Description

Donna Herula’s third CD, Bang at the Door, includes 14 tracks – 11 original songs and 3 cover songs.  The physical CD includes a 12-page booklet with liner notes by blues writer and reviewer Mark Thompson, pictures, and lyrics from all of Donna’s original songs on the recording.

The music flows from acoustic blues through gospel, jazz, and ragtime, to the electric Chicago blues style, with nods to New Orleans, folk, and country influences.  Special guests include Anne Harris (violin), Daryl Davis (piano), Bill Newton (harmonica), Tony Nardiello (singer/guitarist), and backup-singers Katherine Davis and Rebecca Toon.  The CD was produced by Jon Shain and recorded by FJ Ventre (also the upright bass player) at Good Luck Studio in Chapel Hill, NC.

 Song Descriptions

1. Bang at the Door: Pop/rock blues about a late-night visitor
2. Pass the Biscuits: New Orleans style about relationship between musician and radio DJ host
3. Can’t Wait to See My Baby: Chicago-Blues style duet about the excitement of love
4. Promise Me: Folk song about the loss felt when a loved one is in prison (with slide guitar and mandolin)
5. Not Lookin’ Back: Jazz combo about leaving a partner with a drug addiction
6. I Got No Way Home: Chicago blues jam with piano, harmonica, guitar and three-part harmonies
7. Black Ice: Brooding slide guitar instrumental
8. Fixin’ to Die: Traditional Delta Blues with slide guitar solos (cover)
9. Jackson: Ballad with acoustic guitar and slide with male lead and harmonies (cover)
10. Movin’ Back Home: Comical ragtime song with call and response
11. Got What I Deserve: A woman’s view on the tribulations of motherhood (with fiddle)
12. Who’s Been Cookin’ in My Kitchen: Double entendre solo, acoustic blues
13. Something’s Wrong With My Baby: Heartfelt vocals, desperation with loving a partner with depression
    The Soul of a Man: Blues gospel with harmonies (cover)