Natasha James

I'm not a fan of "classic rock." If I never hear any of it again that's OK. That being said, I am a fan of the technique of assembling a group of outstanding musicians, a top shelf producer 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. The group of musicians, assembled by producer Ronnie Rivera cut their chops with the likes of Elvin Bishop, Ronnie Montrose, Dizzy Gillespie and Commander Cody. 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. James is no newcomer. She's been on the scene for decades in varying transformations but this is the most accessible release I've heard to date. 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. Through Rivera's guidance the album flows between influences with ease, grace and a maturity reserved for a team of seasoned veterans like this. - Reb Landers

please see:

www.musicconnection.com
aug 31 edition (Sept)
cover: Neil Young
cd reviews are on page 44

we got 8 stars
David Sanborn got 8 stars
Shawn Mullins got 7 stars
- Eric Habadian

Crossover Queen Natasha James Releases New Single "If You Think This Is Love"

Maintaining the momentum that carried her to "Country Album of the Year" honors as well as other year-end music accolades, multi-talented NorCal singer/songwriter/guitarist Natasha James releases a new single, "If You Think This Is Love," January 4, 2010 on the Highway One Records indie label imprint. MUSIC NEWS NASHVILLE called "If You Think This Is Love" a "downright Bonnie Raitt blues-y performance. One of (James') best." The song is "a twangy hip shaker guaranteed to grab you by your feet and throw you in a dancing mood. Her vocals are like the lost sister of Bonnie Raitt and Loretta Lynn," according to one fan

The sultry songstress is as hot as any performer going at the moment; in addition to winning "Country Album Of The Year" for her '09 release TEQUILA TIME at the recent 19th Annual Los Angeles Music Awards, James is nominated in five categories for the 2009 New Music Weekly Awards:; was chosen a "Hot 100 Artist For 2009" by longtime respected trade publication, MUSIC CONNECTION; is nominated for "2010 Female Artist of the Year" by online music magazine, ROCKWIRED; and saw TEQUILA TIME selected as a "Best Of the 2000's/End Of Decade" choice by Live 365/WOMENS RADIO, where it is presently being featured.

James' TEQUILA TIME continues her successful ascension of the National Radio Charts, this week coming in at #4 on the Hot 100 Singles Chart; #6 on the Top 40 Main Chart; and #6 on the AC/Hot AC Main Chart; in addition to the Main Charts of Country, AA, and College. Indeed, TEQUILA TIME is one of the few releases in recent memory to perform so strongly in all the various musical formats! Source: Spins Track System.
- Music News Nashville Jan 4, 2010

“Crossover Music Queen,” NATASHA JAMES, Wins “AC/Hot AC Artist” At NEW MUSIC WEEKLY’S 2009 NEW MUSIC AWARDS, Joining Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas, Kings Of Leon, And Others
(HOLLYWOOD, Calif) - Songstress Natasha James, known as the “Crossover Music Queen” due to her radio charting success in multiple music genres, wins “AC/Hot AC New Artist” for the 2009 NEW MUSIC AWARDS, it was announced by sponsor, NEW MUSIC WEEKLY magazine.
James had been nominated in five categories: “Crossover Artist Of The Year,” AC/Hot AC: “New Artist” and “Breakthrough Artist, ” College: “New Artist” and “Breakthrough Artist”. The Northern California-based musician joins such notables as Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas, King of Leon, Jakob Dylan, Miley Cyrus, Son Volt and others on the prestigious NMW winner’s podium.
In addition to winning “Country Album Of The Year” for her CD TEQUILA TIME (Highway One Records) at the recent 19th Annual Los Angeles Music Awards, James was recently selected a “Hot 100 Artist of 2009? by respected trade publication, MUSIC CONNECTION , saw TEQUILA TIME selected as a “Best Of the 2000’s/End Of Decade” choice by Live 365/WOMENS RADIO; and is nominated for “2010 Female Artist of the Year” by online music magazine, ROCKWIRED.

“In a radio climate full of loud, heavily-produced songs filled with guitar riffs straight out of the 80’s, it’s very refreshing to come across a country album that sounds a little bit country,” writes NASHVILLE GAB. “Fine playing and very original writing grace this album…based out of California, Ms. James makes it clear that there is still a little bit of Gram Parsons and the Byrds alive out along the West Coast, as well as some Fleetwood Mac. “Tequila Time” is a country rock album to make Laurel Canyon proud.”

TEQUILA TIME REVIEW COPIES AND NATASHA JAMES INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE. - All Access Magazine 1/29/2010

Natasha James scored a hit on national roots-music radio charts with "The Restless
Kind" from her 2007 album Bad Judgements, but "restless" is in her past. The
Sonoma-based singer-songwriter insists that her newly released Tequila Time is "a
playful record, that has some deep lyrics, but the overall tone is upbeat." When I tell
her I still hear bits of yearning in the new album's spirit of fun, she chuckles and says,
"If you're hearing that on Tequila Time, then I'm curious if there's a little more
restlessness left in me than I thought!"

tequila-time-cd-coverPlayful, 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.

