James Harman Band - Bootlegged In San Luis Obispo Vet's Hall 2000

Album: Bootlegged In San Luis Obispo Vet's Hall 2000
Size: 160,8 MB
Time: 69:46
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2026
Styles: Blues, harmonica blues
Art: Full

1. Crapshoot (7:54)
2. Trouble Loadin' Mama/Too Much Family (5:08)
3. Yo' Family (Don't Like Me) (6:34)
4. Cornbread (3:39)
5. Leavin' For Memphis (6:43)
6. Stand Up For Your Man/Same Old Story (7:28)
7. Tell Me Baby (7:35)
8. Helsinki Laundromat Blues (11:11)
9. Lowdown Blues (8:00)
10. It's All Right Now (5:30)

The much rumoured James Harman Band performance at the SLO Vet's Hall in January 2000 finally sees the light of the day! James Harman - the revered Maestro of Californian harmonica blues - was at his peak back then. Young Nathan James - an extraordinary guitar player, rich in finesse and feeling - was only 21, albeit his magic touch disguised his age. The rhythm section is tight, immaculate, delivering a powerful and agile beat throughout. This is superior stuff and in great sound quality too. 10 tracks, 70 minutes of timeless music from a leader and a band that made history in the blues field.

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

Bootlegged In San Luis Obispo Vet's Hall 2000 mc
Bootlegged In San Luis Obispo Vet's Hall 2000 gofile

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James Harman - Bonetime

Album: Bonetime
Size: 119,8 MB
Time: 51:38
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Blues, harmonica blues
Art: Full

1. Bonetime (3:08)
2. (I Am) The World's Badluckest Man (2:49)
3. Ain't It Crazy (3:16)
4. Coldfront Woman (6:59)
5. Big Boned Gal (4:01)
6. Bad Feets/Bad Hair (5:29)
7. Just A Game Goin' On (3:36)
8. Blue Stretchmark Tattoo (4:30)
9. Yo' Family (Don't Like Me) (4:09)
10. Leavin' Fire (4:45)
11. Skirt (3:58)
12. The Clock Is Tickin' (4:52)

James Harman, harp and vocals, has had an illustrious career having backed up Big Joe Turner, John Lee Hooker, Freddie King, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Albert King, T-Bone Walker, Lowell Fulsom, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, Johnny “Guitar” Watson” and Albert Collins among others. Harman’s first album was released in 1987 however his most important work were four albums for the Black Top Record label including 1995’s “Black and White”. In 2000 he released “Mo’ Napkins Please” on Cannonball Records. His last recording was 2003’s “Lonesome Moon Trance” on the Pacific Blues imprint.

“Bonetime” is James Harman’s twelfth album and first for Electro-Fi. This compilation includes twelve previously unreleased tracks especially chosen by him for this project. Harman calls himself the King of Bones as many of the musicians he has worked with are gone. However these relics live on as do many of the great players contributing to this project.

The song “Bonetime” which opens the album features guitarists Junior Watson and Kirk Fletcher and the rhythm section of Buddy Clark, bass; and Alan West, drums. “I Am The World’s Badluckest Man” features that rhythm section but with Gene Taylor, piano, and Nathan James, guitar. Harman’s harp and clear vocals often times remind me of Kim Wilson.

“Ain’t It Crazy” features guitarists Fletcher and Jeff Turmes who later worked with Janiva Magness. “Big Boned Gal” features guitarist Kid Ramos. “Bad Feets/Bad Hair” features Fletcher, Turmes, Taylor, Clark, and West. Turmes is overdubbed playing multiple saxes and the background vocalists include a young Candye Kane.

Harman has twelve Blues Music Award nominations and won twice last year for his part on the “Remembering Little Walter” cd. Harman is now sixty-eight years young and he still tours. There are many stories I’m sure that he could tell. We have to thank Electro-Fi for releasing this as you can never have too much music from James Harman. I hope that there is much more that follows. There’s still life in them bones. /Richard Ludmerer, Making A Scene

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

Note: James Harman passed away May 23, 2021.

Bonetime mc
Bonetime gofile

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James Harman - The Bluesmoose Session

Album: The Bluesmoose Session
Size: 130,2 MB
Time: 56:28
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2025
Styles: Blues, harmonica blues
Art: Full

1. She Could Rock Awhile (5:20)
2. Crapshoot (4:16)
3. Got To Call My Baby (6:39)
4. This Ship (4:22)
5. Leavin' For Memphis (5:47)
6. Double Hogback Growler (5:45)
7. Squat And Bust Your Breeches (4:18)
8. What'cha Gonna Do 'Bout Me (6:42)
9. Yo' Family Don't Like Me (8:08)
10. Get Away Boogie (5:08)

With the blessing of Jimmy Harman (the artist's son) and guitarist Nathan James, Renato Bottani's New Shot Records has packaged a beautiful tribute to the American blues singer, songwriter and harmonica player James Harman, who died on May 19, 2021 shortly before turning 75. Recorded live on October 31, 2018 in front of a small audience during a session held at the Cafe Bar de Comm in Groesbeek for the Dutch radio program Blues Moose, the ten songs in the setlist see the bandleader alongside Shakedown Tim & The Rhythm Revue aka Tim Ielegems (guitar, vocals), Ilias Scotch (piano), Bart Stone (saxophone), Dan "Toothpick" Blackwolf (double bass) and Dennis Tubbs (drums).

To round it all off, the beautiful and interesting liner notes that tell of the rough and exuberant nature of the character, also reporting statements by Charlie Musselwhite, Rick Estrin, Rod Piazza and James himself.

With compliments to a friend.

