Deluxe Edition: Shemekia Copeland

Young singing sensation Shemekia Copeland possesses one of the most mighty and distinguished voices on the global music scene today. Quite frankly, she is a master of the greatest instrument – the human voice. She signed with Alligator Records when she turned 18 and proceeded to make four albums for them before departing Alligator after 2005’s The Soul Truth. It’s wonderful to hear the finest selections from the four CDs that spawned the biggest blues explosion in contemporary times. Her explosive vocals do not growl like Koko Taylor, but they sure can produce a full-throated roar. Miraculously, her vocals can sound sweet, mean, and tender – all at the same time. Copeland has been gifted with a remarkable talent for baring her soul via vocal expression. Experience it for yourself on her masterpiece the magnificent Ghetto Child (originally written, recorded, and performed by her father), which will send shivers down your back. Like a great actress, she takes on the role of the song’s protagonist. Here, angst and oppression culminate to spur the listener into a state of passionate empathy for the main character. A combination of funk, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll is heard on Who Stole My Radio? The captivating lyrics describe why most of us turned off the radio years ago. Quite purposely, the melody is extremely radio friendly. Copeland won a Blues Music Award for her rocking anthem It’s 2 A.M. It may well be the best blues/rock song of the twenty-first Century to date. Don’t Whisper is a ballad that tears out your heart because it reflects reality. Here, Copeland’s affectionate voice acts as the conscience of a spineless lover. You will feel many emotions after listening to these 16 poignant songs. Throughout 67 riveting minutes, Shemekia Copeland refuses to be pigeonholed into one specific genre though fans and listeners tend to classify her as blues. Copeland dominated the better part of the 2000s and this CD confirms why. If you don’t have any Ms. Copeland in your collection, this is all you’ll need (for now).

I first saw her touring with buddy guy when she was18-19! This is a great collection of some of her best songs. The show stopper Ghetto child, and steel guitar shemekia classic beat up old guitar, it's 2 am,the soulful don't whisper, salt in my wounds, and the rocking your mamma's talking are a few of my favorites on this album. But don't just download this album, you will miss so much, download wicked( my personal favorite-probably because I've had so long to love it), turn up the heat, and talking to strangers. A star in her own right, start listening to her if you love Etta, or koko, if you enjoyed her father johnny, or just love the blues! Down load this album now and begin your lifetime love affair with shemekia.

Great collection to listen to then buy everything else of her's including Never going back to Memphis.Such power she never fails to deliver ,she had a radio show also on sirius the blues channel and was great looking forward to the next album

Shemekia Copeland follows in the tradition of blues divas Koko Taylor and Etta James. This Deluxe Edition is a great representation of her body of work. She can travel the road from gravelly barrelhouse blues to subtle and forlorn with ease. She is a true talent.