Benny Turner – BT
Benny Turner has a new album called BT, which is a map of Benny’s history with his most treasured fellow blues musicians. “I had a great time working on this album with some of my favorite musicians and reminiscing about my musical history, from picking up the guitar again to revisiting my gospel roots, to finally recording some of my favorites,” says Turner. “Including the songs ‘Born In This Time’ and ‘Who Sang It First’ are a very important reminder of the history of slavery and the roots of the blues that should never be forgotten.” This album began at FAME studio in Muscle Shoals, and was completed at Pennsylvania’s Right Coast Recording, and is now being released in honor of BT’s 85th birthday, or, shall we say, right on time. The album is seven covers and three original songs written or co-written by Benny. And the whole enterprise is absolutely phenomenal. Benny is a legend.
“Bump Miss Susie” (written by Rudy Toombs and widely played by Big Joe Turner) is true to the original rhythms but showcases Benny’s easy flowing singing voice. Listening to this you can hear the influences the blues like this had on Elvis Presley.
“Going Down Slow” (written by James Oden, widely popularized by Howlin’ Wolf) does what it says it will do – slows things down with deep harmonica pulls and a groove piano. “Somebody please write my mama / Tell her the shape I’m in….” and more harmonica emphasis and a soulful plea of regrets.
The sassy version of Jimmy McCracken’s “The Walk” is punctuated with sax and saunter.
“That’s When I Call On You” is the B – side of Dee Clark’s 1958 hit, “Nobody But You.” This takes things nice and easy and solidifies the extent of the way the blues can give you a warm and fuzzy feeling.
“Smoke My Peace Pipe (Smoke It Right)” (by the Wild Magnolias) aka A Tribute to Big Chief Bo Dollis is a charm. It brings together several musicians who also played with the Wild Magnolias for a beautiful version with lots of harmonies and a great groove.
Original song “Sleepy Time in the Barnyard” is an instrumental that features Benny on guitar; it’s an easy pace and lots of blues flourishes on piano and guitar.
This is a rich piece of musical history rolled into an album and well worth the listen. Benny is a legend; he’s Freddy King’s younger brother and toured with him extensively, for reference. Find more information here on his website: https://www.bennyturner.com/ and find the music here: https://lnk.to/b-t
Musicians on the album are Benny Turner on lead vocals, bass, banjo, percussion, claps and background vocals, Bobby Gentilo on guitars, rhythm guitars, clavinet, percussion and background vocals; Charlie Burnett on upright bass and background vocals; Nate Young on clavinet, piano, B3, Wurlitzer, and background vocals; Paul Murr on drums and background vocals; Will McFarlane on guitar and rhythm guitar; Harrell “Young Rell” Davenport on harmonica; Clayton Ivey on keys, Wurlitzer and B3; Justin Holder on drums; Derwin “Big D” Perkins on guitar; Sax Gordon on horns; Shawn Allen on piano and B3; Jeffery “Jellybean” Alexander on claps and drums; Christy Engel on drums; Keiko Komaki on keys, piano, claps and B-3; Billy Davis on guitar; Sallie Bengtson on claps and background vocals; Warner Williams on background vocals; Marva Wright on background vocals; June Yamagishi on guitar; Jack Miele on guitar; Norwood “Geechie” Johnson on bass drum; Steve Grills on guitar; Paul Murr on drums; and Joe Krown on B3.
All tracks were produced by Benny Turner; tracks 4, 6, 8 were co-produced by Bobby Gentilo. The album was mixed by Bobby Gentilo at Right Coast Recording in Columbia, PA except for “Who Sang It First,” which was mixed by Jack Miele at Music Shed Studios in New Orleans.