Janis Joplin, Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan, Odetta, Young Rascals, Youngbloods, Buffalo Springfield, Crosby Still Nash & Young, Traffic, Brewer & Shipley, Joy of Cookin', Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Leonard Cohen, Judy Collins, Ian & Sylvia, Simon & Garfunkel, Brownie McGee & Sonny Terry, iBessie Smith, Tim Buckley, Joan Baez, Susan Reed, The Rolling Stones, Roger Miller.
Soulful real music that speaks to the heart and tells a tale, sunrises and sunsets, great architecture, history, the smell of fallen leaves, fresh snow, and sea spray, great books, the everlasting highway...
Crossing over to acclaim
By Richard Bammer, Vacaville Reporter, Oct. 21, 2009
"Natasha James's latest album was named Country Album of the Year by the Annual Los Angeles Music Awards.
It may be an enthusiastic publicist's cliche, calling singer-songwriter-guitarist Natasha James the "Crossover Music Queen," but like any hyperbole, mild or otherwise, there is a kernel of truth in it.
Her latest album, "Tequila Time," a 15-song opus on Sonoma County's Highway One Records, does indeed touch on myriad styles. They range from three-chord rock 'n' roll ("Straight to Hell") and Tex-Mex ("Cheetah On The Run") to barroom shuffle ("Stuck in Atlanta") and blues ("Ain't Done Nothin' Wrong")...
Just don't call her a country singer -- the San Francisco native prefers "roots rock" or "Americana" musician -- even though the newly released disc has been named Country Album of the Year, a honor from the Annual Los Angeles Music Awards that she will pick up Nov. 12. "
Still, all the sudden good news and luck leaves her a little surprised.
"For northern California Americana artist Natasha James, it’s all about the groove; be it a blues rocker, a Tex-Mex toe tapper or a country tune, she comes through with a production that captures the right feel for the song on her latest CD “Tequila Time” on Highway One Records.
James does have a knack for conjuring up some of music’s most celebrated singers, and these are her coolest vocals moments. Flashes of Kim Carnes (Bette Davis Eyes) phrasing slithers in like the slide guitar in “Get Out of My Way”: “I was thinkin’ about you/I was thinkin’ about me, too/You got a ways to go before I’m gonna/ Walk my road with you/Hey baby won’t you get out of my way”. In “Straight to Hell”, James tells the story of the darker side of drinking and other bad choices, with a Loretta Lynn straight-shooter approach: “The moment that I saw you I knew/I was along for the ride/It was the worst possible choice/But that’s something I do very well/I got an uncanny ability with amazing accuracy gone/Straight to hell on the wings of a bottle/Straight to hell with my angels by my side/Straight to hell in fifth gear at full throttle/Straight to hell with my eyes open wide”. A downright Bonnie Raitt bluesy performance is given in “If You Think This is Love”, one of her best on “Tequila Time”."
Janet Goodman, Music News Nashville, October 22, 2009
"Natasha James kicked a**" Chris Loh, IRON DOOR SALOON
"Thanks for a great show" Sooz Sykes, Goddess Grove stage, HARMONY FESTIVAL
"It's hard to top Natasha's live show" James Berry, SONOMA VINTAGE FESTIVAL
"Thanks for bringing great music back to the Bay Area" David Daher, LAST DAY SALOON
"Great songs, great singing, great stage presence, great musicians," Charlie Cowles, TALL TOAD MUSIC, after show at LAST DAY SALOON
Natasha's Stardom
By Natalie Perez, LA Rock Music Examiner, Sept. 2009
"Being considered hotter than the blazing California wild fires, comes songstress, Natasha James – her album "Tequila Time," being a rapid aggression within the mainstream music scene.
..."Tequila Time," is nominated in the "Country Album of the Year," category and Jame's catchy tune "Get Out Of My Way," has been nominated for "Country Single of the Year" to top it all off, at this year’s 19th Annual Los Angeles Music Awards.
