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SHEMEKIA COPELAND
The Soul Truth Alligator Records
***

Does the name ring a bell? Shemekia is the daughter of the late Johnny Copeland, one of the key post-war Texan blues guitarists. Yet this is an average affair, despite the fact that it is produced by the famed Steve Cropper and features a host of fine musicians. Shemekia is a reasonable blues/soul shouter in the Etta James tradition but on this, her fourth album, she doesn't always live the songs, doesn't give them the kind of added value they require. Yet there is much to enjoy - the punchy brass, the excellent rhythm section and, of course, Cropper's trademark guitar. Check out one of the better tracks, Who Stole My Radio?, with its passionate recollection of days gone by. www.alligator.com

Joe Breen