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UPDATE: As the change is now in force for some users, I have switched the navigation to the simplified one for the new system. Please check Navigation in the Help section if you can't find things. I also initially made small adjustments to the front page layout, but have now reverted to the old look until all users are on the new system.

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John Peel Wiki
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Slim Harpo

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Slim Harpo

Slim Harpo (born James Isaac Moore; January 11, 1924 – January 31, 1970) was an American blues musician, a leading exponent of the swamp blues style, and "one of the most commercially successful blues artists of his day". He played guitar and was a master of the blues harmonica, known in blues circles as a "harp". His most successful and influential recordings included "I'm a King Bee" (1957), "Rainin' in My Heart" (1961), and "Baby Scratch My Back" (1966), which reached number one on Billboard's R&B chart and number 16 on its broader Hot 100 singles chart.

Moore was born in Lobdell, Louisiana, the eldest child in his family. After his parents died he worked as a longshoreman and construction worker in New Orleans in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Influenced in style by Jimmy Reed, he began performing in Baton Rouge bars using the name "Harmonica Slim", and also accompanied his brother-in-law Lightnin' Slim in live performances.

Links to Peel[]

Slim Harpo was a popular artist during the time Peel was living in the USA, and, given JP's liking for southern blues, it is likely that the DJ knew of him, bought his records and may even have played some on the air while working in American radio - especially "Baby Scratch My Back", which made the US charts when Peel was working at KMEN. Harpo was also popular with artists involved in the British R&B boom of the mid-1960s, such as the Rolling Stones, Yardbirds and Kinks. The latter two bands both did versions of Harpo's "I Got Love If You Want It" , while the Stones issued a live EP and LP both called "Got Live If You Want It", as a tribute to the song, after they had also recorded the singer's "I'm A King Bee" for their first album.

Harpo's style was a strong influence on Peel session artist Duster Bennett, whose cover version of the bluesman's "Rainin' In My Heart" was issued as a single on Blue Horizon Records in 1969 and played on at least two occasions by Peel. (The DJ observed that the song had been mistakenly credited to "D. Bennett" on the record label, but on the show of 26 January 1969 reported that Duster Bennet had visited him and, “because he’s that kind of person”, said it should read “arranged D. Bennett” and that Slim Harpo would receive the royalties.)

Slim Harpo's own records were played throughout Peel's radio career, with the final plays coming in 2004. He also played tracks from Harpo's brother-in-law, Lightnin' Slim.

Shows Played[]

Baby_Scratch_My_Back

Baby Scratch My Back

1970
  • 18 July 1970: The Hippy Song (LP - Slim Harpo Knew The Blues) Excello
1972
1976
1982
  • 16 November 1982: Rainin' In My Heart (album - Sings "Raining In My Heart...") Excello
  • 16 November 1982: unknown (album - Sings "Raining In My Heart...") Excello
  • 16 November 1982: Moody Blues (album - Sings "Raining In My Heart...") Excello
1987
1988
1990
  • 25 November 1990: Rainin' In My Heart (LP - Sings "Raining In My Heart...") Excello
1991
Slim_Harpo_-_I'm_a_King_Bee

Slim Harpo - I'm a King Bee

1992
  • 25 July 1992: I’m A King Bee (CD – The Best Of Slim Harpo) Ace
1997
  • 11 March 1997: ‘Wonderin' And Worryin' (Various Artists CD – Deep Harmonica Blues)’ Ace
  • 15 October 1997: I'm A King Bee (LP - He Knew The Blues) Blue Horizon
  • 19 November 1997: I'm A King Bee (album - The Best Of Slim Harpo) Ace
1998
  • 08 January 1998 (BFBS): 'Moody Blues (LP-The Best Of Slim Harpo - The Original King Bee)' (Rhino) (JP: 'You see, there would have been those who, when I said "moody blues", would have thought to themselves, "Ah! At long last on John Peel's Music From BFBS, the pomp rock behemoths!"')
  • 18 November 1998: Baby, Scratch My Back (LP - The Best Of Slim Harpo) Excello/Ace
2002
2003
2004
  • 12 February 2004: 'I'm A King Bee (LP- The Excello Singles Anthology)' (Hip O)
  • 26 February 2004: Strange Love (Album, Comp.: The Excello Singles Anthology) Hip-O
  • 16 March 2004: Rainin' In My Heart (LP - The Excello Singles Anthology) Hip-O

External Links[]

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