JOHNNY COLLA

“Lucky Devil”

Way Out West Recording

Johnny Colla’s name, and his vast talent, should come as no surprise to fans of Huey Lewis and the News, where Colla has functioned as a multi-hit songwriter, guitarist and sax player for more than 20 years. What may be surprising, after listening to this, Colla’s first solo project, is that is took him so long to put out such a great record.

Colla’s career began with Van Morrison and then Sly & the Family Stone, making a name for himself in the Bay Area. He joined Lewis in the late Seventies, and is the co-writer of such well known hits, almost standards by this time, as “The Heart of Rock and Roll,” “Power of Love,” “Workin’ for a Livin’,” and “If This Is It.” Anyone who has seen the News, live, can testify to Colla’s solid musicianship and stage presence, as well.

On “Lucky Devil,” fans of the up tempo side of the News will rejoyce to “Time Ain’t Money,” which was co-written with Lewis, “Let’s Start with Love,” and “The New Romeo.” But, for such a stellar rocker, the real revelation of this record is how much of Colla’s more mellow and heartfelt side comes out, particularly on “Hold on You,” “Over and Over,” and the final track, the magnificent “Where are the Words?,” which has big time hit written all over it.

Colla’s certainly has done, and continues to do, some fine work with Lewis & the News, and now we’re all “lucky” that he’s doing it on his own, as well.

The CD is available from his web site at www.johnnycolla.com.

- Mark T. Gould

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