Nathan James - What I Believe (2017)

Americana has many different ingredients and Nathan James knows how to mix just the right amounts to create his own signature flavor. ‘What I Believe’ is a showcase of years of experience in self production and songwriting and it is his first album featuring 100% original material. From the opening track ‘You Got to Please Me’ with it’s Bill Withers inspired acoustic rhythm guitar and funky drums featuring tasteful layering of fuzz guitar and B3 organ to the acoustic soul meets spy movie sound track moodiness of ‘Down on the Road’ with classical string arrangements, there are many twists and turns for the listener to behold. ‘Tryin’ to Get Along With Myself’ is a songwriting standout with it’s telling of personal turmoil turned to hope with the start of new day. This song is true Americana with a mixture of gospel changes and country pedal steel inspired slide guitar.

In this day and age with unspeakable events and political corruption happening the world over, ‘In the News Today’ explains why we are better off not obsessively staying connected to current events. The mood is set to a funeral dirge beat with the moaning cry of blues veteran James Harman’s harmonica with soul jazz hammond organ by Rafael Salmon and ‘chicago blues meets swing’ guitar. There are many other guests lending their talents including the great Kim Wilson playing harmonica in a folky acoustic style not often heard by him on ‘Give To Understand’. Nathan’s longtime trio, the Rhythm Scratchers, is featured on ‘Silent Treatment’, the album’s solid blues number. The rollicking instrumental ‘Bonsai Sequoia’ is a dedication to the gargantuan Sequoia tree that graces the album’s front and back covers and features all of Nathan’s different home made Washbaord guitars. The album ends on a meaningful positive note with ‘When Tomorrow Comes’- transitioning from a string band lullaby with harmonies to a soul ballad duet featuring R&B vocal great Missy Andersen.