James Harman Biography
James Harman may live in California today, but his music clearly reflects his Southern roots. Born in 1946 in Anniston, Alabama, to musical parents, Harman began performing and recording as a bandleader after moving to Panama City, Florida in 1962. In the 38 years of touring and recording that have followed, Harman has staked his claim as an original, legitimate blues artist and musician. As evidenced in his recordings and live performances, Harman creates music that stands out as unique and personal yet clearly reflects his passion for the roots of the blues.
Learning the basics of blues music is easy enough, but developing a distinctive, original style within the blues is a task that can take a lifetime. Harman learned a key secret years ago: That you have to be your own man and develop your own approach and identity in order to have lasting success. As bandleader, vocalist, harmonica player and principal songwriter for the James Harman Band, Harman chronicles the musician's life with energy, wit and humor. He has a novelist's eye for detail and irony, and the result is well-conceived music that stands the test of time.
The music of the James Harman Band pre-dates rockn' roll guitar heroes or blues-rock power trios. As Harman notes proudly, it is Strictly the blues, music that, while original, is drenched in the older styles of blues, R&B and soul masters such as Sonny Boy Williamson, Big Walter Horton, Howlin' Wolf, Tampa Red, Junior Parker, B.B. King, Bobby Bland, Otis Redding and others.
Harman's roots are apparent on his upcoming Cannonball Records CD, Mo' Na'kins, Please!: Strictly The Blues... Vol. 2, a second helping from the same joyful 1984-87 recording sessions that produced Extra Napkins: Strictly The Blues Vol. 1.
Extra Napkins was released in 1988 on LP and cassette by the independent Rivera label earning numerous W.C. Handy Award nominations, and was reissued on CD by Cannonball in 1997.
On Mo' Na'kins, Please!, Harman serves up a plateful of his own original blues tunes, plus cover versions from blues and R&B artists he admires.
Harman recruits a bevy of longtime musical allies, such as guitarist Junior Watson, drummer Jimi Bott, pianist Fred Kaplan and bassist Larry Taylor, and many Harman Band alumni, including guitarists Kid Ramos and the late Hollywood Fats; pianists Gene Taylor and Tom Mahon; bassist Willie J. Campbell; drummer Stephen T. Hodges; and saxophonist Jeff Turmes, among others. None of the tracks have been issued before.
Sandwiched between Extra Napkins and Mo' Na'kins, Please! is Harman's inspired 1998 concept album, Takin' Chances, also released by Cannonball. Its songs are based on the theme that life is a gamble, that every action, every choice, comes with its own risks. It's a smart record, set to engaging grooves that suggest New Orleans and South Louisiana, and featuring plenty of wine-headed, gut-bucket Mississippi Delta styled-blues. The result? A funky, low-down vibe that's difficult to capture north of the Mason-Dixon line.
In addition to upcoming releases of all-new material, Harman has a series of CDs planned with Cannonball based on recordings from the mid-1980s. At least one more CD of studio material, cut at the same time as Extra Napkins, is in the works, as well as a reissue of Strictly Live... In '85, a live set issued on Rivera in 1990 featuring Kid Ramos and Hollywood Fats. Fats was a member of Harman's band from 1981 to 1985, departing to join the Blasters shortly before his death in 1986.
Prior to joining Cannonball, Harman recorded for the New Orleans-based Black Top label. Harman's four Black Top albums are the label's four top sellers. They include black & white (1995), Cards On The Table (1994), Two Sides To Every Story (1993) and Do Not Disturb (1991).
In addition, a choice sampling of Harman's Black Top cuts was reissued in mid-1997 on the Dutch label Continental Records as Icepick's Story.
Harman's career as a bandleader and recording artist began in the early 60s. He put together his first bands after moving with his family from Anniston to Panama City at age 16. Harman released nine 45s from 1964 to 1969 on five different labels. After unsatisfactory attempts to relocate to Chicago, New York, Miami and New Orleans, Harman found a new home in Southern California in 1970.
