Shemekia Copeland
Talking To Strangers
Alligator 4887
Released - 2002
visit Shemekia's website
also available on CD Universe
This disc, which has Dr. John at the controls as a producer, brings together a mix that brings out the best for all those concerned and involved with this project. There is no weakness here, it is a straight-ahead use of all the strengths of this daughter of Johnny Copeland. The songs were well selected to effectively show off all her potency as a vocalist. There are some many good writers that are also players on this disc that the tunes fit like gloves. There are strong contributions by Fingers Hahn, Mac Rebennack, and Shemekia herself. The tunes, varied in style, are all based in the deep blues, and were selected for their capability to push her vocal talents to constant new personal pinnacles. She keeps it interesting by varying the pace and on”The Push I Need”, she sounds right at home singing this funky tune as a duet with Dr. John. She stays with the good Doctor through the tune as if she were doing this everyday. Then she turns around and seems just as comfortable singing ”Happy Valentine’s Day”, as a slow bluesy torch burner, with minimal accompaniment. This disc shows us some new sides of this fine singer, while she stretches her limits and she more than holds her own while being in the company of such luminous musicians as accompany her on this disc. This disc seems a return to the blues burner she is capable of being. She does her daddy proud on this stellar disc.
Produced by Dr. John
Vocals: Shemekia Copeland
Piano: Mac "Dr. John" Rebennack, Piano
Organ: Mac "Dr. John" Rebennack (a); Jason Ladayne (b)
Electric Piano: Jason Ladayne (c)
Lead, Slide and Rhythm Guitar (all solos): Arthur Neilson
Rhythm Guitar: Hugh McCracken
Bass: David Barard (d); Jason Langley (e)
Drums: Herman Ernest
Percussion: David Barard (f); Herman Ernest (g); Larry McDonald (h); Fingers Hahn (i)
Background Vocals: David Barard (j); Herman Ernest (k)
Vocals on "The Push I Need": Mac "Dr. John" Rebennack
1. Livin' On Love 4:03 (a)(d)(j)(k)
(Nicholson & Fuller, Sony/ATV Tunes LLC dba Cross Keys Publ., /Four Sons Music, ASCAP/Sony/ATV Songs LLC dba Tree Publishing Co./Big Yellow Dog Music, BMI)
2. Two's A Crowd 2:49 (b)(e)
(Hahn & Hudson, Avarice and Greed Publ., BMI)
3. When A Woman's Had Enough 3:54 (a)(d)(f)(g)
(Mirikitani & Walker, Windswept Pacific Music, ASCAP/Bug Music, BMI)
4. Sholanda's 3:41 (b)(e)(g)
(Hahn, Copeland & Tiven, Avarice and Greed Publ.,BMI/Shemekia Music,BMI/Jon Tiven Music,BMI)
5. Don't Whisper 4:46 (a)(d)(g)
(Hahn, Copeland & Tiven, Avarice and Greed Publ.,BMI/Shemekia Music,BMI/Jon Tiven Music,BMI)
6. Should Have Come Home 3:30 (a)(d)(h)
(Hahn, Copeland, Rebennack & Tiven, Avarice and Greed Publ. ,BMI/Shemekia Music, BMI/Jon Tiven Music, BMI)
7. Talking To Strangers 4:06 (b)(e)(h)
(Hahn, Lattanzi & Rebennack, Avarice and Greed Publ. ,BMI/ Sound 4 Sound Publ., BMI)
8. Too Much Traffic 4:03 (c)(e)(f)(g)(h)
(Hahn & Hudson, Avarice and Greed Publ., BMI)
9. Too Close 4:39 (a)(d)
(Rebennack, Skull Music/Warner-Tamerlane Publ. Co., BMI)
10. Walk On 4:14 (a)(d)(g)(j)(k)
(Clark & Silbar, KLRT Music obo Glen Clark Music, ASCAP/Silbarsongs admin. by MCS Music America, ASCAP)
11. Ka-Ching 3:01 (b)(e)
(Hahn & Hudson, Avarice and Greed Publ.,BMI)
12. The Push I Need 3:48 (a)(d)(f)(h)(i)
(Rebennack, Hill & Robinson, Marzique Music Co./Skull Music/Warner-Tamerlane Publ. Co., BMI)
13. Happy Valentine's Day 5:37
(Hahn & Hudson, Avarice and Greed Publ., BMI)
14. When The Battle Is Over 4:33 (a)(d)
(Rebennack & Hill, I Found It Music/Ten-East Music, BMI)
15. Pie In The Sky 2:54 (d)
(J. Copeland, Fair Deal Publ. Co., BMI)