The Bluesmoose Session mc
The Bluesmoose Session gofile

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James Harman - Didn't We Have Some Fun Sometime

Album: Didn't We Have Some Fun Sometime
Size: 142,8 MB
Time: 62:08
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2024
Styles: Blues, harmonica blues
Art: Front

1. Pick Up The Slack (4:56)
2. A Rut And A Groove (5:55)
3. A Hand Shake (3:03)
4. Work Don't Come To Me (6:24)
5. Who's Got The Geetus (5:38)
6. Mind's Eye Makes The Call (5:33)
7. That Old Clock (6:22)
8. You Can't Arrest Me For What's On My Mind (5:22)
9. Trouble Loadin' Mama (3:28)
10. Knock Me Out Again (7:31)
11. Taking It On The Lam (4:14)
12. Didn't We Have Some Fun Sometime (3:38)

Ever since releasing his debut, Thank You Baby, on Enigma in 1983, James Harman kept the sound of classic electric blues alive. Harman grounded his sound in Chess - there were distinct echoes of Little Walter and Sonny Boy Williamson - and his bands often incubated new talents, including future Blaster Phil Alvin plus guitarists Hollywood Fats, Gene Taylor, and Kid Ramos. As such, Harman didn't break into the mainstream - he did land a song in a pivotal scene in the Academy Award-winning 1988 film The Accused - but he racked up W.C. Handy Awards as he kept touring and recording into the 2020s.

Born in Anniston, Alabama on June 8, 1946, Harman began playing piano at the age of four. He soon discovered his father's harmonicas in the family's piano bench, so he taught himself how to play the harp, then picked up the guitar and drums. Soon, he discovered the blues and began playing with local blues guitarist Radio Johnson. At the age of 16, he moved to Panama City, Florida, and started playing in local blues and R&B bands, winding up in the Icehouse Blues Band. He signed a management deal with Earl Caldwell, who also managed the Swingin' Medallions, who helped shop singles to various local Florida imprints. None of these went anywhere, so he spent some time in New York, Miami, New Orleans, and Chicago before landing in Southern California in the 1970s.

After battling health problems, he continued to lead a lineup of the Icehouse Blues Band, which eventually evolved into the James Harman Band in 1977. The James Harman Band featured a number of prominent players, particularly in its earliest years when it featured Phil Alvin and Bill Bateman, who left the group to form the Blasters. Harman built up enough of a following to sign with Enigma in 1983, releasing Thank You Baby as his debut. Rhino issued Those Dangerous Gentlemen in 1987, which was followed by Extra Napkins in 1988. After Rivera released Strictly Live... In 85! in 1990, he moved to Black Top and stayed there through the '90s, releasing four albums for the label.

Cannonball put out two records at the end of the '90s - Takin' Chances in 1998 and Mo' Na'Kins, Please! in 1999 - and he moved to Gulf Coast for Lonesome Moon Trance in 2003. Harman was quiet on the recording front during the remainder of the 2000s - although he did cameo on two ZZ Top albums, contributing to 2003's Mescalero and 2012's La Futura - returning in 2015 with Bonetime on the Electro-Fi imprint. Three years later, he delivered Fineprint. Harman died of a heart attack on May 23, 2021. /Biography by Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AllMusic

A fabulous, heartfelt final parting, musical gift from the legendary blues artist James Harman (1946-2021). For all his many friends and fans, who loved both the man and his music, this is a must have CD. Twelve James Harman originals performed by James and his Those Dangerous Gentlemen's band. Recorded, mixed and mastered by James's long time guitarist Nathan James.

Personnel: James Harman (vocals, harmonica); Nathan James (guitar, upright bass); Michael Tempo (percussion, drums); Marty Dodson, Hal Smith (drums); Troy Sandow (bass); Carl Sonny Leyland, Gene Taylor (piano).

Didn't We Have Some Fun Sometime mc
Didn't We Have Some Fun Sometime gofile

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James Harman - Sparks Flying: Live In 1992

Size: 162.5 MB
Time: 69:58
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2022
Styles: Electric Blues, Harmonica Blues
Art: Front

01. Keep Our Busines To Yourself (6:13)
02. Do Not Disturb (4:12)
03. Icepick Confession (5:33)
04. Three-Way Party (7:44)
05. San-Ho-Zay (6:47)
06. Extra Napkins (4:38)
07. Stranger Blues (4:39)
08. Sparks (Start Flying) (4:56)
09. All I Want To Do (6:31)
10. New Game (7:33)
11. Is It Yes Or Is It No (5:25)
12. I've Got News (5:41)

Personnel:
James Harman: Vocals, Harmonica
Joel Foy: Guitar
Jeff Turmes: Bass, Slide Guitar
Estin Cook: Drums

Live recording at the 2nd South Blues Festival Tamines Belgium 22 August 1992

James Gary Harman would be the male blues version of Flannery O'Conner, with his creative crazy genius.

James was a true, original Southern character right out of a novel... harmonica man, amazing songwriter and songster, soulful blues shouter, part shaman, flim flam man, philosopher, improviser par excellence, stand up comic, pirate actor, Southern chef, blues historian, car salesman, braggart, a mess of contradictions, professional broke down hillbilly (his words), drag racing fanatic, beat era hipster, mechanic (he got my battery back working at the ferry terminal at PT Townsend... he could do it all! ~Mark Hummel

Sparks Flying: Live In 1992 MP3
Sparks Flying: Live In 1992 FLAC

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James Harman - Liquor Parking

Size: 150,4 MB
Time: 63:28
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2019
Styles: Electric Blues, Harmonica Blues
Art: Full

01. Done Deal (3:48)
02. Switchin' Dimensions (4:03)
03. A Solid Mess (4:48)
04. Lady Luck (3:50)
05. Pump Your Own (3:46)
06. Eatin' Manatee (4:46)
07. Barkin' Up The Wrong Tree (3:29)
08. Ain't Gonna Raise My Hand (5:55)
09. Cumin (3:41)
10. Woman Took My Woman (3:50)
11. Ain't She Somethin' (4:49)
12. Behind The Curtain (7:01)
13. Boogie Lovin' (2:06)
14. To Each His Own (4:01)
15. Tomorrow I May Be Gone (3:29)

