Nathan James and Ben Hernanadez: Make a Change Sometime

Nathan James and Ben Hernandez offer a thoroughly soulful, pure, and vital display of American roots music in their latest release Make a Change Sometime.

In country blues tradition, Hernandez employs a wide variety of unconventional instruments ranging from the jug to the washtub bass alongside James's intricate and effortless guitar playing. The musical possibilities of the jug may not seem promising, but Hernandez's performance on "Hard Time Here" dispels all skepticism. James's guitar work on this track achieves rhythmic perfection, while his vocal performance is unrestrained soul.

The album opens with the rhythmically entrancing "Get Right Church" and continues to show the purity of country blues throughout. The vocal harmony on this track emerges from a natural musicianship, not an intensively practiced intonation.

As both James and Hernandez are engaged instrumentally and vocally, they have a greater musical understanding that allows for improvisation and authenticity. The two are passionate about their music and it is made brilliantly apparent.

Alongside multiple original acoustic blues compositions, James and Hernandez make the work of early delta blues artists like Big Bill Broonzy accessible to a contemporary audience; however, the highlights of this album are products of the artists themselves.

"Europe Blues" is a powerfully original incarnation of the standard 12-bar blues pattern. Hernandez's dynamic control on the harmonica adds a depth and sophistication to an instrument not typically considered to have these characteristics, while his vocals and lyrical composition offer a soulful transference of experience from artist to listener. The track is entirely engaging vocally, rhythmically, and lyrically.

The duo expands their instrumental horizons on this album and includes piano and fiddle accompaniment from Gene Taylor and Sara Watkins on a few tracks. James also plays a wide variety of guitars from resonator to 12-string electric guitar.

Curley's Blues features James's keen use of the resonator guitar. During the early stages of James's career he spent time touring with blues artist James Harman, who performs his original composition "Here's Your Breakthrough "on the album. Harman has a genuinely good time with the vocals and amplified harmonica parts on this track and carries the listener along on a melodic current.

Make a Change Sometime offers greater musical diversity than James's solo album, This Road is Mine; although, the title track from This Road is one of James's finest works.

James and Hernandez have a natural and beautiful musical talent. The enthusiasm and vitality that the two have comes through most apparently in their live performances. The set list of any given concert is not predetermined and the pair spends much time on stage improvising and experimenting. The result is a show that is as fun as it is authentic, showcasing the duo's enthusiasm about music that is reborn at every concert.

Although, tracks like "Converted" carry a surreal intimacy. Hernandez's solo vocals open the song with an eerie emotional intensity and carry the song to its purely inspired and uninhibited peak.

The entire album is enjoyably unique and gives great compliment to the vastly under-appreciated genre of country blues. Everybody should make a change sometime and visit nathandjames.com for a sample of James and Hernandez's undeniable talent.