Search - James Harman :: Those Dangerous Gentlemen

Stunning Debut From Ace Harpist James Harman

Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 04/02/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Although known primarilly as a reissue label, Rhino Records released this debut of the James Harman Band back in 1987, and it's a damn shame that they've let it go out of print. It's one of the finest examples of contemporary blues recorded in the last twenty years. [Note: The exact title of the album is THOSE DANGEROUS GENTLEMENS...yes, there's an "s" on the end.]



The band boasted a strong rhythm section with Willie J. Campbell on bass and Steven T. Hodges on drums, but what really sparked the band on this album was the twin guitar attack of Hollywood Fats (who died of heart failure at 32 before this album was released) and a then 27-year-old Kid Ramos. Then, of course, there is Harman's propulsive harmonica playing.



Harman wrote or co-wrote all tracks with his bandmates except for Dennis Linde's "My Baby's Gone." Whether they were performing swamp blues numbers like "Voodoo Love," slow blues like "I've Been Lovin' You" (with shared lead vocals by Bonnie Bramlett) or romping through the Bo Diddley beat of "Kiss of Fire," The James Harman Band proved themselves to be one of the most exciting bands on the blues circuit. And don't pass up a chance to see them live. I saw them twice in the late-eighties at the Zoo Bar, and they killed! If you can get your hands on a copy of this, grab it. RECOMMENDED"