By Rosalind Cummings-Yeates
STRONG FOUNDATION
T
here ’ s nothing like music as a lens to examine world events . The current political and social state of the world is enough to overwhelm the most zen of individuals , but Shemekia Copeland has us covered . She slices through the horrors of this country ’ s current situation with an incisive look at the underlying issues on her gratifying new CD , America ’ s Child ( Alligator ). Always one to push musical boundaries while squarely rooted in the blues , Shemekia has crafted an album for today ’ s world of aggression , division and yes , hope .
Shemekia Copeland
It ’ s worth noting that the primary influence for this eclectic 12-track album isn ’ t the world but Shemekia ’ s toddler son , Johnny Lee Copeland . “ After having a child , I started thinking about the world I brought him into , how it actually is and how I wished it was and all the things he will have to go through ,” she explained in the liner notes . ‘ And to live in this world today , you have to have a strong foundation like I did to make it through .”
Shemekia ’ s foundation is indeed strong , musically and otherwise , as displayed on the range and topics on
America ’ s Child . She mixes Americana , country , and blues to reflect the American social and political landscape and how they are , of course , all connected . The opening track , the anthemic , ‘ I Ain ’ t Got Time For Hate ,” she whips up blues rock righteousness as she condemns prejudice and small-mindedness . “ Americans ” tosses in tongue-in-cheek humor while exploring the country ’ s legendary individuality : “ a hermaphrodite socialite / sipping on a cold bud light / Americans / still free to be / you and me / we ’ re walking / talking / contradictions / that ’ s what makes us beautiful .”
Recorded in Nashville with Americana musician Will Kimbrough , this CD has a different tone and feel than her previous seven offerings . The record dips from a hybrid , folksy sound to the more familiar blues intensity that Shemekia ’ s noted for . It ’ s like the tunes are symbolically representing the scattered depths of the country . There ’ s also a host of varied musical guests , including Emmylou Harris , John Prine , Mary Gauthier , and Rhiannon Giddens .
Standouts include the powerful blues ballad , “ Would You Take My Blood ,” where Shemekia belts about the inhumanity of racism and declares “ we ’ ll never stop the hatred / the killing and the pain / until we look inside and see / we are all the same .” This daddy ’ s girl always does her father proud when covering her blues icon father ’ s tune and she delivers on “ Promised Myself ,” a blues burner that has her unsuccessfully fighting off love and the shining “ Smoked Ham and Peaches ” which has Giddens supplying twangy African banjo on a tale of yearning for serenity . A duet with John Prine offers a
satisfying country blues number on “ Great Rain ,” and the quirky surprise of a Kinks tune turned into a bluesy good-time on “ I ’ m Not Like Everybody Else .” After all the fire and complexity , America ’ s Child ends with a lullaby , “ Go To Sleepy Little Baby ,” as a welcome respite from the world that will hopefully change for the better .
On October 19-21 , the South Side hosts the 2nd Annual Logan Center Bluesfest , brimming with innovative performances , poetry , exhibits , workshops , and discussions . With a jaw-dropping line-up that includes Grammy Award-nominated blues and folk singer Ruthie Foster , Grammy Award-winner , blues harpist Charlie Musselwhite , Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Tyheimba Jess , Tony Award-winning actor / director Ruben Santiago-Hudson , and Grammy-nominated harp master and festival founder , Billy Branch , the Logan Center Blues Fest is ushering the blues back to the South Side , where it originated . “ The story is that Billy Branch walked into the Logan , saw all this jazz being performed and got upset . You ’ re on the South Side , the birthplace of Chicago blues and it should be showcased . Through his proposal , this program was initiated ,” said Matthew Skoller , program director and Chicago blues musician . “ This festival is to preserve a national treasure , support local artists and to explore the intersection of blues with other African American art forms ,” he explained .
The fest will close out with a harp grand finale featuring Billy Branch , Matthew Skoller and Charlie Musselwhite . The Logan Center is located at 915 E . 60th St . Go to loganbluesfest . org for a detailed schedule .
545 Penny Road • South Barrington IL • ( 847 ) 428-0562 • corner of Old Sutton & Penny Rd • www . pennyroadpub . com • Open until 4AM
Coming Soon : Party Obvious , Push Button , Stevie Starlite , Fire The Canon , Unconstitutional , Tough Ombres , Tantric , Wayland , Rachels Bully , Faded Flannel , Boneshaker , Mudfish , Paralandra , Snakebite ( Whitesnake Tribute ), Dyers Eve , Blizzard of Oz , Bulletproof ,
SPECIALS SUNDAY THRU WED $ 2 Domestic Drafts TUESDAYS , WEDNESDAYS $ 2 Domestic Bottles SLAMMIN ' SATURDAYS $ 3 Pabst Blue Ribbon 16 oz cans $ 4 Beck Cans
Main Level Bookings Contact Kelly Boldt 847-754-6003 kellylyn @ comcast . net
18 illinoisentertainer . com october 2018
FRI OCT 5
Rock , Tribute Rock
The Last Great Riot
plus What ’ s Our Age Again and Smells Like Dave Grohl
Rowdy Souls .
SAT OCT 20
Rock , Hard Rock
Coverdogs
with Jailbreak
OCT 13 ROCKTOBERFEST
SAT OCT 6 Rock , Rhythm & Blues
Dave Weld
& The Imperial Blue Flames
plus Johnny and the Madmen
SUN OCT 21
Charity Ride and BBQ benefitting Little City Olympics
Music at 3pm Veilside
OCT 21 LITTLE CITY CHARITY RIDE
FRI OCT 12 Rock
Pipe Dream and Mad Love
FRI OCT 26 HALLOWEEN PARTY
Faded Flannel plus Breaking Badd and Straight Jacket Romance
SAT OCT 13
“ Rocktoberfest ” featuring Chicago Culinary Kitchen
My Metal Heart
and
The Hoodlums
SAT OCT 27
HALLOWEEN PARTY II
Dysfunctional Mariachi plus Kevin Lee and The Kings with Boneshaker
and Metalation
NOV 17 TANTRIC
FRI OCT 19 Rock Rex Manning Day
with Bulletproof
and Jekyll
SAT NOV 17
Holiday Rock Fest
Tantric
with Wayland
plus Talia
and Paralandra
ALL AGES & 21 + SHOWS available every Friday & Saturday on our Underground Stage - Please contact kellylyn @ comcast . net for booking info .