Customer Reviews

Turn Around

5 star:		(81)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(28)

 

 

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?)

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!

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.

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...

This is Jonny at his best! Wow, turn this one up loud and feel the power in his voice, his music. I'm definitely a believer because of Jonny. He has made me turn around.

This is a uniquely diverse album with several genres well-represented.
a little primer: Since I was 11, I've been to hundreds and hundreds of the best concerts over the past few decades-mostly rock & roll, jazz, r&b,& blues. You name it - I was probably there.
Anyway, in all this time, I'd never seen any Christian band per se, largely because I wasn't familiar with any whatsoever. (Since then, I've been pleasantly surprised by some of what's out there). Because I really love music, I'll still go see virtually any artist as long as nobody gets hurt. It's just a crazy passion for good music. Conversely, I have rarely gone crazy for any lyrics.

1. So maybe SOME of the lyrics are pedantic; so what? Is the bulk of musci produced in the past 50 years really that meaningful anyway?
Most of us buy discs for the music, and books for the words. In fact, I still literally cannot understand perhaps half of the lyrics I've ever heard. It's the music that matters most to me. I am not going to blow off a show or CD...because of the LYRICS! How naive,sad,and shallow. The lyrics are a distant second for why I like the latest Jonny, (though to be sure, the word is pure).
2. This is not a pure blues album, but why should I care if it's good?
OK, so Jonny's put a little spin on things; why not? It's great variety, & he's still got it going on. The blues, soul, funk, r&r, gospel, and folk music are ALL represented, with a couple of slower songs for good balance. (There weren't any long solos, but if I cared so much to dwell on one aspect of the music, I'd like more instrumental records).
I just don't get how uptight so many reviewers have been about this. What a drag to play just one genre forever. Change is good.
3. He CAN definitely sing like nobody's business, but he doesn't sound like Stevie Wonder for a millisecond (though that wouldn't be bad). It's nothing like Stevie. Actually, one of the songs reminds me more of Sly Stone, and he did sound a smidge like Prince for a few minutes.
Again, I think that's a good thing. He mostly sounds exactly like - JONNY LANG. Great voice, great soul. The Michael McDonald number is great, too. Whew!
4. A raw sound quality is not going to stop you, is it? I like it.
5. Take the preaching of narrow-minded, insulting, ignorant, wannabe, finger-wagging critics' complaints with a grain of salt. Consider the source. Most songs are rock-solid, his band rocks, & the back-ups are sweet.
6. He does have a message, but it's not about drinking, cheating, bars, or cars. Is that really a problem? How many more ways can that be sung?
I like his truth; it's uplifting, positive, and he knows it better than I do. I'd recommend this Jonny. It's almost enough to make you find religion, heart and soul.

Anyone arguing this album doesn't fit within the realm of blues is just plainly missing the point of blues. Plenty of blues songs reflect transition, and plenty of blues records have some kind of spiritual underpinning to them, although most of them seem to land squarely in the camp that leaves God "over there," as it were.

Really, if one really wants to trace a logical arc growth, both musically and spiritually for Jonny Lang, than this album is the most logical one he could have done. And anyone feigning complete and utter surprise at his overt conversion should just knock it off right now, because the predications have been there from the start. Jonny Lang's previous offerings had plenty of spiritual currency to them, and reflected not only a desire for more against the backdrop of human doubt ("Leaving to stay,") internally, but a relationship on the concept of a sovereign God ("The Goodbye Letter.").

That said, I do not consider this a "blues" album directly, but that delineation began with Long Time Coming, not this one.

Let me say at the outset, that I love this album, especially from the standpoint of where Jonny has taken his ever-versatile vocal gifts. Lang manages to navigate between the grit and the whisper, and shows perhaps the greatest penchant for emotion since he started playing Irish Angel during his shows.

The album is definitely an autobiographical one--one that carries Lang's personal journey. While not passive in anyway lyrically, the album in no way indicts secular the listener into defensive mode, but rather conveys a sense of "would you perhaps try to see what I'm seeing?"

Highlights for me personally: "The other side of the fence," a very riffy song, even if one feels slightly cheated that Jonny doesn't peel forth as much on his telecaster. "Don't stop for Anything," is a vamp, a bluesy/funky glottal fry that, besides putting the hair up on my arm, made me realize the Prodigal Son could get 21st century treatment without seeming pedestrian and cloying. And yes, his guitar shows up, too.

I'll avoid dragging this out with snippets of the whole thing, but I will predict that those inclined to believe Jonny Lang has entered some Dylan-esque "phase" by tinkering with Christianity will not have their predictions borne out. "That Great Day," is not only blatantly traditional in its gospel construction, but carries certain revelatory clues about baptism and consecration that transcend the "I need a good phrase that rhymes here" lines that were never broached when Pete Seeger sang "Mary Don't You Weep."

And maybe that will be perhaps the issue that re-defines his fan base. One cannot listen to any Jonny Lang song and come to the conclusion that conviction and belief are not present at every nuance--that is perhaps part of what made him who he is at as young an age that he is.

And such is the case here. Not all of his fans will like Jonny's neo-Apostolic emergence, but they will not need another album to arrive at this albums ultimate premise: "I'm Jonny Lang. I've been changed, and I mean it."

I'm a singer/songwriter and was with Atlantic Records back in the 70's. I do NOT like most singers out there..... we've become a nation of "American Idol" zombies!!! I was aware of Jonny before and was always impressed by his talents and abilities at such a young age. I wasn't exactly a fan per se, so I guess that's why I don't feel "betrayed"!! Those of you that feel that way are like the narrow-minded folkies back when Dylan picked up an electric guitar. I think Jonny Lang is one of the most incredible singers I've ever heard. It's quite simple really........ I believe him when he sings...... he, unlike 99.5% of the singers out there today, is acutely aware of the lyric at all times....... and lives every word of them when he performs them. One of the critics above said Jonny isn't really a singer? That was so ridiculous it was comical!! Do all of his songs follow that "song-writing" format?........ no...... but he sings from his feet on up. Whether he's singing "Lie To Me", "Irish Angel" or any of the tunes from this CD. He isn't just "hot-dogging" his great voice.... and it is great..... he's delivering the story as though he's living it right at that moment...... a rare commodity in today's world where most music scales the heights of mediocrity! .......... You go Jonny.... keep reinventing yourself...... Dylan "still" is......... and I love it!!!

This is an easy one for me to write. If you are expecting the gut wrenching blues of Lie to me or Wander this World, dont waste your money on this.

If you want his new style, this is ok. I am not saying it is bad, it just isnt what you got on his early albums.

Personally, I was very disappointed.

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!