Album Review: Turrentine Jones 'Our Days'

The last time Turrentine Jones were featured on my blog ( you can jog your memory here) they had just embarked down the route of Pledge music in order to produce their debut album OUR DAYS (with 5% of profits being donated to homeless charity Mustard Tree) The results of which landed in my inbox recently and the Blues drenched sounds with a strong Memphis influence told me that the public's faith was well spent.  Packed with tracks which simmer in 'devil-may-care' riffs, it's icy cool attitude teases us with the mystery it retains.

Gift of A Rose eases us into the album with it's charming melodies and plucky riffs. The smoothness to the track, which manifests itself in Julian Neville's sultry vocals, creates a strong Beatnik vibe as the infectious rhythm creates a promising album opener. Southern American attitude is punched directly into Hunger as their influence from the Tennessee label Stax Records shines through with a raw edge to the guitar riffs and a heavy emphasis on the unmistakable twang to Neville's vocals. Love Heard You Coming is arguably the most radio-friendly track to the album due to it's playful spontaneity and conventional approach to the chorus. Grace Is A Dancer injects OUR DAYS with a heavy passion in it's subtle intro which slowly heats up into a celebratory ballad. The track simmers back down again into an intimate acoustic guitar solo which feels so close , the Fretboard is almost whispering in your ear.    

It's easy to see, or hear even, how the colloquially titled Moonlight Is On Yer Side was chosen as the single for OUR DAYS. The fun, yet seductive, instrumentals deems the song perfect to represent the album. Moonlight Is On Yer Side is a smart and sharp track, cloaked in a mysterious nighttime haze due to the echoing bridge, but still contains all the makings of a hit single with it's carefree, danceable beat and spontaneous nature.

Pussy Cat is a T.S Elliot style ode to feline femininity and thankfully, evades the trap of  the simpering love song. The woman of desire, and the subject of the track, shares the traits of a Pussy Cat due to the fact she noncommittally comes and goes as she pleases against a backdrop of electric riffs, which provides a gentle warmth and flows smoothly into the gentle Little Queen. June returns the album to it's raw blues core, complete with angst-ridden lyrics. The main concept behind OUR DAYS seems to be quite simply 'women' with Mary Ann as the finishing track. (I wonder how Grace and Pussy Cat lady feel about this??) However Mary Ann is a lucky lady as the song provides OUR DAYS with a heated passion in it's velvety verses and pining guitars which perfectly seals up the album.  

2013 saw Turrentine Jones receive a rapturous reception at the BBC Introducing Stage at Glastonbury . Couple this with the raw, sensual energy of OUR DAYS and you have a band that is set to stamp it's own unmistakable mark on the British music scene.

OUR DAYS will be available from 11th August

Pledge Music: A New Path For Musicians?

The concept of Pledge Music  was born in 2009 and in recent years has proved to be an efficient and popular way for musicians to put out an album that is entirely reliant on their fanbase. Pledge Music changes the rules of the game as instead of going down the traditional route of having record companies or the bands themselves place an investment into the production of albums, fans are invited to donate towards the cost and then get sent the album upon completion. 

Pledge Music is an often successful way of artists showing faith in their fanbase and vice versa as they are equally reliant upon one another. I decided that the best band to grill on the subject would be Turrentine Jones not only because their debut album 'Our Days' is being put together via Pledge Music, but 5% of the end result reached will be donated to Mustard Tree, a worthwhile charity that helps to rebuild the lives of the homeless in Manchester. 

1] What made you decide to go down the route of pledge music?

We’ve been building towards something like this for a while but never felt confident we have the fan base to do it. We thought it was a good time now after coming off a successful UK tour this year and playing for BBC at Glastonbury. We also thought it was a good way to connect with our fans.

2] Is it harder work than going down the conventional route of making an album?

I don’t think it’s any different - You still have to work your arse off! The benefit is that you don’t have to produce the ££ upfront which takes off a little of the financial pressure. The process is just the same though – e.g. Bringing in the right people to record it, mix it, master it. You need a team of people to be there from start to end to produce a great album which is what we’re definitely aiming for

3] How would this project benefit your fanbase?

We did it to connect with our fans by offering some pretty great exclusive items like signed vinyl, shirts, drum sticks, even their name in the liner notes of the CD etc. Things fans wouldn’t necessarily get their hands on. And on top of all of that they can say they’ve been a part of the whole project.


4] Would you recommend this route for bands who are starting out?

Hmmmm. It depends what your ultimate goal/target is and how much you’re asking for. You do rely on your fans, I mean, unless you have a large and generous family that can Pledge for you, eventually you rely on your fans to top it off. But it’s one of the best ways to connect with your fans. No label. No politics. No bullshit . It’s you and your fans working towards a common goal. That’s it

5] What can fans expect from 'Our Days' ?

Sex, coffee and rock n roll. Julian’s black book of sultry tales. That’s the feel, that’s the sound. Something you’ll want to play on repeat until you fall asleep. We’ve come a long way and gone through a lot as a band in such short time but we’ve always stuck to our roots. We always will. We like blues, rock n roll and that’s what we’re going to put down. We can’t wait until the album drops!

If you like the sound of 'Our Days' you can make your contribution here and grab yourself some goodies!