Personnel: Shemekia Copeland, Ruth Brown (vocals); Arthur Neilson, Jimmy Vivino (guitar); Crispin Cioe (alto & baritone saxophones); Arno Hecht (tenor saxophone); Larry Etkin (trumpet); Robert Funk (trombone); Dona Oxford (electric piano); Brian Mitchell (keyboards); Michael Merritt, Eric King (bass); Barry Harrison, James Wormworth (drums); Fred Walcott (percussion); The Uptown Horns. Recorded at Sorcerer Sound and Studio 900, New York, New York and Digital Insight, Las Vegas, Nevada. WICKED was nominated for the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album. Does genius run in the genes? In this case, definitely yes. Shemekia Copeland is the daughter of the late blues great, singer/guitarist Johnny Copeland, and though she's inherited her father's talent for the blues, she sings them her way. Copeland has a big, boisterous, swaggering, and slightly raspy voice--imagine a cross between Etta James and Bonnie Raitt--that draws inspiration from Southern gospel-drenched soul/R&B. On WICKED, she caresses the forlorn yet insistent "Love Scene," and righteously preaches the gospel in "Whole Lotta Water." Then she turns around with the strutting Memphis funk of "Not Tonight," the Dr. John-flavored wise-women duet with Ruth Brown "If He Moves His Lips," and the acoustic Delta-styled "Beat Up Guitar," running the gamut of the blues and its various offspring. Her band is tight and professional, applying the right touches of sizzling guitar, mellow Hammond B-3 organ, and snapping drums.
Disc 1: It's 2 A.M. Not Tonight Love Scene Other Woman Whole Lotta Water Beat Up Guitar Miss Hy Ciditty Up On 1-2-5 Wild, Wild Women Fool You're Looking For If He Moves His Lips Steamy Windows It's My Own Tears