. It's hard to imagine this record sounding much better on 33 1/3 rpm vinyl. Thank you, Chad for yet another stellar AP/QRP release for an artist that truly deserves it.

YesYesYes posted on 05/05/2020 5 Stars Reviewer: David This is the real deal. And it sounds good. If you really care about music, if you want the sound of the artist, then just buy this record and hear life jump from the grooves. Yes, it’s the real deal.

Deep Catalog, Here I Come! posted on 06/07/2018 5 Stars Reviewer: bluejimbop Okay, I admit it - I was only familiar with his few "hits". That's about to change. Ooo-Wee, this is fine. As for this LP's "specs", I would agree with the positive descriptions in the write-up. In addition, NO POPS OR CLICKS, Thank the Good Lord. Slim had his own style but within those boundaries, his voice had different textures that this vinyl release captures oh, so well. Nasal when it's nasal and beautifully resonant when it's resonant. If you're unfamiliar or not very familiar with Slim, I can't imagine a better place to start. Thanks, Analogue Productions.

Baby, Scratch My Back.... posted on 05/14/2018 5 Stars Reviewer: Chris O. Yeah...This LP is the real deal....Slim Harpo's classic tracks done up right by AP and pressed by Quality Record Pressing....Flat, quiet vinyl, and sound as good as these tracks can possibly sound. Are you a fan of The Stones Exile on Main Street? Real, subtle blues and/or just great music? GET THIS LP and enjoy....

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