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Joe Lynn Turner- on top of his game again!
 To 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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