Personnel:
James Harman: Harmonica, Vocals
Jon Atkinson: Guitars
Robert Welsh: Piano
Kedar Roy: Bass
Malachi Johnson: Drums

James Harman’s Icehouse Blues Band had played alongside Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, B.B. King, Albert King, Lowell Fulsom, Big Joe Turner, Freddie King, T-Bone Walker, Albert Collins and numerous other blues icons. This is Harman’s sixteenth album. His most important work maybe the four albums he recorded for the Black Top Record label including 1995’s “Black and White”. In 2000 he released “Mo’ Napkins Please” on the Cannonball Records imprint. His last two albums were 2015’s “Bonetime” and 2018’s “Fineprint” both released on Electro-Fi Records. Harman has eighteen Blues Music Award nominations including Instrumentalist – Harmonica (4x) and Traditional Blues Male Artist (3x). He won two BMA’s for his participation on the 2013 album “Remembering Little Walter”.

Big Jon Atkinson is both guitarist and producer at Bigtone Records where he masterfully utilizes 1940’s and 50’s analog equipment to capture that old school sound. When it came to finding artists to record James Harman was on his short list. Harman states “I had a tour booked that Nathan James and Marty Dodson could not do. So I grabbed guitarist Atkinson, Malachi Johnson, Kedar Roy, and my percussionist Mike Tempo and we did the tour anyway. Since we ended up in Northern California, Jon offered for me to do some recording in his infamous old school analog studio. “Liquor Parking” is the “catch” from that fishing trip”.

The recording includes Harman, harp and vocals; Atkinson, guitars; Robert Welsh, piano; Malachi Johnson, drums; and Kedar Roy, bass. Also appearing on the recording are pianist Carl Sonny Leyland, bassists Greg Roberts and Troy Sandow, percussionist Tempo and saxophonist Eric Spaulding.

All fifteen songs were written by Harman. The modest Harman adds “the songs were all “head arrangements”; this is 100 percent raw, live, one-take stuff…involving little more than calling out keys and me making up stories. I made up the lyrics on the spot, and these fine blues players followed me like bluetick hounds”. Johnson plays on all tracks while bassists Roy and Roberts each play on seven.

The opening track “Done Deal” features boogie-woogie and Jazz pianist Carl Sonny Leyland sitting in. Harman testifies that Leyland is “the best piano player I have ever heard. And folks…I have heard a lot of ‘em.”

On all the other tracks the piano player is no slouch either as Robert Welsh has played with Elvin Bishop, Charlie Musselwhite and countless others. Check out Welsh’s fine piano on “A Solid Mess”, “Lady Luck” and “Switchin’ Dimensions”.

Harman’s genius making up songs on the spot is best illustrated on the humorous “Eatin’ Manatee” and on “(Ain’t Gonna) Raise My Hand” with his great harp and vocals, and Atkinson on guitar; the latter is a trance blues featuring bassist Sandow and percussionist Tempo.

“To Each His Own” is another great vocal from Harman. The spontaneous music from Harman and this fabulous band is a pure joy. Better listen now cause like Harman says “you can’t take it with you when you go.” ~Richard Ludmerer

Liquor Parking MP3
Liquor Parking FLAC

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VA - Blue Highway: Paving The Way To Your Soul

Size: 173,8 MB
Time: 73:52
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1994
Styles: Electric Blues
Art: Full

01 James Harman - Night Ridin' Daddy (5:17)
02 Johnny Dyer & Rick Holmstrom - Hands Off (2:56)
03 Earl King - Medieval Days (3:46)
04 Solomon Burke - Letter From My Darling (5:02)
05 Carol Fran & Clarence Hollimon - Are You Serious (5:17)
06 Guitar Shorty - I Just Can't Run Away From The Blues (4:25)
07 Mike Morgan & The Crawl - Just A Lil Bit Of Your Love (4:24)
08 Terrance Simien - Come Back Home (4:04)
09 Lynn August - Love At First Sight (3:24)
10 Robert Ward - Some Things (4:49)
11 Maria Muldaur - Cajun Moon (5:00)
12 Big Joe & The Dynaflows - Big Legs (4:08)
13 Lee Rocker's Big Blue - Shame, Shame, Shame (3:34)
14 Hollywood Fats - Red Headed Woman (4:29)
15 Bobby Parker - I've Got A Way With Women (6:02)
16 W.C. Clark - You've Got To Love Me (3:35)
17 Johnny Dyer & Rick Holmstrom - Guitar Boogie Shuffle Twist (3:32)

Blue Highway

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James Harman's Bamboo Porch - Live At 'Little Village' Vol. 1

Size: 143,5 MB
Time: 61:37
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2012
Styles: Electric Blues, Harmonica Blues
Art: Full

01. With A Butcher Knife In Her Hand ( 0:44)
02. Wild Bout You Baby ( 6:13)
03. Green Snakeskin Shoes ( 4:45)
04. Convenience Store Party Bag ( 5:27)
05. Got To Call My Baby ( 8:45)
06. Jimmy's Pink Cadillac ( 8:47)
07. You Worry Me ( 4:27)
08. I Can't Stand No More ( 5:25)
09. (11:02)
10. Wino Na'kins ( 5:56)

James Harman’s Bamboo Porch Live at Little Village Volume 1 is the first CD by the prolific songwriter, singer and harmonica player since 2003’s Lonesome Moon Trance.

