Uncivil War
Alligator Records
It is amazing to see how it has only been 22 years since Shemekia Copeland's first album came out. Indeed, the promise of that album has been fulfilled many times as she is generally regarded as today's Queen of the Blues. But as she has matured, she has shown that being viewed as a blues artist is no longer a confining description as she readily and convincingly crosses over to musical genres. It can be suggested that her latest album "Uncivil War" is as much a roots and soul recording as a blues recording. This sentiment is a descriptive comment and not a comment on this recording's quality. "Uncivil War" is a superb recording.
"Uncivil War" was recorded in Nashville with award-winning producer and musician Will Kimbrough at the helm. There is quite a crew of musicians on this recording. In addition to Kimbrough, the core band consists of Lex Price on bass and Pete Abbott on drums. Guest musicians on "Uncivil War" include guitarists Jason Isbell, Steve Cropper, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, Webb Wilder, and Duane Eddy. Also present are mandolin wizard Sam Bush, dobro master Jerry Douglas, and Phil Madeira on organ and guitar.
The material is striking, starting with the opening "Clotilda's On Fire," written by Kimbrough and Shemekia's manager John Hahn. It is the story of the very last slave trade ship to arrive in America (in Mobile Bay, Alabama) in 1859, 50 years after the slave trade was banned. The ship was burned and sunk by the captain to destroy the evidence. The wreckage was finally discovered in 2019. Shemekia's passionate singing is matched by the backing than includes a scorching solo from Jason Isbell. Then follows a terrific Staple Singers-esque message song, "Walk Until I Ride," with Shemekia in total command. I do feel there is a certain naivety to the lyric of the title track. However, Copeland authoritatively delivers the message of cooling down hostilities with folks having differing views. Jerry Douglas and Sam Bush lend an American feel to this track.
"Money Makes You Ugly" is a hard rock performance where she wails about those with money who abuse folks and the environment with a searing guitar solo by Christone "Kingfish" Ingram. There is an affectionate tribute to Dr. John, "Dirty Saint," with a second line beat and some nifty slide guitar from Kimbrough. After an atmospheric cover The Rolling Stones' "Under My Thumb," there is the hard rock "Apple Pie And A .45" that addresses gun violence with lyrics about a child getting killed and blood running in the streets.
Other musical delights include "She Don't Wear Pink" that Webb Wilder co-wrote. Wilder and Duane Eddy add to the alternative country feel of a song with a definite pro-feminist slant. Shemekia is superb in her interpretation of a lesser-known Junior Parker recording, "In the Dark." Steve Cropper adds his guitar to a superlative blues performance. A terrific country-soul flavored rendition of her father's "Love Song" is the final track on an outstanding recording by one of our musical treasures.
I received a download to review from Alligator Records. Here is "Clotilda's On Fire" from this album.
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