The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Shemekia Copeland playing Collinsville
By Domenic Forcella
Once again it is a busy week of blues in the state. Seems like all the outdoor events are rushing toward fall. Touring acts are looking to get their dates in before the weather becomes a factor.
Shemekia Copeland returns to Bridge Street Live on Friday. On her last visit, she let the audience know that she was headed home to await the birth of her first child. Now that Jhonny Lee is here, she is back on the road.
Copeland captures the crowd in a variety of ways. She can belt out a raucous blues number, fire up a blistering soul-shouter, bringing the out the gospel spirit or dig deep down into a soul stirring ballad. She sounds like no one else.
Her voice can be alternately sultry, assertive, and roaring. You get a wideopen vision of contemporary blues, roots, and soul music. Copeland started early, sharing the stage with her father, Texas bluesguitar legend Johnny Clyde Copeland, for the first time when she was just eight years old. At sixteen, she joined her father on tour; by eighteen, she had released her first album, Turn the Heat Up; and in her twenties, followed up with 2000’s Grammy-nominated Wicked. She has garnered eight Blues Music Awards, Living Blues Awards (including the prestigious Artist of the Year in 2010), and at the 2011 Chicago Blues Festival she was officially declared “The New Queen Of The Blues,” by the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois. Being given the title held by Koko Taylor.
Infinity Music Hall Hartford presents An Evening with Madeleine Peyroux on Thursday. Singer/songwriter Peyroux’s voice has carried her from the streets of Paris, all the way to international recognition. Peyroux is a stylish interpreter with her choice of material. She provides intensely distinctive renditions of old classics and modern tunes ranging from the likes of Leonard Cohen to The Beatles. Her recordings often result in a sophisticated album that fuses musical styles together to create an entirely new sound.
Chris Tofield is in the state for a visit, which means plenty of guitar shows. The Brass Horse Café joins him with Big Mike Griffin for the weekend, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Thursday, the Chris Tofield Trio will be at the Tipping Chair Tavern. Early on the schedule for Friday is Soul Tsunami.
Cambridge Brew House on Saturday has Liviu Pop & Friends. One of those friends is Danny Draher. This year, Draher is the winner of the The Josie Awards 2017 Jazz and Blues Artist of the Year. The Josie Music Awards celebrate those in the independent music industry for their hard work. Thousands of people from around the globe attend to enjoy the performances, award recognitions, and the elaborate celebration at The Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
Friday, James Montgomery and special guest Grace Kelly will be at the Mystic Luxury Cinemas. The Chris Leigh Band is opening.
Saturday, it is George Dudack's Annual Pig Roast from 4 to 7 p.m. at St Casimir's Lithuanian Hall. Join an all-star group of musicians and enjoy plenty of food.
A new spot on the blues radar is the Parrot Delaney Tavern in New Hartford. Saturday, The Blues Project with Dan Caruso takes the stage. Future shows are sure to please blues fans.
The Bijou Theatre in Bridgeport presents: Sidemen: Long Road to Glory on Saturday. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and show time is 8 p.m.
Long Road To Glory is an intimate look at the lives and legacies of three legendary bluesmen; piano player Pinetop Perkins, drummer Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith and guitarist Hubert Sumlin, all Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf sidemen. The film captures some of the last interviews and final live performances, before their deaths in 2011. The historic live shows are accompanied by performances and personal insights from many of the blues and rock stars these legendary musicians inspired.
Newington is full of entertainment this Saturday. The Newington Volunteer Fire Department has Jeff Pitchell for its 100 year Parade and Dance.
Comstock Station at 3:30 pm is playing at the Waterfall Festival in Market Square. Later Saturday evening, Comstock Station is at the Brickhouse Bar & Grill.
Other local events include Richie and The Red Hot Blues at the Windsor VFW, Friday for the Fall Dance and Fundraiser. Support the Windsor VFW and fill up on some rockin’ blues. The Weston Historical Society will have Otis and the Hurricanes from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The Coffee Grinders will be at the Howard Whittmore Library in Naugatuck on Friday.
The Balkun Brothers are at Bristol’s Mum Festival on Saturday. Friday, the Rusty Nail hosts the Balkun Brothers.
Sunday, David Foster & the Mohegan Sun All-Stars hit The Wolf Den. The Spaceland Ballroom brings in The Blasters with Flat Duo Jets on Wednesday. Thursday, Satisfaction: International Rolling Stones Show is at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center. Friday, Johnny A will be at FTC Stage One.
The Lady Katharine Cruise Ship has Basically Blues Band on Friday. While Witchdoctor Brewing in Southington has a 6:30 pm show Saturday with Orb Mellon.