Natasha has ... earned her rightful taste of the musician’s spotlight. Allowing her musical abilities to soar ever so higher that it shall glide right up in and on through the clouds off into the stars."
IT’S “TEQUILA TIME” AT THE TRACY BEAN FESTIVAL! - SATURDAY, SEPT. 12
By All Access Magazine, Sept. 2009
"Sultry Songstress NATASHA JAMES Natasha James performs at the Tracy Dry Bean Festival, 223 E. 10th St., Tracy, Saturday, September 12, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. Info: (209) 835-2131 or log onto www.tracybeanfestival.com.
Watch for James interviewed live on KCRA-TV in Tracy Saturday, September 12.
James’ Single “Tequila Time” Rapidly Ascending Mainstream, Hot 100, College, Hot AC, Country, Top 40 Radio Charts Nationwide.
“Tequila Time” Nominated In “Country Album Of The Year,” “Get Out Of My Way” Nominated In “Country Single Of The Year” Categories For Upcoming ‘19th Annual Los Angeles Music Awards’ In Hollywood, Calif."
Pass the Patrón
After some bad judgments,
it's 'Tequila Time' for Natasha James
By Karl Byrn
"... Playful, upbeat ease is indeed what colors Tequila Time, as James' confident band nails roots styles ranging from the old-time barroom shuffle of "Stuck in Atlanta" to the salsa/Tex-Mex mix of "Cheetah on the Run" to the country blues groove of "Ain't Done Nothin' Wrong." Gone are the horns that gave Bad Judgements a jazzy flavor, but Tequila Time ups the rock ante. "Straight to Hell" is a big, righteous ballad worthy of early '70s Rolling Stones, while "Get Out of My Way" is sassy Southern rock reminiscent of the Allman Brothers."
"... Natasha James is a fine singer and songwriter. Her style is laid-back and easygoing. It’s obvious she’s very comfortable in her own skin, as the saying goes. Most important, in my opinion, it sounds like she’s having a good time.
James’ simple, dead-on lyrics paint vivid mental and emotional images. The band is tight and the musicianship is up to the standard you expect from country musicians while covering a broad range of styles. There’s a lot to like on this collection. I suggest you check it out."
"Natasha James is a country singer from Sonoma, California, which is close to both Sacramento and San Francisco.
My favorite song is "Modern Life". It does a great job in painting you the picture of: lonliness, our busyness, divorces, cellphones, internet games, etc. The song is bundled in what sounds like a steel guitar and violins.
She's also doing a few dates throughout California:
08/08/09 Sonoma County Fair Santa Rosa, California
08/21/09 Iron Door Saloon Groveland, California
08/22/09 Iron Door Saloon Groveland, California
Tequila Time is available at most online shops, including eMusic and Amazon."
Crossover Music Queen NATASHA JAMES Continues Rapid Ascension Of Multiple Radio Charts;
Recipient (Of) “Country Album Of the Year” At Upcoming 19th Annual L.A.Music Awards; Chosen “Hot 100 Unsigned Artist For 2009” In Upcoming Year-End Issue - Music Connection Magazine!
Sultry songstress Natasha James, appropriately labelled the “Crossover Music Queen,” continues her strong Radio showing with her CD TEQUILA TIME this week at 2 on AAA Main Chart; 6 (College Main Chart);16 AC/HOT AC Main Chart (6 Indie); 10 (Western US Region AC); 19 (Eastern US Region AC); 12 (Hot 100 Singles – AC/Hot AC & Top 40); and 25 (Top 40 Main chart - 6 Indie). TEQUILA TIME is also a Top 40 Prime Mover & Spincrease (AC Spincrease), with no signs of slowing down. Source: Spins Track System.
