Music
Press
The lion's share of alt-country bands have made their way by forging Nashville twang with grittier or louder stuff like blues or rock, but local sextet The Copperheads have locked into something special turning instead to southern soul and gospel in the vein of Al Green. The band's new Cold Mississippi is its most confident and solid effort yet, anchored by guitarist and songwriter Ray Barnard's sweetly sung melodies. Lyrically, Mississippi splits its time between lovin' and the Louvin Brothers---that is, concerns both worldly (the earthy love song Sweet & Lowdown) and otherworldly (two songs of loss that look forward to reunion, Close My Eyes to See You & Psalm #116). - The Onion
The Copperheads traverse genres seldom heard these days. "Midway," the opening track on their new album, Cold Mississippi, is a country-soul paean to the glories of cruising in a souped-up vehicle on weekend nights. "Pslam116" is an exquisitely rendered, B3-organ propelled Gospel shout-out to Jesus. "Nashville Girl owes its inspiration to the Muscle Shoals sound that it references. What allows it all to work is Ray Barnard's voice, a soulful tenor that he stretches well into the upper register without ever breaking. - City Pages
The band's third effort is unquestionably their best. Like the flipside to recent Solomon Burke, The Copperheads' new album, Cold Mississippi, takes on soul music from a country perspective. The songs are very well-crafted and emotionally relevant to the times. The performances are sweet, soulful, and powerful---the gospel numbers are a revelation. - Americana-On-Line's Joe Robbie Luke
The LP, This Train is Gainin,’ is a stellar collection of pristine country blues, with gorgeous harmonies throughout. The boys are at their best when throwing Soul into the countrypolitan mix, like on the standouts “Last Sad Song” and “My Heart’s on Fire. - Paul Demko
With too many bands steeped in alt-country’s rowdy cliches (i.e. bad grammar and drinking), it’s refreshing to hear the soulful, sophisticated songs of the Copperheads. - StarTribune
The Copperheads have many musical styles depending who takes the mic and the lead. On the back of their 2004 release, This Train is Gainin’ one member is wearing a cowboy hat, and another has a baseball cap on. Check out the changeling boots, though; with all the different styles, they are probably made from the skins of chameleon lizards - Reader Weekly
The Copperheads debut LP, Country & Blues Revue, recalls Artists like Charlie Rich, current Nick Lowe, Dan Penn & Spooner Oldham, and The Band. The blending of soul and country is making a comeback-the Copperheads are doing it as well as anyone out there - Freight Train Boogie
Discography
Cold Mississippi - 2006 Bartered Soul Records
This Train is Gainin' - 2004 Bartered Soul Records
Country & Blues Revue - 2002 Narnian Records
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Bio
The Copperheads third CD, Cold Mississippi, is a true country-soul album, both musically and lyrically. Sound-wise, it conjures up Marvin Gaye with a twang, George Jones with a groove, and the Eagles minus the power chords and sunglasses. The StarTribune called it, the other side of the coin to Solomon Burkes latest. A very fine album.
Story-wise, the protagonists are holding out for better times & places, whether here on earth or up above. The song, 'Midway,' cruises the St. Paul strip with two soldiers, one a veteran, one due to depart. 'Close My Eyes to See You' dreams of reunion with a lost loved one. 'Why (am I treated so bad),' a gospel song made famous by the Staple Singers, vents a mountain of frustration and tells you to keep driving on.
Whether its a slice of life, gospel, or love song, The Copperheads never lose sight of the groove, the melody, or great harmonies. This makes Cold Mississippi a sweet & soulful place to go.
The Copperheads have been together for eight years & have put out two very well-reviewed CDs, 'This Train is Gainin and 'Country & Blues Revue.' Theyve left the stage a better place for Bobby Bare Jr., Gatemouth Brown, Junior Brown, Rosie Flores, Wayne Hancock, the Iguanas, Jack Ingram, Shooter Jennings, Oak Ridge Boys, Julie Roberts, Charlie Robison, Chris Scruggs, and Joe Simon.
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