Customer Reviews

Turning

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am still listening to this album almost 20 years after it was first released! The style of music, though released in 1987 is still rather current. The lyrics and music are quite intro-spective and "deep". Very "cruisey" to listen to, and the tempo changes throughout the tracks. If you like Peter Gabriel, you will probably like "The Turning".

I had never heard of Christian music, much less Leslie Phillips, when I went off to college in 1988. I was introduced to her music by my Christian roommate (I was not and still am not Christian myself). Much of the Christian music he listened to was mediocre, but there were a few genuine talents that stood out, foremost among them Phillips, the Call, and Phil Keaggy. Most of their lyrics were poetic and compelling and didn't shove Christianity down my throat, and the music was truly original and, well, GOOD. The Call were successful mainstream rockers in their own right, and Keaggy was and is a well-known guitar guru. To this day I think The Turning is Phillips's best work. Even a Zen-pantheist heathen like myself still thoroughly enjoys listening to it.

Leslie Phillips stirred up the CCM industry with this bombshell in 1987....what an insightful brilliant album...incredible deep challenging lyrics..no easy answers...a strong statement in response to the pressures of being a Christian "star" (I had to walk before I learned how to crawl..the first step was hard, but i had trouble with them all..)...a goodbye to the CCM industry...this album is one of the finest ever made...I have over 1000 albums, and I would rate this among my top ten favorites....beautiful, haunting, intelligent arrangements by T Bone Burnette, this is light years better than 99% of secular and Christian music...buy it today!!!!

If you were a fan of Ms. Phillips' other work in contemporary Christian music, this album may have been unsettling. She keeps almost, but not quite communicating truths that had been spelled out clearly in her previous three efforts in the gospel genre.

Instead she creates a provocative tension, in songs like "Answers Don't Come Easy," "Beating Heart," and "The Turning." she turns the tables on the listener. She seems to be saying that the Truths of the Christian faith are evasive and hard learned. And whenever you think you know them perfectly, the "turning" of life circumstances comes around and you learn once again that while God's love is perfect, comprehending it, in all of its facets is impossible. The CD's mood is melancholy, with the edgy mark of her (now) husband T-Bone Burnett in the under-produced (especially for the 80's) compositions.

I rate this as one of her best CD's, both because of the haunting melodies/profound lyrics, and because Ms. Phillips took a huge commercial risk in speaking her heart through artistic passion and not simply often repeated simplistic religious platitudes.

First, my biases: (Lesley) Sam Phillips has long been one of the voices of hope and sanity where faith and art dance. Along with the likes of Peter Case, Mark Heard, Pierce Pettis, T Bone Burnett, Maria McKee, Vigilantes of Love, Bruce Cockburn, Ashley Cleveland, Kris Kristofferson, and a handful of others, Sam has given witness over the years to the struggle of "faith, hope, and love" against loss, despair, and cynicism on the one side and superficiality, banality, and denial on the other.

Years ago, Leonard Cohen asked "When they said 'Repent!', I wondered what they meant..." "The Turning" takes the question seriously, realizing that any "Slow Turning" can bend in both directions.

Put this on the CD player along with John Hiatt's "Stolen Moments," Bruce Cockburn's "Charity of Night," and Lone Justice's "Shelter," and live the questions right out loud.

Rev. Michael Burke St, George's Episcopal Church 635 Wilder Road Hilton, NY 14468

mepburke@aol.com

As Kimm Rogers said, "This ain't a movie..." \ "Its just the Soundtrack of my Life..."

