Ten years into his recording career, Jonny Lang is fulfilling the
promise critics hailed at the outset of his career.
He has garnered platinum and gold certifications, a Grammy
nomination, sold-out headlines concerts around the world, and toured
with the Rolling Stones, among other accolades. Now Lang's "Turn
Around," releasing on A&M Records to general and Christian market
retail Sept. 19, reveals him to be a young adult artist of
extraordinary musical and spiritual depth.
On "Turn Around", Lang confidently employs the songwriting craft he
introduced on 2003's "Long Time Coming", the first album on which he
had written or co-written nearly all of the songs. Lang's own songs
have been described as "more like Stevie Wonder than Stevie Ray
Vaughn." At Wonder's request, and in his presence, Lang had the
honor of performing "Livin' for the City" at the legend's induction
to the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Like Wonder's first self-composed
recordings, "Turn Around" is thoroughly spiritual and a personal
expression of his faith. Producer Ron Fair, whose many credits
include Black-Eyed Peas' "Where Is the Love," realizes the funk and
gospel energy inherent in these 14 songs co-written by Lang and
Grammy winners Drew Ramsey and Shannon Sanders , as well as five-
time Grammy winner and GMA's most awarded artist, Steven Curtis
Chapman.
"I've been a fan of Jonny Lang for a long time, but I think this
record captures more of his heart and soul than any music I've ever
heard him make," says Chapman, who co-wrote "My Love Remains" for
the album with Lang. "I'm very honored to have had the privilege of
writing with Jonny for this record and our friendship has shown me
that he's a man that's passionate about his faith as a Christian and
is committed to reflecting that in his music. This is an amazing
record from an amazing artist."
"Turn Around" opens aptly with an organ intro by Sanders and
continues with, "Bump in the Road," one of the album's numerous
songs about the theme of redemption. Lang sings a duet with Michael
McDonald on "Thankful" and in "One Person At A Time," the eminent
musicians Sam Bush (mandolin) and Buddy Miller (guitar) join Lang
for "On That Great Day," while Nickel Creek violinist Sara Watkins
contributes to "Only A Man," on which Lang shares vocals with his
wife, Haylie.
Author: Kevan Breitinger
Published: June 28, 2006
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