Sam Turton

QUOTES FROM RADIO

“Sam Turton is the true embodiment of the responsible artist. The honesty and integrity of the man comes out with every soulful note he sings.”

—Andrew Craig, CBC Radio 2

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“Some of the finest songs, many of which feel like they are a personal gift from him to the listener and society.”

“An incredible home made project . . . a master work of art”

“An immense musical talent”

—Kris Kadwell, CKHA

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“A wizard on the slide guitar”

—Steve Ritchie, CFOS

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“Drums in the dining room, vocals in the hallway, guitar in the living room, plus a backyard choir . . . the results are superb.”

“Roots, Blues, and Gospel featuring superior playing and friendly harmonies”

“The album will definitely be on my favourites list for 2011 and comes highly recommended.”

—Steve Clarke, CHES

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“Jane Lewis and Sam Turton live—oh, these guys are GOOD!!!”

—Jim Marino, CFMU

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"A seamless infusion of memorable songs, impressive harmonies, and solid musicianship.”

—Doug Gibson, CKWR

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"Plays slide like Bonnie Raitt and sings like Al Green."

—Dave Teichroeb, CHLY

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“Thumbs up . . . a really good CD full of poignant songs. And that says a lot these days.”

—Steve Fruitman, CIUT

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"Makes you feel like you are sitting in the corner of the room. Grab a coffee and pull up a
chair."

—Jan Hall, CFRU

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QUOTES FROM THE PRESS

"A roots music road warrior . . . excellent songs"

—John Valentyn, Mapleblues Magazine

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“Sam Turton is a lucky man. A gifted singer and songwriter”

“a harmony-laden, soul massaging album”

—Doug Swanson, Penguin Eggs

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“The thoughtfulness and emotion which he infuses into his writing often hurt just in the reading.”

“a gorgeous Cooder-like meditative quality”

“Walk With Me is a gospel powerhouse . . . I see churches, choirs, organs and bawling masses.”

—Rob O’Flanagan, Guelph Mercury

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QUOTES FROM VIPs


"Sam Turton stood out—in a room full of standouts.”

—Danny Brooks, Canadian blues legend

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“Ry Cooder meets the Blind Boys of Alabama!”

—Michelle Josef, Canadian super-drummer

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"A rock solid blues man surrounded by great players and singers performing great songs."

—Paul Mills, Borealis Records co-founder and Canadian folk icon

-------------------------------- - various

John’s Blues Picks by John Valentyn, December 2011

Sam Turton: At Home (Self)

A roots music road warrior now residing in Guelph, Sam Turton has a strong sense of local living and community-shared music. To that end, he set up his entire home as a recording studio and invited some friends to join in for a “real music” session. In the notes he emphasizes the importance of being at home and among friends there, and to his great credit, he has pulled it off. Recording studios have control rooms where you have, well, control. At home, you don’t have that. Turton has included snippets of dialogue & music between the songs proper and the overall effect is exactly what he was after. We can all give thanks to Nik Tjelios, an expert at location recordings.

Turton describes his music as a ‘roots-blues-gospel gumbo packed with slide guitar and soul-fired harmonies’ and that’s what’s here. All of this effort would not have mattered much if the songs didn’t stand up as well as they do. “Next Time” is billed as a slide blues/gospel barnburner about life in a troubled family—as advertised, a keeper. Ain’t Gonna” is even bluesier, a call to stand up and speak out. “Oh Susanna” gets a very different arrangement and Turton comes across a little like Lyle Lovett, and that’s a compliment. “I’m On My Way’ is a fine performance of a traditional call-and-response gospel tune, a performance very much like one Ken Whiteley would have given. The vocal responses here and elsewhere are by his partner Jane Lewis, Tannis Slimmon, and Katherine Wheatley, and they are indeed soul-fired. Larry Kurtz adds harmonica and the core band consists of Jesse Turton on bass and Adam Bowman on drums. He’s leaving his home quite a bit there days to showcase the album and you can check out a concert near you at www.samturton.com. You may not be at his home but you will get a good show with some excellent songs.
- Mapleblues Magazine

Sam Turton is an artist who combines his hands, his head and his heart towards the creation of some of the finest songs, many of which feel like they are a personal gift from him to the listener and society. His latest CD release "At Home" is a choice representation of an incredible "Home made" project.