On this October, 2012, release Harman is backed by guitarist Nathan James, bassist and harmonica player Troy Sandow, drummers Steve Magalian and James Michael Tempo who is the longtime percussionist with the James Harman Band and the subject of an interview by Alex Gardner in this month’s ezine. The live recordings took place in a new theater in the Northern San Diego seaside enclave of Carlsbad. The CD has songs that were laid down using an acoustic duo, The Bamboo Porch Quartet, an acoustic trio and the full five piece James Harman Band. One of the tracks that feature the full JHB is entitled, Pink Alligator. The track is imbibed with the famous Harman wit and all things that make this recording so fun.

Live At 'Little Village' Vol. 1

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James Harman - Lonesome Moon Trance

Year: 2003
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:59
Size: 127,0 MB
Styles: Electric blues, harmonica blues
Scans: Full

1. Double Hogback Growler (4:04)
2. Lowdown Grown-up Jive (4:40)
3. Skeet-a-little Taste (2:15)
4. Piecework Politicians (5:29)
5. Alibi, Reason Why (Sounds Just Like A Lie To Me) (3:47)
6. Miss Bessie Mae Blues (6:05)
7. My Secret Escapade (3:06)
8. Bad-luck Life (4:49)
9. Love Stuff (4:12)
10. Time Will Tell (5:21)
11. It's Yo' World (I'm Just Livin' In It Now) (4:20)
12. Lonesome Moon Trance (6:45)

A new James Harman album is always something worth waiting for. Rather than just getting a band into the studio and fulfilling another contractual obligation, Harman carefully crafts a collection of short stories based on his observations of what is going on around him and in the wider world. Then he records them using his vision of the sound he wants to achieve. This approach does not work for everybody, but on his latest album, "Lonesome Moon Trance," Harman shows just how effective it can be.

The album opens in stunning style with "Double Hogback Growler" where Harman serves up some excellent SBWII style harp licks, and has excellent support from Kid Ramos on guitar. Then it is all change (apart from the main man and James Michael Tempo on percussion) to set things rocking on "Lowdown Grown Up Jive." By the time you have cruised through the funky instrumental "Skeet-a-little Taste," and the highly perceptive "Piecework Politicians" - "Strictly on commission/Getting paid only when the job gets done" - you are starting to wonder when the quality is going to tail off.

The good news is... it never does. Shuffle ("Time will tell"), low and slow ("Miss Bessie Mae" - about Harman's late lamented dog, whose picture appears on the cover), whatever, it is all right out of the top drawer. Harman even offers advice on how to listen to the closer "Lonesome Moon Trance," which hints at ju-ju, although I have not followed his prescription yet.

"Lonesome Moon Trance" is the best blues album of 2003, no ifs, buts or maybes. Harman remains as keen eyed and sharp witted as ever, and his harp playing and singing are both bang on form. Add in a bunch of high class musicians, and you end up with something that comes pretty close to the perfect album. If you only buy one blues album this year, "Lonesome Moon Trance" should be it. Terrific stuff. /Gordon Baxter

(For personnel details, see artwork included.)

Lonesome Moon Trance mc
Lonesome Moon Trance zippy

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James Harman - Takin' Chances

Size: 141,5 MB
Time: 59:58
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1998
Styles: Electric Blues, Harmonica Blues
Art: Full

01. Modern Numbers Game (4:20)
02. Five'll Getcha Ten (6:00)
03. Somebody... (Th'owd Bad Luck On Me) (3:34)
04. Gamblin' Blues (3:44)
05. Sweet, Sweet Dream (3:33)
06. Frolictime (5:33)
07. Crapshoot (3:41)
08. Old-Man Eyes (3:52)
09. Decisions (5:25)
10. Lucky Dog (4:28)
11. Let It Ride (5:04)
12. Read My Mind (4:49)
13. Takin' Chances (5:50)

James Harman is incapable of making a bad album. Here, as in any of his previous releases, his vocals and harmonica playing are prominently featured. His writing is better than average, and he portrays the common themes of the blues in a collection of songs about gambling and love. His full, Southern gospel-inflected vocals are always a treat to listen to, and he plays electrified harp in the Little Walter style with the best of them. As always, his choice of sidemen, especially guitar players, is first-class. They embody the sound of jump blues from the late '40s and Chicago in the '50s and add considerable spark to the album. On three cuts, Harman plays some very tasty acoustic harmonica, a la Sonny Boy Williamson II, which show his mastery of the instrument even without the excitement which amplification adds. It's good to see James Harman keeping the flame of postwar urban blues burning so brightly. ~Sigmund Finman

Takin' Chances

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The Cornbread Project - Catawampus

Size: 77.8 MB
Time: 32:49
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2019
Styles: Electric Blues
Art: Front & Back

01. Hobo Blues (Feat. Big Creek Slim) (3:42)
02. Rollin' & Tumblin' (Feat. Sahra Da Silva) (3:00)
03. You Got To Choose (Feat. James Harman) (3:13)
04. On My Way (Feat. Big Creek Slim) (3:36)
05. My Little Machine (Feat. Big Joe Louis) (3:03)
06. Autumn Shakedown (Feat. Richard Farrell) (2:54)
07. Kokomo Blues (Feat. Troels Jensen (2:43)
08. Mannish Boy (Feat. Mud Morganfield) (3:39)
09. Change My Ways (Feat. Sahra Da Silva) (3:26)
10. Grandma Lurleen's Recipe (Feat. James Harman) (3:30)

Sometimes you just have to get the basics right and work out from there. And when it comes to blues music, the vocal is where it all begins. Lyrics shot through with honesty and integrity and delivered with total passion are the beating heart of the genre, always have been, always will be. You can forget all the electric-blues scenes that cropped up in the seventies and which seem not to have lost any of their popularity to this day, that’s just rock music hitching a ride on the blues bandwagon.

With this in mind, this Danish project seeks to reawaken and revitalise a modern interest in blues, to try to underline the fundamentals that make the genre what it is and bring it to a new generation. A generation’s only image of the genre is either the sound of old scratchy solo recordings or leviathan rockers overplaying the sonic hand. As commercial music has become more cold and calculated, more financially driven and throwaway, perhaps blues is the place to look for a new emotional music experience.

