General: Staples Singers, Ry Cooder, Blind Boys of Alabama, The Beatles, John Prine, James Taylor, Taj Mahal, Robert Johnson, Dr. John, The Band.
Songwriting: Traditional black gospel, and freedom songs, traditional Americana, New Orleans roots, Delta country blues.
Guitar: Ry Cooder, Lowell George, and Colin Linden for slide; Albert King and Eric Clapton for blues lead; James Taylor for claw fingerstyle; David Bromberg and Jerry Douglas for resonator (dobro).
Personal and political "folk soul" songs with driving acoustic rhythm, gospel-style vocals and slide guitar.
For over 30 years, Sam Turton has been playing slide guitar and hammering out personal and political songs with a blues edge and gospel fervour. Sam’s recordings and performances have targeted the Bush empire, Wal-Mart, nuclear power, and the war in Afghanistan. His passion is bringing people together to raise their voices in song.
The title track, written specifically for the CD by musician-producer Sam Turton, is a folk-blues number that turns the rhythms of the South against the Arkansas-based corporation.
- John Allemang, The Globe and Mail (referring to "Not There")
I became captured by his Activist meets Blues playing slide guitarist messin’ with the Baptist preacher’s wife kind of sound. His wealth of material is very deep - we’ll be hearing more from him, there’s no doubt about it.
- Joe Chisholm, Indie Can Radio
Turton uses uncomplicated lyrics and a range of musical styles, many rooted in bluesy, R&B traditions which have your foot tapping and your neck loosened by the onset of the second bar.
- Jane Henderson, The Dominion
2003 - "feel" - 12 song CD
2004 - "Patriot" - anti-Bush single
2005 - "Not There" - 14 song, 17-artist benefit CD
2007 - "We Got to Get Back Home" - single on "Afghanistan: On Guard for Thee?"
Hey man, I love Empires Fall, really good stuff. Thanks for taking in an old bluesman from the Florida Panhandle. If you get a chance, listen to the first two songs on my page. I think you'll like the message:) PEACE, The Old Creak
Hi Sam, sounds great man, deeply soulful stuff! Thanks for finding me. If you want a laugh, be sure to check out the 'faux Ed Sullivan' video on my page. You'll also find some great jazz and nu-jazz.
hiya Sam, thanks so much for the request. yeah man, these tunes of yours are SERIOUS. nice work. talk about it! all the best with your shows and playing in the G-dot. does anyone call it that? I dunno. anyhow, keep your sock drawer well organized and pop on by and say hey sometime.
Hi Sam, first of all thank you for the friendship, sorry I'm late but I don't come here very often, maybe once a week. I listened to your songs, love them all, great protest lyrics with a clear righteous mind, very well played musically too. Hope to catch you in town sometime, but I've been a little overwhelmed lately with daytime job, family and working on my new CD which has to be completed by May, cause I have a continuing building project in Wasaga to complete this summer. Keep in touch, I'll catch you sometime for sure.