In quick succession James won “Country Album Of the Year” for the 19th Annual Los Angeles Music Awards (Main Event: November 12 in Hollywood, Calif); and was selected a “Hot 100 Unsigned Artist For 2009” by influential trade publication, MUSIC CONNECTION. Natasha is also nominated in several categories for the 2009 NEW MUSIC WEEKLY AWARDS. The prolific Sonoma, Calif-based singer-songwriter-guitarist was October’s “Featured Artist of the Month” on Indie 104/IRadio LA, voted “Best Internet Station” the last three consecutive years. James’ “Tequila Time” video is currently airing on over thirty shows nationwide. Watch for upcoming video interviews with James from GQ Productions and Karamel Video Jams.
MUSIC CONNECTION calls James “country steeped in blues and Tex-Mex with a nod to Janis Joplin and Emmy Lou Harris.” “From the Stones-y vibe of “Straight to Hell,” to the Latin vibe of the title track, “Tequila Time,” to the Allman Bros.-like slide on “Get Out Of My Way,” Natasha James delivers”(THE BOHEMIAN). “Her vocals have been compared to Bonnie Raitt, Janis Joplin, Stevie Nicks, Joan Baez; her music to Van Morrison, Los Lobos, Allman Bros, Neil Young, Johnny Cash … see for yourself …you might just wanna join her “south of the border, livin’ on Tequila Time,” (COUNTRY LINE MAGAZINE). "With the country twang of Bonnie Raitt and the rocker style of Stevie Nicks, TEQUILA TIME has brought James to the national spotlight as a force in the roots music scene"(SONOMA TRIBUNE). Says MUSIC NEWS NASHVILLE :“James has a knack for conjuring up some of music’s most celebrated singers…these are her coolest vocal moments…(on TEQUILA TIME) James explores new avenues of expression, which result in some of her gutsiest performances.”
TEQUILA TIME was engineered by Ronnie Rivera (Lisa Marie Presley) and mastered by Grammy award winner Gavin Lurssen (Krauss/Plant, “Raising Sand.”)
"Congratulations to singer-songwriter Natasha James, who just won "Country Album of the Year" for the 19th Annual Los Angeles Music Awards, Thursday, November 12 at the Avalon Theater in Hollywood. www.natashajames.com."
Tequila Time, by Natasha James, engineered by Ronnie Rivera (Lisa Marie Presley), and mastered by Gavin Lurssen ("Raising Sand," Allison Krauss/Robert Plant), is her latest release on Highway One Records. 15 stellar tunes with soulful driving vocals...
From the Stonesy vibe of "Straight to Hell," to the Latin vibe of the title track, "Tequila Time," to the Allman Bros. like slide on "Get Out Of My Way," Natasha James delivers. Her vocals have been compared to Bonnie Raitt, Janis Joplin, Stevie Nicks, Joan Baez; her music to Van Morrison, Los Lobos, Allman Bros, Neil Young, Johnny Cash…see for yourself…you might just wanna join her "south of the border, livin' on Tequila Time." From the opener, "Takes Alotta Love," to the last track, "Modern Life," you'll find yourself tapping and humming to high-energy, upbeat songs of broken hearts, desert sunsets, south-of-the-border bars, NYC east village dawns, and that endless highway always behind and always ahead.
“…I am a fan of the technique of assembling a group of outstanding musicians, a top shelf producer…Ronnie Rivera… with some old school sensibilities and grinding out a good quality record with a classic sound. Natasha James newest effort Tequila Time is just that… It’s an amalgam of blues, rock, alt-country and a dash of Tex-Mex for flavor, the essence of what roots music is supposed to be…add the rough edge of James’ vocal timber, reminiscent of Janis Joplin or Alannah Myles, and you have a winning formula ripe for today’s roots Americana movement…”
- Reb Landers, The Alternate Root, April 2009
“With the country twang of Bonnie Raitt and the rocker style of Stevie Nicks, Sonoma resident Natasha James has been singing and writing music for as long as she can remember. But the release of her latest album, “Tequila Time,” has brought James to the national spotlight as a force in the roots music scene. “Tequila Time” is currently at number 19 on the California Roots Music Report and number 20 on the American Roots Music Report, which tracks the number of radio plays an album receives. Her style of music speaks to the heartland and she’s become a favorite on Midwestern radio stations but can also be heard on NPR.”
