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Joe Lynn Turner- on top of his game again!
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the surprised of many hard rock aficionados in the New York area, rock vocalist
Joe Lynn Turner of Rainbow & Deep Purple fame, conducted a mini-tour
compromising of stops in Manhattan, Poughkeepsie and Farmingdale including Long
Island’s very own “Crazy Donkey”.
This popular nightclub across from the Republic Airport on route 110 is a popular
after work watering hole and a heavily populated night club in the evening hours
entertaining many genres of music ranging from hip-hop to metal.
It was good to see a large diversified crowd swaggering in
denim and leather on the outside patio prior show time, feeling totally complacent
in the 80’s scenery, which by the way, is making a dramatic comeback. Speaking
of comeback, this was a night were world class singer Joe Lynn Turner and his
superb band would convey a searing set of new songs and Rainbow/Deep Purple
classics to a wildly enthusiastic crowd, already warmed up by the acoustic set
of Zebra lead singer Randy Jackson who left the crowd wanting more of grand
songs such as “Tell me what you want”.
Dressed in his trademark black clothing,
Joe Lynn Turner strutted
across the stage delivering fan favorites such as “Spotlight Kid, I Surrender,
Street of Dreams, Stone Cold, and Can’t Happen here. New songs such as “ Power
of Love, Devils Door and Jackknife” from the new album ”Usual Suspects”
were above average renditions and cheered on as soon to be classics. Backed
by a great band, consisting of longtime guitar virtuoso & friend Karl Cockrane,
Bruce Terkelsen on bass, Carlo Larocctora on drums and Al Fritsch on keyboards,
it was a cakewalk for Joe, who occasionally strummed on his guitar to illustrate
his range of musical talent.
We all know to well how the Long Island club crowd is unbreakable,
hard to please and jaded at times. Fortuitously for Joe, the room was literally
on fire and an encore was demanded by the crowd, which eventually came in a
twofold bonus surprise of the Deep Purple classic’s “Smoke on the Water & Highway
Star”. Guitar player Karl Cockrane truly shined in this musical extravagance,
whipping out flawless solos and surprisingly first-rate lead vocals on the high
energy song “Highway Star”.
After the show, Club Long Island sat down for an exclusive
interview with Joe Lynn Turner, who by the way is the most gracious and down
to earth entertainer around.
CLI: This was a great show; we need more acts like you on the charts.
What do you think of the current music scene?
JLT: Unfortunately there are too many cookie cutter bands out there that
have nothing new and exciting to bring to the table. It seems that talent is
a second option when releasing an album or playing out. The standards have been
lowered to a point where you can be successful playing a few chords and having
a limited vocal range. In the grand days of rock, you had no chance if you couldn’t
match Eddie Van Halen on guitar or have a tremendous vocal range. We all had
to work hard and rehearse our butts off to musically compete with what was out
there.
CLI: If there are any, who do you think stands out today and catches
your interest?
JLT: I like Maroon 5, NickelBack and the Goo-Goo Dolls.
CLI: How come you are regarded a major act in Japan and Europe, racking
in huge album sales and shows in large theaters, while playing clubs here in
the USA?
JLT: It is hard to get the large support of the media and record industry
behind you here. Even though we have done a special with VH-1, it makes more
sense for me to concentrate on Europe and Japan, where the audience is loyal
and fanatic about hard-rock. It is my bread and butter and a fan base I treasure.
Playing the USA would be expensive and simply not worth pursuing without a hit
album.
CLI: I guess a Rainbow reunion would bring you into large halls here
in the USA?
JLT: Absolutely, we were huge and had many hits. I like Ritchie and would
love to work with him again in the future.
CLI: Are you saying that a Rainbow reunion would be something you would
entertain?
JLT: Sure, I have some unfinished business with Ritchie and admire his
talent.
CLI: I am surprised not to have seen him here tonight. I guess his new
commitment to Blackmore’s Night is keeping him busy. His recent show here on
LI was very good. Maybe Candace Night can knock out a solo album, while you
and Ritchie do a Rainbow tour?
JLT: Sounds good, I will be more than willing to write a few songs for
Candace.
CLI: How was the Deep Purple experience for you?
JLT: We recorded a great Album “Slave & Masters” which got great reviews.
Unfortunately there were too many conflicts and mounds of turmoil in the band.
Ritchie and I wanted to progress, while the others were allegedly lazy and too
concerned about money. After our break up, it was time to focus on a solo career.
CLI: What do you think of former Deep Purple members David Coverdale
and Glenn Hughes?
JLT: David is awesome on the DP albums “Burn & Storm bringer”. I met
up with him a few years back on Long Island while playing the Coliseum. Glenn
is a super talent, with which I have done a few albums. Great voice and even
more-an immensely gifted musician.
CLI: Looking at your website
www.joelynnturner.com
and www.thehighwaystar.com,
it is amazing how many albums, solo projects and session work you have been
involved in.
JLT: It keeps me busy and enables me to make a living to do what I love
best.
Check out the website and get the new album, I am very proud of it.
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