Personnel include: Shemekia Copeland (vocals); Dobie Gray (vocals); Steve Cropper, Bob Britt, Reggie Wooten (guitar); Jim Horn (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Harvey Thompson (tenor saxophone); Steve Patrick (trumpet); Charles Rose (trombone); Muscle Shoals Horns (horns); Eddie Gore (piano); Chuck Leavell, Felix Cavaliere (keyboards); Carl Marsh (synthesizer); David Santos, Shake Anderson, John Billings (bass guitar); Chester Thompson , Steve Potts (drums); Tom Roady (percussion); Lisa Cochran, Mark Williams (background vocals). Recording information: 2005. The daughter of legendary blues guitarist/singer Johnny Copeland, vocalist Shemekia Copeland forged her own sound on her first two Alligator releases, and raised her artistic profile even further with 2002's TALKING TO STRANGERS, which was produced by New Orleans icon Dr. John. That record's follow-up, THE SOUL TRUTH, sticks with the theme of top-notch producers by enlisting R&B session-man extraordinaire Steve Cropper. In addition to his duties behind the boards, Cropper contributes his spare-yet-fiery guitar lines to almost every track here. Copeland's bold, full-bodied vocals work wonderfully with Cropper's unmistakable playing, and, on most tunes, these key elements blend with tight rhythms and boisterous horns. Highlights of THE SOUL TRUTH include the funky "Better Not Touch," the rollicking "You Can't Have That," and the closing number, "Something Heavy," which features only Copeland's yearning voice and Cropper's acoustic guitar. This is 21st-century blues that hearkens back to 1960s and '70s soul, and the combination proves to be yet another impressive step in Copeland's own building legacy.
Disc 1: Breakin Out Who Stole My Radio? Poor, Poor Excuse All About You Better Not Touch Strong Enough You Cant Have That See You In Your Dreams Givin Up You Used Honey Do That Voo-Doo Something Heavy