Troy Turner
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Troy Turner

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | INDIE

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States | INDIE
Established on Jan, 2014
Band Blues R&B

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"Whole Lotta Blues"

Whole Lotta Blues, Troy Turner’s fourth studio album, is a reflection of both his combustible guitar skill and vocal virtuosity. Though he hasn’t released a record in over a decade, he’s used the time to gain perspective. His signature lead guitar work reflects the seasoning of a veteran craftsman who’s added to his considerable musical arsenal. The fiery “gunslinger” is still evident, but his solo work on this record is often restrained and understated. He’s not trying to overpower its songs as much as compliment them. In that regard he’s made a quantum leap forward from his previous efforts. Troy’s matured as a songwriter, with substantial lyric and melodic contributions to “Don’t Push Your Luck” and “Goin Fishin.” Troy’s vocals on Whole Lotta Blues are convincingly powerful, a sign that he’s progressed past earlier comparisons to a young B.B. King. There may be a bit of B.B. in Troy’s rendering of “Come to Your Senses” or “Don’t Push Your Luck,” but it’s clear that Troy has taken charge of his identity and forged a bold new persona with this album. In fact, this collection may very well put him right back where he belongs—in the middle of the blues map.

The credit for the masterfully dynamic result can also be shared with renowned producer Jon Tiven and the album’s supporting cast, some of blues, rock, and soul’s most outstanding personalities.

Howard Tate, a respected vocalist since he burst on the scene in the late 60s, duets with Troy on “Never Too Big for the Blues.” “I knew our voices would go together,” says Tate, “But when he plays that guitar, whoa! He’s a monster.” Troy also teams up with guitar legend, Steve Cropper and Young Rascals founder, Felix Cavaliere on piano, for the high energy “Foolin Yourself.” The hauntingly rhythmic “Come to Your Senses” (by Queen’s Brian May and Tiven and featuring Cropper) allows Troy to stretch out and distinguish himself as an innovator as well as a trustworthy blues purveyor.

Even Minnesota Senator Al Franken appears in the liner notes. Franken co-wrote the humorous “Blue Hair Woman” with his former band mates Tiven and Tiven’s wife Sally in the early 80s.

Though they met and worked together in the mid 90s, Troy and Tiven have chosen to present a new batch of material, one more suited to Troy’s growth as both a performer and recording artist. In his liner notes for the album, Tiven crystallizes Troy’s essence as “…both the future of the blues and…(a reflection of its) traditional spirit. When I hear Troy sing and play, I hear…B.B. King and Buddy Guy…but I also hear Troy’s singular and identifiable style. That’s no mean feat. That’s a Whole Lotta Blues.” --Jon Tiven - Evidence Music Inc.


"Blues on My Back"

Baton Rouge bluesman Troy Turner dips into a variety of bags with authority on Blues on My Back (Telarc 83448; 48:47). A decided Jimi Hendrix-Stevie Ray Vaughan influence comes into play on the rock-tinged title track and also on a ripping rendition of Duke Robillard's "If This Is Love" while his funky ice pickin' take on "Black Cat Bone" is a clear homage to Albert Collins. "Protection" is more aligned with the dance floor, a la Prince & The Revolution or Morris Day & The Time. On the old school tip, Turner can shuffle with the earthiest of 'em, as he so capably demonstrates on Freddie King's "Hideaway," the classic "Mojo Boogie" and a revved up organ-fueled "Baby Let's Play House." His Louisiana roots come across on "World Without Fear," with its rolling parades beats, but he stakes out his most original territory on ballads like the moody minor key lament "Lonely Cafe," "It's Harder Now" and the subtle, bossa-flavored blues "Going Back To Louisiana." One of the best of the new guard of bluesmen. - Jazz Times


"Teenage Blues In Baton Rouge"

