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Harris, as well as casting its net to include artists from other areas such as Tommy Castro (San
Francisco), Marcia Ball (Texas) and Roomful of Blues (Rhode Island). In short what we have here is

an interesting collection of tracks that show how the blues has developed in the last 50 years and
also the variety of material that can still be classed as blues.

Graham Harrison

Donna Herula—Bang at the Door—CD Baby ASIN :
B095LRTGJS

I'd never heard of singer/guitarist Donna Herula before but this
is apparently her third album and very nice it is too as she
presents ten original songs, a co-write and three covers. Donna is
a guitar teacher at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago
and it’s her slide and finger-picking that is the basis for most of
the tracks here, together with her understated vocals. We begin
with the title track with her slide guitar and subtle bass (FJ
Ventre) and drums (Dana Thalhelmar) and her husband Tony
Nardiello on second guitar, this is followed by 'Pass the Biscuits'
an affectionate tribute to her late mentor, Sonny Payne, the
iconic host of the King Biscuit Time radio show, with rolling
piano from Doug Hammer. 'Can’t Wait to See My Baby' sounds like 'High-Heeled Sneakers' and
'Promise Me' is a melodic ballad that as well as Donna's resonator guitar features mandolin from
Jon Shain - who also produced the record in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

'I Got No Way Home' introduces Bill Newton on harmonica and also female backing vocalists and
'Black Ice' is a slide guitar instrumental with minimal backing from Ventre on percussion. We then
get respectful versions of Bukka White's blues 'Fixin’ to Die' and also Lucinda Williams’ 'Jackson' -
with Tony Nardiello taking the lead vocals and Donna playing slide and joining in on the chorus.
'Movin” Back Home' is an old timey humorous song about an issue that affects many people today -
having to move back into their parents home where Donna is confronted by artefacts from her past
including a Rubik's cube, a Prince poster and 'The Breakfast Club' on VHS! 'Got What I Deserve' is
like a modern jug band song with Donna on slide, Anne Harris on fiddle and Shain on 2nd guitar,
while 'Who’s Been Cookin’ In My Kitchen' is an excuse for food based double entendres.

We finish with another cover, a version of blues great Blind Willie Johnson's 'Soul of a Man' with
Donna's slide guitar and vocals supported by double bass and four backing vocalists. I can't claim
that this record is exceptional or life changing but I really liked its relaxed, understated charm and
its old timey vibe that sounds as though it could have been recorded in the 1960's, the extra
instruments add variety, as do the various styles on display here, all-in-all a lovely listen.

Graham Harrison

Steve Marriner—Hope Dies Last—Stony Plain ASIN :
B093RNVV2B

I know Steve Marriner as the harp player with the Canadian band
Monkey Junk but he has also recorded with Colin James and
Harry Manx, also plays guitar with Paul Reddick as well as
guitar, bass and keyboards with Samantha Martin and Delta
Sugar. This solo record comprising ten original tracks is probably
more rocky than other things that he has done, as in the opening
'Take Me To The City' and the riffy 'How High' but 'Honey Bee' is
quite bluesy and features his harp playing, whereas 'Somethin’