Bear Family in May are issuing the complete recordings of JP Richardson, The Big Bopper, with a 31 song CD - "Hello Baby..You Know What I Like". For the first time on a Big Bopper comp, the original SINGLE versions of some of his songs, including 'Walking Through My Dreams' are featured, as well as the commonly reissued LP versions. The set also adds Big Bopper related songs, including Donna Dameron's 'Bopper 486609' from 1959, Ray Campi's tribute 'The Man I Met' (also from 1959) using the Bopper's band, as well as Jayne Mansfield's 'That Makes It'. Of the 3 singers who died in that tragic plane crash, Richardson has been the most poorly served on the reissue front. This issue at last, rights that wrong.

The other notable May release is a 28 track CD featuring the complete Chess recordings of Bobby Charles. Charles, as most collectors would know, recorded the original version of 'See You Later Alligator', which is appropriately, the title of this set. Complete track listings for these CDs are available on Bear's website.

I have their Beatles Bop - Hamburg Days 2 disc set. If this Big Bopper set is even half as exhaustively researched as that set is, it'll be essential.

I never thought I'd get more music from the Big Bopper, great news!

Looks like 2 more must buys thanks to Bear Family...I wish they'd someday do a Homer & Jethro box set.

I'm sure Bear Family's mastering will be superior to any Bopper CD that's currently available. Add to that the fact that this one comes with a lavish 52 page booklet which includes many rare photos provided by The Big Bopper's family.

There was a 28 track Bobby Charles CD issued in Japan in 1996 called "Chess Masters."

Is the new version remastered?

Yes, Bear Family never use outside mastering.

Can't wait to get that Big Bopper disc!

My Big Bopper CD arrived from Bear Family 3 days ago. Excellent sound and a fantastic 50 page book. My only gripe was with a bit of sloppy mastering on the Ray Campi track which leaves off the first 3 notes of the song. Other than that, it's faultless. The Bopper would have loved it!