TROY TURNER

Whole Lotta Blues

[Evidence]

Troy Turner has been putting out records since 1990, but this is only his fourth in those 20 years. His latest is a collaborative effort with producer Jon Tiven, who had a hand in writing 13 of the album’s 14 tracks and plays a variety of instruments throughout. Tiven in turn called on the likes of legendary Howlin’ Wolf sideman Hubert Sumlin as a partner in writing several of the songs, and supplemented Turner’s raspy vocals and electric guitar work with guest shots from Steve Cropper, Felix Cavaliere and Howard Tate, among others. Apart from an overwrought cover of “Going Down” (with both Brian May and Leslie West on guitar), this is classic sounding, well-executed electric blues. And on occasion—such as the gigolo ode “Blue Hair Woman” (written by Al Franken back when he was just a comedian), the cool acoustic-led shuffle of “One Way Ticket,” and the gutbucket R&B vibe of “Foolin’ Yourself”—it rises well above. –Stuart Munro