Grab You – Wee Willie Harris – The Brits Are Rockin’ Vol 9

The ninth entry into Bear Family Records’ The Brits are Rockin’ is here! The series, which delves into the world of British rockers, has been a diverse bunch that pivots between the known, the influential and the obscure. This edition focuses on the early ’60s artist Wee Willie Harris. The CD compilation contains 26 recordings (mostly recorded for Decca) released between 1958 and 1962; is it worth picking up?

My Thoughts

I am not familiar with the work of Wee Willie Harris, and so this collection serves as an introduction to his work. And what an introduction it is! From reading the various bits of information included, he sounds like quite a stage character. An inspiring performer who pushed boundaries, especially in the outfits he wore during this period, not to mention his time sporting shocking pink hair. His performances were apparently wild, and it definitely comes through here.

This is a varied compilation that features Rock ‘n’ Roll and Rhythm ‘n’ Blues recordings, ably performed by Wee Willie Harris. Depending on what mode he’s in, his voice can bring a fierce rasp or be quite sweet. Some recordings, such as “Let’s Have a Party,” feature traces of an English accent, but much of his tone appears inspired by the American artists of the era.

Many of the albums in this series have been quite upbeat in the main. I was surprised to hear Harris take on some slower numbers and deliver them with the control of a professional crooner. For an artist known for his outgoing eccentricity on stage and the later manoeuvre into comedy, Wee Willie Harris brought depth to his vocals when required. Examples include the romantic “Little Bitty Girl”.

The album appears to contain all of the essential recordings from this artist, including his active version of Neil Sedaka’s “I Go Ape”; A bustling performance complete with vocal noises in between the verses. Another important recording is “Rockin’ At The 2 I’s”, an autobiographical song about a venue he played at regularly. This one was recorded at an unrelated venue local to Decca Studios, one of many from the session included here. The energy is evident in the sporadic crowd noise and the onstage performances.

Inside the tracklisting is the complete LP for I Go Ape, an album only released in Israel at the time; It makes its CD debut here! This is a huge positive.

The album ends on a Medley of Tin Pan Alley songs and standards, some of which were made famous by Al Jolson. Alongside the other tracks from the album this recording is derived from, they show Harris’s versatility as a performer. Once tipped as more of a comedy performer, this certainly proves he had the vocal and personality to carry this kind of material.

Sound Quality

Given the obscurity of this material, it is understandable that the sound isn’t pristine all the way through. As always, it is clear that Bear Family Records ensured to acquire the highest quality possible. Some of them appear to derive from 45s, while others have the clarity closer to a master.

Something I often find with this era is that the production choices can affect the quality when judging through modern ears, but are an integral part of the character of the recordings. The techniques, such as slapback echo, help solidify the era and add some bite. Other little quirks at any part of the production chain, such as the slight distortion on the vocals on “Wild One”, give it an irresistible rocking energy.

A Little Something Extra…

A standard case houses the CD, which also contains a 36-page booklet. It features very in-depth liner notes by Roland Heinrich Rumtreiber, covering Harris’ whole story with comprehensive detail, interview quotes and interesting facts. It also details the period after the era of this CD and his lasting legacy.

Before I read the booklet, I had no idea how close Harris came to becoming a huge star commercially in the UK, only thwarted by attitudes and decisions made at the time. His story encompasses nearly every legendary artist or impresario in the late 50s, early 60s. A must-read!

The booklet also includes rare photographs and illustrations, with a discography in the back.

Conclusion

Bear Family Records has assembled a comprehensive collection of Wee Willie Harris that covers his late 50s to early 60s period. We can’t see the flamboyancy of his style or performance, but a certain chaotic energy is present in these recordings; Preserved for future generations to discover a controversial but influential figure in the history of British Rock music. The all-important context details his rise, popularity in Europe, and his lasting legacy.

As for the music on the album, it’s a nice mixture that demonstrates the strengths of Wee Willie Harris. Based purely on what I’ve heard, he could rock with the best of them, but also channel a performative aspect that made him versatile. This is a nice addition to the compilation series, which demonstrates how varied our British music scene was, and how characters like Harris slipped under the cracks somewhere. The Brits Are Rockin’ Vol 9 is now available to order from Bear Famiyl Records.

Tracklisting

1. Let’s Have A Party
2. Rosie Lee
3. I Go Ape
4. Grab You
5. Love Bug Crawl
6. Little Bitty Girl
7. Rockin’ At The 2 I’s
8. Get Happy
9. Back To School Again
10. Wild One
11. Blueberry Hill
12. Smack Dab In The Middle
13. Mean Woman Blues
14. Riot In Cell Block #9
15. Bloodshot Eyes
16. No Chemise Please
17. Buona Sera
18. Got A Match?
19. I Don’t Know Why (But I Do)
20. Say Mama (Live)
21. Trouble In Mind
22. Row Row Row
23. I Go Ape (‘ll Mondo Di Notte’ Movie Version)
24. Have A Drink On Me
25. Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On
26. Medley: Shufflin’ Along/Baby Face/Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody/Toot Toot Tootsie

The Brits are Rockin' Vol 9

9

Rating

9.0/10