When other Black teenagers were taking up rap in the 1980s, Troy Turner embraced a style that most of his peers had no interest in: the blues. At 23, Turner sang and played the blues like me meant it on the promising Teenage Blues In Baton Rouge. Influenced by artists ranging from Kenny Neal and Buddy Guy to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix, the Louisiana singer/electric guitarist is surprisingly mature on "House Without a Home," "She's Burnin'," "Life Is a Gamble" and other and inviting tunes. The charismatic Turner has a smooth vocal style, but that doesn't mean his music isn't gritty. This impressive CD explodes the myth that one has to be over 30 to be a convincing bluesman -- a myth ignoring the fact that so many of the all-time blues greats took up the blues in their teens. Turner (who successfully detours into Louisiana R&B territory on "Hold Me Close") proves that for younger bluesman, it's simply a question of being exposed to the blues and really feeling them. - AllMusicGuide


"Troy Turner’s Accolades"

*Received the coveted J.D. Miller Award from the Louisiana Blues Hall of Fame for his outstanding contribution to the genre.

*By the age of 23, he had already been touted as a major blues force to watch by Rolling Stone, Guitar Player, Living Blues and Guitar World

*Van Halen lead singer David Lee Roth told Guitar World that Troy’s first two records were two of his all-time favorites!

*AllMusic Guide’s Ron Wynn wrote,” Troy Turner’s sound … includes soul, funk and rock elements in his playing, but also sings powerhouse straight blues tunes.”

*Troy first three solo albums, Teenage Blues in Baton Rouge (Kingsnake, 1990) and Handful of Aces (Kingsnake, 1992), Blues On My Back (Telarc, 1999), all have been widely acclaimed by industry publications. - Multiple Publications


Discography

Troy's first three solo albums, "Teenage Blues in Baton Rouge" (Kingsnake, 1990) and "Handful of Aces" (Kingsnake, 1992), "Blues On My Back" (Telarc, 1999), all have been widely acclaimed by industry publications.

His latest album "Whole Lotta Blues" (Evidence, 2010), Troy Turner’s fourth studio album, is a reflection of both his combustible guitar skill and vocal virtuosity. Though he hasn’t released a record in over a decade, he’s used the time to gain perspective. His signature lead guitar work reflects the seasoning of a veteran craftsman who’s added to his considerable musical arsenal. The fiery “gunslinger” is still evident, but his solo work on this record is often restrained and understated. He’s not trying to overpower its songs as much as compliment them. In that regard he’s made a quantum leap forward from his previous efforts. Troy’s matured as a songwriter, with substantial lyric and melodic contributions to “Don’t Push Your Luck” and “Goin Fishin.” Troy’s vocals on Whole Lotta Blues are convincingly powerful, a sign that he’s progressed past earlier comparisons to a young B.B. King. There may be a bit of B.B. in Troy’s rendering of “Come to Your Senses” or “Don’t Push Your Luck,” but it’s clear that Troy has taken charge of his identity and forged a bold new persona with this album. When he’s on stage playing, his head thrown back, eye’s closed. It’s easy to see that Troy is the living embodiment of the blues.

Troy Turner's music can be streamed at www.reverbnation.com/TroyTurner

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Bio

From Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Troy Turner is an artist not easily pigeon-holed. He has hung out with many of the earlier generation.... including Tabby Thomas, Buddy Guy, Henry Gray and Raful Neal. He has spent an inordinate amount of time with the Neal family and has nearly been considered a member of that first family of the blues. He has played behind Raful Neal, toured with Kenny Neal and was in a high school garage band with Kenny's younger brothers, Frederick and Darnell. But Troy has influences stretching beyond the Baton Rouge blues scene, from the late Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan to Prince.

Troy has opened for The Neville Brothers, B.B. King, Dr. John, Steppenwolf, Edgar Winter, Etta James, Leon Russell, the Ohio Players, Albert Collins, Koko Taylor, Bobby Bland, White Spirit, Jeff Healey, Derik Trucks, Gatemouth Brown and played with Albert Collins, Bo Joque, and C.J. Chenier. Troy Turner has played the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival every year from 1988 to 1995 and returned to play the festival in 2011 and 2012.

On the European scene, Troy Turner toured Amsterdam, Belgium, Paris, Italy, Germany, Russia and Finland and introduced these countries to his style of New Orleans Blues, funk and rock & roll. Troy Turner is the epitome of New Orleans Blues, fun and rock & roll being compared to B.B. King, Buddy Guy Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix. He is an amazing performer and artist with a true New Orleans Blues Soul.