Good Vibrations

Singer Carrie James is excited. And she has good reasons to be.

James and her band will perform for the first time at B.B. King’s this Friday, opening for world-famous blues man James Harman.

“We’re really excited about it,” James said. “We’re going to have some fun that night.”

Also, the Carrie James Band’s first CD, “Midnight Road,” was released about three months ago and it’s doing pretty well. It has received good reviews and airplay on KLOS-FM and college radio stations across the country. James sells the CD at her gigs, and it’s available at Tower Records on Sunset Boulevard.

“We are so happy that it’s turned out so well,” James said. “I was involved in every aspect of it, and I learned a lot.”

James is an L.A. girl. She’s been singing since she was 6 but has been exploring the blues for only about five years. Her major influences include Muddy Waters, Aretha Franklin and Etta James.

The Encino-based singer writes most of her own material (seven of 10 tunes on her CD), but it’s her voice that stands out--a raspy, sensuous growl you can feel in the pit of your stomach.

The songs on the album cover a variety of styles and rhythms. An interesting arrangement of “Natural Woman,” the old Aretha Franklin hit written by Carole King, Gerry Goffin and Jerry Wexler, shows off James’ talent best.

She’s been paying her dues--performing in clubs and at fairs, benefits and other gigs.

The B.B. King job--opening for a major act such as Harman--is a breakthrough for her and her band, which consists of drummer Rod Boyum, guitarist Ronnie Lee and bassist Steve McCormick. Next is a tour to Arizona, Texas, Colorado and Nevada.

And other good things are happening.

“We just finished our first music video,” said James. The video will be straight concert footage, she said. “It’s not going to be one of those surrealistic ones.”

* James Harman, Carrie James Band perform Friday night at B. B. King’s Blues Club, Universal CityWalk, 1000 Universal Center Drive, (818) 622-5464.

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More Harman--This Alabama native has been singing the blues for well over 30 years. Singer-harmonica player Harman made his first records in the early 1960s when he was 16. Nowadays, he spends his time touring the world to the tune of about 250 dates per year.

The Orange County-based blues man has always been attracted to the “reality” of the music.

“It’s the human condition, dealing with real-life situations--not wish upon a star or make believe,” Harman told The Times last November. “I never got into rock music.”

His latest CD, “Taking Chances,” is available on Black Top Records.

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Swing--Another club has made a commitment to swing music.

Earlier this summer, the Crest Lounge in Reseda changed its name to Jitterbugs and started having live swing music for dancers every Saturday night.

Now, Duffy’s Pub in Glendale has followed suit, offering live music every Friday and Saturday night for swing and Lindy dancers.

The great thing about swing is that it transcends the musical style--country, blues and jazz bands all do swing numbers. Duffy’s started the swing music about a month ago and response has been good. And best of all, there’s no cover.

* Jitterbugs, 6101 Reseda Blvd., Reseda; (818) 342-1563; $10 cover. Duffy’s Pub, 204 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale; (818) 242-2956.