Customer Reviews

Here and Now

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Abusive, addicted, arrested and convicted. As if that were not enough, his woman left him and, as he sat for years in a drugged stupor, that woman reached mega star status, fame and fortune. If that is not the story of a man born to sing the blues, I don't know what is! Could Ike recover and put together any semblance of a thriving career? Only time will tell. On "Here and Now", Ike attempts to put his past behind him and releases his first all-new recording in over 20 years. It's a CD serving up a little Blues garnished with a touch of R&B, funk, country and swing. A sampling of the songs will show the diversity of the recording. Perhaps the most interesting song on the disc is "I Need A-Nuddin'" which appears to be a tongue-in-cheek rendition of the excesses that plagued Ike during his earlier days. Whether you like him or not, it would be hard to deny that he has poured his heart and soul into this fine release.

This CD is a hoot with Ike back in a serious R&B groove! Check out "Ike's Theme" and "Cold Day in Hell". His versatility is on full display in this collection with Ike exhibiting his prowess on guitar and piano along with his mangy, low-down vocal style best displayed on "You Can't Winnum' All". A funkier piano styling than "Swanee River Boogie" is hard to find. Five stars (*****) for this back-to-the-roots tribute to R&B and the very birth of Rock n'Roll. (Check out the liner notes for more on the evolutionary development of the genre)

Hard to believe but true - Ike Turner is back. Here and Now is a return to the blues that Ike was cutting in the 50's and early 60's before Tina. Ike's voice is a little raspier than it was in the 60's. However, his driving piano boogie and whammy guitar have never sounded better. This CD is a mix of vocals and instrumentals. Ike has always known how to get a band into the groove and with his new Kings of Rhythm, the groove never lets up. This is a very fun CD, a nice step back into time.

These guys played a long time ago at George Edick's "Club Imperial" in North St. Louis. Brings back a lot of memories. Good dance music for us 'Old Timers'.

George S. Edick

This story was published in Metro on Thursday, June 13, 2002.

By Lynn Venhaus

Of The Post-Dispatch

George S. Edick, who helped boost the careers of Chuck Berry and Ike Turner and Tina Turner, died Tuesday (June 11, 2002) of congestive heart failure at his home in Jennings. He was 86.

Ike Turner is (mostly) back in form. This is a straight up rocker from his days before drugs and stupidity nearly cut his life short. A main course of roots rock with a side of blues and R&B, "Here and Now" is what Ike should have been doing all this time.

The follow up to his 1996 Europeam album "My bluescountry" "here and Now" is a great album. Ike Turner can still play music and here is proof of it. Some great new tracks and also a remake of his first record ( which was at the time credited to his saxophone player Jackie Brenston ) "Rocket 88". It's good to know that this man got his act together and is finally doing again what he does best...making music.

when you talk about rock and roll ike should be considered the man who started it all, its hard to believe that rcket 88 is over fifty years old. cd shows ike talents from singing ro piano to guitar.

Contrary to what the first reviewer says--Tina was never the driving force of the band--a master knows how to stay in the background. Now Tina has joined the score of mediocre to repulsive divas who substitute choreography for performance. I'd sure like to hear what she sounds like in a small club. Anyway this is real music--it is not manufactured in a corporate office--and Ike is a masterful singer. The album drives, drives, drives. Rocket 88 is what music should be. Think of Otis Redding, Jerry Lee Lewis and Etta James combined--you got it right here. If you want sclock--hey Tina's out there waiting for you

Here and Now marks the return of one of music's most notorious musicians, who by mere accusation was written off and ignored. But he's come through his dark and produces one of the most innovative blues/rock albums of recent years.
This is one of the most prized CD's in my collection and one which I never tire of listening to.
even the most hardened Ike haters, if they're honest cannot deny he is a self-taught musical genius.
He should be afforded the respect he deserves as a musician even if you can't respect him as a person.
And his critics should remember that without him, thre would be no Tina (and she ain't no saint either) and focus not on the past but the future.
Because the music is the future and will still be here long after he and Tina aren't.

A little bit sick of hearing Tina Turner fans complain about Ike Turner and Ike Turner fans doing the same about Tina Turner. Both are very talented people and on this disc Ike shows what he's good at. He is a master at the piano. I don't really think Ike is a great singer, but he is a perfect musician and bandleader. Especially the instrumentals on this disc are superb!