Nobody was sure what to make of the talented prodigy, although no one could argue the kid wasn't riddled with genius. He could spit out rapid-fire guitar riffs 'til your head spun, but he never claimed to be a blues purist. Jonny Lang's newest album, "Turn Around," releasing September 19, is his most personal project yet, sure to have tongues wagging again, not to mention toes tapping and necks bobbin'. Oh yeah, a LOT of neck bobbin'! This album is hotter than the proverbial dog days of August, dripping with soul, gospel, and all things funky.
Now 25, Lang is surer than ever of what he has to say and how to say it, with a power-packed crew of guest artists joining him on "Turn Around." Quiet organ chords bookend the album, opening the gate for the funkified "Bump in the Road," and the Lang-lashing begins, taut guitar carrying those raspy vocals once again. The bluesy "One Person at a Time" challenges us to "change the world one boy one girl one person at a time," while cleverly bemoaning the dichotomy of commerce vs. art. Big dogs Funk, Blues, and Rock mix it up on "The Other Side of the Fence," Lang's guitar tying it all up tight. The organ-rich "Turn Around" has a strong R&B/gospel feel that fits its tale of parental warnings nicely. I like the inclusion of Charlie's story, locked up in jail but freed by the Word, told through a hailstorm of electric guitars and slippery vocals. Co-written with Steven Curtis Chapman, "My Love Remains" is a tender reminder of God's presence, soulful vocals crooned over gently popping strings. "Thankful" has an earthy R&B groove that just won't quit, and an engaging duet with guest Michael McDonald. With the possible exception of Tina Turner, nobody tears up an R&B song like Lang. Both artists sing with the same bawdy fearlessness, willing to let the song tap into their own feral sensuality to reach yours, making the groove accessible to any listener but the most severely uptight.
Quiet acoustic testimony "Only A Man" will hit you hard. When Lang's wife Haylie lends her honeyed tones to the mix, it brings an almost angelic quality to this show-stopping song; Sara Watkins' violin strains only add to the tenderness of this breath-taking track. But don't relax too much. Next up is the power funk of "Don't Stop For Anything," followed by the joyfully encouraging "Anything's Possible," funk guitar rocking its way through a Martin Luther King dream, no less. Back to the swishing brushes and whispering vocals on the poignant "Last Goodbye." But the funk is up again and hotter than ever for "On My Feet Again," your neck snappin' hard as a solid horn section, a simmering organ, and Lang's sizzling guitar stretches things as tight as they can go. But don't let all the sizzle let you miss these passionate lyrics: "Never again will I wander without you/ never again will I offer to you anything less than my very best/ never again now that I understand..... Getting on my knees puts me back on my feet again."
Sam Bush's mandolin dances sweetly through the quietly soulful "On That Great Day," and hold on tight for the gospel jam feel of "It's Not Over." "Turn Around" is fourteen songs of generous revelation and joyful exhortation, co-written with Grammy winners Drew Ramsey and Shannon Sanders, but given life by Jonny Lang's stunning guitar chops and passionate vocals. He's never sounded more committed, more focused, or more sure of his gifting. Makes a lot of sense when you think about it. But even without the spiritual connections, you'd be hard pressed not to thoroughly dig this extraordinary album from an artist who seems to have found the groove he was made for.
