Artist:     Shemekia Copeland

Album:     America’s Child

Label:     Alligator Records

Release Date:     8.3.18

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Meeting a rising tide of bigotry and political rancor with powerful, heartfelt arguments for inclusiveness, unity and compassion, Shemekia Copeland throws her heart and soul into the bluesy Americana of America’s Child, her sixth album on Alligator Records.

Taking the high road, although unafraid to ask tough questions of a nation at a crossroads in its complicated history, Copeland felt compelled to offer messages of hope and empowerment in song after giving birth to her first child in 2016. Uplifting and defiant, her mighty vocals are stirring on America’s Child, where original material written by roots music masters such as Mary Gauthier, John Hahn, Oliver Wood of the Wood Brothers and multi-instrumentalist Will Kimbrough gains potency from her undeniable strength and sincerity.

Using her bully pulpit, Copeland forcefully rails against intolerance in “Ain’t Got Time for Hate,” as its soft, snaking blues groove smolders. Painting a mural of strange and wonderful diversity, the shuffling “Americans” is relaxed and sunny with a New Orleans vibe, while the rugged simplicity, true grit and unflinching honesty of “Would You Take My Blood?” knocks you back. And when America’s Child ends with a stark, cold version of the traditional lullaby “Go to Sleepy Little Baby,” it atmosphere is somewhat unnerving, as if Copeland senses that she doesn’t really know if things are going to get easier.

At the same time, America’s Child isn’t averse to having a little fun, as “The Wrong Idea,” a rambunctious roots-rock rave-up, humorously stops a would-be, barroom paramour in his tracks. Kimbrough, who also produced the LP, really shines here. Elsewhere, his deft subtlety as a player and warm guitar tone are seductive. But, on “The Wrong Idea,” his six-string horsepower drives the infectious track. By contrast, Copeland’s carefully drawn duet with John Prine on Prine’s “Great Rain” practically drips with aching melancholy.

God is in the details of America’s Child, as small touches such as Rhiannon Giddens’ African banjo on Gauther’s rustic and optimistic “Smoked Ham and Peaches” and Steve Cropper’s light guitar twinkle on a soulful, bittersweet “Promised Myself”—written by Copeland’s late father, Johnny Clyde Copeland—add richness to already full instrumentation and varied arrangements. Bound for glory, Copeland continues to progress as an artist.

—Peter Lindblad