JAMES HARMAN
Lonesome Moon Trance (Pacific Blues Recording)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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James Harman has long been one of my favorite bluesmen, ever since I discovered his soulful harp playing on his Mo' Napkins, Please CD a few years ago. His Pacific Blues Recording debut, Lonesome Moon Trance, lives up to that earlier record, and he's got some first-class sidemen to help out on a dozen prime cuts that simmer, shimmy, and shake. West Coast blues guitar wizard Kid Ramos sits in on "Double Hogback Growler" and "Miss Bessie Mae Blues," and Chicago blues guitar man Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin drags "Bad Luck Life" right down to the Delta, where it belongs. The 6+ minute title cut is fueled by Gene Taylor's piano, and this funky jaunt is the perfect showcase for Harman's harp and testifyin', both of which are in top form. Over the past few years, James has had some personal setbacks and some record distribution deals gone wrong, but he's landed on the new Pacific Blues Recording imprint with his long-time engineer Jerry Hall. Here's hoping that it won't be another three years 'til we hear back from Harman. One of my favorites and a contender for my top-five list that I'll unveil just after New Year's.

Track List:

Double Hogback Growler * Lowdown Grown-up Jive * Skeet-a-little Taste * Piecework Politicians * Alibi, Reason Why (Sounds Just Like a Lie To Me) * Miss Bessie Mae Blues * My Secret Escapade Blues * Bad-Luck Life * Love Stuff * Time Will Tell * It's Yo' World (I'm Just Livin' In It Now) * Lonesome Moon Trance

© 2003 - Eric Steiner