At his home, Sam dedicated a lot of time, technology, and talent, and together with his friends and family, a master work of art was created. He digs deep into the realms of social conscience and writes songs that reflect his heightened awareness and concerns, and reveals his immense musical talent. Some of his songs have an unsuspected but insightful twist when he portrays a new perspective, as he does so poignantly in his song, "Sinner's Child," on his "At Home" recording.

—Kris Kadwell, 100.9 CKHA CANOE FM (Paddling Beyond The Mainstream)

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Drums in the dining room, vocals in the hallway, guitar in the living room, plus a backyard choir—you can just picture it. The results are superb.

Recorded in the Turton-Lewis homestead, At Home reflects the passion that Sam and his supporting players collectively carry throughout the project. Supporting players include Jesse Turton, Adam Bowman, Larry Kurtz, Jane Lewis, Tannis Slimmon and Laura Bird.

The album is a great mix of Roots, Blues, and Gospel featuring superior playing and friendly harmonies on a collection of both self-penned and traditional tunes. The music is interspersed with outtake moments that help make the whole package well rooted and real.

At Home has been on my personal iPod and my Acoustic Planet playlists since I first received it. The album will definitely be on my favourites list for 2011 and comes highly recommended.

—Steve Clarke, CHES 88.1 FM (Acoustic Planet)

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Sam Turton is the true embodiment of the responsible artist. The honesty and integrity of the man comes out with every soulful note he sings.

On his latest outing, Turton offers more of the plain-speak, R & B and Gospel-soaked original folk songs for which he has become well-known. But this time, he cooked it all up in his own kitchen (literally!)."

—Andrew Craig, CBC Radio 2 host, producer, performer

--------------------------------

Sam Turton's very much at home on his new CD At Home. Recorded in his home (and his backyard), it features a collection of songs amidst the friendly ambiance of celebration, of weather, of feelings, of resonator guitar, and love. I don't usually gives a thumbs up to too many full-length albums these days, but Sam Turton has successfully negotiated the medium. It's a really good CD full of poignant songs. And that says a lot these days.

—Steve Fruitman, CIUT 89.5 FM (Back To The Sugar Camp)

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Sam Turton mines a rich seam of swampy blues and traditional folk joined by a cast that perfectly reflect his community roots. Homespun with a folksy style that makes you feel like you are sitting in the corner of the room. Grab a coffee and pull up a chair. You'll not be disappointed.

—Jan Hall, CFRU 93.3 FM (Royal City Rag)

--------------------------------

"At Home" is a seamless infusion of memorable songs, impressive harmonies, and solid musicianship, like an afternoon well spent with musical friends and family.

—Doug Gibson, CKWR 98.5 FM (Songs From The Wood)
- various

Sam Turton is an artist who combines his hands, his head and his heart towards the creation of some of the finest songs, many of which feel like they are a personal gift from him to the listener and society. His latest CD release "At Home" is a choice representation of an incredible "Home made" project.

At his home, Sam dedicated a lot of time, technology, and talent, and together with his friends and family, a master work of art was created. He digs deep into the realms of social conscience and writes songs that reflect his heightened awareness and concerns, and reveals his immense musical talent. Some of his songs have an unsuspected but insightful twist when he portrays a new perspective, as he does so poignantly in his song, "Sinner's Child," on his "At Home" recording.

—Kris Kadwell, 100.9 CKHA CANOE FM (Paddling Beyond The Mainstream)

--------------------------------

Drums in the dining room, vocals in the hallway, guitar in the living room, plus a backyard choir—you can just picture it. The results are superb.

