Donna Herula - Cold Feet
Release date: September 18 , 2026
Self Release
By Steve Jones
Donna Herula is a Chicago Blues Hall of Famer. A native Chicagoan, she sings, plays slide guitar, writes many of her own songs and is just one heck of a great entertainer. Her noted and award winning 2021 album Bang At The Door set the bar high for future work, and Donna is up to the task with her new album of ten mostly original tracks.
Joining Herula on the album are Tony Wittrock on acoustic and electric guitars, Marc Edelstein on bass, and Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith on drums. Also appearing are Jon Shain on guitars, Alton Smith on keys, Anne Harris on violin, John Jochem on harp, Steve Eisen on sax, Rick Barnes on percussion, and on backing vocals are Candy LaFlora, Kary Ream and Rebecca Toon.
Herula excels on her National Tritone with some pretty slide work for “On My Way Home” to open the album. A beautiful acoustic cut, Donna gives us something to remember as she begins with some amazing finger picking and slide.
The title track is next and it rocks with electric and slide guitar as Herula sings about backing out of a wedding with cold feet. She sings with an attitude as she explains her concerns: “He said that we were meant to be together/ Now I’m thinking I could do a whole lot better.” The bride- to-be runs out, kicks off her shoes, dances on the cool concrete with cold feet, and hops into the awaiting limo by herself. The song ends with her declaration: “And I’m keeping the ring.” It’s a fun and rocking number.
Next is “Honey Darlin’ Baby Please,” co-written with bandmate Tony Wittrock. The melodic tune features some pretty and poignant lyrics plus soulful playing on her guitar. It’s got a bit of a country twang along with Donna’s soulful approach; it’s a winner!
Next she recreates Skip James’ haunting “Cypress Grove Blues.” Donna’s resonator and slide guitar offer some cool licks to savor as she sings with passion.
“Backseat Driver” is a cut that came from some discussions between Herula and her bandmates on a road trip. It’s humorous and it jumps and jives. There’s a cool groove, some fun harp, and, of course, great slide guitar. “What You Gonna Do?” is a song where Donna confronts her man about another woman. She demands he pick her or the other woman in this direct and confrontational song. The guitar is pretty, the sax is soulful and the sound is quite emotional.
“Wish I Could See You Again” is an acoustic duet with Donna and guitarist Jon Shain, who also produced the album. It’s a beautiful memory of her late mother, with touching lyrics and an emotive vocal delivery. The gospel infused “Things Can Change” offers a positive message, great vocals, and outstanding harp by John Jochem, along with Herula’s super electric guitar work.
Herula states that “Float To Heaven” is her storytelling in John Prine fashion and she pulls it off as she always does. Anne Harris’ violin is superb while Donna’s finger picking is just sublime. She closes with the classic “Dust My Broom” with a flaming electric slide guitar cut with forthright vocals– so cool and well done as she attacks the guitar with passion.
This is Herula at her best. She does not sit on her laurels and delivers eight great new cuts and two outstanding covers. It’s been a few years but the wait was worth it– go get this new album. You will not regret it as it’s one of the top roots blues albums I’ve heard this year!
Donna Herula will celebrate the release of Cold Feet at the Old Town School on Friday, Sept. 25.
For tickets and info click HERE
Website: www.donnaherula.com
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About the Author: Steve Jones is the longtime president of the award-winning Crossroads Blues Society in Byron/Rockford, IL. He is also a military veteran who served as the Commander of a U.S. submarine.
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