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by rick grant
rickgrant01@comcast.net
WHO: Jonny Lang
WHERE: The Florida Theatre
WHEN: Wednesday, May 30th - 8 PM
Musically, Jonny Lang has been evolving from his first successful album at age 15 to an experienced singer/songwriter who recently went through a spiritual catharsis which changed his life. Since Jonny’s music is a reflection of his consciousness expansion, his new album Turn Around celebrates his spiritual awakening with a collection of inspirational music that comes directly form Jonny’s heart and soul. This new work is inspired by blues, but the music goes way beyond Jonny’s roots into a new realm of expression, with catchy changes of time signature, mood, and polyrhythms.
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Last Tuesday, I called Jonny to talk about his new album and his spiritual renewal that led Jonny into writing music that soars with soulful inspiration of joy and accomplishment. Now Jonny is bringing his music to his fans with renewed energy.
EU: I’ve been listening to your new album, Turn Around, in my car for a couple of days. At first, it was very different and I didn’t know what to make of it. However, after I had lived with it for awhile on my travels, I was truly inspired by its sincere new insight. So I wanted to talk to you about the evolution of this album which seems to be coming straight from your heart. Can you talk about your catharsis and what happened to inspire you to make this album?
Jonny: Well, previously the only subjects I had written about are negative. It seems like those are the ones people can relate to. Songs about things I’ve been going through. You know a lot of things are not what I’m going through right now. I tended to write about the things I was going through at the time.
EU: Yeah, like love gone bad. Unrequited love is a popular theme for songwriters. But this album is so different I had to get acquainted with it, yet I was inspired by the songs and could feel the new energy in your voice and orchestration. It’s a very bold album and I think it will do very well as you tour around. Can you tell me specifically what happened to you when you had your epiphany? Is this something you would like to talk about?
Jonny: Yes, I’m very comfortable talking about it. To make a long story short: Being raised in North Dakota I went to church, but all I saw were examples of poor Christians. It really turned me off. I ended up hating Christianity. I didn’t believe in God or I had no reason to have a relationship with God. I’d tell people if Jesus is real, He would have to show me He is real. Strangely, in the midst of my problems, He made it clear to me He was real and I needed to belong to him. It changed my life. I was addicted to drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. And suddenly I didn’t need those things in my life anymore. It was a major life changing experience. So, I wrote about it.
EU: Music is a special form of communication. It’s better than preaching or verbally telling people what you went through. Music goes directly to the listener’s soul and they feel it rather than conceptualize it. So by performing your inspirational music you are reaching people on a spiritual level. They feel it and understand its joyful message. The music speaks for itself. When I listened to the music I felt it was not only different but inspirational. More importantly, I think artists need to progress and try new things. That’s why you are a performer and why you go through the hassle of the business. So how is this tour going?
Jonny: Yes, the tour has been going very well. We’ve been on a break but we’re going back out for another run and I’m excited to share my new music with my fans.
EU: Can you talk about some of the material on the album?
Jonny: The song that sums up the album for me is Only a Man, which I did acoustically with my wife singing backup vocals. That song was very meaningful to me. I’ve been so blessed, and to have my wife sing with me was special.
That concluded our chat. Clearly, Jonny speaks volumes through his music and his latest album has a lot to say about the changes in his life, which are all positive.
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EU Critic’s Choice Awards
