This disc, which has Dr. John at the controls as a producer, brings together a mix that brings out the best for all those concerned and involved with this project. There is no weakness here, it is a straight-ahead use of all the strengths of Shemekia Copeland, daughter of Johnny Copeland. The songs were well selected to effectively show off all her potency as a vocalist. There are some many good writers that are also players on this disc that the tunes fit like gloves. There are strong contributions by John "Fingers" Hahn, Mac Rebennack, and Shemekia Copeland herself. The tunes, varied in style, are all based in the deep blues, and were selected for their capability to push her vocal talents to constant new personal pinnacles. She keeps it interesting by varying the pace and on "The Push I Need," she sounds right at home singing this funky tune as a duet with Dr. John. She stays with the good Dr. through the tune as if she were doing this everyday. Then she turns around and seems just as comfortable singing "Happy Valentine's Day," as a slow bluesy torch-burner, with minimal accompaniment. This disc shows us some new sides of this fine singer, while she stretches her limits and she more than holds her own while being in the company of such luminous musicians as accompany her on this disc. This disc seems a return to the blues burner she is capable of being. She does her daddy proud on this stellar disc.

Shemekia Copeland has already scored numerous awards and accolades, but this is the young singer's real artistic breakthrough. While Copeland's first two CDs were at times marred by ham-fisted musical support and subpar songwriting, she is now free to unfurl the subtle, soulful side of her big voice. "Don't Whisper" sounds like a lost Memphis classic-the kind of tearjerker Ann Peebles might have cut. Copeland pours her vocals like warmed honey over the song's sad lyrics and an arrangement that balances producer Dr. John's delicate piano with edgy, tremoloed guitars. She turns soft and breathy on the lovely, jazz-inflected ballad "Happy Valentine's Day," evoking a worldly, relaxed beauty that belies her 23 years. There's plenty of full-tilt belting, too. "Sholanda's," a tongue-in-cheek trip to a beauty parlor, balances her power with graceful New Orleans-flavored drums and slide. And "The Push I Need" is a playful duet with Dr. John that's sprightly and smart enough to sidestep clichés. Overall, there's a sense of poised musicianship at work, which makes Talking to Strangers emotionally tempered and rewarding.



Tracklist:

01. Livin' On Love (4:03)
02. Two's A Crowd (2:49)
03. When A Woman's Had Enough (3:55)
04. Sholanda's (3:42)
05. Don't Whisper (4:46)
06. Should Have Come Home (3:31)
07. Talking To Strangers (4:07)
08. Too Much Traffic (4:04)
09. Too Close (4:40)
10. Walk On (4:14)
11. Ka-Ching (3:01)
12. The Push I Need (3:48)
13. Happy Valentine's Day (5:37)
14. When The Batle Is Over (4:33)
15. Pie In The Sky (2:54)