New Blues Review Labor Day Version
Author: Jack Roy
Shemekia Copeland – Blame It On Eve (Alligator)
Bio – “Award-winning blues, soul and Americana singer Shemekia Copeland possesses one of the most instantly recognizable and deeply soulful roots music voices of our time. She is beloved worldwide for the fearlessness, honesty and humor of her revelatory music, as well as for delivering each song she performs with unmatched passion. Copeland — winner of the 2021 Blues Music Award for B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year— connects with her audience on an intensely personal level, taking them with her on what The Wall Street Journal calls “a consequential ride” of “bold and timely blues.” NPR Music says Shemekia sings with “punchy defiance and potent conviction.” The Houston Chronicle describes her songs as “resilient pleas for a kinder tomorrow.” On her Alligator album, Done Come Too Far, Copeland continues the story she began telling on 2018’s groundbreaking America’s Child and 2020’s Grammy-nominated Uncivil War, reflecting her vision of America’s past, present and future. On Done Come Too Far, she delivers her hard-hitting musical truths through her eyes, those of a young American Black woman, a mother, and a wife. But she likes to have a good time too, and her music reflects that, at times putting her sly sense of humor front and center. “This album was made by all sides of me — happy, sad, silly, irate — they’re all a part who I am and who we all are. I’m not political. I’m just talking about what’s happening in this country.” And she doesn’t hold back. Recorded in Nashville and produced by multi-instrumentalist/songwriter Will Kimbrough (who also produced her previous two albums), Done Come Too Far is Copeland at her charismatic, passionate, confrontational best. With singular purpose and simmering power, Copeland unleashes the searing, history-fueled tracks Too Far To Be Gone (featuring Sonny Landreth on scorching slide guitar) and Done Come Too Far (with Grammy-winner Cedric Burnside duetting and playing Mississippi Hill Country blues guitar). “If you think we’re stopping,” she sings in both songs, “you got it wrong.” On The Talk, Copeland shares the brutally honest, harrowing reality of a Black mother talking with her son about surviving an encounter with the police (with the great Charles Hodges of the famed Hi Rhythm Section on pulsating B-3 organ). On the all-t00-timely Pink Turns To Red (written and recorded prior to the May 2022 Uvalde, Texas school shooting), Copeland decries America’s gun violence epidemic.”
Review – Shemekia has always had that amazing blues voice and tone and can sing anything. This newest CD showcases her voice with slow ballad Blues and Rocking Blues and even a little Gospel for such a diverse Album. Supplied by the excellent song writing of Will Kimbrough and John Hahn, Shemekia kills it with an amazing band of Will Kimbrough on Guitar and Organ, Percussion and Mandolin, Lex Price on Bass and Pete Abbott on Drums. Luther Dickinson on guitar of “Blame It On Eve” and “Tough Mother”, Jerry Douglas on Lap Steel on Cadillac Blue and Tee Tot Payne and the excellent vocals of Alejandro Escovedo on “Is There Anybody Up There?”. The whole album is excellent but6 I think my favorite on this CD is “Tell The Devil”, with sacred steel virtuoso DaShawn Hickman, listen here. I will give this a 10++ on Blues Content and a 10++ on Music Content.
Jovin Webb – Drifter (Blind Pig)
Bio – “Webb quickly gained widespread recognition in 2020 for his appearances on ABC’s American Idol, amassing tens of thousands of fans on various social media platforms. Back home, he’s been a prominent fixture on the music scene from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, performing 5-6 shows per week for the past few years. Jeff Schroedl of Blind Pig Records says, “Jovin’s music radiates soulful Louisiana blues, and his combination of passion, talent, and heart is contagious. We’re extremely excited to welcome him to the label and look forward to supporting his growth as an artist, writer, and performer.” Webb hopes to honor the rich tradition of blues and soul music that has inspired him since he was a young boy playing drums in the gospel band of his local Baptist church. “I’ve waited all my life for this opportunity and am honored to team up with Blind Pig. This is just the beginning and I’m looking forward to many years of creating and sharing music with y’all.” R&B legend Lionel Richie, after hearing Webb for the first time said, “This is what barbecue sauce sounds like,” and country music star Luke Bryan commented, “I could sit and drink a lot of bourbon listening to that voice.” Webb, in addition to his exceptional vocal ability and drumming background, also plays harmonica, guitar, and piano.”
Review – With a Voice that reminds me of Luther Allison and the musical ability to play many instruments, Jovin Webb is set to be a superstar in the Blues, if he stays there. I loved this whole album, even though it drifted from Blues a little bit, it still had that Bluesy feel through out. Jovin provides amazing Vocals and Harmonica on this new release, with Tom Hambridge on Drums (He also produced the album), Kenny Greenberg on Guitar, Mike Rojas on Piano and Rob Cureton on Bass. Tom Hambridge joined Jovin to write most of the songs on this CD with notable stand outs for me were “Drunk On Your Love”, the funny lyrics of “Wig On Wrong”, “Born Under A Bad Sign” and “Blues For a Reason”. I think my favorite on this CD is “Bottom of a Bottle”, with some amazing slide guitar, listen here. I will give this a 10 ++ on Blues Content and a 10++on Music Content.
Jontavious Willis – West Georgia Blues (Strolling Bones)
Bio – “Jontavious was born and raised in rural Georgia, an environment with deep cultural roots that provides the inspiration he has continuously drawn upon to create his unique sound. He spent much of his childhood singing Gospel music at the Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church with his grandfather, which provided him his first setting to perform for an audience. An early phenom, his passion for the Blues was sparked at age 14 when he came across a YouTube video of Muddy Waters playing “Hoochie Coochie Man.” He achieved widespread acclaim when living legend Taj Mahal invited Jontavious to accompany him onstage in 2015, with Taj describing him as his “Wonderboy.” Jontavious was invited to open for Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ during their joint TajMo tour in 2018, giving him an opportunity to present his work on a national stage. Blue Metamorphosis, his acoustic debut album released in 2016, garnered rave reviews in Living Blues and Blues & Rhythm and won the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge 2018 Award for Best Self-Produced CD. His Grammy-nominated sophomore album, Spectacular Class, sees Jontavious survey an array of Blues styles with lively ensemble performances. Jontavious features prominently in solo shows and festivals across the world, sharing his unique blend of time-honored yet modern, intellectual yet danceable Blues with all.”
Review – I am not sure what I like more about Jontavious, his voice, his guitar playing or his calmness when performing. It was like it is part of his DNA, as natural as walking down an old dirt road. He has definitely done his homework on his approach to the traditional blues. This newest album continues on his journey of representing the past. The whole album is perfect, would not change a thing. All the songs on this album were written by Jontavious, but borrowed from so many in the past. Some of the highlights of the highlights were the title song “West Georgia Blues” an acapella tune that is very captivating, “Broken Hearted Blues” you can really hear the pain in his voice, “Ghost Women”, and “Who’s Gonna Hear It?” but I think my favorite on this CD is “Squirlin’ Mama”, mostly because it is different than any of his other tunes with a ragtime feel listen here. I will give this a 10++ on Blues Content and a 10++ on Music Content.
