James Harman – fineprint – Electro-Fi Records CD3454 – Southern California’s Blues Prophet Delivers

Produced by both James Harman and esteemed blues guitarist Nathan James, and mixed at Oceanside, California’s Sacred Cat Studio A, this 13-track 2018 collection yet again showcases Harman’s stunning songwriting capabilities, sly prophet-like storytelling competencies, and virtuoso harmonica proficiencies.  Harman was a southern California cauldron of blues wonder who presided over the region’s fertile 1970s-1990s scene like a musical noble, leading some of the finest bands ever assembled, troupes with talent that represented the elite of the genre, including revered guitarists Hollywood Fats and David “Kid” Ramos, bassist Willie J. Campbell, and drummer Stephen Hodges.  James, who passed away in 2021, was the nexus that seemingly held the southern California blues setting in his hands, and his spirit will forever reverberate over the territory’s blues landscape.  Like flies to the proverbial fruit, any aspiring southern California blues artist wanted to prove their blues resolve and skill set to Harman for validity, as the man’s seal of approval was seen as a blues Master’s Degree diploma.  To circulate in his circle was to be invited within the hallowed halls of blues greatness.

fineprint brings to the fore 13 Harman originals, each bearing the imprints of why Harman rode with the moniker “Full-Service Bluesman.”  True to form, Harman weaves blues tales from various of life’s curious, unfortunate, and certainly unique situations.  The Alabama-born blues songwriting breadth of Harman always stuns and amazes, and with songs such as “Memory Foam Mattress”, the title track, “In With The Grief…In With The Gravy”, “At The Flophouse”, “A Busy Man (When The World Turns Its Back On You)”, “The Fruit Of The Poisoned Tree”, “Slam On The Brakes”, and “A Ticket To The Circus”, well, they only hint at his immensity in crafting exceptional musical tales.

Harman’s blues coconspirators on this blues romp include the aforementioned Nathan James on guitar, drums, and acoustic bass, Jeff Turmes on guitar, Gene Taylor on piano, Kid Ramos on acoustic slide guitar, Stephen Hodges on drums, Tom Mahon on piano, along with other highly skilled artisans who understood Harman’s blues visions.

No finer time can be had than plopping this unbeatable CD in the player, sitting back with ears wide open, and reveling in Harman’s abounding blues glory.  As he would royally state, “Thank you, baby, thank you!”

No, thank you, James Harman!  Highly-recommended, indeed!