Blues fans know about the legend of the Crossroads. Reed Turchi had the blues and was literally at a crossroads when battling a rare and life-threatening version of Crohn’s Disease, going through a divorce, and moving to New York. He has emerged with a smile and with his 16th studio album since 2012, World On Fire, which will be released on May 30.
Turchi and his band will play at Barbes in his now-home-borough of Brooklyn on that date to celebrate the release. The band of Eric Burns (guitar), Seth Barden (bass), Joseph Yount (drums), and Turchi (guitar/vocals) has great continuity, not surprising given their previous projects together. The album is a deep dive into traditional North Mississippi hill country blues. These are songs with some dirt on ‘em. Eight of the nine songs are so old that they have been passed down through the oral tradition and do not have specific documented songwriters. The album has an ethereal, spooky vibe that Turchi calls “nocturnal”. Listening to it is an intimate experience. If you enjoy acoustic kudzu blues, slide guitar, foot stomping, and time travel, this one is for you. Two of the album’s strongest tracks are the singles that were recently released “Get Back Train” and “Lay My Burden Down”.
A seminal experience for Turchi as a young man was being asked by his University of North Carolina professor, folklorist, and mentor Bill Ferris to assemble an album of recordings by the late, great blues legend Mississippi Fred McDowell. While doing so, Turchi broke those songs down and learned to play them, a style which has informed several of his albums, including Tallahatchie and World On Fire. As a producer/engineer, he would go on to make his own blues field recordings and high-end studio recordings at Ardent in Memphis, before moving on to own and develop Second Take Sound in Manhattan. Turchi’s tour to support the new album rolls through Arizona and California before returning to New York and then venturing out to points beyond this summer. “In a lot of ways, this record feels like the culmination of everything I’ve done so far,” Turchi said, “but it also feels like a new beginning. I can hear myself turning a corner, and for the first time, knowing who I am and where I’m headed.”
Reed Turchi – “Get Back Train” live:
Reed Turchi – “Lay My Burden Down” live:
Reed Turchi – “All Night Long” live:
Reed Turchi – “Discount Store” live:
You can SEE Dave Popkin's entire interview with Reed Turchi below:
