Mixing the heavy R&B boogie of Big Joe Turner with a Texas twang of Lightnin’ Hopkins, Peppermint Harris (1925-1999) had a successful career as a master of jumping the blues, with material ranging from Post WWII to the early days of rock. This two disc, 51 song collection includes his hits as well as his misses, all worth a few listens.
His #1 hit “I Got Loaded” has him eerily similar in mood and voice to Charles Brown, not only here, but during “Have Another Drink and Talk With Me” . His other big hit, “Raining In My Heart” has him dripping with agony. Other times, there’s a bit of Louis Jordan jumping fun on, with a bit of dark shadow on “Three Sheets in the Wind” and “I NeverGet Enough” and a dash of Fats Domino during “Messin’ Around With The Blues”. Harris boogies hard on “My Blues Have Rolled Away” and shuffles during “The Blues Pick ON Me,” with a strong voice on “Let’s Ride’. Tasty blues abound on “I’m Going Cr azy Baby” and “Let The Back Door Hit You”. As rock and roll started coming on strong, Harris adapted with a fun teenage tune “Ain’t No Business” and a Ray Charlesish “Angel Child”. If you want the blues to jump, this guy gets you off the ground-an overlooked gem.