Catawampus is an album that certainly tips its hat, probably a battered fedora worn at a jaunty angle, at the blues musicians of the ’50s and earlier. However, it is no mere pastiche and brings itself up to date with just the lightest dusting of other genres such as soul, gospel as you might expect, and less predicted production approach that lends more to the likes of hip-hop than traditional recording methods. But it all comes down to the music being used to carry that all-important vocal rather than someone just writing blues songs with lyrics tacked on as an afterthought. And that is where the album comes into its own.

And as is the way with many blues albums, this is an album of standards, but this is where the twist comes. It is a combination of new production and reinterpreted playing applied to existing songs, often unused takes and shelved recordings that haven’t seen the light of day, and thus you end up with something both fresh and authentic, archival music being brought bang up to date. There are iconic songs such as Mud Morganfield’s take on his father’s Mannish Boy, Sahra De Silva’s adds some sultry jazz-rock vocals to Rollin’ & Tumblin’, and perhaps the most wonderfully weird offering is the last one, essentially James Harman handing out Cornbread cooking tips to an ancient blues-bar piano score.

So this is an album of more recent standards being revisited, reworked, re-celebrated for all the right reasons. I guess more than anything; it proves that a good song is a good song no matter what you do with it. Forget the revolution; Catawampus is all about the evolution. ~Dave Franklin

Catawampus

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Tony Holiday - Porch Sessions

Size: 134,9 MB
Time: 57:37
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2019
Styles: Electric Blues
Art: Front

01. Pickpocket Fingers (Feat. James Harman & Kid Ramos) (3:51)
02. They Call Me John Primer (Feat. John Primer & Bob Corritore) (6:21)
03. A Woman Named Trouble (Feat. Jake Friel & John Nemeth) (5:09)
04. Becky Ann (Feat. Mitch Kaxhmar & Ronnie Shellist) (3:36)
05. That's Alright (Feat. Charlie Musselwhite & Aki Kumar) (6:33)
06. Three Way Party (Feat. Mitch Kashmar & Ronnie Shellist) (5:09)
07. Special Friend (Feat. James Harman & Kid Ramos) (5:11)
08. Hip To It (Feat. Mitch Kashmar & Ronnie Shellist) (3:17)
09. Blues Hit Big Town (Feat. John Nemeth) (1:37)
10. Tell Me Baby (Feat. John Primer & Bob Corritore) (3:03)
11. Goin' To Court (Feat. James Harman & Kid Ramos) (4:24)
12. Coin Operated Woman (Feat. Johnny Burgin) (4:23)
13. This Time I'm Gone For Good (Feat. William G. Kidd & Ronnie Shelllist) (4:57)

Tony Holiday is a vocalist and harp player who is rapidly emerging as a star on the international blues scene. He has been recognized by blues legends like Charlie Musselwhite and Rick Estrin as one of the finest up-and-comers in the game right now and is steadily building his own legend one gig at a time. Speaking of gigs, he plays up to 200 of them a year across the US and has brilliantly recorded his latest album Porch Sessions in between them on the actual porches of some of the blue’s best-known musicians. Hitting the streets January 25th, 2019 on the VizzTone Label Group, Porch Sessions by Tony Holiday is reminiscent of Alan Lomax’s landmark field recordings and the live recordings that have surfaced from Chicago’s famed Maxwell Street era over the years. It is all about the real blues captured live as it happens.

Tony, along with his partner Landon Stone, have crisscrossed America in pursuit of this project and have ended up on some pretty significant front porches. Live sessions were tracked featuring some of the blue’s biggest names, including Charlie Musselwhite, John Primer, Kid Ramos, John Nemeth, Kid Andersen, Rockin’ Johnny Burgin, and more. The down-and-dirty format is a genius move, as it connects listeners directly to the live blues experience. Studio slickness is replaced by in-the-moment performances and off-the-cuff deliveries. It’s like sitting in on a rehearsal or impromptu jam where the musicians are playing for the simple joy of doing so.

Highlights abound on Porch Sessions by Tony Holiday and hardcore blues fans will love every inch of this record. The opening cut features guitarist Kid Ramos and singer/harpist James Harman getting down on a number called “Pickpocket Fingers,” a Jimmy Reed-ish shuffle about a girl with a “Buster Keaton smile” that’s immediately engaging and sets the tone for what’s to follow. Ramos’ rhythm playing is absolutely popping and will make you want to move, even in this intimate context. Chicago guitarist and Muddy Water’s bandleader John Primer checks in with “They Call Me John Primer” and brings the classic interwoven Windy City sound with him. Bob Corritore adds harp in all the right places and Primer sounds as full of life as he ever has.

One of the best cuts on Porch Sessions is the humid and sultry “A Woman Named Trouble,” which showcases Jake Friel on vocals and John Nemeth on harmonica. Built on a subtle-yet-simmering funk groove, the track creates that smoky 3AM headspace that made many of us fall in love with the truth of the blues. When Friel tells us his woman “can make a baby out of a full-grown man,” we are left with no choice but to believe.

Charlie Musselwhite and Aki Kumar guest on the venerable standard “That’s Alright” with Kumar handling vocals. The two harps fill the track with lonesome, moaning licks that will keep listeners in a trance and put the full emotional power of the instrument on display. Tony Holiday and guitarist Rockin’ Johnny Burgin team up on the low-key bounce of “Coin Operated Woman” to great effect, keeping everything right in the pocket, and the set closes with “This Time I’m Gone For Good,” a slow, heavy minor blues spotlighting William G. Kidd on vocals and Ronnie Shellist on harmonica that’s pure midnight heartbreak.