Recorded in the Turton-Lewis homestead, At Home reflects the passion that Sam and his supporting players collectively carry throughout the project. Supporting players include Jesse Turton, Adam Bowman, Larry Kurtz, Jane Lewis, Tannis Slimmon and Laura Bird.

The album is a great mix of Roots, Blues, and Gospel featuring superior playing and friendly harmonies on a collection of both self-penned and traditional tunes. The music is interspersed with outtake moments that help make the whole package well rooted and real.

At Home has been on my personal iPod and my Acoustic Planet playlists since I first received it. The album will definitely be on my favourites list for 2011 and comes highly recommended.

—Steve Clarke, CHES 88.1 FM (Acoustic Planet)

--------------------------------

Sam Turton is the true embodiment of the responsible artist. The honesty and integrity of the man comes out with every soulful note he sings.

On his latest outing, Turton offers more of the plain-speak, R & B and Gospel-soaked original folk songs for which he has become well-known. But this time, he cooked it all up in his own kitchen (literally!)."

—Andrew Craig, CBC Radio 2 host, producer, performer

--------------------------------

Sam Turton's very much at home on his new CD At Home. Recorded in his home (and his backyard), it features a collection of songs amidst the friendly ambiance of celebration, of weather, of feelings, of resonator guitar, and love. I don't usually gives a thumbs up to too many full-length albums these days, but Sam Turton has successfully negotiated the medium. It's a really good CD full of poignant songs. And that says a lot these days.

—Steve Fruitman, CIUT 89.5 FM (Back To The Sugar Camp)

--------------------------------

Sam Turton mines a rich seam of swampy blues and traditional folk joined by a cast that perfectly reflect his community roots. Homespun with a folksy style that makes you feel like you are sitting in the corner of the room. Grab a coffee and pull up a chair. You'll not be disappointed.

—Jan Hall, CFRU 93.3 FM (Royal City Rag)

--------------------------------

"At Home" is a seamless infusion of memorable songs, impressive harmonies, and solid musicianship, like an afternoon well spent with musical friends and family.

—Doug Gibson, CKWR 98.5 FM (Songs From The Wood)
- various

By Rob O’Flanagan, Guelph Mercury

At Home has a punching power that moves a listener. Turton plays a smooth slide guitar with a trace of Mark Knopfler atmosphere and a Ry Cooder finesse. Indeed, the short instrumental track Chapter 11 (T’ai) has a gorgeous Cooder-like meditative quality reminiscent of the Paris, Texas soundtrack.

Turton is a good writer and a compassionate man, judging by the songs he penned on this 20-track CD. Some of those tracks are recording session sound-bites that are a cozy, homey addition to the CD.

Of the songs, about 11 are his, and one other was written with his singer/songwriter partner Jane Lewis. Walk With Me, with Lewis, is a gospel powerhouse . . . I see churches, choirs, organs and bawling masses.

Lewis also plays fluid and quite evocative accordion on a number of songs and provides background vocals with Guelph musical mainstays such as Katherine Wheatley, Laura Bird and Tannis Slimmon throughout the CD. The recording was made with a lot of help from Turton’s musical friends.

Turton’s social insights hold the perceptions of a man who cares about his fellow human beings and the depths of their pain. His social commentary is original and instructional.

Sinner’s Child is a penetrating tune lyrically. The media loves a good murder story and will expend all kinds of ink in trying to understand the killer—their background, their motives, and their particular pathology. But in Sinner’s Child, Turton reflects on a murder case in Woodstock and laments the fact no one cares to think about the killer’s children—what hell they must be going through, what future awaits them. It struck home for me because I often wonder the same about those who suddenly find their lives inadvertently intertwined with that of a killer.

“We love to hate the outlaw/We even know his middle name,” Turton sings. “But tell me more about his youngest son/In the shackles of his shame.”

Yes, I thought, tell me more about the victims—tell me more about the killer’s family.

