Interpretations - Solo Arrangements for Guitar and Voice

Dale Turner

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 27, 2004)
• Original Release Date: January 27, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: INTIMATE AUDIO
• ASIN: B0001V4GYE
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #293,389 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Track Listings

1. Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen)

2. God Only Knows (Beach Boys)

3. Blackbird (Beatles)

4. Sweet Baby James (James Taylor)

5. Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen)

6. She's Always a Woman (Billy Joel)

7. Leader of the Band (Dan Fogelberg)

8. Sister Golden Hair (America)

9. Castles Made of Sand (Jimi Hendrix)

10. Coconut (Harry Nilsson)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

"Turner's acoustic guitar playing on this collection of classic covers from the Sixties and Seventies (including Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' the Beach Boys' 'God Only Knows,' and the Beatles' 'Blackbird') is first rate." -MUSIC CONNECTION

"Dale's melodic vocals transform the rock past of these songs [to] an easy listening present--with no electricity at all. A different view for classic rock, a view that travels through the folk rock streets of Joan Baez and Bob Dylan." -SKYLIGHT

"Dale is one of those people who really shouldn't be left to his own devices for too long... He's gone and attempted the impossible by arranging 'Bohemian Rhapsody' for acoustic guitar and voice. Try to imagine Brian May's guitar solo and the multi-layering of the operatic style vocals with -- yep -- just Dale and his guitar... Dale's unique interpretation of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' is so bad, it's good. It deflates all the pomposity of the original... An instant classic... I can't wait for Dale's next CD." (Our Rating: 10 Stars) -WHISPERIN' & HOLLERIN'

"Dale Turner's INTERPRETATIONS was, at first, a little hard to get into. In fact, the first track alone left me wondering if this was a comedy CD. (By the way, it's not.) Once I got past the initial shock of an acoustic version of Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' the rest of it was pretty good: 'Blackbird,' 'Hallelujah,' a slightly off-putting rendition of 'Coconut'... Even though I prefer the original versions of all these songs, I did find this album to be cool in its own right. I mean, it *is* called INTERPRETATIONS; I think that gives you creative license to do what you want." -antiMUSIC

"Dale Turner deserves to be brought to a much wider audience. His excellent and imaginative guitar arrangements are immaculately picked and well sung." -ACOUSTIC GUITAR WORKSHOP

"Truly amazing renditions of tunes from the 60's and 70's for acoustic guitar and voice--both hilarious at times, and just smooth and cool at other times." -GUITARHOO.com

"Dale Turner is one of a kind. He's got his own wall to climb and parapet to peer from--outstanding in his own field. I'm a musician too and appreciate people who go their own way as does Dale." -STEVE SEDBERRY, host ("Appalachian Trail") WUWG Radio 90.7 FM

Product Description

Arranged and performed by acoustic guitarist/vocalist Dale Turner, INTERPRETATIONS is far from a routine ride through the classic tracks of yesteryear.

Over the course of this disc's 40 minutes, Turner takes 10 timeless tunes and steers them into largely uncharted territory--most notably in his treatment of epics like "Bohemian Rhapsody" (his one-man adaptation of this song's famed "Galileo" section is just plain scary--reminiscent of a "guitar-playing Bobby McFerrin") and funky folk freak outs like "Coconut" (an ultra-intense exploration of Nilsson's original one-chord vamp).

Applying new twists to acoustic classics like "Blackbird" (replete with Turner's bewildering "bird" sounds) and "Sweet Baby James" (played at a slower tempo, with a "swing" feel), Turner also takes on piano-based gems like "God Only Knows" (Beach Boys) and "She's Always a Woman" (Billy Joel). It is during these performances, as well as haunting renditions of "Hallelujah" (Leonard Cohen) and "Leader of the Band" (Dan Fogelberg), where Turner truly reveals the depths of his vocal abilities.

Meanwhile, guitar players--particularly Hendrix fans--will rejoice over the all-acoustic treatment of "Castles Made of Sand" (featuring another Turner trademark: a little "mouth guitar" solo) that appears in this set's closing moments.

Originally recorded in December 2000 (as a Christmas gift for Turner's mother), this CD has since been "remixed"--in stunning sound quality--and is now available as the first official release on the INTIMATE AUDIO label (released January 2004).

Dedicated to Jeff Buckley, INTERPRETATIONS also features extensive liner notes paying homage to the late singer-songwriter/interpretive artist, as well track-by-track information detailing Turner's unique arrangements.

Mandatory listening for fans of multi-faceted fretwork and edgy, eclectic vocals.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars rcn, July 20, 2009

By	robert newberry (los angeles Ca) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I just watched a video of Dale playing this, and it is amazing how good he is at playing while singing. Its on youtube check it and see for yourself.

