Turn Around

Jonny Lang | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 19, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: A&M
• ASIN: B000H7JDVS
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (154 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,235 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #82 in Music > Christian > Rock & Alternative

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The churchy organ that opens and closes Jonny Lang's fifth album reveals its direction. After 2003's Long Time Coming plunged the once-up-and-coming blues guitarist into more soulful and commercial waters, Turn Around completes the transition. Lang is lyrically direct in his spiritual awakening, and the uplifting if sometimes pedantic lyrics make it clear that any vestiges of the teenaged guitar slinger that knocked out an impressive version of the lascivious "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" on his debut are far in the past. A few short leads aside, Lang shifts into full Stevie Wonder/Prince mode, but unfortunately without the quality material that made those artists' work transcend genre. With vocals that shift from guttural howls to sweet and screaming falsetto on tunes like "Don't Stop (For Anything)" and a penchant for oversinging, he's not aiming for subtlety. But there are some winning melodies here: songs such as "Anything's Possible" and "One Person at a Time" boast catchy choruses in a funkified, gospel-tinged, adult-alternative vein bound to appeal to audiences that lean towards obvious religious references in their music. This is a well crafted, undeniably heartfelt set from Lang, who makes it abundantly clear he feels his destiny is to make the world a better place through Jesus. It's a valid enough objective that doesn't quite connect with Lang's rather heavy-handed lyrics, affected singing, and derivative tunes. --Hal Horowitz

Product Description

The Grammy-nominated, Platinum-selling former prodigy blues guitarist and singer/songwriter who topped the Billboard New Artist chart with his first album at age 15, stands now as a mature creative force, made more sensitive yet also toughened by life's adventures. He's learned what it means to rise above hard times and to find meaning where chaos seemed to rule. These insights, and the emotions they unleash, make Turn Around the pivotal album of Jonny Lang's career to date a passage that links the triumphs of his past to the promise of his future. Produced by Ron Fair (Black Eyed Peas, Mary J. Blige, Counting Crows), energized through collaboration with songwriter/performers Drew Ramsey, Shannon Sanders and Steven Curtis Chapman, anchored and elevated by former Prince NPG rhythm dynamo Michael Bland, Turn Around is Lang's fifth album but it's also the first of what will become his most moving and enduring works.

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

108 of 123 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars The Blues Guitar is Missing October 2, 2006

By Randall Richmond

Format:Audio CD

Artists have the right to change directions and seek new audiences - and in some cases the change is well received. With that in mind, Jonny is no longer the blues guitarist of his earlier albums, he has taken a new direction into R&B - I agree with the reviewer that said he now sounds like Stevie Wonder. If that is what you like, then buy this. If you are looking for great guitar, look elsewhere.

(Have you ever noticed that when someone writes a review that doesn't give the artist 4 or 5 stars - the reviewer gets slammed in the votes?)

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Jonny Lang - Goes Gospel August 4, 2007

By Steven Sly

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Yet another 3 years elapse between Jonny Lang albums. When the new disc finally emerges it is a very different Jonny Lang album than many of his fans are used to. Of all of the albums Lang has produced this one seems to divide the fans the most. His blues roots are practically non existent on this album. Instead what you have is mostly a soul / R&B / Gospel record with Lang's voice up front and the guitar tucked into the background. In fact if you are looking for patented Lang guitar solos you will not find many of them here. What you will find is soul encrusted smooth rock more along the lines of something you might hear from Stevie Wonder, Michael Macdonald (who duets here on the track "Thankful") or even Prince. The lyrics have a lot of religion to them as well. Make no doubt about it Lang is a Christian and wants the whole world to know it. The album never gets too heavy handed or preachy, but Lang makes no bones about where he is coming from on this disc. The gospel influence is apparent throughout. So what does this all mean? Is the album any good? Well, although I usually try to avoid music of this nature like the plague I have to admit that Lang really pulls it off well. This is a good album and as long as you can get away from the fact that Lang is not doing straight ahead blues anymore you may find a lot to enjoy here. My hope for the future is that Lang eventually goes back to the wailing guitar, but taking this album for what it is at this time in Lang's life, it is certainly a decent listen.

32 of 40 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Gospel Infused Soul, Funk & Blues September 24, 2006

By Darren

Format:Audio CD

Turn Around is the long awaited redemption we all needed from Lang's last project (Long Time Coming) which was a disappointment for many of his fans. This is not a pure gospel project but rather an enjoyable and explorational blend of gospel infused soul, funk and blues with some tinges of country and jazz. Lang's spirituality permeates the entire project which is what makes it so genuine and soulful. No, it's not "Smokin", "Lie to Me" or even "Wander this World" but it's a good transition album for the next exciting phase of Lang's musical evolution. For Lang, "Turn Around" is the 'real deal' as he showcases more of his own songwriting and also allows his spiritual renewal to permeate.

Turn Around conveys a spiritual theme and projects a positive energy, and musical vibration throughout. On this project, Lang transforms his blues energy into something more lyrically upbeat and positive.

Although I sometimes enjoy listening to the blues genre, the traditional blues have a tendency to get stuck in the low side of the energy level. Even when the passion and intensity of the story or message is there and the music is good, listening to the blues can often be very draining. It's like listening to someone's problems over and over. Although the person singing the blues may be a good musician and a good storyteller, the experience is often very draining as opposed to uplifting and rejuvenative. The blues have their place in my collection and my alotted listening time. In this project, Lang transcends his blues roots without abandoning them altogether.

