Bimbo - Jim Reeves

 

Let Me Love You Just A Little

Bimbo

Jim Reeves

RCA Victor LPM-1410

1957

From the back cover: "Do you know Bimbo?" You surely do! Just about everyone knows Bimbo. His name may not be Bimbo, but the little boy Jim Reeves sings about lives and breathes in just about every square mile of our land. There are literally millions of Bimbos, and the very fact that everyone who listens to this portrait in song can so easily picture his own little Bimbo has undoubtedly been the main reason behind the phenomenal success of the song. As you will find, Bimbo wears well and repeated hearings add to your enjoyment rather than detract – as is the case with too many of today's songs. It is also just as true of Jim Reeves – he wears well.

One of the top names featured regularly on the "Grande Ole Opry" in Nashville today Jim has made it to the top. The trip up from Panola County, Texas, to the "World Series" of Country music wasn't easy. Jim's inherited love of music was encouraged by his family and by the time he was ten he had a foundation unusual in a boy so young. Music continued to be a driving force through high school but it was here, too, that Jim picked up another equally strong love – baseball. It is quite indicative of the boy and man to notice how thoroughly he applies himself towards a personal goal. While not sidetracking his music, Jim did sight his aims towards a career in baseball. After high school graduation in Carthage, Texas, Jim won an athletic scholarship to the University of Texas. Hard work and practice advanced Jim and when he left the University he had in his pocket a contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. While sliding into first one night Jim sustained a nerve injury which ended his baseball career just short of his goal.

It was at this point that his first love, music, found itself without competition and all the Reeves determination was channeled into making a career for himself in music. With radio a prime factor in music and records Jim became successively an announcer, program manager and disc jockey at stations in the South. In 1952 Jim cut his first record, a little novelty entitled Mexican Joe. All of the background Reeves had added to his natural talent became immediately evident and the record was such a smash hit that the trade publications unanimously voted it the outstanding Country record of 1953. Then came Where Does A Broken Heart Go, Then I'll Stop Loving You and Bimbo. Without pausing long enough to count the grand number of records these hits sold, Jim followed them with Drinking Tequila, Penny Candy and Echo Bonita – all hits! You will hear them here in this collection together with some other Jim Reeves favorites, such as How Many, Gypsy Heart and Let Me Love You Just A Little. The poignant recitation form is as old as country music itself and Jim's Mother Went A-Walkin' is a classic example of the man's ability and versatility.

In this collection of great Country recordings you will find that not only did Jim Reeves "make" them – they "made" Jim Reeves. – Calvin Helms

Bimbo

How Many

Echo Bonita

Where Does A Broken Heart Go

Penny Candy

Mother Went A-Walkin'

Mexica Joe

Then I'll Stop Loving You

Drinking Tequila

Gypsy Heart

What Where You Doing (Last Night)

Let Me Love You Just A Little