Customer Reviews

Never Going Back

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I recently saw Shemekia perform "Never Going Back to Memphis" on Letterman's show which led me to buy the CD.

As far as I'm concerned this has some of the best blues songs I've heard. I especially enjoyed "Sounds Like the Devil", "Dirty Water" as well as "Never Going Back to Memphis". Shemekia's soulful and smoky voice paints fascinating pictures in these songs. These are Blues with an up-tempo rhythm.

The other thing I loved is the instruments behind her. You feel like you are in a small room with just her and a few great blues instrumentalists. I don't quite know how to say it except that the sound is "clean" without a lot of processing. In a way it reminds me of the old Sun studio sound - but of course a different venue and better recording capabilities.

The middle tracks run a bit more down-tempo and have a jazz/blues type sound. They aren't my favorites - But they make for a good ride through the CD.

Five HUGE Stars!! WOW!! Multi-"W.C. Handy award"-winning Shemekia Copeland rocks the blues!! In what may be her best recording yet, this 29 year-old blues-belting queen is on fire, singing with a verve & power well beyond her years. Daughter of blues legend Johnny Clyde Copeland, she gives a virtuoso demonstration of the versatility of one of America's greatest musical art forms, tossing R&B, soul, jazz, country, rock, folk, gut-bucket, and ballads into the mix for diversity. Aided by a wonderful backup group and very adept 'pitch-riding' background vocals, Ms Copeland is nothing short of sensational, sending the powerful message that the blues can be sad but it doesn't have to be depressing: it can even be inspiring.

The 'best of the best' begins with Shemekia's loping, intense "Sounds Like The Devil" and then 'doubling down', there is the smoldering gut-bucket "Dirty Water" that has some intense guitar backing and rocking bass and drum. Then there is the touching, gentle blues "Black Crow" (which went straight to my iPod) and "Never Going Back to Memphis" is marvelous with an electric guitar solo that pours on the heat. "Born a Penny" and "Limousine" are radio-ready. And "The Truth is the Light", the venerable "River's Invitation", and the inspirational duo "Rise Up" and "Circumstances" keep up the level of this CD's excellence. Huge 'props' to the arranger and the hard-swinging backup groups that are perfect setups for Ms Copeland's dazzling blues artistry. She has "a want and a need" to sing and it shows. Shemekia Copeland is the real deal!! My HIghest Recommendation. Five BLUESY Stars! (This review is based on an iTunes Plus download. DO NOT trust the sound samples, they don't even scratch the surface of this great music.)

Telarc Records is well known as one of the leading producers of independent roots and blues music. Thus it is no surprise that this new release by Shemekia Copeland is top-notch in every way.

Shemekia sings with clear diction and carefully controlled dynamics. Her intonation is excellent, and she has a good control over microtonal intervals. She is primarily a straight-ahead singer with a strong voice and does not need to lean on a lot of frilly decorations.

The recording quality is excellent and so are the backing musicians. I especially like the well-rounded guitar work of Oliver Wood, who easily navigates the impressive variety of styles included here. Overall, the songs have modern blues overtones, but there are also shades of funky blues; vintage-style R&B; Old Mississippi blues sounds, and gospel-style blues.

Telarc is doing a good job bridging the gap between traditional and modern blues styles. This is a good recording by talented, veteran musicians.

When I first saw Shemekia back around 1998 it was in a smoke filled ally bar on the great plains. She has the best young voice in the blues. This album is by far her best. The song Never Going Back to Memphis is worth the cost of the album alone. She paints a beautiful picture with her voice. If you ever get a chance to see her in person do! Also, there is a dvd on netflx of her in concert. The production quality is not great and it is only 1 hour long, but it is worth watching if you can.

As I listened to track #6 of this album, a cover of Joni Mitchell's "Black Crow," and listened to Chris Wood's cool bass groove, I involuntarily shouted out, "Groovy!" Then I chastized myself for being so "hopelessly '60's."

But actually, "groovy" fits. This c.d. is a recreation of the blues, soul, funk and r & b groove of the 1960's-early 1970's, predominantly "Stax Records" and "Muscle Shoals"-types of sound (without horns). Producer and main instrumentalist (guitar) Oliver Wood has gone for that sound, and it absolutely works here.

Check out "Never Going Back to Memphis," for example, where Wood's twangy guitar sounds like "Spies in the Night" from "Dr. No." Or consider "Big Brand New Religion," where Wood lays out a lick that I vividly recall from Ian Whitcomb's "You Turn Me On," ca. 1965. This c.d. is very definitely a '60's retro.

And as for Ms. Copeland, she is quite reminiscent of Mavis Staples. She sings with a little bit more restraint than that (as well as a little bit more restraint than two similar contemporaries, Bettye Lavette and Candi Staton), but restraint is not such a bad thing in this case. The whole production sounds quite musical. Shemekia Copeland can shout, without straining.

And I have to say, although it's not my favorite track on the disc, the hook of "The Truth is the Light" has wormed its way into my brain, and simply won't let go.

I'm surprised and pleased to see Telarc get into this line of music. Telarc is one of the best jazz labels out there, and lending its name and its sound to the blues can only be a good thing.

Bottom line: This is one of the most enjoyable discs of 2009 so far. Whether it proves to be one of the best of the year is yet to be seen; but it is 5 stars in my book, any year. RC

All I can say is this woman can SING. If you love the blues, but enjoy a modern--dare I say--happy twist, you will love this album. Coming from Blues royalty, she keeps the family tradition alive by making goose bumps rise on your skin with the texture and quality of her voice.

I can't speak with the eloquence of the other reviewers, so I'll just say that this album is excellent. I especially like the songs "Black Crow" and "Never Going Back to Memphis". I started liking Shemekia Copeland when I heard her song "Its 2am" (not on this album). Her strong voice can back you up against the wall sometimes, but this album shows a lot of vocal versatility. Her lyrics are always earthy and clever. I hope she comes to Dallas soon. I'd love to see her in concert. Thanks Shemekia. Good job!

I heard Ms. Copeland do a very impressive set on David Dye's "World Cafe," featuring songs from her new album, "Never Going Back." I was particularly impressed with the title track.

So I invested in the album, and I am even more impressed. A great voice, wonderfully restrained at times, and at full, rock-the-house throttle when she needs to be. This is a fine album by a rising blueswoman, who brings a new voice and new interpretation to both old songs (Joni Mithcell's 'BlackCrow;' the traditional 'I'm So Lonesome') and songs new to me, like 'Sounds Like the Devil' and 'Dirty Water.'

But it's the title cut that got under my skin. It's a classic.

Very good stuff. Highly recommended.

What happened to that raw powered powerhouse woman I love to hear. This CD Shemekia has really gotten away from the blues I am so used to hear from her. Too quiet and too mellow.

3 1/2*****

A conscious effort to smooth out the rough edges of this wondrous lady has resulted in a mixed bag. Ms. Copeland has always sung some pretty derivative material yet her powerful emoting delivery always pushed her stylings to an unexpected place. This time with Oliver Wood producing it looks like all involved are looking for that elusive crossover hit. Yes, she is singing in a more refined style. It's certainly an eclectic set of songs. "Born A Penny" is pretty funky stuff. "Limousine" has a pretty cool New Orleans vibe. Her cover of Joni Mitchell's "Black Crow" is an interesting take on the original. So what does it all mean? Once again a mixed bag. Shemekia sounds wonderful, with a powerful group playing behind her but she's much less raucous this time around.