Tina Turns the Country On!

Tina Turns the Country On! is the second solo studio album by Tina Turner, released in 1974 by United Artists Records. The album features Tina Turner's interpretations of songs by Dolly Parton, Kris Kristofferson, and Bob Dylan, among others, and showcases her ability to blend Country music with Rock music and Soul music, as seen in her performances with Ike & Tina Turner at the Fillmore West and Whisky a Go Go. The album was produced by Tom Thacker and features guest appearances by Donna Fargo and Charlie Daniels. Tina Turner's unique voice and style have been praised by Elton John, Cher, and Stevie Nicks.

Background

The album was recorded in 1974, during a tumultuous time in Tina Turner's life, as she was going through a divorce from her husband and musical partner Ike Turner. Despite the challenges she was facing, Tina Turner was determined to pursue a solo career and prove herself as a talented artist in her own right, as seen in her performances at the Grand Ole Opry and Carnegie Hall. She drew inspiration from various artists, including Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, and Johnny Cash, and worked with producers Tom Thacker and Jerry Crutchfield to create an album that would showcase her vocal range and emotional depth, similar to her work with Phil Spector and George Harrison. The album's country-rock sound was influenced by The Byrds, The Eagles, and Linda Ronstadt, and features guest appearances by Glen Campbell and Emmylou Harris.

Album information

Tina Turns the Country On! was released in 1974 by United Artists Records and features 10 tracks, including Tina Turner's interpretations of Dolly Parton's Jolene and Kris Kristofferson's Help Me Make It Through the Night. The album was recorded at Bolic Sound in Inglewood, California, and features a mix of country, rock, and soul influences, similar to the work of Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin. The album's production team included Tom Thacker, Jerry Crutchfield, and Audie Ashworth, who had previously worked with Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Johnny Cash. The album's sound was also influenced by The Rolling Stones, The Who, and Led Zeppelin, and features guest appearances by Ronnie Wood and Pete Townshend.

Track listing

The album features the following tracks: 1. Bayou Song - written by P.J. Morse and Delaney Bramlett 2. Help Me Make It Through the Night - written by Kris Kristofferson 3. Country Sunshine - written by Dolly Parton 4. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - written by John Rostill 5. Heaven Help Us All - written by Ron Miller 6. Twenty-Four Hours of Love - written by Tina Turner and Lenny Macaluso 7. Don't Talk Now - written by Brian Russell and Bobby Russell 8. Long Long Time - written by Gary White 9. I'm Movin' On - written by Hank Snow 10. There'll Always Be Music - written by Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner The album features a mix of original songs and covers, and showcases Tina Turner's ability to interpret a wide range of material, from Bob Dylan to Elvis Presley.

Reception

Tina Turns the Country On! received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising Tina Turner's powerful vocals and emotional delivery, as seen in her performances with The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. The album was praised by Rolling Stone magazine, which noted that Tina Turner's voice was "one of the most expressive and powerful in rock music", similar to Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. The album was also praised by The New York Times, which noted that Tina Turner's interpretations of country classics were "fresh and exciting", similar to the work of Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. However, some critics noted that the album's production was somewhat uneven, and that some of the tracks felt overly polished, similar to the criticism of The Eagles and Fleetwood Mac.

Release history

Tina Turns the Country On! was released in 1974 by United Artists Records and has since been re-released on several occasions, including a 1994 re-release by EMI Records and a 2011 re-release by Parlophone Records. The album has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and has been praised by Dolly Parton, Kris Kristofferson, and Bob Dylan, among others. The album's influence can be heard in the work of Shania Twain, Faith Hill, and Carrie Underwood, and it remains a beloved classic in Tina Turner's discography, alongside River Deep - Mountain High and Private Dancer. Category:1974 albums