NEW YORK (www.intimateaudio.com/ Intimate Audio Label) - INTERPRETATIONS, the first CD release on the INTIMATE AUDIO label, features 10 inventive acoustic guitar/vocal versions of '60s-'70s era cover songs, ranging from Queen's "
Bohemian Rhapsody" and the Beach Boys' "God Only Knows," to Jimi Hendrix's "Castles Made of Sand" and Harry Nilsson's "Coconut."
Arranged and performed by Los Angeles-based acoustic guitarist/vocalist Dale Turner, INTERPRETATIONS is far from a routine ride through the classic tracks of yesteryear. Over the course of this disc's 40 minutes, Turner takes 10 timeless tunes and steers them into largely uncharted territory, most notably in his treatment of epics like "Bohemian Rhapsody" (his one-man adaptation of this song's famed "Galileo" section is hilariously riveting reminiscent of a "guitar-playing Bobby McFerrin") and funky folk freak outs like "Coconut" (an ultra-intense exploration of Nilsson's original one-chord vamp).
Applying new twists to acoustic classics like the Beatles' "Blackbird" (replete with Turner's bewildering "bird" sounds) and James Taylor's "Sweet Baby James" (played at a slower tempo, with a "swing" feel), Turner also takes on piano-based gems like "God Only Knows" (Beach Boys) and "She's Always a Woman" (Billy Joel). It is during these performances, as well as haunting renditions of "Hallelujah" (Leonard Cohen) and "Leader of the Band" (Dan Fogelberg), where Turner truly reveals the depths of his vocal abilities.
Meanwhile, guitar players - particularly Jimi Hendrix fans - will rejoice over the all-acoustic treatment of "Castles Made of Sand" (featuring Turner's trademark "mouth guitar" soloing) that appears in this set's closing moments.
Dedicated to Jeff Buckley, INTERPRETATIONS also features extensive liner notes paying homage to the late singer-songwriter/interpretive artist, as well track-by-track information detailing Turner's unique arrangements. The disc, recorded initially as a Christmas gift for Turner's mother (December 2000), has since been remixed in stunning sound quality and is now available as the first official release on the INTIMATE AUDIO label.
MUSIC CONNECTION magazine says: "Turner's acoustic guitar playing on this collection of classic covers from the Sixties and Seventies (including Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," the Beach Boys' "God Only Knows," and the Beatles' "Blackbird") is first rate."
Mandatory listening for fans of multi-faceted fretwork and edgy, eclectic vocals, INTERPRETATIONS is available now at CDBaby.com, TowerRecords.com, and Amazon.com.
