NATHAN JAMES & BEN HERNANDEZ: Hollerin'!

Nathan James & Ben Hernandez

Hollerin'!

© 2007 Nathan James & Ben Hernandez (880567101026)

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Soulful American Roots Music

notes

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 soon to be classic album, ‘Hollerin!’, released on their own label, Sacred Cat Recordings.
contact: njamesmusic@yahoo.com bhernandez76@gmail.com
www.nathandjames.com

reviews

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  • Glad I bought it
    author: Charles Johnson

    I have a lot of CDs on my wish list, so it's always tough to pick just one or two after the pay check comes in, but I am so glad I got this one. They have the old-time-traveling-blues-musician thing down to a fine art. Everything is reminiscent of that style, from the hard-driving fat-sounding don't forget it to the a capella Can't wait for that Glory Day. The sound is so authentic, I would expect to see these guys in a juke joint down on the delta.

  • What a great discovery!
    author: Nancy Byron

    These guys are the best musical find I've had in many, many years. Unbelievable! They have a sound that seems to reach everyone . . . I've played them for friends and family and there hasn't been anyone yet who hasn't loved their sound. I am a fan for life.

  • Very cool...
    author: Edwin J. Harris

    I came across these guys by accident in a small club in Santa Rosa, CA. They stole the show. Their sound is very full and authentic, with mastery of a lost art. Keep it up guys!

  • These guys have "it"
    author: Brett Morris

    I just love the old rural blues fingerpicking style, I play it myself on guitar. It's not easy, and once you've got the technique and the licks you've gotta have the soul. Yet somehow these young, completely unassuming San Diego cats just own it. I went to the Portland Blues Festival over summer, and between all the dozens and dozens of major blues acts playing, I was immediately blown away the most by these two dudes stripping it all down on the side stage. However, I will say that the CDs are wonderful, but they haven't quite caught the experience and what I heard when I saw them live. Maybe that's impossible. They vary the styles a bit more, while I can't help but prefer the really raw, Mississippi John Hurt style fingerpickin' blues guitar. This album, and all their work is absolutely mandatory for blues lovers, even the most hardened veterans of blues snobs would freak out at these guys.

  • Nathan James and Ben Hernandez
    author: Nicole Suidan

    Awesome CD. Great music, real fun

  • Mercy!
    author: T-Roy

    For those who enjoy Brownie & Sonny, Tampa Red & Georgia Tom, Cephas & Wiggins and traditional acoustic blues and roots music, you cannot go wrong with this recording. It's truly a stellar effort and is in close keeping with their live show. Both Nathan and Ben's vocals soar well beyond their years and backgrounds and are always dead-pitch-on but dripping with soul, emotion and desperation. Great listening while making your favorite BBQ!

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