Greg Copeland - Brown-Eyed Handsome Man (2019)

Greg Copeland's new album is called "Brown-Eyed Handsome Man" and he has come up with something special. He got the support of The Goosebumps Brothers. Goosebump Brothers? Yep, these are the guys of Big Daddy Wilson, who is of course also involved in the song "People get ready". In detail are the Cesare Nolli on the guitars, Paolo Legramandi on the bass, Nik Taccori on drums. Also Maurizio "Gnola" Glielmo with background vocals. The album comes in the cardboard cover with a little accompanying text about the Why and Why. There are 11 songs, including three cover versions "People get ready", "I gotcha" and the great version of "Working in a coal mine". All other songs are written by the musicians involved and by Martin Messing.

The album starts with "Brown-eyed handsome man", a saying that an old woman made at birth when she saw his big brown eyes. Nomen est omen and all women were happy. The number starts bluesy with an acoustic guitar followed by a pulsatingly tremolo lead guitar - pulsating like the life of the "Brown-eyed hansome man". It follows "Hip to you", funky with reggae elements but still blues, because she leaves him after 23 years. Real social background is provided by "Alcohol Abuse", a stomping rhythm around the subject of drug abuse. In a world that still sings Moonshine, this is a commendable textual approach to addressing important social issues. Again purely acoustically with folk or country elements it continues with "A girl like you". Dream thinking of the lonely musician.

Albums that do not strictly follow a musical direction and yet are tied to the 12-stroke promise variety in blues and good listener mood. The variety brings songs like "I gotcha". Here the soul flashes through. The number is from Joe Tex. The lover tests his Holde for infidelity - Caught! Heavy blues follows in "Oh no". Greg's voice soft and plaintive, because the beloved does not give a shit about whether he feels well or ill when she comes and goes whenever she wants. There it would be again - The eternal theme of the blues energetically accompanied by the guitar playing of Cesare Noli. Another song in the series "Variation" is the song "People get ready", in which Big Daddy Wilson has a significant part. The song with gospel elements sings of gentle upheaval in American society - just jump on the train of peace and join in. Allen Toussaint's number "Working in Cole Mine" is witty, especially when the Goosebrothers give their "oops" in the refrain. "Talking, bout the South" is a reminiscence of the culturally diverse "Dirty South" of the USA, where Greg Copeland grew up. Tucked away in the blues are little elements of hip-hop that can also be associated with the Dirty South. where Greg Copeland grew up. Tucked away in the blues are little elements of hip-hop that can also be associated with the Dirty South. where Greg Copeland grew up. Tucked away in the blues are little elements of hip-hop that can also be associated with the Dirty South.

With "Please, please" the acoustic blues returns. Each piece is, in principle, a journey through the genres that influenced blues over 80 years. At the beginning was the delta or country blues with simple guitar playing. In the course of the piece, the electric band is added and already makes the piece a leap in time of good 30-40 years. The rhythm remains simple and stoic, pushing the requests forward until the final chord gives the whole thing another positive outcome. Just as acoustically "This is love" begins. The Brown-eyed Handsome Man is very much in love and is sure that everything happens out of love. Again, a miraculous turn in the song, because now comes the suckersüsse Soul and Motown sends greetings. ~Mario BOLLINGER