CD review
Kingdom Brothers Signs of the Times This is a review of the latest CD from a local band Kingdom Brothers. I have know these guys for a few years now, this is their 3rd album. This album is call “Signs of the Times”, personally I think it’s their best one yet. There is a mixture of original & cover songs, for me I think the originals are the highlights of this album. Kingdom Brothers is consider a Blues band, for me I think they are more than that, I feel they have a style all their own. This band was formed in 2005 by Bass player Bob Walther. Bob's dream was to do something different in the St. Louis music scene, and I believe that he accomplished it. So let’s talk about what makes this band so awesome. First off you have Chris Shepherd on lead vocals & guitar, Chris’s vocals are so powerful and full of emotions on each song. Chris has such a way to bring you into the song so that you can actually feel what the song is about. it doesn't matter if Chris is doing low down Blues number or a soft ballad he always delivers. On lead guitar you have Ron Roskowske, Ron is simply a master at the guitar. The first time I saw Ron perform it was so amazing, I would have to say that Ron is one of, if not the Top Guitarist in St. Louis. Ron's guitar playing is not only a pleasure to hear on the CD, but if you have ever seen him perform live than you have witness a work of art. On keyboards we have Stan Gill, Stan is amazing on the keyboards. He gets quite a few solo spots on this album and also has a song on here that he wrote “Heartbeat Away” it’s kind of got that New Orleans feel to it. I could see people down in the French Quarter dancing to this song. Stan can tickle the ivories as well if not better then some of the best. Now we can forget the rhythm section which is Bob Walther on Bass & Rusty Parker on Drums (Joe Warmbrodt on “I’d Rather Go Blind”). This rhythm section really gives this album the deep feeling that this album has, rather it be the Bluesy sound or a bit of a Jazz feel. Bob & Rusty really lay it down. They start this album off with an upbeat tune “Make it Right”. This song really highlights both Ron & Stan almost in a battle with a cool Jazz feel. Then we go into a cover by Albert King “Oh, Pretty Woman” which the whole band nails. Next, we have the Title song “Signs of the Times” which is a song that we can really use right about now. Chris’s vocals on this song are so powerful. I am going to pick a few of my favorite songs. “Walkin’ In Love” written by Chris Shepherd. This song has a real good Bluesy/Rock feel to it, the lyrics are well written. The phrase Walkin’ in Love is such great way of saying that I love being with you. Another favorite is “St. Louie Bond” this also written by Chris Shepherd. This has a great shuffle to it, plus it’s about St. Louis, MO. Which you can go wrong with that. Then they really make it a feel-good song by having friends in the background singing the chorus. Great touch. Like I said in the beginning of this review, I think this is their best CD to date. If you ever get a chance to go see this Band I highly recommend it. You hear some great music. To find out more about this band go to their website @ https://kingdombrothersband.com/home
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Donna Herula
This addition of my blog is on Donna Herula, I recently discovered Donna on the internet. I think the first song I heard her sing was “Bang at the Door”. Donna’s slide guitar playing really drew me to her. I would have to say that Donna’s slide playing is right up there with some of the greats: Bonnie Riatt, Blind Willie Johnson, Son House among some. Donna has such a way of playing the slide that it puts you into such a peaceful place. You almost feel like you’re in Church and having your soul saved. The CD I have of Donna’s is her latest one “Bang at the Door”. Donna’s singing is not a typical Bluesy style, which is good cause on this album she mixes it up a little with some Blues songs and some songs that would fall into the Jazz genre. Donna’s vocals fit right into both genres. She also has a bit New Orleans sound on this CD. I definitely have to say for myself that Donna is a force to be reckon with. She has a great style and vocals, at the time of doing this blog Donna has a few nomination 2021 Nominee for Acoustic Blues Album Blues Blast Awards. Plus has top some of the Blues Charts, #1 Blues Album – Roots Music Report (6/12/21), #1 Acoustic Blues Album – Roots Music Report (9-weeks), #3 Australian Blues & Roots Airplay Chart (May 2021). I highly recommend any Blues Fan check out Donna Herula @ https://donnaherula.com/ Here are some questions I was able to ask Donna, I found these to very interesting, Plus gave me a great respect for Donna. How long have you been playing music? I started playing music at an early age – piano at 5 years old