Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:40
Size: 106.9 MB
Styles: Country blues
Year: 2007
Art: Front
[4:14] 1. Don't Forget It
[2:45] 2. You Better Learn
[2:48] 3. I Don't Have To Ask Myself
[3:27] 4. My Backyard
[3:27] 5. Sweet Maggie
[2:42] 6. Hollerin'!
[3:00] 7. Reach Down Your Hand
[3:44] 8. Sweet Mama
[5:54] 9. Made Me Weep
[4:06] 10. Lonesome Hobo Blues
[3:11] 11. Spoon 'n Guitar Rag
[6:04] 12. My Special Rider
[1:13] 13. Can't Wait For That Glory Day
Straight from the powerful opening cut ‘Don’t Forget it’, this duo of Nathan James and Ben Hernandez tell you that they know exactly what they’re doing with their huge original sound that they have created and made their own. Packed with an array of textures and spices all placed in their right spots, this Album closely represents what this team does live. Each song transports you to a different place with each perfect formula of tones, and rhythmic placements. If you have witnessed this talented duo live then you can believe that they can make all this sound at once, between the two of them. No drummer here, but the persistent fancy foot work of James, working his vintage suitcase. The back beat done with his own invention, the coffee can foot snare. Efficiency and simplicity enable him to travel on their many road excursions with his clothes packed in this dual purpose tool! When it’s time to really “ kill” the audience with something rarely seen or heard, Hernandez will pull out his 2 gallon whiskey jug to blow into adding yet another layer of low end funk to the game- as demonstrated on the tune ‘My Backyard’. Giving the people what they want, but in the artists own originality, is how each live show ends when Hernandez goes from a church revival meeting to pick up the washtub bass, as James takes over vocal and harmonica duties, accented with masterful delta slide guitar work. This couldn’t be displayed better then on the cut ‘My Special Rider’, a song cut completely live just as performed in front of a crowd.
Having a major focus on what any soulful music should have, this album showcases many honest vocal performances, and original songs throughout. Staying true to their acoustic roots, is the folk ballad ‘Lonesome Hobo Blues’, penned by Hernandez and sang in a breathy almost spoken tone. This tune is a chosen for great contrast and diversity to a tune like ‘Hollerin’!’, the albums high voltage electric title track, with real juke joint crowd noise captured from one of the duo’s sit in’s during the night of their International Blues Challenge win in Memphis TN! Another trademark and strong point is the harmony singing these two pull of so well. This is done on several cuts including the love song waltz penned by James entitled ‘Sweet Mama’. the singers take turns backing each other up with vocal support as Hernandez does on this tune. For the closing cut is a true gem with the accapella Hernandez gospel song ‘Can’t Wait For That Glory Day’, with James answering harmonies to his partner’s expression of his true belief in salvation! The listener can really feel the soul being captured into the one ribbon mic placed in a small room on this cut as the duo Nathan James & Ben Hernandez gives the final touch to their abilities on this album, ‘Hollerin!’, released on their own label, Sacred Cat Recordings.
Having a major focus on what any soulful music should have, this album showcases many honest vocal performances, and original songs throughout. Staying true to their acoustic roots, is the folk ballad ‘Lonesome Hobo Blues’, penned by Hernandez and sang in a breathy almost spoken tone. This tune is a chosen for great contrast and diversity to a tune like ‘Hollerin’!’, the albums high voltage electric title track, with real juke joint crowd noise captured from one of the duo’s sit in’s during the night of their International Blues Challenge win in Memphis TN! Another trademark and strong point is the harmony singing these two pull of so well. This is done on several cuts including the love song waltz penned by James entitled ‘Sweet Mama’. the singers take turns backing each other up with vocal support as Hernandez does on this tune. For the closing cut is a true gem with the accapella Hernandez gospel song ‘Can’t Wait For That Glory Day’, with James answering harmonies to his partner’s expression of his true belief in salvation! The listener can really feel the soul being captured into the one ribbon mic placed in a small room on this cut as the duo Nathan James & Ben Hernandez gives the final touch to their abilities on this album, ‘Hollerin!’, released on their own label, Sacred Cat Recordings.
