*EXCLUSIVE* Jonny Lang - Turn Around

Submitted by Chim Richalds - Sep 8, 2006

Jonny Lang

Turn Around

Artist Website || Tour Dates

Coming off a US acoustic tour Lang's pipes are ripe. Don't be fooled by the 'kinda gay come-do-me look' on the cover of this album cause this guy's for real. Its been awhile since I've heard Jonny Lang belt out some of his bluesy, smooth deep vocals but 'Turn Around' made me realize what I've been missing. This kid has grown up. The first thing I noticed was that he chopped off all of his prepubescent locks. His clean cut all American boy looks made the Gospel inspired tracks seem a little more legit.

I also remembered him being a mini Stevie Ray Vaughn and again, he didn't fail one bit to resurrect the legend. Mixed with a little Chris Robinson from The Black Crowes, this album really hits a home run. It's really got everything. You seem to forget that Lang can tear up a six string as well because his vocals are so tight. And shit, he got a Grammy nomination when he was just 19 even though he started his professional career at 13 and now at the age of 24 this kid, err, seasoned veteran, has his 5th album ready to jump off the shelves.

Track 1, 'Intro', is about a 20 second church organ rift that gears you up for a very nice gospel themed ride taking you all the way to the final track. The record kicks off very strong and heartfelt with 'Bump In The Road' referencing his long hiatus from the music scene and 'One Person At A Time' reminding the music industry that he's back and ready to stake his claim on his genre. Track 6 'My Love Remains' brings out the sexy smooth falsetto in Mr. Lang with very smooth transitions and romantic undertones.

A background choir is present on almost every track especially on Track 7 when Michael McDonald joins the fun and gives 'Thankful' a very uplifting finish. Being no stranger to the Gospel scene, McDonald only builds on this albums legitimacy as a mature offering by Lang.

The one thing you keep forgetting when listening to this album is that Lang is no kid anymore. But more importantly most popular musicians these days are only starting out at his age. With track 8, 'Only A Man', the title tells you that although now that he's a man he still needs guidance with his relationships, love and life in general. The accompanying violin, soft tone and back up female vocals make this song really hit home and is a nice median between the rest of the tracks.

The lyrics on Track 5, the album's title song 'Turn Around', show you how much he's grown and matured over the years. He belts out "I was a young man in a hurry, I didn't stop to think... the choices you make might be mistakes but it's never too late to turn around, turn around." After listening to this album I feel that Lang has no thoughts of turning around nor is he looking back.