Cray and Copeland Brings the Blues to RI

Shemekia Copeland

A sell-out crowd greeted a pair of top Blues artists Saturday night at the Park Theatre in Cranston. Shemekia Copeland opened the show, and demonstrated she’s not simply an opening act. Copeland sang with tons of energy and a serving of soul in her hour long set, which featured tunes from her new album Outskirts of Love. (photo: Rick Farrell)

Shemekia Copeland

Copeland, daughter of legendary Blues guitarist Johnny Copeland, dedicated her father’s tune “Devil’s Blues” to his memory. The song is dark and dirty, and was followed by the equally badass “I Got to be Your Tatoo.” She's especially strong on the slower songs, "the lowdown dirty blues" numbers. (photo: Rick Farrell)

Shemekia Copeland

Copeland shined on her powerful tune "Ghetto Child," truly belting it out before the enthusiastic crowd. She stepped away from her mic, screaming the chorus:

"Little girl standin' on the corner
Somebody, please won't you lend a hand?
I'm just the ghetto child
In this so-called, in this so-called free land"
(photo: Rick Farrell)

Shemekia Copeland

Harlem native Copeland has released 8 albums since 1998, including her latest Outskirts of Love, which rose to #6 on the Blues charts in October. She's received several Blues Music Awards and in 2011 was annointed "Queen of Chicago Blues" at the Chicago Blues Festival by Cookie Taylor, daughter of Blues great Koko Taylor.

Robert Cray

Five time Grammy award winner Robert Cray and his band put on an all-around great performance. He played songs from his vast catalog going back to 1983’s Bad Influence. He also covered a couple of blues standards including a sweet version of the Mississippi Sheiks classic “Sitting on Top of the World.” (photo: Rick Farrell)

Robert Cray

Like Copeland, Cray’s blues are tinged with a little soul. The R&B/Soul influence is evident on tunes like “The Forecast Calls for Pain” and “You’re Everything,” from his recent album In My Soul. Other highlights included “Poor Johnny” and “Phone Booth.” (photo: Rick Farrell)

Robert Cray

Cray’s biggest hit came in 1986 with “Right Next Door” from the acclaimed album Strong Persuader.  The album went double platinum, quite an achievement for a Blues release. The song still has a great groove and was one of the many hits played Saturday night. (photo: Rick Farrell)

Robert Cray

Cray’s latest release is a concert CD/DVD set, 4 Nights of 40 Years Live, which includes songs from different points in his career. It includes a bonus CD of concert of selections from the 1982 San Francisco Blues Festival and a 1987 appearance on the Dutch TV show “Countdown.”  (photo: Rick Farrell)

Mojo Photography

Photos by Rick Farrell, Mojo Photography