The daughter of legendary blues guitarist/singer Johnny Copeland, vocalist Shemekia Copeland forged her own sound on her first two Alligator releases, and raised her artistic profile even further with 2002's TALKING TO STRANGERS, which was produced by New Orleans icon Dr. John. That record's follow-up, THE SOUL TRUTH, sticks with the theme of top-notch producers by enlisting R&B session-man extraordinaire Steve Cropper. In addition to his duties behind the boards, Cropper contributes his spare-yet-fiery guitar lines to almost every track here. Copeland's bold, full-bodied vocals work wonderfully with Cropper's unmistakable playing, and, on most tunes, these key elements blend with tight rhythms and boisterous horns. Highlights of THE SOUL TRUTH include the funky "Better Not Touch," the rollicking "You Can't Have That," and the closing number, "Something Heavy," which features only Copeland's yearning voice and Cropper's acoustic guitar. This is 21st-century blues that hearkens back to 1960s and '70s soul, and the combination proves to be yet another impressive step in Copeland's own building legacy.
Recording information: Insomnia Studios.
Photographer: Larry Busacca.
Personnel: Shemekia Copeland (background vocals); Shemekia Copeland (vocals); Regi Wooten, Reggie Wooten (guitar); Steve Patrick (trumpet); Muscle Shoals Horns (horns); Eddie Gore (piano); Felix Cavaliere (organ, keyboards); David Santo, Sam "Shake" Anderson, John Billings (bass guitar); Tom Hambridge (background vocals); Dobie Gray (vocals); Bob Britt (guitar, slide guitar); Steve Cropper (guitar, electric sitar, background vocals); Jim Horn (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, bass saxophone); Harvey Thompson (tenor saxophone); Charles Rose (trombone); Carl Marsh (organ, synthesizer); Chuck Leavell (keyboards); Chester Thompson , Steve Potts (drums); Tom Roady (shaker, percussion); Mark Williams , Lisa Cochran (background vocals).
Audio Mixer: Steve Cropper.
Living Blues (p.36) - "The results are sonically fantastic and the songs...boast memorable hooks....Copeland isn't acting the vintage revivalist as much as she's reclaiming the lost art of traditional R&B music..." Mojo (Publisher) (p.60) - Ranked #3 in Mojo's "Top Ten Blues Albums Of 2005." Mojo (Publisher) (p.116) - 3 stars out of 5 - "[S]he powers her way through an array of soul-blues struts and ballads....The back-ups are generally as blistering as anything to emerge from Stax or Muscle Shoals."
Excellent, marvelous voice, extremely well maid I "discovered" Shemekia Copeland about 2 months ago, by listening to the Sirius Satellite Radio, blues station. She has a wonderful, soulful, energetic voice that catches attention very quickly. Since then I pourchased the "Soul Truth" album and had a chance to listened to her previous releases liked "Wicked" and "Turn the Heat up". In my views, its the bst, most polished CD Miss Copeland made so far, and I beleive that the producer, Steve Cropper has a lot to do with this. In my viewe every track here is a hit and it's obvious that Shemekia worked a great deal to improve her voice,r which is now much more mature, cleare, better volume and body than in her previous recordings. I am confident that Miss Copeland has a very bright future as an artist and blues performer. Excellent CD! Submitted by dinub (Everett, WA, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Waht a Voice Over the years my collection has seemed to center around exploring the female voice. Always, looking for new voices that engage
my heart and mind, I happened up Shemeka's first album via a music review. Now, with SOUL TRUTH her great rich voice is matched with great rich material. Her gutsy spirit was much appreciated midst the shock and outrage of Katrina--"Whole stole my Radio?!" Get this. Follow her. Submitted by judy (Washington, DC USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
RE: out of her element I first caught glimpse of Shemekia on the dvd; 'Lightnin in a Bottle',and she blew me away, as one of the few new blues artists, keeping the torch lit.
So, what the heck is she doin with a buncha horns and funky monkey-junk on this cd?
I wanted some 'blues'! Especially coming from Alligator Records.
Put the girl back in the church and let her wail.
Her talent is grand.
But, its wasted with arrangements and tunes like this.
Submitted by LX Skye (Southern Utah) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Her worst record This record makes her sound below average. She can be one of the greats. Listen to any of her other DVDs. I hope Shemekia now knows she is a soulful blues singer. I love the title but where is the soul and blues....too little soul and blues. I hope her next record tell a story...maybe one half of the DVD she can be the wife....the other half the lover Submitted by John (Willingboro, nj) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Talent? The blues music is excellent and it would be a very good album if it was sung by someone else. I heard the 4th track on our local NPR station and purchased the album based on the lyrics from that cut.
It's unfortunate that no one has told her she can't sing. She sounds like my dog howling, and he did when I played the CD. Submitted by James (Pittsburgh, PA.) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Excellent, marvelous voice, extremely well maid
Waht a Voice
RE: out of her element
Her worst record
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