Porch Sessions is nothing but fun from beginning to end and it’s immensely refreshing to bask in its casual glory. This is the raw, homespun blues, the kind of music that made possible all that came after it, and Tony Holiday deserves praise for recording these folks playing it in the most human setting there is.

Highly recommended. ~Mike O’Cull

Porch Sessions

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Shakedown Tim & The Rhythm Revue - Shakedown's Th'owdown

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:44
Size: 100.1 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Year: 2018
Art: Front

[3:38] 1. Drop You Like A Bad Habit
[3:47] 2. Junior's Mambo
[4:30] 3. Icepick's Shakedown Th'owdown
[2:53] 4. Did The Best I Could
[3:18] 5. The Way It's Gonna Be
[4:29] 6. No More Fightin'
[3:20] 7. Rollin' On
[3:31] 8. Drop You Like A Bad Habit (Lowdown Version)
[4:18] 9. I Will Unfriend You
[2:12] 10. I Wanna See You Baby
[5:26] 11. Blues After Hours
[2:18] 12. Let's Get A Life

Rhythm Bomb Records (London) presents: ‘Shakedown’s Th’owdown’ the new album by Shakedown Tim & The Rhythm Revue. It’s a swell and varied collection of blues, swing, jump, R&B, rock ’n roll… played with attitude and authentic sounds. American blueslegend James Harman is the producer of this album. He also layed down some mighty fine harmonica. On ‘Icepick’s Shakedown Th’owdown’ he surprised everybody by shoutin’ out loud the album title and turning the recording room into a real juke joint party on a saturday night! Piano player extra ordinaire Gene Taylor came over to tickle the ivories on six tracks. The music fitted Gene like an old shoe. Even after a recording career of 45 years, he still has new tricks up his sleeve, just when you weren’t expecting it. He played beautifully!!!
The music sounds like it came from the previous century.

Tim sings about todays life… ex. about the way the analog man deals with this digital era… but most topics are timeless and universal: love, seks, adversity, good times, survival, parties… The Rhythm Revue was in great shape (as always) and delivered BIG TIME. Bart Stone blew out some greasy and fat tones while Dennis Tubs was in control of ‘the engine room’ where he produced his magic rhythms. Boss stayed cool, calm & collected and handled the low frequencies perfectly. (All bass, no treble!!!) Tim turned his little ’41 Gibson amp all the way up to 10 and did his thang… Luckily the amp didn’t catch fire during this hot session. The previous album ‘Hard To Catch’, produced by Nico Duportal, did really good and got the band on many renowned European stages.

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Various Artists - Blues Harmonica Spotlight

Blues Harmonica Spotlight focuses on New Orleans label's generous array of blues-harp talent. /AllMusic

Album: Blues Harmonica Spotlight
Year: 1992
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:04
Size: 120,2 MB
Styles: Harmonica blues
Scans: Front

1. The James Harman Band - Wake Up Call (2:37)
2. Darrell Nulisch & Texas Heat - Love And War (3:34)
3. Sam Myers & Anson Funderburgh - My Love Is Here To Stay (3:33)
4. Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers - 4811 Wadworth (5:37)
5. Mike Morgan & The Crawl Feat. Lee McBee - I Don't Want You Hanging Around (2:09)
6. Sam Myers w. Snooks Eaglin & Anson Funderburgh - Bombastic (4:05)
7. Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters Feat. Sugar Ray - My Home Is A Prison (5:16)
8. The James Harman Band - Mad About Somethin' (4:40)
9. Mike Morgan & The Crawl Feat. Lee McBee - Big D Shuffle (2:31)
10. Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers - Back Door Man (5:23)
11. Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters Feat. Kim Wilson - Ridin' In The Moonlight (4:07)
12. Sam Myers & Anson Funderburgh - Hep Cats In Big Town (4:54)
13. Lee McBee & Mike Morgan - Sweet Lolita (3:32)

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James Harman - Fineprint

Size: 131,3 MB
Time: 55:47
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2018
Styles: Electric Blues, Harmonica Blues
Art: Front

01. Fineprint (3:51)
02. In With The Grief...In With The Gravy (5:19)
03. Come On And Dance With Me (3:27)
04. At The Flophouse (4:53)
05. What'cha Gonna Do 'bout Me #1 (4:34)
06. What'cha Gonna Do 'bout Me #2 (4:39)
07. A Busy Man (When This Old World Turns It's Back On You) (4:05)
08. Memory Foam Mattress (4:33)
09. The Fruit Of The Poisoned Tree (3:54)
10. Slam On The Brakes (2:58)
11. Familiarity Breeds Contempt, But Absence Make The Heart Grow Fonder (4:07)
12. Glide (6:18)
13. A Ticket To The Circus (3:03)

Blues Harmonica Ace James Harman hit # 1 on the Living Blues Radio Chart with his Electro-Fi debut Bonetime in 2015, not to mention 5 Blues Music Award nominations. 'fineprint' produced by James and guitarist extraordinaire Nathan James, is his brand new collection of 13 original songs, both newly recorded and specially selected tracks from James' incredible musical archives. Special guests include: Gene Taylor (Fab t-Birds) and Jeff Turmes (Mavis Staple). James describes himself as a full service Bluesman since 1962, and he's Z. Z. Top's first call Harpman. 'fineprint' is sure to be welcomed into the company of the finest Blues recordings of 2018.

