Blues harp legend James Harman hit # 1 on the Living Blues Radio Charts with his Electro-Fi Records debut CD Bonetime back in 2015, not to mention 5 Blues Music Award nominations including “Album of the Year.” Now James is back with fineprint and it’s a true cause for celebration, with 13 original tracks, both newly recorded and specially selected by James from his incredible musical archives.
Produced by James Harman and guitarist extraordinaire Nathan James. Special guests include keyboard ace Gene Taylor, Kid Ramos and Jeff Turmes (Mavis Staples band). James Harman describes himself as a full-service bluesman since 1962, and he’s Z.Z. Top’s first call harpman when they are in the recording studio. A Grammy award nominee and a member of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, James Harman’s fineprint is sure to be welcomed into the company of the Top Blues recordings of 2018.
Born and raised in Anniston, Alabama, James Harman sang in the church choir until age 16 and quickly picked up on the black blues and soul music being played on jukeboxes and the radio. Wearing a fake mustache, a young James slipped into a still segregated black nightclub to see Little Junior Parker’s show. He was totally won over by the blues and soon began performing locally in the South. Tapped by talent agents he began his recording career in Atlanta during 1964. James recorded nine 45rpm single records for obscure southern labels during the 60’s.
In 1970, James was persuaded to move to Southern California, by his friends Bob Hite, Alan Wilson and Henry Vestine of Canned Heat, true to their word Canned Heat him get established by booking the Harman’s Ice House Blues Band to open for them at numerous prestigious venues and festivals.
Success soon followed for the James Harman Band, as they became one of the premiere internationally known blues bands of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Some alumni include: Phil Alvin, Bill Bateman, Gene Taylor, David “Kid” Ramos, Michael “Hollywood Fats” Mann, Taylor Hodges and Jeff “Big Dad” Turmes. Nathan James, co-producer of the new release fineprint has been James Harman’s regular guitarist since 1997, when he was 19 years old. Check out the new album on Electro-Fi Records.
“fineprint is Iconic James Harman, on top of his game as usual, expect nothing less”
– Elmore Magazine