Celebrating the Blues in
Champaign-Urbana, Illinois
Celebrating the Blues
in Champaign-Urbana
Illinois
ABOUT THE BLUES SOCIETY
“Cold Feet,” includes 8 originals and 2 covers played by Herula who handles vocals and plays acoustic and electric slide guitars. Her band includes Alton Smith on organ, Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith on drums, Tony Wittrock on guitar, John Jochem on harmonica and Marc Edelstein on electric and upright bass. Chicago’s Rax Trax served as the recording studio for this project and the album is self-released.
Herula is a master slide guitar player who’s spent years honing her craft. Hailing from Chicago, this multi-talented and award-winning musician encompasses many styles of music in her playing. A regular performer on the Folk and Blues festival circuit, Herula can often be found performing at Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago where she has been a regular for many years.
“On My Way Home,” kicks off this release and features Herula playing her National Tricone slide guitar with Tony Wittrock playing harmony on another acoustic guitar. Some might say this tune has a “Little Martha,” ring to it. John Shain also contributes on guitar and Rick Barnes adds just the right amount of shaker. A truly fantastic opener for sure.
The release’s title song “Cold Feet,” features Herula rocking out on a Les Paul and singing about a wedding day with complications all around. Usually known as one who often sticks to songs with a traditional acoustic theme, Herula uses this song to showcase her outstanding ability to blend perfectly timed vocals with a real nice slide lead. This is Herula at her best.
Slowing things down a bit, “Honey Darlin’ Baby Please,” the third song on the release, co-written by Herula and her bandmate Tony Wittrock, takes a step into a totally different direction, this time creating a country blues feeling with deep emotion. It’s another example of how Herula and her band are able to create great music and variety.
Taking a page from one of her music heroes, Herula does an outstanding job on, “Cypress Grove Blues.” Originally penned by Skip James, you’ll hear Herula play both resonator and electric slide and once again showcase her outstanding vocal ability. This is where this musician shines and makes the listener ask for more and Herula is just the person to oblige.
If you’ve ever been annoyed by someone else in the car, then “Backseat Driver,” will sound familiar to you. With a rhythm similar to other great penned blues standards, this song stands out with John Jochem’s awesome harmonica solo followed up by Herula’s wonderful electric slide solo. Make sure to listen closely so you don’t miss a special nod to that great interstate 94 that runs through the heart of Chicago.
Another of the eight songs written by Herula,” What You Gonna Do?” is a familiar minor blues sounding selection that features Jon Shain holding down the lead electric guitar while Steve Eisen provides an awesome Saxophone solo that mixes well with Herula’s vocals. This title is just another example of how this style of music really fits Herula perfectly.
As mentioned earlier, this is Herula’s fourth release while the others she recorded previously mainly focusing on Acoustic Blues. Recorded with an emphasis on her National Tri Cone Slide and Resonator Guitars which received rave reviews and also included the honor of being named as a “Chicago Blues Hall of Fame Inductee.”
The Donna Herula Band is in full swing with the release of “Cold Feet,” but the multi award winning artist still takes time to perform with the trio she put together several years ago. You can check out more about this incredible musician and her incredible musical journey at www.donnaherula.com.
The number seven titled song on this release is “Wish I Could See You Again.” Joined only by Jon Shain on acoustic slide guitar, Herula pours out her heart about a lover she longs for. This is the shortest song of the release, but has a real powerful message and once again gives the listener the opportunity to hear a master at work.
Rounding out “Cold Feet” are three more selections including, “Things Can Change,” which is another electrified blues number featuring great backup vocals from Candy LaFlora and excellent sounds from the rest of the Donna Herula band.
With the theme of forgiveness, “Float to Heaven,” follows and is an amazing song with just the right mixture of acoustic instruments and a nicely placed violin solo performed by Anne Harris. Once again Herula is showing the versatility of someone who truly enjoys showcasing her amazing talent as an award-winning song writer.
Herula picked a cover of the Elmore James classic “Dust My Broom,” to complete the release. Here again, it features Herula playing electric slide, with Tony Wittrock on guitar, Marc Edelstein on electric bass and Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith handling the drums.
Donna Herula is truly an amazing talent who proves it over and over again why taking a chance with a new music direction was the right move. Moreover, it’s going to make “Cold Feet,” a huge success and the perfect mixture of great music you’ll want to hear over and over again!
— Rich Cibelli