Kind of rough sound and low quality video but I like this tune nonetheless.
From about 4:10 to 4:30....is that a little section of Magic Dick's Whammer Jammer that he's dropped in there? Or is it the other way around? They were both born around the same time.
Hey I just noticed, my 500th post! And in only 50 times as long as it took TNFrank (sorry, I couldn't resist).
Do I get a gold watch?........set of steak knives?
in order to rack-up posts, you have to have an opinion on everything under the sun and debate minutae fiercely. also, you must spend all your time at the computer and say whatever comes to mind, completely without fore-thought..
can you do that? are you willing? didn't think so.
HARMON'S great! nicest guy with a wry sense of humor.---------- MP hibachi cook for the yakuza doctor of semiotics superhero emeritus
Last Edited by on Nov 11, 2010 11:41 AM
The first lines, and they both got it from the same place, are opening licks from Little Walter's "Rocker"...then it sails away into their own thing. One of the funniest comments I ever heard came from Harman when he was talking about this blues business thing and he laughed and said..."I just love the ignorance of it all". Now that's a guy with my kind of sense of humor.
James is always surrounded by the best players. i used to see him years ago before he had cds and he let me make boot leg tapes, if id promise to not to sell them. at one time he had Kid Ramos and the late Hollywood Fats on guitar he opened for Butterfield who i love but poor paul didnt know what he was walkin into and just had a pickup band.James put the metal to the pedel and never stopped. im not sure which cd this line up is on but it would be one to have.
James Harman impressed the hell out of me, back in 93 or somewhere back then,(rhymes better)....in Honolulu, at a bar called Sand Island Rhythm & Blues Bar. He blew the house away! Super fine, real deal, excellent showmanship, comic relief, and incredible skills on the harp. I was equally impressed with his back up. I went out and grabbed his CD. His lyrics are deep, MAN!! Did/does he still...write his own stuff?
James Harman has long been one of my favourites - sure there more flashy or dextrous players out there but I love his soulful playing and sense of groove
@Mojokane - his last recording - all originals - was Lonesome Moon Trance, released while back (6-7 years maybe). I'm hoping that he has plans for another soon but lately it seems that he has gone for the "elder statesman" career path and just plays occasional festivals with pick-up bands, particularly throughout Europe. Nowadays I'm sure there's more money in that. Anyway, I especially recommend "Extra Napkins" "Do Not Disturb", "Two Sides" and for me at least, "Lonesome Moon" though others weren't as convinced that it was one of his best
I first saw Harman at the Bucks County R&B Picnic in '87 or '88. Nice guy, with a stylish look. I don't find his playing dazzling, just solid, in the pocket, old-school, and professional. When I was in Europe in 2008, I met several people who independently told me that he was not in good shape, was drinking himself to death, and had put on some mediocre shows as a result of hitting the stuff too early in the day.
But when you search out videos, you find the following, which, in my estimation, shows him to be one of the greatest living blues singers. I don't even care about the harp playing when I watch this. I say to myself: this guy is bringing EVERYTHING he is and has been through to this song. He never strains, he takes his time--this video IS what the old-timers meant when they said "take your time"--and when he wants to raise the heat, he does so with full power and no effort. He's gained a fair bit of weight over the years, and he's aged. But this video shows me a guy who is at the top of his game:
for you James Harman fans he is going to be at harp blow out they have every year at the golden sails hotel long beach ca. he still lives in huntington beach
I got to hang out with James at Amandas Rollercoaster-telling jokes,laughing-just a super cool guy. I witnessed this performance first hand. James and Junior have it going on!!
Last Edited by on Nov 21, 2010 1:22 PM
@ tmf714 man did i miss a good one. back in the early 80s i was hangin with a young woman liked to listen to sting and motels b52s and that sort of stuff. i had damn near quit playin my harp then a friend took me to see James. he had no cds at the time but i just had to start playin again after seein James he gave it back to me. returned my soul thanks MR. HARMAN
I love his voice and timing not to mention the very clever lyrics.......plus James has TONE. I've been a fan of his for years importing his albums over here in the uk before you could get them on general release. I have to say the last one wasnt that great and didnt compare to his earlier efforts but hey so what. I've been trying to get a signed photo of him for years too ( I collect 'em) but no joy even after writing to his address 6 times and bugging his agent last year. "Too many womens" is probably his best track for me
