Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Ike Turner: Risin' With The Blues

215

Ike Turner: Risin' With The Blues

By

Sign in to view read count
Ike Turner: Risin' With The Blues
It is no secret that Ike Turner has lived a very colorful life. He has seen it all: the struggle, the fame, the downward spiral, the besmirching of his name. But he has proved to be a fighter and a survivor. And now, at 75, he is back with a hell-raising album.

Turner has written a few classic songs and he continues to show that strength. In addition, he picks on some rhythm & blues standards, giving one an interesting autobiographical twist. He sings with an overwhelming passion, plays stinging guitar and works with a hot band, particularly the horns. This record is a zinger.

Turner takes Eddie Boyd's "Five Long Years and turns it inward, changing it to "Eighteen Long Years to reflect the time he was married to Tina Turner. His singing on this blues tune is gut-wrenching; his voice has a raucous edge which brings out the hell that marriage was for him. Motown does not escape his attention, and his sandpaper vocals braise "A Love Like Yours. Bringing in his own interpretation, he captures the essence and spirit of the Martha and the Vandellas song, making it his own.

The blues hold sway on "Rockin' Blues. Turner has it all in the palm of his hand, his phrasing breathing life into the words. He still has the power to turn the blues into an unforgettable experience. And for added impetus, there's some flinty guitar. Turner's sense of humour is evident on "Gimme Back My Wig, where he takes a dig at a woman who was once his. It's a funky delight, upped by the harp of Ken Frizelle.

There is a lot more to savour here. One thing is certain: Ike Turner has made an impact all over again.

Track Listing

Gimme Back My Wig; Caldonia; Tease Me; Goin

Personnel

Ike Turner
guitar

Ike Turner: lead vocals, guitar, piano; Audrey Madison: background vocals (7); The Kings of Rhythm: Mack Johnson: horns; Leo Dumbecki: horns; Ryan Montana: horns; Seth Blumberg: guitars; Joe Kelly: guitars; Ken Frizelle: harp; Lenny

Album information

Title: Risin' With The Blues | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Zoho Music

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

What Was Happening
Bobby Wellins Quartet
Laugh Ash
Ches Smith
A New Beat
Ulysses Owens, Jr. and Generation Y

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.