Artist:     Benny Turner

Album:     When She’s Gone

Label:     Nola Blue Records

Release Date:     02/14/2016

90

BUY DIGITAL

BUY PHYSICAL

When She’s Gone is an excellent album, packed with real quality musicianship, vocals, material and soulful feeling. Benny Turner is not just another bluesman, but the brother of the late legend, Freddie King. With this man, we have a true bluesman, brought up in the tradition from a family that was positively steeped in this genre.

The fourth release from Turner, the ten tracks include sure-fired soulful vocals and quality bass from Turner with some subtle support from Muddy’s old guitar and sideman player Bob Margolin. Dr. John even puts in a rare appearance on rhythm guitar on one track. Margolin displays his sheer quality and experience with a wonderful slide-based take on Bill Withers’ hit standard “Ain’t No Sunshine,” turning it on its head in places.

For the past fifty years, Turner has been happy to skip the spotlight, working as bandleader for the former widely acclaimed Blues Queen of New Orleans, Marva Wright. Before Wright passed away, she recorded a duet with Turner for the “Pity On This Lovesick Fool.” Turn has also shored up countless big-name players including a decade on bass, performing and touring with his late, elder brother, King.

Soul-blues music at its near best, When She’s Gone showcases a master at the top of his game.

– Iain Patience