"Holy Waters" Donna Ulisse: a review by Gary Robertson

To most of the readers of this journal Donna Ulisse is not a a readily recognized name.  My hope is to change that perspective by the end of this review.  I first "met" Donna by email when I was booking groups to play the "Night Owl Concerts" at the IBMA "World of Bluegrass."  My goals were to try to book at least one act that was pretty well known to attract folks into my showcase venue and then to book lesser known talent so they would have a chance to be heard.  Having never heard of Donna Ulisse, I had considered her as one of the lesser known talent.  Lesser known may have been true, but this young woman has a great talent for not only singing great Bluegrass,but also for writing great Bluegrass songs.  Now, I want to tell you all about her new project, an all Gospel effort, with all of the songs written or co-written by Donna herself with the exception of one song.  We'll get to that one later.

The first song on "Holy Waters" is a very Bluegrassy and medium to up tempo song entitled "Caney Creek to Canaan Land."  The message of this song is simply that it's not necessary to leave home to find Jesus because He is wherever you are.  Track 2 is entitled "He Will"  which tells of the promise that Jesus will be with you all the time.  "He Will" is a slower song sung with complete conviction and assurance that Donna believes what she sings.  "Crazy World," the 3rd track, is a driving medium tempo song telling of how sometimes things around us can distract us from our faith.  All of the musicians ; Andy Leftwich on Fiddle, Rob Ickes on Dobro, Scott Vestal on Banjo and Keith Sewell on Guitar, get a chance to stretch out their talents with nice interaction as they weave their instruments together at the end of "Crazy World."  Track 4, "To My Soul I Do" begins with Donna as she prays to her Lord in song accompanied by strong and respectful instrumental back up.  Track 5 is the title song of the CD project, "Holy Waters."  "Holy Waters" is relatively slow in tempo, but full of life as a song speaking of how the singer's life is full of the Holy Spirit, through "Holy Waters."  "You Need to Know," (track 6) is a nice medium tempo song explaining that to get through this life to the next there is but One "You Need to Know."  Remember, all of these songs, but one, are from the pen of Donna Ulisse, as is track 7, "A Promise That He Made."  This is a very pretty, slow to medium tempo song that speaks of her personal relationship with her Savior.  "Cover Me" (track 8) is a strong medium tempo song that asks that God protect her through her trials of life.  I think it's important to say that while Donna has surrounded herself with some of the very best musicians in the Bluegrass world, those musicians realize they are there for one purpose.  That purpose is the support Donna and make her songs the best they can be, which I can assure you they do.  Donna tells her friends that she and they will walk together in Heaven, "High In The Sky." This tune, instrumentally, has the happy feel that the message of the song conveys.  Now we get to the one song on this project that was not written by Donna.  Track 10 is the great Carter Stanley song, "Who Will Sing for Me."  Donna has made this song her very own by her interpretation of it.  Oh, Carter's words are there, as strong as ever, but Donna's heartfelt rendition of them are as powerful as this listener has ever heard.  "New Day in Heaven" is the singer's prayer to her Lord to allow her to die peacefully and to awaken in Heaven with her loved ones.  "Lord I'm Yours" opens with a very Bluegrassy Banjo kick off followed by great instrumental riffs by the band members as Donna sings reminding us all we need to go to get life eternal is to raise our hands up and cry , "I'm Yours."  The last song on "Holy Waters" is a short and very beautiful song/prayer praising and thanking, "My Jesus."

So there you have it, a wonderful CD filled with songs that I believe will become part of the Bluegrass Gospel repertoire of bands all through the Bluegrass world.  If you are looking for an album filled with great Gospel songs sung by a great singer, then this CD is the one you want.  I promise you will be pleased.  Donna will begin a tour schedule on April 9th.  There is only one show that comes close to Central Virginia.  That show will be at the Uptown Coffee Cafe in Victoria, Virginia on July 2nd.  I plan to attend; perhaps you will join me.

From Donna's web site:

Friday, July 2nd, 2010/ 7:00 p.m.

Uptown Coffee Cafe

1812 Main Street, Victoria, VA 23974

434-696-3600

http://www.myspace.com/uptowncoffeecafe

Donna and The Poor Mountain Boys will be doing two 40 minutes shows at this charming family owned cafe starting at 7:00 p.m. Advance tickets will be sold through the cafe during business hours which are: Mon-Thursday 7:30am-3:30pm, Friday 7:30am-9pm, Saturday 8am-3pm, Closed Sunday. Tickets are $10.00 each. Call the cafe for more information at the number listed here. Advance tickets are recommended as seating is limited.