Settled life trumps wanderlust on the final cut "Modern Life," as James names common hectic details like internet games and
soccer uniforms yet finds peace with the "bigger universals" she says "we all deal with in our own way." James' own life has
taken her all over California, Mexico and Europe before she finally landed in New York in the early '80s to pursue a
songwriting career. When two kids came along, Sonoma County gave her a good spot to drop anchor: gorgeous landscapes,
musical freedom, intelligent culture and community. She quit music for 15 years while working as an investment agent, but
believers in the music industry coaxed her back, and her music focus is now nonstop. After a series of California gigs, she tours
Texas and the East Coast, where radio support is strong, and shows no sign of letting up. "I just don't have the off button," she
laughs. - The Bohemian, April 29, 2009 by Karl Burns

"Singing From Her Roots"

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.
All of this attention has been a long time coming for James, who has
been a working musician for over 30 years. She first fell for music at the age of 4, when she would stay up all
night listening to the radio. As a young teen, she constantly fought with her mother over control of the radio
dial in the car. “I wanted to grow up real fast to control that radio,” James said with a laugh.
After picking up both the piano and guitar, James discovered her natural abilities with music. Songs poured
out of her, sometimes faster than she could write them down. Once on the drive home from Lake Tahoe she
got an idea for a song that she couldn.t get out of her head, so she began singing it to her answering machine
at home, which took several phone calls as her machine kept hanging up. She even had a song come to her in
a dream, with music and lyrics.
“But then there.s the music that plagues me forever,” she said, referring to the melodies and lyrics she loves,
but can.t find a place for. She wrote the melody to a ragtime tune when she was 18 and has struggled her
entire life to put words to it. “I.m a ruthless editor.”



James is somewhat like an addict when it comes to music – as much as she tries to take a break it constantly
pulls her back in. There is the constant nagging need to produce more.
“It never goes away,” she said. “You can.t help but to do it, so you might as well just do it.”
James did take several years away from the microphone to raise her children. As her children grew older,
James said she asked God for a sign that she should return to music. Three days later she got a call out of the
blue from a record company looking to sign her.
“I guess I got my sign from God,” she said.
Today, she seeks to play as much as possible, and has performed in every venue in the Valley. Her CD release
party for “Tequila Time” is set for Thursday, April 30, at 7:30 p.m. at the Last Day Saloon, 120 Fifth St. in
Santa Rosa. Dr. Joel Rudinow and the Rude Notes Galore will open the show. Tickets are $15 at the door, $12
in advance.
For more, visit www.NatashaJames.com. - Emily Charrier-Botts

It may be Tequila Time for Natasha, but her latest CD, Tequila Time, may
just take her to the big time. James has assembled a squadron of session
musicians for the disc whose credentials include Etta James, Elvin Bishop
and Madonna. She.s even included some locals as well with Dave Aguilar
and Kerry Daly adding to some of the tracks. With all the sub-genres of
music out there these days, it.s tough to put this disc into one as it hits
many, including country, Americana and even adult contemporary.
Natasha.s vocals are in the forefront of all the songs and you can tell she.s
no newcomer to the role, from the country „twang. of the title track to the
salsa vibe of Cheetah on the Run, she sets the tunes up nicely. 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. The
production of the disc is nice as well, with Bobby Black.s pedal steel guitar in all the right places and not too
many backup vocals or extra tracks. She even utilizes violin and accordion on some of the tracks. Ronnie
Rivera.s drumming is solid on all tracks and really set up the framework for all the other percussion tracks to
fill properly. 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. - J M Berry

Top Cuts: “Takes a Lotta Love,” "Cheetah on the Run"

Summary: In her follow-up to the
roots-tinged Bad Judgments, James
ventures further into country. With a
crack band and a strong assortment
of original material, this California-
based troubadour proves to be ever-
evolving. Her songs play like cinematic
vignettes, with vivid characters and a
poetic lyricism. Much of the album
has a traditional feel steeped in blues
and Tex-Mex with a nod to Janis
Joplin and Emmylou Harris. A slight
departure is “Modern Life,” with her
take on family detachment in the 21st
century. —Eric A. Harabadian
- Eric Habadian

Natasha James May Have Made One or Two "Bad Judgements" Throughout Her Life - Recently Releasing Her Debut Album Is Certainly Not One of Them
Natasha James May Have Made One or Two "Bad Judgements" Throughout Her Life; Recently Releasing Her Debut Album Featuring the Hit Single, The Restless Kind Is Certainly Not One of Them
Nashville, TN (Billboard Publicity Wire) February 14, 2008 -- Natasha James may have made one or two "bad judgements" throughout her life. However, recently releasing her debut album featuring the hit single, The Restless Kind, is certainly not one of them.
As the song goes, "Country after cuntry, 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.....
- Nashville, Tenn. Feb. 14, 2008

“...Natasha James music has been compared to Allman Bros, John Mellencamp, Van Morrison…her vocals to Bonnie Raitt, Janis Joplin, Emmy Lou Harris…you’ll find yourself tapping and humming to…songs of broken hearts, desert sunsets, south of the border bars, NYC East Village dawns and that endless highway…”Country Line Magazine, June 2009 - Country Line Magazine