Bman's Blues Report

ALBUM REVIEW Donna Herula - Cold Feet Label: Independent Released: September 18, 2026 DR: TBD D onna Herula is a killer blues guitarist and singer out of Chicago who absolutely tears it up on the acoustic slide. She’s got a deep love for old-school Delta and country blues, taking cues from legends like Son House and Memphis Minnie, but she plays with a fresh, foot-stomping energy that’s completely her own. When she isn't touring or recording, she hangs out at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music, teaching the next generation how to nail those classic fingerpicking styles.  Her albums have picked up tons of love and high praise in the roots scene, regular climbing up the blues charts for their great songwriting and slide work. Whether she’s playing a driving, high-energy groove or a stripped-back, emotional acoustic track, she knows exactly how to keep the old-school spirit alive without ever feeling stuck in the past...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, True Blues Brother- The Legacy of Matt "Guitar Murphy" by Matt Guitar Murphy and it's a great assemblage of music that Matt was working on at the time of his death in 2018 featuring music by artists he either played with or influenced along with some special guests. Opening with Matt's Boogie , Murphy leads the way on this instrumental with  a super guitar rhythm /solo lead and joined by Bruce Bears on organ, Ricky "King" Russell on guitar, Bob Worthington on bass and Fran Christina on drums. Solid opener. Deadric Malone's I Feel Alright Again is a super shuffle featuring Brian Templeton on vocal, Nick Adams on guitar, Collin Tilton on tenor sax, Johnny Juxo on keys, Dean Cassell on bass and Christina on drums. Christine Ohlman really belts out the lead on Something's Got a Hold On Me , and Etta James favorite, with Cliff Goodwin and Russell on guitar, Worthington on bass and Christina ...

I just received the much anticipated new release from Delta Groove, Knockin' Around The Blues from John Primer and Bob Corritore and it's great! Both Corritore and Primer are known for their traditional Chicago style and this is right on it...but it is a solid square hit. Opening with The Clock , you're in Chicago and the best band in town is up and making that statement isn't far off. These guys, both superstars themselves, have a full hand of musicians with them. Primer of course handles lead vocals and he's always terrific. Corritore can really be magic on the harp and his playing on this track is very strong. Barrelhouse Chuck adds terrific riffs throughout and Chris James and Primer both do nice jobs on guitar on this track. Blue and Lonesome opens with a great intro from Chuck and Primer and Corritore exchange call and response. This is slow dirty blues like you love it. One of the comments that I've had of some recordings of Corritore in the past have b...