Rod Piazza (then with Bacon Fat) and Kim Wilson (performing as Golita Slim) were among those on the scene. The Icehouse Blues Band featuring James "Icepick" Harman played week-long gigs with T-Bone Walker, Freddie King, Big Joe Turner, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, John Lee Hooker, Johnny "Guitar" Watson and others.
Disco, urban cowboys and two bouts with bleeding ulcers set Harman back in the 70s, but in 1977 he rebounded to form the first James Harman Band. The band has been a touchstone for notable players, such as Phil Alvin and Bill Bateman, who left in 1978 to form the Blasters, and guitarists "Kid" Ramos and Hollywood Fats. Along the way the band released "This Band Just Won't Behave" on Harman's own Icepick label (1981), "Thank You Baby" on Enigma Records (1983) and "Those Dangerous Gentlemens" on Rhino (1987).
Songs from the Rhino release were featured in the films The Accused (starring Jodie Foster) and Burning Love.
The James Harman Band has performed in 18 countries, including appearances at festivals such as the Peer Festival in Belgium, the Notodden Festival in Norway, the Great Britain R&B Festival in Colne, England, the Milano Festival and Pistoia Festival (both in Italy) and the Bayron Bay Festival in Australia.
Harman & Co. have polished their skills to become modern-day blues performers who know the difference between innovation and imitation. Harman never lets the listener forget that he is a disciple of the classic qualities of the Southern blues tradition, but his own character as a blues artist shines through in his work. In all cases, Harman remains true to his credo: Strictly the blues.
James Harman Vocalist/Harmonica Player Songwriter/Producer Basics: Born: Anniston, Alabama, 1946 Moved to Panama City, Florida in 1962 Bandleader since 1962 Recording artist since 1964 Performs up to 250 dates per year in 18 countries
Recordings: Nine singles from 1964-1987 Four EPs from 1969-1981 Eight LPs from 1970-1991 Twelve CDs (two in Europe) since 1987
Honors: W.C. Handy Nominations: Song of the Year (1999) Artist of the Year Instrumentalist of the Year (twice) Band of the Year Album of the Year Reissue Album of the Year Single of the Year Member, Alabama Music Hall of Fame
James Harman may live in California today, but his music clearly reflects his Southern roots. Born in 1946 in Anniston, Alabama, to musical parents, Harman began performing and recording as a bandleader after moving to Panama City, Florida in 1962. In the 38 years of touring and recording that have followed, Harman has staked his claim as an original, legitimate blues artist and musician. As evidenced in his recordings and live performances, Harman creates music that stands out as unique and personal yet clearly reflects his passion for the roots of the blues.
Learning the basics of blues music is easy enough, but developing a distinctive, original style within the blues is a task that can take a lifetime. Harman learned a key secret years ago: That you have to be your own man and develop your own approach and identity in order to have lasting success. As bandleader, vocalist, harmonica player and principal songwriter for the James Harman Band, Harman chronicles the musician's life with energy, wit and humor. He has a novelist's eye for detail and irony, and the result is well-conceived music that stands the test of time.
The music of the James Harman Band pre-dates rockn' roll guitar heroes or blues-rock power trios. As Harman notes proudly, it is Strictly the blues, music that, while original, is drenched in the older styles of blues, R&B and soul masters such as Sonny Boy Williamson, Big Walter Horton, Howlin' Wolf, Tampa Red, Junior Parker, B.B. King, Bobby Bland, Otis Redding and others.
Harman's roots are apparent on his upcoming Cannonball Records CD, Mo' Na'kins, Please!: Strictly The Blues... Vol. 2, a second helping from the same joyful 1984-87 recording sessions that produced Extra Napkins: Strictly The Blues Vol. 1.
Extra Napkins was released in 1988 on LP and cassette by the independent Rivera label earning numerous W.C. Handy Award nominations, and was reissued on CD by Cannonball in 1997.
On Mo' Na'kins, Please!, Harman serves up a plateful of his own original blues tunes, plus cover versions from blues and R&B artists he admires.
