| baby, scratch my back- got love if you want it- i'm a king bee |
Slim Harpo's sound was casual and friendly but, upon analysis was both highly
regimented in its production and reflected influences that are very different from
other Mississippi "delta" musicians such as Muddy Waters and the Howling Wolf.
Technically, one of the most significant characteristics of Slim Harpo's sound was
his innovative use of Fender amp tremolo synchronized to the groove of the song
he was recording. The first recording at this web page, "Baby Scratch My Back",
demonstrates Harpo's early use of tremolo. Another advent in Harpo's
production was use of deep, almost spooky amp reverb. Harpo's recordings also
featured a double guitar attack-with Harpo's rhythm groove on a Gibson hollow
body through deep tremolo and rhythm lines played on a Fender solid body (often
by the New Orleans guitarist Lightnin' Slim, as on both "Baby Scratch My Back" and
"I'm a King Bee"). These sonic components were distinctive and ground breaking in
1957, the year after Elvis Presley recorded for the first time in Sun Studios and
contemporaneous with Chuck Berry's first record hits out of Chess Records in
Chicago.
regimented in its production and reflected influences that are very different from
other Mississippi "delta" musicians such as Muddy Waters and the Howling Wolf.
Technically, one of the most significant characteristics of Slim Harpo's sound was
his innovative use of Fender amp tremolo synchronized to the groove of the song
he was recording. The first recording at this web page, "Baby Scratch My Back",
demonstrates Harpo's early use of tremolo. Another advent in Harpo's
production was use of deep, almost spooky amp reverb. Harpo's recordings also
featured a double guitar attack-with Harpo's rhythm groove on a Gibson hollow
body through deep tremolo and rhythm lines played on a Fender solid body (often
by the New Orleans guitarist Lightnin' Slim, as on both "Baby Scratch My Back" and
"I'm a King Bee"). These sonic components were distinctive and ground breaking in
1957, the year after Elvis Presley recorded for the first time in Sun Studios and
contemporaneous with Chuck Berry's first record hits out of Chess Records in
Chicago.
Slim Harpo's music is both historic and influential and represents a truly unique New Orleans
sound. While many musicians have listened to and mined the sound that he popularized, Slim
Harpo was actually "Born on the Bayou". He was born James Moore in Lobdell 10 miles
outside of Baton Rouge, LA.
Harpo recorded in the Baton Rouge and New Orleans area and made his living primarily by
playing the local live circuit rarely venturing out of the deep south. Although the record
label Harpo's music was distributed on was independent and regional, Harpo had several hits
that charted nationally including "Raining in My Heart" which made the Billboard chart's top
40 in 1961.
sound. While many musicians have listened to and mined the sound that he popularized, Slim
Harpo was actually "Born on the Bayou". He was born James Moore in Lobdell 10 miles
outside of Baton Rouge, LA.
Harpo recorded in the Baton Rouge and New Orleans area and made his living primarily by
playing the local live circuit rarely venturing out of the deep south. Although the record
label Harpo's music was distributed on was independent and regional, Harpo had several hits
that charted nationally including "Raining in My Heart" which made the Billboard chart's top
40 in 1961.
His records may not have received a wide audience
in the US, but they did reach the shores of England
where he was widely listened to and appreciated for
his individualistic electric guitar sound and laid back
vocal style.
Harpo's music not only made the national charts in
England, but served as inspiration for British rock
bands, including the Rolling Stones, Yardbirds, Kinks,
and Van Morrison recorded his first charting single,
Harpo's "Don't Start Crying Now" with his first
group the Them. Mick Jagger was quoted asking
fans in America, "whats the point in listening to us
doing "I'm a King Bee" when you can hear Slim
Harpo do it?"
in the US, but they did reach the shores of England
where he was widely listened to and appreciated for
his individualistic electric guitar sound and laid back
vocal style.
Harpo's music not only made the national charts in
England, but served as inspiration for British rock
bands, including the Rolling Stones, Yardbirds, Kinks,
and Van Morrison recorded his first charting single,
Harpo's "Don't Start Crying Now" with his first
group the Them. Mick Jagger was quoted asking
fans in America, "whats the point in listening to us
doing "I'm a King Bee" when you can hear Slim
Harpo do it?"
Harpo also played and recorded a broad repertoire
of popular styles which likely reflected that he was a
working musician, gigging locally throughout his
career. Harpo played blues, soul and country tinged
songs which set him apart from the Chicago style of
electrified delta blues recorded by the Chess
brothers during the 1950s. Harpo's sound was
influenced by New Orleans' diverse musical
heritage. Harpo's singing style worked well for soul
and blues and was more accessible to rock acts
who covered Harpo's records in the early 1960's.
When the Rolling Stones had a hit with "I'm a King
Bee" off their first album in 1966, Harpo recorded
"Baby, Scratch My Back" that charted on Billboard's
top 20. Harpo recorded more songs in the late
1960's following after that hit and began to tour the
coasts. Harpo's music fit well in the live music scene
of the late 60's when electric blues was an influence
on early rock and roll.
James Moore/Slim Harpo succumbed to a heart
attack in January of 1970.
of popular styles which likely reflected that he was a
working musician, gigging locally throughout his
career. Harpo played blues, soul and country tinged
songs which set him apart from the Chicago style of
electrified delta blues recorded by the Chess
brothers during the 1950s. Harpo's sound was
influenced by New Orleans' diverse musical
heritage. Harpo's singing style worked well for soul
and blues and was more accessible to rock acts
who covered Harpo's records in the early 1960's.
When the Rolling Stones had a hit with "I'm a King
Bee" off their first album in 1966, Harpo recorded
"Baby, Scratch My Back" that charted on Billboard's
top 20. Harpo recorded more songs in the late
1960's following after that hit and began to tour the
coasts. Harpo's music fit well in the live music scene
of the late 60's when electric blues was an influence
on early rock and roll.
James Moore/Slim Harpo succumbed to a heart
attack in January of 1970.
| Slim Harpo / James Moore Born 01.11.1924 Lobdell, LA Died 01.31.1970 Baton Rouge, LA |
