Artist:Slim Harpo
Song:I Got Love If You Want It
Album:The Excello Singles Anthology
Louisiana blues singer songwriter Slim Harpo was poised to become a huge international star when he died suddenly of a heart attack on Jan. 30, 1970 at age 46. He was born James Moore on Jan. 11, 1924 in Lobdell, LA. His guitar and harmonica playing made him popular in local Baton Rouge clubs and he wrote all his own songs with his wife Lovelle. His style was laid back but that made him more adaptable. He originally called himself Harmonica Slim after his mentor Lightnin' Slim who sent him to see Excello Records owner Jay Miller. When it came time to record him, Miller told him there was already a Harmonica Slim and he'd have to change his name. Lovelle came up with the name Slim Harpo. I Got Love If You Want It was one of his first recordings in 1961 and very typical of Harpo's smooth style. The song has been covered by The Yardbirds & Eric Clapton. He became even more popular when The Rolling Stones covered I'm A King Bee on their first album. He had a Billboard Singles Top 20 hit with Baby, Scratch My Back in 1966 and then had a successful world tour with Lightnin' Slim. He was all set to record and tour again when he died. This 2CD comp released by Hip-O in 2003 is definitive. There's no doubt Slim Harpo would have remained a significant force in blues if he had lived and his music is really good.
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