While its definitely a pleasure to listen to the recently released Never Going Back, or the handful of other discs Shemekia Copelands put out over the past decade, they only hint at the dynamic voice and compelling presence the 30-year-old Harlem-born soul/blues powerhouse brings to the stage. I had the great fortune of catching Copeland the daughter of the late, renowned blues singer-guitarist Johnny Copeland live a couple of months ago, and she brought the house down with her potent, clarion pipes, clearly inspired by Etta James; her grasp of classic soul chops; and she and her razor-sharp backing bands ability to push those vintage sounds into the modern arena without watering it down or cheesing it out.
Tue., July 7, 7:30 p.m.; Wed., July 8, 7:30 p.m., 2009
