James Harman Band • Takin' Chances

Review by Sigmund Finman

James Harman is incapable of making a bad album. Here, as in any of his previous releases, his vocals and harmonica playing are prominently featured. His writing is better than average, and he portrays the common themes of the blues in a collection of songs about gambling and love. His full, Southern gospel-inflected vocals are always a treat to listen to, and he plays electrified harp in the Little Walter style with the best of them. As always, his choice of sidemen, especially guitar players, is first-class. They embody the sound of jump blues from the late '40s and Chicago in the '50s and add considerable spark to the album. On three cuts, Harman plays some very tasty acoustic harmonica, a la Sonny Boy Williamson II, which show his mastery of the instrument even without the excitement which amplification adds. It's good to see James Harman keeping the flame of postwar urban blues burning so brightly.

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Reseña de Sigmund Finman

James Harman es incapaz de hacer un mal álbum. Aquí, como en cualquiera de sus versiones anteriores, su voz y su armónica ocupan un lugar destacado. Su escritura es mejor que la media, y retrata los temas comunes del blues en una colección de canciones sobre el juego y el amor. Su voz completa, de inspiración evangélica sureña, es siempre una delicia para escuchar, y toca el arpa electrificada al estilo de Little Walter con los mejores. Como siempre, su elección de sidemen, especialmente guitarristas, es de primera clase. Encarnan el sonido del jump blues de finales de los años 40 y Chicago en los años 50 y añaden una chispa considerable al álbum. En tres cortes, Harman toca una armónica acústica muy sabrosa, a la Sonny Boy Williamson II, que muestra su maestría del instrumento incluso sin la excitación que añade la amplificación. Es bueno ver a James Harman manteniendo la llama del blues urbano de la posguerra ardiendo tan brillantemente.

biscuitsandblues.com/jamesharman ...



Tracklist:
01. Modern Numbers Game - 4:20
02. Five'll Getcha Ten - 5:59
03. Somebody...Th'owd Bad Luck On - 3:33
04. Gamblin' Blues - 3:43
05. Sweet, Sweet Dream - 3:32
06. Frolictime - 5:33
07. Crapshoot - 3:40
08. Old Man Eyes - 3:52
09. Decisions - 5:25
10. Lucky Dog - 4:28
11. Let It Ride - 5:04
12. Read My Mind - 4:48
13. Takin' Chances - 5:49







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