Shemekia Copeland
Turn The Heat Up (Alligator)
Though she turned only 19 in April, Shemekia Copeland, daughter of the late Texas blues guitarist Johnny Copeland, made a strong impression at this year’s Chicago Blues Festival with her gale-force singing. On her debut album, Copeland’s ample power, unique style, vibrant emotional palette and intuitive grasp of the genre belie her age. Especially stunning is Copeland’s ability to knock slow-burning tunes out of the park. She brings a gospel-tinged sadness to “Salt in My Wounds,” and embraces her father’s melancholy “Ghetto Child” as if it were her own. The album’s more playful moments also succeed and bring a welcome balance to the disc, especially Copeland’s gutsy duet with Joe Louis Walker, the shuffling “My Turn Baby.” One minor complaint: The album’s production tends to evoke a slick tourist-blues feel. Something grittier would fit Copeland’s voice and style perfectly.