I was talking to a friend at a camp and said I wish I knew some other good Christian music besides Amy Grant. He asked if I knew Leslie Phillips and I said yes. He didn't know I meant I went to high school with her and I didn't know she was a singer. Actually I had heard her sing but didn't know she had albums. So he recommended a couple albums and one was "The Turning"....The Turning was really good and I like the short review that said simply that this was one of the more honest Christian albums they have heard. And I like it because it reflects a longing for faith but also the strangling effect of being a Christian Artist. She sings pointedly about how the community applies pressure to say the "right" things in her music. "You Lock me up with your expectations... Loosen the pressure you choke me with...I can't breathe...I can't breathe." That's a pretty heavy point blank shot at a sector of the often critical Christian music buying public who don't like it when the songs depart from the expected praise and worship. Clearly this is a goodbye album to the Christian community filled with fond rememberances and frustration. For that alone it is pretty fascinating. But musically it is really a lushly recorded rich accoustic experience with some nice haunting percussion. "The Turning" is aptly named. At some point a lot of Christians come to a point where they have to say to the Christian Community. This album says "I love you but it hurts too much to stay with you anymore. I can't squeeze into what you want me to be." Its dark and a little sad, but if you have been there and felt the feelings, this CD might resonate with you.

I discovered Sam with 'The Indescribable Wow', and did not know of her Christian career until I read an article about it. I'm not a particular fan of Contemporary Christian music, finding most of the music over produced and bland. What sticks out for me is the spare, open production that allows Sam's melodic gift to shine through. You can literally hear Sam finding her voice on this record. At the same time , she was honing her lyrics to a fine edge; her economy of language has always been astonishing to me.

Although I think Sam has made better records ( Martinis & Bikinis, Fan Dance), this is certainly the blueprint for all that followed.

The following review may suprise some readers. I first heard about "The Turning" at a Christian concert by Randy Stonehill in 1987. Stonehill previously toured the christian music circuit of churches, coffe houses etc, with Phillips and spoke well of her. Through his label he was able to hear some pre released cuts. He had the opportunity to tell the audience about very lovely album (then untitled) but to be released by then "Leslie Philips" and went on to describe the songs from "The Turning". I was excited, because I have been an avid "Phillips" fan since 1982, However the transition from her "Black and White in a grey world" album to "The Turning" was monumental. I did not reject it but was thrilled that the Word Records (a christian label) would turn out an album of such a fine caliber. Word execs were proud even creating a radio special promoting it. CCM (Contemporary Christian Magazine) still touts "The Turning" as one of the top 10 important albums in Christian Music. If Sam left Christian Music due to unacceptance of her new artistry, it sure was not apparent by music insiders & fellow CCM artists. They Loved it and still do! Infact , Last year in 2000, Word and Family Christian stores re-released "The Turning" as Leslie Phillips with the original cover art. Also re-released a few years ealier was Phillips 1982's "Beyond Saturday Night" which is not your typical CCM album either. It deals with Death, anger, fustration of mortality with no easy answers with the vocal power not seen since Pat Benatar. BSN also includes a cover of Mark Heards "Heart of Hearts". As a commited Christian, I would highly recommend "The Turning". It is one of the most beautiful & honest albums you will hear. T-bone's composition of "River of Love" is perfect. I love the stereo experimentality in "Libera Me". PS. Also check out Randy Stonehills "Hunger and Thrist" another well written album I have found that other sam fans enjoy.

I bought this album because I was a big fan of Sam Phillips' later works. I knew of her Christian music past, but I had never heard any of her overtly Christian music. This album walks the fine line between mainstream music and Christian music. (This is not to classify Christian music, for any devoted Christians reading this) as outside the mainstream. Simply not top 40 usually. This album is beautiful no matter who you are or what your spiritual persuasions are. The most powerful track is "River of Love"... although the first four songs here are magnificent and full of life and depth. Phillips makes references that are deliberately subtle and while they question faith and spirituality, the songs do so in a universal way, so no listeners would find themselves alienated. Phillips has a very inclusive and open musical style which rates her high in the accessibity department at least for "thinking" music fans. You will not be disappointed with this offering, particularly when you hear "River of Love" and "Libera Me". Gorgeous.

If you're looking for this album and Amazon is showing it out of stock, search on "Leslie Phillips". There are a few for sale there.