James Harman Band – Mo’ Na’kins Please! – Strictly The Blues…Vol. 2 – Cannonball Records CBD 29112

A 2000 release, this 14-song collection captures the grand Southern California blues sage James Harman and his astounding backing crew as they blast-off into blues strata other practitioners could only sit back and admire, jaws agape, pining for the musical charisma and gusts that only talent on this level armed with superlative material could adeptly deliver.

Harman is a tour-de-force vocally and on his harmonica, storytelling and wailing only in the manner that the great blues shaman could.  Armed with differing variations of supporting blues intellects, all on-board provide nothing short of a master class of style, precision, respect, and enthusiasm that immediately captures the listener and holds them captive.

The highly esteemed Hollywood Fats, Junior Watson, and Kid Ramos offer a graduate degree on guitar phrasing and interplay.  Both Larry “The Mole” Taylor and Willie Campbell keep the low-end together with acute senses of locking into a substantial and unwavering groove.  Jimi Bott and Stephen Hodges are human metronomes on drums.  A superlative trio of Gene Taylor, Frad Kaplan, and Thomas Mahon lend their piano competencies.  And, Jeff Turmes and Lawrence White blow both ideal baritone and tenor saxophones throughout.

The ability to attract such talent on a recording session is indicative of Harman’s stature on the Southern California blues scene.  Harman and his assembled mates make the very most of each second of their musical duties.

Harman’s songwriting makes this outing a refreshingly appreciated turn around the dancefloor, with his scampish sense of humor, wit, and wise and sagacious outlooks on full display.

Those who were in Southern California at the heyday of Harman’s reign swear that his were the best blues bands ever conjoined, and perhaps some of the best ever.  It’s very hard to argue those views with one listen to this stupefyingly impressive set of blues, and to recognize those who jumped at the chance here to record with him.

As Harman was known to say, “Thank you, baby, thank you!”  No, thank you, James!

Highly recommended!