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Concert Review

 

Shemekia Copeland

March 8, 2013 @ SPACE

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By Dave Miller

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It was one of those nights, and Shemekia Copeland knew it.

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"I'm not getting off this stage," the 33-year-old blues singer said well into her concert Saturday night at SPACE in Evanston.

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She did leave the stage eventually, but not before performing for more than two hours in a show where the singer, her band and a sold-out audience were in sync. The result was not only the longest set I've seen Copeland play among the handful of times I've seen her, but also the best.

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Concertgoers saw Copeland at her most expressive. Often she performs under the time constraint of a festival set or opening slot, but time was no issue this time. There wasn't even an opener for her. That freed her to perform a generous set that showed off her voice in a variety of ways, and also allowed her fun personality to shine between songs. Earlier in the day, Copeland learned the blue dress she wore to the Grammys earned her a spot in the Italian edition of Vogue. She couldn't get over it. "A 99-dollar dress I bought online got in Vogue -- Vogue for curvy," she cracked with delight. It was a subject she brought up with continued astonishment throughout the show. Copeland also riffed on a variety of topics, told amusing stories and fired off playful comments. "But that doesn't have anything to do with the next song," became a recurring punch line. The audience contributed to the fun vibe. When Copeland asked concertgoers if they go to islands, one guy cracked up the room with "Blue Island!"

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Of course, Copeland's singing was the main attraction. She sang the blues, but didn't allow herself to be boxed in by purist tradition, singing soul, gospel, funk and rock, too. Her 2012 Grammy-nominated album, 33 1/3 (the title reflects her age and love of vinyl) was deservedly featured. Copeland sang seven songs from it and four from her previous album, Never Going Back, while playing at least one tune from each of her six studio albums. Copeland has always been able to belt it out, but she's learned to rein in her voice and control it subtlely, showing why Koko Taylor's daughter, Cookie, presented her mother's crown to Copeland in a symbolic passing of the "Queen of the Blues" torch at the 2011 Chicago Blues Festival. Her band led by lead guitarist Arthur Neilson, who's been her right-hand man onstage for 15 years, and spirited bassist Kevin Jenkins was with her every step of the way. It provided kick and personality as a collaborator.

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Copeland ended the main set with a 10-minute version of her dad's "Ghetto Child." She sang off mic while strolling through the packed audience, pausing to interact with people, including her mom. She was relaxed and in total command of the room. By the time Copeland returned to the stage to rock her signature, "It's 2 A.M.," she left no doubt that not only the night belonged to her, but that the coming decades are hers, too.

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The setlist:

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Dirty Water

Givin' Up You

Lemon Pie

A Woman

Big Lovin' Woman

Mississippi Mud

Ain't Gonna Be Your Tattoo

Pie In The Sky

Somebody Else's Jesus

Let Me Cry

Ain't That News

Circumstances

Never Going Back to Memphis

I'll Be Your Baby Tonight

Big Brand New Religion

Ghetto Child

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It's 2 A.M.

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Start: 8:18 p.m./Finish: 10:26 p.m.
Totals: 17 songs, two hours eight minutes

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Photo Gallery

Shemekia Copeland

March 8, 2013 @ SPACE

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Shemekia Copeland

March 8, 2013 @ SPACE

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Shemekia Copeland

March 8, 2013 @ SPACE

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Shemekia Copeland

March 8, 2013 @ SPACE

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Shemekia Copeland

March 8, 2013 @ SPACE

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Shemekia Copeland

March 8, 2013 @ SPACE

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Shemekia Copeland

March 8, 2013 @ SPACE

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Shemekia Copeland

March 8, 2013 @ SPACE

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Shemekia Copeland

March 8, 2013 @ SPACE

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Shemekia Copeland

March 8, 2013 @ SPACE

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Shemekia Copeland

March 8, 2013 @ SPACE

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Shemekia Copeland

March 8, 2013 @ SPACE

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Shemekia Copeland

March 8, 2013 @ SPACE

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Shemekia Copeland

March 8, 2013 @ SPACE

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Shemekia Copeland

March 8, 2013 @ SPACE

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Shemekia Copeland

March 8, 2013 @ SPACE

 

Shemekia Copeland

March 8, 2013 @ SPACE

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Shemekia Copeland

March 8, 2013 @ SPACE

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Shemekia Copeland

March 8, 2013 @ SPACE

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Shemekia Copeland

March 8, 2013 @ SPACE

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Shemekia Copeland

March 8, 2013 @ SPACE

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Shemekia Copeland

March 8, 2013 @ SPACE

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Shemekia Copeland

March 8, 2013 @ SPACE

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Shemekia Copeland

March 8, 2013 @ SPACE

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Shemekia Copeland

March 8, 2013 @ SPACE

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Shemekia Copeland

March 8, 2013 @ SPACE

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