James "Icepick" Harman is one of the best bluesmen around. He has good solid harp chops, a superb voice and is a killer songwriter. His bands are always full of great players. He has been one of my favourites for many years. Here's more of him in action:
kid ramos and hollywood fats in the same band the kid looks really young in the video sadly that was towards the end for hollywood fats ---------- tipjar
Harman told me that he doesn't really consider himself a harmonica player (although he plays pretty good). Rather, he likes to think of himself as a great storyteller and uses the harmonica to augment his stories. ---------- The Iceman
I saw him several times on last fall's Blues Cruise. I thought he was an OK harp player, his band was average, he had decent vocals and the songs were good. But considering the build up I had gotten on this Forum, I was a little disappointed. JMHO.
Last Edited by atty1chgo on Mar 22, 2013 7:13 PM
I'm a big fan of James Harman's earlier stuff.. I know what you mean about not being terribly impressed. The earlier stuff was pretty baddass, like the above "I got News For You", also because of his stellar back up band. There was some super good chemistry. And I don't see that anymore.
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Why is it that we all just can't get along?<
Last Edited by Mojokane on Mar 23, 2013 1:04 AM
Check out his CD's. Those Dangerous Gentlemen, Extra Napkins, Strictly Live in '85, Do Not Disturb and Mo' Napkins Please are among the best in my opinion.
Last Edited by Kingley on Mar 23, 2013 1:30 AM
Seems a little unfair to judge him on current performances. I don't know when his hey day was, but I'm guessing it was nearly thirty years ago, and to expect him to maintain the sort of intensity apparent in the first clip is unrealistic in my opinion, especially on something like the blues cruise (not that I've ever been on one). Bit like judging Mohammed Ali's credibility as a boxer on a show fight as an old man.
I appreciate that many bluesmen get better with age; perhaps he has just mellowed a bit.
I'm a big fan of Harman's sound - while he's not the most dextrous and varied of players I love how he places his notes for maximum effect, and that "whumph" he puts behind it that drives the groove. His amplified tone is the one I would most like to emulate.
I'm disappointed that he no longer seems to be releasing new albums - perhaps the numbers don't add up, though he still seems to be writing new material going by recent youtube clips.
I'm surprised that his UBC band was considered average - wasn't (for one) Nathan James playing? He's a great player and accompanist imo. Also from what I see from youtube, his most inspired performances are with Nathan and his regular band - some of the European clips with pick up bands are admittedly a little by-numbers