Emily Charrier-Botts, Sonoma News, April 24, 2009
“It may be Tequila Time for Natasha, but her latest CD, Tequila Time, may just take her to the big time... The disc is one of those you can put into the player and just let roll, as the songs have a familiar ring to them but are also uniquely Natasha’s... Natasha’s lyrics tell stories, stories that most of us can relate to, as many of us have lived the words. It’s tough to top Natasha’s live show, but this disc is certainly her best recorded work to date and is well deserving of the accolades it’s getting in advance airplay around the country. It's a solid disc, and should open doors for her and the band.”
Check out our Americana Media Productions write-up (Aug issue)!
Natasha James - Sweet, sultry, sassy, sexy...
All words that could easily describe the bay Area singer/songwriter Natasha James. On the album 'Bad Judgements" she teams up with a band of seasoned players to weave through a mix of jazz tinged, roots country reminiscent of the early '90's Van Morrison sound. Her voice is powerful and the songwriting is top shelf. It's AAA/Americana with a musical maturity that's rare in the format. There's twang for those who prefer their Americana a little 'rootsier' but all of it is radio ready. For a copy to play or review give us a call at 610.967.5948 but don' take our word for it...listen...(review from www.artistdevelopmentcoop.com, July 2008)
"Country after country, it’s a landscape of the mind. So many lifetimes up ahead, so many left behind. Well, I guess, I always wanted them all, but only some of the time, I guess I was born, The Restless Kind." -- Natasha James
She's the consummate singer-songwriter and the kind of unique artist who can craft visuals merely through her songwriting. Natasha pens works that cross many musical genres and pull at the heartstrings all music lovers... especially country music enthusiasts.
"The Restless Kind," went to 10 in the COUNTRY on the FMQB charts, June 2008! Still in the top 100 after 5 months!
PLEASE REQUEST US AT AAA/AMERICANA STATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Merci de me répondre en français, tu l'écris très bien au contraire, certainement mieux que moi en anglais... Félicitations. Si tu viens en France tu vas faire beaucoup de progrès. On se verra peut être ? Et toi, aimes tu ma musique ? Bises amicales. Hervé
Hello Natasha Thank you for stopping by the Farm Boy Music Group page and including us among your friends here on myspace. Great tunes, "Stuck In Atlanta" is one awesome song. Loved listening and we will be checking back again. Thanks again so much for the add and giving us the opportunity to listen in. Gary Farmer Farm Boy Music Group
Hi Friend, I hope you are well and doing fine. Haven't heard from you lately. I'm stopping by to say hello and to wish you and your family a "Happy Thanksgiving." Take Care! Charlotte
Well Buckaroos, it's Time to get your Groove on and enjoy this upcoming week! Be Thankful that we can unleash our Mojo and Dance until we Drop or fall into someone's arms and then the Holidays will really start to kick off! I just feel it all up inside of me and I'm going to let it Flow soon!! I'm going to unleash the Boogie on Bad Dog Radio this Turkey Day at High Noon MST and Party to 4pm MST and I'm going to do it Naked! Lock the doors and just have one Hell of a Time...Come and join me, Tune In and Turn It Up!! www.kafmradio.org
IT’S “TEQUILA TIME” AT THE TRACY BEAN FESTIVAL! - SATURDAY, SEPT. 12
"... Natasha James is a fine singer and songwriter. Her style is laid-back and easygoing. It’s obvious she’s very comfortable in her own skin, as the saying goes. Most important, in my opinion, it sounds like she’s having a good time.
"Natasha James is a country singer from Sonoma, California, which is close to both Sacramento and San Francisco.
Online Now!
