Wicked

Performer: Shemekia Copeland
Artist: Ruth Brown; Dona Oxford
Engineer: Jeff Basso; Jay Newland
Producer: Jimmy Vivino; John Hahn; Bruce Iglauer
Distributor: Ryko Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Shemekia Copeland, Ruth Brown (vocals); Arthur Neilson, Jimmy Vivino (guitar); Crispin Cioe (alto & baritone saxophones); Arno Hecht (tenor saxophone); Larry Etkin (trumpet); Robert Funk (trombone); Dona Oxford (electric piano); Brian Mitchell (keyboards); Michael Merritt, Eric King (bass); Barry Harrison, James Wormworth (drums); Fred Walcott (percussion); The Uptown Horns. Recorded at Sorcerer Sound and Studio 900, New York, New York and Digital Insight, Las Vegas, Nevada. WICKED was nominated for the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album. Personnel: Shemekia Copeland (vocals); Ruth Brown (vocals); Jimmy Vivino, Arthur Neilson (guitar); Crispin Cioe (alto saxophone, baritone saxophone); Arno Hecht (tenor saxophone); Laurence Etkin (trumpet); Robert Funk (trombone); Uptown Horns (horns); Do�a Oxford (electric piano); Brian Mitchell (keyboards); Barry Harrison, James Wormworth (drums); Fred Walcott (percussion). Audio Mixer: Jay Newland. Recording information: Digital Insight, Las Vegas, NV; Sorcerer SOund, New York, NY; Studio 900, New York, NY. Photographer: Steve Cook. Does genius run in the genes? In this case, definitely yes. Shemekia Copeland is the daughter of the late blues great, singer/guitarist Johnny Copeland, and though she's inherited her father's talent for the blues, she sings them her way. Copeland has a big, boisterous, swaggering, and slightly raspy voice--imagine a cross between Etta James and Bonnie Raitt--that draws inspiration from Southern gospel-drenched soul/R&B. On WICKED, she caresses the forlorn yet insistent "Love Scene," and righteously preaches the gospel in "Whole Lotta Water." Then she turns around with the strutting Memphis funk of "Not Tonight," the Dr. John-flavored wise-women duet with Ruth Brown "If He Moves His Lips," and the acoustic Delta-styled "Beat Up Guitar," running the gamut of the blues and its various offspring. Her band is tight and professional, applying the right touches of sizzling guitar, mellow Hammond B-3 organ, and snapping drums.

CMJ (9/25/00, p.32) - "...Blues-rock's latest diva...revealing her to be a master of several styles..." Down Beat (11/00, p.68) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Determinedly self-confident and innately musical, blessed with a strong gale of a voice that never skimps on emotional authenticity..." Living Blues (11-12/00, pp.60-1) - "...Another hot-blooded set sure to further Shemekia's trajectory to the top of the contemporary blues firmament..." Mojo (Publisher) (3/01, p.102) - "...Stuffed with arresting songs....Skeptics will be confounded by [her] confidence and versatility..."

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