and guitar at 10. I started writing songs as a child as well. How many bands have you been in? I was in an all-girls rock band when I was in high school. I also played guitar in my high school jazz band for a year. When I got older, I played in a group called the Chicago Women in the Blues that featured female blues artists for about six years. I toured with several women in the group including BB King’s daughter Shirley King. That experience really taught me a lot about stage presence and how to front a band. Where were you born? I was born in the Portage Park area of Chicago. Are you self-taught? No. I took piano and then guitar lessons as a child. I also took jazz guitar lessons in high school and classical guitar lessons in college. As an adult, I also took acoustic blues guitar and slide guitar lessons at the Old Town School of Folk Music. I became a guitar teacher at the Old Town School and now I teach group fingerstyle and slide guitar classes. Who are your biggest influences? I have a lot of musical influences and really enjoy a lot of different types of music, where I draw my inspiration. I would say my biggest influences include female slide guitar players and singers that play traditional blues such as Bonnie Raitt and Rory Block. Male slide guitarists Johnny Winter and Eric Sardinas have also been big influences. Other female artists that I like include classic blues singers of the 1920’s such as Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey and Memphis Minnie. I also really enjoy traditional blues guitar and slide guitar players including Robert Johnson, Fred McDowell, Muddy Waters, and Furry Lewis. As far as songwriters, I like modern songwriters including Lyle Lovett and Lucinda Williams. What style of music do you consider yours? I consider myself a blues singer, songwriter and resonator guitar and slide guitar player. I love traditional blues and roots music. So, my songwriting tips the hat to the tradition while creating a modern and contemporary perspective in original blues and roots music. The songs and stories I write are relevant to how people feel today. What was your first gig? How old were you? I was 15 years old when I performed at my high school variety show with my all-girls band No Men Momentum. I played at piano recitals when I was about six or seven years old as well. What advice do you have for someone starting out in the music business? My advise is to put in effort to learn your instrument well and to write songs from the heart that mean something to you. Take the time to write good lyrics and have fun and enjoy yourself. Do you write your own songs? Yes. I’ve written 11 songs on my new album Bang at the Door which was released in late May 2021. The album was just nominated for best Acoustic Blues Album by the Blues Blast Music Awards. It includes a variety of acoustic blues style such as Delta Blues, country blues, Chicago blues, folk, country, ragtime, and New Orleans. The album has been played internationally and has been receiving rave reviews. What would people be surprised to hear that you have in your personal song collection? I love great guitar players of all styles, so I have songs ranging from rock to gypsie jazz to classical music. But mostly, I listen to acoustic blues music. What would you be doing if playing music was not an option? Spending more time with my husband. In addition to playing and writing music, I am also a guitar teacher and a licensed marriage therapist. So, I would be involved in that as well as spending more time with my husband, Tony, who I also play with in a duet. Besides your own songs, what is your favorite song to perform? Delta Blues and Hill Country Blues calls to me because it is such an emotional form of music. I love the slide guitar as well. I enjoy playing with my husband, Tony Nardiello, who plays acoustic guitar, sings and plays harmonica. He is also featured in two songs on my new album. I also enjoy playing with my trio (which includes Marc Edelstein on upright bass and Tony Wittrock on guitar and mandolin). My favorite song to perform is Death Letter Blues by Son House which made me want to learn how to play slide guitar and write heartfelt songs. |
AuthorHello, My name is Michael. I am into music, have been for over 48yrs. Big fan of all kinds of music, right now it has been the Blues for the last 10yrs. I do not play any instruments, But I very interested in the recording aspect of the industry. Have messed around with it a little and always learning new things about it. I have met many wonderful people because of Music.. Hope you enjoy my Blogs... In the last two years I have been producing House Concerts. I also in the past 2 years got to produce and engineer an album for a very good friend of mine from Sweden "Magpie". Archives
February 2024
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