On Yes Indeed, Turton’s tenderness again comes to the fore as he encourages an empathetic worldview, one that lovingly embraces all—whether it’s the junkie, the beggar or the “armchair Romeo.”

At Home was literally made in Turton’s Guelph home, with recording equipment set up in various parts of the house, with, as Turton describes it, “the guitar and piano in the living room, the drums in the dining room . . . the singers in the upstairs hallway.”

The in-home recording set-up reminded me of Bruce Springsteen’s approach on We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions. At Home achieves a similar grassroots kind of music-making experience.

Visit www.samturton.com to purchase the CD and learn about gig and radio dates.
- Guelph Mercury

Guelph concert planned to benefit Haiti

Joanne Shuttleworth

Guelph Mercury
Sat Jan 23 2010

GUELPH — Guelph’s musical community is coming together to raise funds for Haiti earthquake relief.

A concert is being pulled together for Feb. 7, 7 p.m. at the River Run Centre. Tickets are $30 per person.

“I think it’s a natural response,” said Sam Turton, a local musician and one of the organizers. “People want to help as they can and generally, we feel kind of helpless. But to come together, to sing out together and to donate for something important — that’s what community is about.”

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti Jan. 12. Buildings crumbled, people were trapped, thousands were killed and millions left homeless.

Emergency relief has been slow to be distributed, but clearly, Haiti is in crisis and needs foreign aid.

“The destruction is shocking,” Turton said. “I can only imagine what this will do to the people down there who have lost family members and everything they own.”

Turton said he was thinking about organizing something when he got a call from Rev. Paul Clarkson at Three Willows United Church. The faith community wanted to take some action too. And so did Ajay Heble of the Guelph Jazz Festival.

“So we put our heads together and said, let’s do it. And we contacted everyone. If they’re not in the show it’s because they’re on tour,” Turton said.

“Every now and then, we are confronted with a human crisis that touches our heart and challenges us to respond in deep and meaningful ways. As a community that has been noted for its ability to care for others we are challenging Guelph residents to come together to respond to the crisis in Haiti,” Clarkson said.

“Guelph has earned a well-deserved reputation as a caring community, and we offer this fundraising effort in the spirit of care and compassion,” Heble agreed.

The lineup reads like a who’s who of Guelph’s considerable music community — Kevin Breit & Friends; Scott Merritt; The Guelph Music Revue featuring Tannis Slimmon, Andrew Craig, Jude Vadala, Craig Norris, Jeff Bird, Nick Craine, Shane Philips and Sam Turton.

And there may be more. It’s a growing list, Turton said.

Proceeds will go to the Canadian Red Cross earthquake relief efforts.
- Guelph Mercury

For all musicians of a certain age, watching the mop-topped Beatles wow America for the first time on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964 was an obligatory rite of passage.

It certainly was for Guelph's Sam Turton, who was 13 when the Fab Four were first beamed into North America's consciousness, providing inspiration for millions of teens to pick up guitars of their own and try their hands at songwriting.

"I was just stunned," he said. "It just transformed everything for me, changed what I wanted to do."

But when promoting his debut solo album—nearly 40 years later—Turton dipped into history of John Lennon's post-Beatles work for a quick reference point; specifically, Lennon's testing of the then-controversial primal scream therapy as inspiration for the harrowing tracks found on 1970s Plastic Ono Band.

A graduate of the similar—if slightly less visceral—stream of psychology called primal integration, Turton is quick to credit his experiences with providing like inspiration for the music found on his debut disc Feel.

Turton went into therapy roughly 10 years ago when dealing with problems in his first marriage and has since become a therapist himself. He said the process freed him of his inhibitions, allowing him to find his singing and songwriting voice.

So why does his music sound so joyful compared to the stark confessionals found on Lennon's solo debut?

"The intention is to go from being fearful, angry and depressed to being joyful and fully engaged in life," said Turton, who will be holding a CD release party tonight at the Bookshelf's e-bar.