Harman recruits a bevy of longtime musical allies, such as guitarist Junior Watson, drummer Jimi Bott, pianist Fred Kaplan and bassist Larry Taylor, and many Harman Band alumni, including guitarists Kid Ramos and the late Hollywood Fats; pianists Gene Taylor and Tom Mahon; bassist Willie J. Campbell; drummer Stephen T. Hodges; and saxophonist Jeff Turmes, among others. None of the tracks have been issued before.
Sandwiched between Extra Napkins and Mo' Na'kins, Please! is Harman's inspired 1998 concept album, Takin' Chances, also released by Cannonball. Its songs are based on the theme that life is a gamble, that every action, every choice, comes with its own risks. It's a smart record, set to engaging grooves that suggest New Orleans and South Louisiana, and featuring plenty of wine-headed, gut-bucket Mississippi Delta styled-blues. The result? A funky, low-down vibe that's difficult to capture north of the Mason-Dixon line.
In addition to upcoming releases of all-new material, Harman has a series of CDs planned with Cannonball based on recordings from the mid-1980s. At least one more CD of studio material, cut at the same time as Extra Napkins, is in the works, as well as a reissue of Strictly Live... In '85, a live set issued on Rivera in 1990 featuring Kid Ramos and Hollywood Fats. Fats was a member of Harman's band from 1981 to 1985, departing to join the Blasters shortly before his death in 1986.
Prior to joining Cannonball, Harman recorded for the New Orleans-based Black Top label. Harman's four Black Top albums are the label's four top sellers. They include black & white (1995), Cards On The Table (1994), Two Sides To Every Story (1993) and Do Not Disturb (1991).
In addition, a choice sampling of Harman's Black Top cuts was reissued in mid-1997 on the Dutch label Continental Records as Icepick's Story.
Harman's career as a bandleader and recording artist began in the early 60s. He put together his first bands after moving with his family from Anniston to Panama City at age 16. Harman released nine 45s from 1964 to 1969 on five different labels. After unsatisfactory attempts to relocate to Chicago, New York, Miami and New Orleans, Harman found a new home in Southern California in 1970.
Rod Piazza (then with Bacon Fat) and Kim Wilson (performing as Golita Slim) were among those on the scene. The Icehouse Blues Band featuring James "Icepick" Harman played week-long gigs with T-Bone Walker, Freddie King, Big Joe Turner, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, John Lee Hooker, Johnny "Guitar" Watson and others.
Disco, urban cowboys and two bouts with bleeding ulcers set Harman back in the 70s, but in 1977 he rebounded to form the first James Harman Band. The band has been a touchstone for notable players, such as Phil Alvin and Bill Bateman, who left in 1978 to form the Blasters, and guitarists "Kid" Ramos and Hollywood Fats. Along the way the band released "This Band Just Won't Behave" on Harman's own Icepick label (1981), "Thank You Baby" on Enigma Records (1983) and "Those Dangerous Gentlemens" on Rhino (1987).
Songs from the Rhino release were featured in the films The Accused (starring Jodie Foster) and Burning Love.
The James Harman Band has performed in 18 countries, including appearances at festivals such as the Peer Festival in Belgium, the Notodden Festival in Norway, the Great Britain R&B Festival in Colne, England, the Milano Festival and Pistoia Festival (both in Italy) and the Bayron Bay Festival in Australia.
Harman & Co. have polished their skills to become modern-day blues performers who know the difference between innovation and imitation. Harman never lets the listener forget that he is a disciple of the classic qualities of the Southern blues tradition, but his own character as a blues artist shines through in his work. In all cases, Harman remains true to his credo: Strictly the blues.
James Harman Vocalist/Harmonica Player Songwriter/Producer Basics: Born: Anniston, Alabama, 1946 Moved to Panama City, Florida in 1962 Bandleader since 1962 Recording artist since 1964 Performs up to 250 dates per year in 18 countries
Recordings: Nine singles from 1964-1987 Four EPs from 1969-1981 Eight LPs from 1970-1991 Twelve CDs (two in Europe) since 1987
Honors: W.C. Handy Nominations: Song of the Year (1999) Artist of the Year Instrumentalist of the Year (twice) Band of the Year Album of the Year Reissue Album of the Year Single of the Year Member, Alabama Music Hall of Fame