5.0 out of 5 stars Just a Stocking Stuffer??.....Humbug!!! , January 22, 2009

By	Jan Rivera (Hollywood, CA & Puerto Rico) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Here is my very humble opinion about the record. It is one pumped full of oldies that are completely captured by Turner's acoustic arrangements. Throughout the whole album you can hear great guitar work. Here's my rundown, my personal favorites are marked with an (*).



1. Bohemian Rhapsody *:

I don't think that I have ever heard another (or will ever hear for that matter) "interpretation" of "Bohemian Rhapsody" quite like Turner's. Love the little chord voicing fill at the start of the song with the melody on it. From the track's start to up to 2:35 in; the song runs very smoothly, not hinting to you at all of the "Wacky Madness" that is about to enfold at 3:05. It is a world that you will not return from until about 5:18...or will you?

I find the operatic part completely hilarious and a classic day maker for when stuff isn't going that good.

With the arrangement in this song, Dale teaches us that it can be very hard to be funny.



2. God Only Knows *:

This is probably one of the softer tunes of the record. Turner's signature smooth voice kicks in letting you know what to expect for the remainder of the song. Very classical-like stops on 1:04 serve as a bridge, and great separation from the rest of the song. Keep in mind, that when I say bridge and separation, I am not talking about the song parts, but the technique used in the acoustic to perform the part. A great arrangement is not only what dynamics to use, and how to order the song, but knowing what technique to put where and why that part should go there. (It is to know what the song needs instead of what I want.)

The 1:58 fade out on the song carries a very traditional acoustic feel that is almost a requirement for a song like this.



3. Blackbird *:

The deep breath reminded me of Poison's "Every Rose has its Thorn" lol...

Great guitar work on this tune, it is definitely one of my favorites. It even has the bird noises like in the Beatles version, although I have to say Dale's are a lot funnier. Everything was captured in this CD.



4. Sweet Baby James:

Even though this song is not into the realm of what I usually listen to, I have to say that it's well made, and pretty cool. I'm saving this record for when I have a kid. I'll probably play this song for him to go to bed.

Just goes to show you the variety that you can have inside of one single album.



5. Hallelujah *:

The guitar work on this one is great. The dark guitar intro, that I understand was arranged by Jeff Buckley; kind of reminds me of a very watered down mood of Dale's work on "The Aftermath", but that is another, completely different, and sort of disturbing story.

In any case... our influences always show whether we want them to or not. I don't think Dale would mind me saying that though.

A full sound is carried throughout the song, with the melody present in the acoustic guitar. Segment 4:22 - 4:33 is filled with very tasteful chord melodies and diads that are reminiscent of classical music. To give you a sample of the diversity of this album, on many segments like 5:26, 5:32, and 5:38 until about 6:07 you can hear many Jimi Hendrix inspired fills. Who would have though that both classical and Jimi could meet in one song?



6. She's Always a Woman:

I can absolutely see why this songs where chosen to sit around in Christmas time drinking egg nog. This is a super relaxing song that would be great just to sit to while you're passing time with your family.

Word of Caution: Do not let your wife's listen to this song too much, or they will get too mushy.



7. Leader of the Band:

You can definitely hear the emotions surrounding this song. We all are just a legacy to different leaders of the band in someway. Keeping up our "playing" is kind of the only thing that we can control...



8. Sister Golden Hair:

Adjust your headphones for this one if you plan on listening to everything that's going on in the guitar. It probably was a lot of fun to do this track...



9. Castles Made of Sand:

In this song, Turner's expertise in Jimi Hendrix is a little bit more than obvious. The "electric guitar solo" is wacky and cool. It's the sort of thing that makes you laugh and just go: "I can't believe what this guy just did!" You also get this feeling at the end; a sort of super sped up version of the original ending.



10. Coconut:

This song makes for a great time hanging out with your friends, "putting the lime in the coconut and drinking it all up". Just a great chill out, go crazy, start yelling, forget about work type of song. I love how he throws the guitar at the end, the hell with this!!! Hahaha



To me, what is most impressive about "Interpretations" is the level of creativity that Dale was able to pull out of his pocket to create an all cover album. Putting all that new stuff into songs that have been played millions of times must have been an overwhelming challenge. Somehow, he pulled it off. Maybe, just maybe, all of that wackiness (Creativity??? Hmm...) has something to do with it...

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible Interpretations!, July 30, 2007

By	Jason Jennings (J2) (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

Clearly Turner is a master of the instrument and not too shabby of a vocalist as well. I wholeheartedly recommend this album as a way to re-visit some of any music lover's favorites. She's always a woman is just as heartfelt as the original and the whistle solo on Bohemian Rhapsody will have you gasping. Great!