In Turn Around, Lang takes his bluesy style to a "well-behaved" revival where he adds some soulful funk to his gritty vocals in addition to furthering the development of his falsetto.... He also summons a choir as backup on a few tracks and along with the addition of the organ, these are just fantastic in adding a gospel element to the project.

Although some others found the clapping on some tracks rather annoying, I personally enjoy it, especially on the title track. The clapping reflects that positive energy I often refer to. It makes you want to clap along or stomp your feet as if you were there. It draws you into the music and puts you into the rhythm and the groove. Great stuff!

Turn Around is my favorite track on this project. The vocals are gritty and the organ and the clapping really convey the feel of a gospel revival in a most soulful and bluesy way. Thankful, the track with Michael McDonald is soulful and upbeat and also conveys a great musical and vocal synergy. Bump in the Road is also a major highlight. Anything's possible and One Person at a Time convey notable messages but get somewhat lost in the land of generically bland pop music.

I also like the track called Last Goodbye. Lang's vocals reach a new level of high here and in this track, he seems to be opening up a door to something much jazzier. Although this track seems out of place on this project and is bit of a tease, Lang seems to be cracking open an exciting new musical door on this one.

Although I prefer the grittier vocals and harder edged guitarwork, Only A Man is a very enjoyable track. Langs vocals here are more restrained but pure, and the level of production on this track is just perfect. It's soulful and bluesy. The musical arrangement and Haylie's (Lang's wife)angelic voice combine to create a sound which I can best describe as "Celtic Country". This is a very passionate and emotionally moving track. The other track which also emanates this "Celtic Country" sound is That Great Day. It sounds like Haylie does background vocals on this track too, however she's not listed on the liner notes for it.

Overall, this seems to be an excellent transition project for Lang. His vocals and song-writing seem to be progressing nicely but I just wish his guitar wasn't so restrained on this project. I can't wait to hear the tracks from Turn Around, live in concert. In concert, I'm hoping his guitar will be less restrained. When he lets loose with his guitar in concert, he will unleash the intense musical power of his gospel and will have believers and non-believers shouting AMEN! Read more ›

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Soulful music without a soul... June 29, 2008

By St Choice Anesthesia

Format:Audio CD

I am (was) a great fan of Jonny Lang. I have seen him a few times in concert and loved that a young kid could play the guitar like he did.

Sure this album changes from darker themes to a more christian theme but that is not my beef with the album. The problem is that he apparently has gradually given up on playing the guitar in his songs. He was an excellent soloist and if he wants to find religion, fine, just keep playing the instrument that got you there. He is dangerously close to becoming a christian-backstreet boy.

Jonny, you dont have to do drugs or sing about sin to make great music. This is not, musically speaking, great music.

Maybe next album...

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Back on track... Thank God! September 19, 2006

By Mario A. Trujillo

Format:Audio CD

Blues, Funk, and Soul make up this the 5th album for Jonny Lang. His last cd was a bit over done, didn't have that Jonny Lang feel, had more of a made for radio feel to it. This album gets Mr. Lang back on track. Funky yet bluesy sounds that will get your head bobbin and your neck stiff. And the message is enough to get anyone to take notice. Although not his best work, still high above his last cd.

1. Bump in the road... Not the best on the album, but still good none the less.

2. One Person At A Time... Great song! Great message! We all should take notice.

3. The Other Side Of the Fence... Raw emotion on this one. Rock but with a side a funk.

4. Turn Around.... My personal fav, I don't know why this song isn't a radio single but man the bluesy sound and the clapping in this song gives me chills.

5. My Love Remains.... Not the best song, but that is cause of the way he went about it. Nothing against trying to mix things up but IMO Mr. Lang should quit the Falsetto, I don't think it's his best voice. Notice in this song after the acoustic solo he goes back to his original voice. Sounds more raspy and deep, sounds better. Would have been a great song if he sang the whole tune like that!

6. Thankful.... A groovy hit, can't help to keep the toes tapping and the head bobbing on this one.

7. Only A Man... Okay when I first heard it I hated it cause of the Falsetto thing. But then after a few listens I realize that the message on this song may be the best of them all. And it isn't really Falsetto, it is Jonny just singing softer than usual. And his wife duets with him on this track, she has a very soft voice. An angel's voice if you will...

8. Don't Stop (For Anything)... Great song!... Reminds me a lot of his older stuff. Funky blues!

9. Anything's Possible... A great message with a great beat. And the message is awesome.

10. Last Goodbye... Worst song by far on this disc. The Falsetto is so bad that I can't even listen to this song. Jonny needs to stay to his deep voice.

11. On My Feet Again... Another funky head bobbin tune.

12. That Great Day... More Falsetto but not as bad as # 10

13. It's Not Over... Soul, Soul, Soul,...this is a great song with a great message.

Overall I am very happy with this album, I would have given it 5 stars if it wasn't for so much falsetto on the album. It isn't a strong point of Jonny's and he should lessen it on his next release. Compared to his last album this one really is a hit. And you should buy it no matter if you are a Christian or not cause we all need music that is uplifting and keeps our spirits up. And this is the album to do just that! Read more ›