Cold Mississippi

The Copperheads

The Copperheads - Cold Mississippi

“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 A.V. Club

“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.’” -Paul Demko – City Pages

“The band’s third effort is unquestionably their best. Like the other side of the coin to Solomon Burke, The Copperheads’ new album, Cold Mississippi, takes on soul music from a country perspective. The songs are very well-crafted and relevant to the times, not so much politically, but emotionally. The performances are sweet, soulful, and powerful—the gospel numbers are a revelation.” -Joe Robbie Luke – Americana-On-Line

Musicians
  • Ray Barnard Vocals, Harp, Keyboards, Guitar
  • Bill Giese Guitar, Voice [AM Radio DJ Spot]
  • Michael (Otis) Oachs Guitar, Slide Guitar
  • Thomas Larson Vocals, Keyboards, Percussion
  • Marc Johnson Drums
  • Matthew Fox Electric Guitar
  • Tom Haddox Organ (B3)
  • Jim Nee Pedal Steel Guitar, Slide Guitar (Lap Slide)
  • Bridgette Kelly Vocals, Voice (Spoken Word)
  • Bill Davis: Bass, Vocals
Credits
  • Produced by Ray Barnard
  • Mastered by Jacques Wait
  • Mixed by Jacques Wait (tracks: 1, 2), Tom Garneau (tracks: 3 to 13)
  • Recorded at The Blatz Litehouse, Larsound Studios, Mastermix Studios & Schmitt’s Performance Room.
  • Written-by: R. Barnard* (tracks: 1 to 5, 7, 8, 10, 11), W. Giese* (tracks: 4, 11), G. Reavill (tracks: 5), M. Johnson (tracks: 12), M. Oachs (tracks: 1), Thomas Dorsey (tracks: 6), T. Larson (tracks: 9)
The Copperheads - Cold Mississippi
Bartered Soul Records

©2006
Bartered Soul Records

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