Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
80 of 92 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
The Blues Guitar is Missing, October 2, 2006
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?)
|
|
|
31 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Gospel Infused Soul, Funk & Blues, September 24, 2006
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!
|
|
|
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Jonny Lang - Goes Gospel, August 4, 2007
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.
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
~ Jonny Lang
~ Jonny Lang
~ Jonny Lang
DVD ~ Jonny Lang
~ Kenny Wayne Shepherd
by Jonny Lang 