Fineprint

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James Harman - Side Dishes

Year: 2007
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:07
Size: 129,5 MB
Styles: Electric blues, harmonica blues
Scans: Full

1. (I Got) So Many Womens (3:36)
2. Jump My Baby (2:45)
3. Won't Be Goin' Again (3:49)
4. Just As Well To Kill Me (4:33)
5. It's Alright Now (3:48)
6. Swamp Night (4:15)
7. My Little Girl (5:58)
8. Three Way Party (5:39)
9. Leavin' For Memphis (3:41)
10. Decisions (5:27)
11. To Much Family (2:03)
12. Crapshoot (3:43)
13. Lonesome Moon Trance (6:45)

Compiled from twelve of James Harman's most recent CDs, which were originally released between 1981 and 2003, Side Dishes offers a good look at where he's at today. Singing and playing a mean harp, the bluesman packs a wallop into every performance. Based in Los Angeles, he continues to please local audiences just about all year round. Fortunately, Harman isn't one to sit tight for any length of time. He tours frequently and spreads his unique blues message around the world in liberal doses. He believes in pure blues: the kind that comes from the heart, shows a sincere respect for roots tradition, and still manages to rock your boat all night long.

Harman, 61, grew up in Alabama where he lived with the blues on radio, on local street corners, and in his home through piano lessons. He showed a natural talent on his father's harmonicas, giving them a workout every chance he got. As soon as he was old enough, he started working the blues in clubs. The work took him through Panama City (Florida), Chicago, New York, Miami, New Orleans and eventually to Southern California where he found a home for his music. He's collaborated with some of the best in the blues business over the years, and some of his most exciting sidemen are heard here on this compilation.

Harman sings his own compositions. They appear in chronological order on this CD, grabbing onto a Deep South rhythm for their rhythmic wiggle and containing the contemporary blues textures of guitar, bass and drums along with the leader's vocals and harp. At a recent 2007 live appearance in Southern California, Harman used congas, two guitars, upright bass, and drums to deliver original songs with mighty power. As he closed the nineteenth annual Battle of the Blues Harps festival in November, he brought everyone up on their feet for a smokin' finale that will be remembered for years to come.

With the thirteen songs on Side Dishes, Harman has amassed a thirteen-way tie for his "best of selection". Whether it's "Too Much Family, with guitarist Hollywood Fats, "Jump My Baby, with guitarist Kid Ramos, "Lonesome Moon Trance, with guitarist Nathan James or "Decisions, with guitarist Junior Watson, Harman explores blues from the inside out with an unquenchable spirit. /Jim Santella, All About Jazz

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VA - Hard Core Harp: 20 Years Of Blues Harmonica Masters On Electro-Fi Records

Size: 179,4 MB
Time: 76:33
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Harmonica Blues
Art: Front

01. Paul Oscher - Alone With The Blues (5:24)
02. Billy Boy Arnold - Mellow Chick Swing (2:21)
03. James Harman - Bonetime (3:10)
04. Mark Hummel - It's Too Late Brother (4:11)
05. George Harmonica Smith - Crazy 'bout You Baby (4:10)
06. Harmonica Shah - She Used To Be Beautiful (4:39)
07. Snooky Pryor - Rock-A-While (4:58)
08. Sam Myers - Ninety Nine (3:36)
09. Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith - Don't Think I'm Crazy (4:20)
10. Billy Boy Arnold - I Wish You Would (3:49)
11. Al Lerman - Liquified Boogie (2:29)
12. Little Mack Simmons - Leaving In The Morning (3:49)
13. Sam Myers - Coming From The Old School (4:25)
14. Bill Boy Arnold - Sweet Honey Bee (4:37)
15. Harrison Kennedy - Afraid To Fail (3:25)
16. Rip Lee Pryor - Pitch A Boogie Woogie (3:12)
17. Snooky Pryor - Headed South (7:21)
18. George Harmonica Smith - Juke (2:49)
19. Mark Hummel - Harpoventilating (3:39)

20 Years of Blues Harmonica Masters on Electro-Fi Records. Electro-Fi Records celebrates it's 20th Anniversary with the release of HARD CORE HARP featuring the very best of today's Blues Harmonica Artists: MARK HUMMEL, JAMES HARMAN, HARMONICA SHAH, PAUL OSCHER, BILLY BOY ARNOLD and more, along with Blues Harp Masters of the 20th Century: SNOOKY PRYOR, GEORGE HARMONICA SMITH, SAM MYERS, LITTLE MACK SIMMONS, WILLIE BIG EYES SMITH and more. The 19 track collection from CD's released between 1997 and 2016 features 4 members of the Muddy Waters Blues Band. Special Guests include Grammy winner PINETOP PERKINS, BMA winner BOB STROGER, and Guitar Legends: MEL BROWN, BILLY FLYNN, JACK DE KEYZER and RUSTY ZINN.

This is Blues Harmonica at it's finest.

Hard Core Harp

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Tim Lothar, Peter Nande - Two For The Road

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:08
Size: 85.0 MB
Styles: Country blues
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[3:28] 1. Slow Train
[2:46] 2. Can't Get That Stuff No More (Feat. James Harman)
[2:55] 3. Ain't Too Old
[3:08] 4. Baby Blue
[3:09] 5. Late Again
[3:12] 6. You Got To Choose (Feat. James Harman)
[3:06] 7. Done Left You
[3:42] 8. Rough Ride
[2:26] 9. Still On Hold
[3:09] 10. Poor Boy
[3:07] 11. Confessions
[2:55] 12. Pa-Ta-Nin' Ta' Jook-Jernts (Feat. James Harman)

Two of Denmark’s finest blues artists, both Tim Lothar and Peter Nande are recent winners of the coveted Blues Artist of the Year Award at the Copenhagen Blues Festival. After 25 years as a drummer, including more than a decade in the band Lightnin’ Moe, Tim Lothar began a remarkable career renaissance, shifting to country blues guitar and setting out as a solo performer. Lothar has since toured nine countries as a solo artist. He released the CDs Cut to the Bone in 2006 and In It For The Ride in 2008. The latter won Danish Blues Album of the Year in 2009.

