Living Blues (6/03, pp.110-1) - "...WORKING MAN'S BLUES is an indispensable collection, one that captures Copeland's early career - and the history of Houston's Third Ward scene - down to the last detail..."
Rovi
A collection of good old Texas electric blues tracks mostly recorded by Johnny Copeland in the early 60s through the mid-70s, between his first flush of youth and his Rounder Records-sponsored artistic renaissance, Working Man Blues is a portrait of an undeniably talented electric guitarist and singer floundering a bit in terms of career direction. As a result, this 19-track compilation is filled with nuggets of prime electric blues, but they range from workmanlike renditions of Ray Charles standards (Night Time Pts. 1 & 2) to Atlantic Records-style early rock & roll (Hear What I Said) to slinky Albert King-style workouts (Your Game Is Working). Its a bit all over the map, but there are surprisingly few duff tracks, and no stylistic experiments that simply dont work, a la Surfin With Bo Diddley. This is a fine introduction to an oft-overlooked period in Johnny Copelands career. ~ Stewart Mason
Rovi