When played by the masters, the blues are a dichotomy, born from suffering and sorrow, but also joyful, fun, and uplifting. Shemekia Copeland, the undisputed Queen of the Blues, is certainly one of those masters. Copeland stopped at the beautiful Infinity Hall in Hartford, CT while touring behind her Grammy nominated record Blame It On Eve and heated up a cold winter night with some hot blues. Scroll below for exclusive Shemekia Copeland photos and a review of the show.
Shemekia Copeland possesses one of the great voices in any genre, and the power of her voice was on full display throughout the evening. The set leaned heavily on Blame It On Eve and kicked off with “Broken High Heels”. The unusual configuration of her band immediately catches your attention. She fronts a 3-guitar attack that adds layers and depth to each song. Each guitarist brings a slightly different style and takes the lead at different times throughout the night.
Copeland’s voice is clearly the star of the show, but her buoyant personality drives the performance. Her funny, self-deprecating stories capture the audience’s attention and make her songs relatable to everyone in the theater. Shemekia Copeland has spent the majority of her life on stage, and it’s clear that is where she is most comfortable, she commands the stage but is secure enough to let her incredible band shine.
Copeland’s outspoken nature was present in many of the night’s songs. Tracks like “Blame it on Eve” take on women’s rights issues, “Walk Before I Ride” and “Tough Mother” tackle social problems, and “Clotilda’s On Fire” tells the story of the sunken slave trading ship. Those issues are just one facet of a Shemekia Copeland show, there is the foot-stomping fun of “Tell the Devil” and “Stand Up and Testify”, and the humor of “Wine O’ Clock”. Copeland also pays tribute to her father, the late bluesman Johnny Copeland, with his song “Nobody But You”.
Shemekia Copeland is a true treasure of American Music. She described herself as the “Susan Lucci of the Grammys” as she has been nominated many times without a win, Blame It On Eve could be her best work and certainly deserves to win each of its 3 nominations. Whatever the outcome of her Grammy nominations, Shemekia Copeland has already won the hearts of her fans and respect of her peers. She is a one-of-a-kind artist that is a living link between the legends of the blues and modern music.