As leader of the Peter Nande Band, harmonica ace Peter Nande has been a force on the Danish and European blues scenes for the last decade. He founded Nande & the Big Difference in 1998, releasing a CD in 2002. When the group disbanded in 2005, he connected with renowned American blues artist and producer James Harman. With Harman as producer, the Peter Nande Band released Big Boy Boogie: California Sessions Vol. I (2006) and Jelly Bean Baby: California Sessions Vol. II (2008). Each earned a nomination for Danish Blues Album of the Year.

In 2008, Lothar and Nande began playing gigs as a duo, laying the groundwork for their CD release, Two for the Road. Guided by producer and guest artist James Harman, the CD showcases the pair’s songwriting gifts (on nine original songs), instrumental fluency and love for country blues. It’s an impressive introduction to what this duo is capable of right now, and hints at what it just might become in the years ahead.

Two For The Road

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Steve Kozak - Lookin' For Lucky (With Special Guest James Harman)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:34
Size: 111.2 MB
Styles: Contemporary blues
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[2:43] 1. Lookin' At Lucky
[2:58] 2. Blues Dance Party
[4:37] 3. Your Funeral And My Trial
[5:03] 4. Lay Low And Go Slow
[4:20] 5. Is It Yes
[3:05] 6. Down At The Barroom
[5:01] 7. Little Girl
[3:55] 8. Come To Me
[4:46] 9. Need My Baby
[4:18] 10. I Know You're Fine
[4:42] 11. Read My Mind
[3:00] 12. I Hear You Knockin'

Vancouver born and based Steve Kozak has been a mainstay on the western Canadian blues scene since the mid-eighties. He gained national recognition in 2013 winning a Maple Blues Award for New Artist or Group of the Year in Canada. Backed by some of Vancouver’s top musicians Kozak has built a reputation as one of Canada’s premier Blues acts and is known as the go to guy in Vancouver for the west coast blues sound. An accomplished and tasty guitar player with a relaxed vocal style, Kozak sings and plays blues guitar in flavors ranging from classic Chicago blues, to swing, jump blues, Texas shuffles and early R&B with even a hint of rockabilly thrown in for good measure. He and his band can switch gears from driving dance-able boogie to deep blues to soul ballads; he's always mixing it up to fit the occasion.

In 2015 Kozak was called to work alongside legendary guitarist Duke Robillard and his band at The Winnipeg TD International Jazz Festival, filling in on the guitar duties for the injured Duke. Kozak was very well received by Duke and his band and the enthusiastic audiences at the two sold out shows in Winnipeg. Steve has worked and performed with international recording artists, James Harman, Big Joe Duskin, Mitch Woods, Big Joe Louis, ‘The Shuffle King’ Tom Holland, David Vest, Kenny ‘Blues Boss Wayne’ and Robin Banks. He has also opened shows in Vancouver for Nick Curran and the Low-Life’s, Rick Estrin and the Night Cats, Maria Muldaur, The Lee Boys, Matt & Nikki Hill and ‘Super Harp’ James Cotton. Currently working on a new album, Kozak’s last CD release Lookin at Lucky featuring special guest James Harman was very well received by Blues Fans and industry professionals alike.

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James Harman Band : Do Not Disturb / Two Sides to Every Story

Album: Do Not Disturb
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Source: LL (from CD)
Released: 1991
Styles: Blues
Time: 51:36
Size: 118,5 MB
Covers: Front, CD, Tray

(5:07) 1. Do Not Disturb
(4:35) 2. I Declare
(2:37) 3. Wake-Up Call
(3:37) 4. Rags to Riches
(3:29) 5. Stranger Blues
(5:35) 6. Icepick's Advice
(2:50) 7. Motel King
(4:13) 8. SwampNight
(4:22) 9. Icepick's Confession
(7:08) 10. Phonebill Blues
(4:39) 11. Mad About Something
(3:19) 12. I'm Gone

James Harman's Do Not Disturb is a first-rate blues album, one that captures all the different sides of postwar blues. At its core, Do Not Disturb is Chicago blues, but Harman touches on swing, jump, and Texas roadhouse blues, banging out gritty, greasy harp licks with intensity. His band is up to the challenge of keeping up with him; they tear through the uniformly excellent songs with abandon. Do Not Disturb establishes Harman as one of the most exciting blues traditionalists of the '90s. -- Allmusic.

Do Not Disturb

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Album: Two Sides to Every Story
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Source: LL (from CD)
Released: 1993
Styles: Blues
Time: 51:14
Size: 117,6 MB
Covers: Front, CD, Tray

(5:56) 1. My Little Girl
(4:47) 2. Two Sides to Every Story
(3:27) 3. The Clown
(2:50) 4. Grindin' Bump
(4:48) 5. If the Shoe Fits (Wear It)
(3:58) 6. Dirt Road
(3:35) 7. Is It Yes?
(3:08) 8. I'm Lookin' Sharp
(4:07) 9. So Tired O Travelin' (Suitcase Blues)
(4:06) 10. Darlin'
(3:02) 11. Drive-in Life
(7:25) 12. Tall Skinny Mama

Two Sides To Every Story was recorded with a new band and with a brand new spirit and attitude. Icepick James is already playing thirty years of blues, soul, R&B, with a Hammond, with a horn section, several 45s on local Southern labels, several albums and W.C. Handy nominations. James is singer, a songwriter, a producer, a harmonica player, but now there's no harp on almost half of the tracks. And just an electric bass on only two tracks. A new band, a new sound. The James Harman Band is a veritable proving ground for a modern day blues who's who. A young Teddy "Kid" Morgan on guitar. Jeff "Big Dad" Turmes on acoustic and electric bass, slide guitar, baritonsax. Gene Taylor is tickling the ivories ans Esten Cooke on drums. This album is shufflin' and jumpin', greazy, a woke-up-this-moanin' harp, sharp guitars as the crease in a pimp's sharkskin slacks. 30s piano and 40s horns. Squalin' and signifyin' Two Sides to Every Story!

Two Sides to Every Story

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