Hollerin' mc
Hollerin' zippy
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:15
Size: 135.7 MB
Styles: Country blues
Year: 2004
Art: Front
[3:49] 1. Get Right Church
[5:09] 2. Everybody Make A Change Sometime
[4:35] 3. Hard Time Here
[3:56] 4. Lonesome
[2:58] 5. Mama Let Me Lay It On You
[2:54] 6. Curley's Clues
[3:46] 7. Please Baby
[3:12] 8. Keepin' To Herself
[3:36] 9. Europe Blues
[3:07] 10. Pains My Heart To Love You
[3:08] 11. Rub-A-Dub
[1:58] 12. Here's Your Breakthrough
[3:26] 13. Mistreatin' Mama
[3:57] 14. Converted
[3:36] 15. The Well
[6:01] 16. Finished Last
On 'Make a Change Sometime'the first official duo album by Nathan James & Ben Hernandez, these two young & talented artists bring forward a fresh and knowledgable showcase of an American roots music known as country blues. Within the 16 cuts filled with both traditional and original songs, they cover all the styles including: delta, piedmont, gospel, string band, and jug band country blues. As an extension of the variety of instruments palyed in their live show, the album features the added textures of piano by Gene Taylor, fiddle by Sara Watkins, and Vocals and harp by James Harman, on selected cuts. The result is a vast change in dynamics, and moods throughout the album that keeps the listener interested, and on their toes. Nathan James fully utilizes to great advantage the use of several different sounding guitars to create different tones, and timbres; as well as many different approaches to playing them to compliment each songs feel. Also listeners will keep their feet moving to the beat of Jame's foot percussion played on most of the cuts. Ben Hernandez lends his talents on several different unique instruments including: harmonica, jazz kazoo, spoons, jug and washtub bass. With vocals and songwriting equally split between James & Hernandez, 'Make a Change Sometime' is sure to make a mark as a well rounded, timeless classic album for this genre.
With various tools of the trade; during a live show an audience may not know what to expect. During one song, James may be laying down a hypnotic delta rhythm on a National resonator slide guitar, stomping out his foot in time on his percussion board; while Hernandez is singing like a Sunday morning baptist preacher, and chugging a trian whistle sound on his harmonica. A next song could be James creating a ragtime jump on guitar as Hernandez coaxes a jazzy melody on the Kazoo, or bassline on the jug or the washtub bass; as the two sing a timeless song in harmony. Meanwhile all of this never failing to grab anyones attention, and forces smiles, applause, and even dancing feet to all lucky enough to experience. Night after night, this is how Nathan James & Ben Hernandez carve out a living for themselves.
Ben Hernandez (harmonica, vocals, kazoo, jug, washtub bass, spoons) is a naturally gifted vocalist/ harmonica player who is quickly gaining praise from southern California's most critical blues aficionados, and blues veterans. Now still in his twenties; Hernandez has come up singing since before he can remember. During which, he has led his own bands including Brickyard Jones, and the Double Fives, with whom he has performed with all over the state of California. His musical influences include such legends as: Sonny Terry, Peg Leg Sam, Sonny Boy Williamson #1, Hammie Nixon, and Noah Lewis, to name a few.
Nathan James (guitar, vocals, foot percussion, harmonica) has become a well recognized blues guitarist in Southern California, as the guitarist for the internationally known James Harman Band. During his last five or so years with the band, James has honed his chops with seasoned veteran Harman, touring and recording. Also still in his twenties, James has released a solo record 'This Road is Mine', with guest performances by James Harman, and Ben Hernandez; on the Pacific Blues Recording Company label. James's primary influences include such legends as: Brownie Mcgee, Big Bill Broonzy, Tampa Red, and Blind Boy Fuller.
With various tools of the trade; during a live show an audience may not know what to expect. During one song, James may be laying down a hypnotic delta rhythm on a National resonator slide guitar, stomping out his foot in time on his percussion board; while Hernandez is singing like a Sunday morning baptist preacher, and chugging a trian whistle sound on his harmonica. A next song could be James creating a ragtime jump on guitar as Hernandez coaxes a jazzy melody on the Kazoo, or bassline on the jug or the washtub bass; as the two sing a timeless song in harmony. Meanwhile all of this never failing to grab anyones attention, and forces smiles, applause, and even dancing feet to all lucky enough to experience. Night after night, this is how Nathan James & Ben Hernandez carve out a living for themselves.
Ben Hernandez (harmonica, vocals, kazoo, jug, washtub bass, spoons) is a naturally gifted vocalist/ harmonica player who is quickly gaining praise from southern California's most critical blues aficionados, and blues veterans. Now still in his twenties; Hernandez has come up singing since before he can remember. During which, he has led his own bands including Brickyard Jones, and the Double Fives, with whom he has performed with all over the state of California. His musical influences include such legends as: Sonny Terry, Peg Leg Sam, Sonny Boy Williamson #1, Hammie Nixon, and Noah Lewis, to name a few.
Nathan James (guitar, vocals, foot percussion, harmonica) has become a well recognized blues guitarist in Southern California, as the guitarist for the internationally known James Harman Band. During his last five or so years with the band, James has honed his chops with seasoned veteran Harman, touring and recording. Also still in his twenties, James has released a solo record 'This Road is Mine', with guest performances by James Harman, and Ben Hernandez; on the Pacific Blues Recording Company label. James's primary influences include such legends as: Brownie Mcgee, Big Bill Broonzy, Tampa Red, and Blind Boy Fuller.
Make A Change Sometime mc
Make A Change Sometime zippy