"Anyone who read interviews with Lennon would say he was a very angry man, with his relationships with women, the death of his mother and his childhood. The unfortunate thing with Lennon is that his process was interrupted. He never finished his therapy. He wanted the therapist to travel with him and he couldn't."

Still, while the songs on Feel may not be quite as dark as Lennon's work, they aren't lightweight either.

In fact, Turton seems so at ease with the various genres he straddles on the album that it's hard to believe it's his debut.

Using top-notch players, including his 27-year-old son Jesse on bass, the tunes go from scorching soul anthems, to gospel to funk-tinged pop and folk.

"I grew up in the '50s and as a young kid I was into the early rock-and roll thing," he said. "The Beatles were a big influence but I've been very influenced by the '60s R&B and Motown and funk, more than I realized."
- Eric Volmers / GUELPH MERCURY

Guelph resident and St. Catharines native Sam Turton released his debut album Feel late last year, but it was by no means his initial foray into music. Local live music fans may remember Turton from Niagara’s club scene, where he played in numerous combinations including Driving South and Soul Obsession. After more than 30 years of playing guitar and writing songs, Turton is finally the front man.

Despite being bathed in the spotlight and sitting front and center, Turton doesn’t have the ego of a typical musician. It isn’t about fancy riffs, glitz and glam with him, but rather the steady rhythm of a lifelong dedication to playing music and straight from the heart lyrics. Feel is packed with an emotional intensity and a timeless quality that will make them infectious for both listening and dancing—Turton’s is the music that can be a constant companion.

Perhaps the most unique detail about Turton’s music is its connection to primal therapy, an idea that was popularized by John Lennon in the ‘70s. Lennon underwent primal therapy prior to recording the powerfully revealing Plastic Ono Band album. Turton is a trained therapist and has started his own practice in Guelph called Primal Integration. Turton has developed a unified approach to personal growth borrowing ideas from Zen, Taoism, aboriginal awareness, and natural living. Some might discount this stuff as hippy dippy nonsense, but a peek at Turton’s website (PrimalWorks.com) and a read through his extensive writings on the subject suggest a straight–forward common sense approach to these timeless principles. It’s an accepted tenet in popular culture that Lennon was onto something big with his progressive views, and Turton has been refining those core ideas, putting them to use in his own songwriting.

Although Turton’s main concerns as a songwriter are the heavy topics of personal, social and political change, his sound is surprisingly fun, rhythmic and—at times—full on funky.

On the road, Turton currently travels with a seven–piece band including his partner Jane Lewis on harmony vocals, his 27–year–old son Jesse on bass and local virtuoso Christine Bougie on guitar. During a show, one is likely to hear distinct moments of Delta and Chicago Blues, acoustic folk music, New Orleans soul, classic R&B, Motown and, of course, The Beatles. Unlike many bands with a broad range of influences, Turton remains true to each individual influence rather than concocting a schizophrenic sonic gumbo for listeners to sort out. The music is pure and simple, clean and groovy.

Considering Turton’s emphasis on "feeling" as a songwriting principle, and informed by his work as a primal therapist, Turton’s expectations for what crowd reactions to his music would be and what feeling he wants to leave listeners with are very straightforward.

"There are a couple of things," explains Turton. "There is the content of the music—the personal, social and political messages. I’m hoping people will connect to the subject matter . . . that it will make them think or inspire people. I want people to relate [to] and feel [the songs]. I also want the songs to have a groove and a memorable melody so that people can appreciate them on that level. A lot of my influences—Motown and R&B—are about movin’ and groovin’ so it’s the kind of thing you can dance to but you can stop and listen to a musical phrase or solo and appreciate the detail."

As for the future, Sam has been pushing his political music in the United States. He recently returned from New York City where he has been performing at intimate, live music venues and gently introducing his political songs to the right people.

"While in New York, I got my song ‘Empires Fall’ into the hands of Lizz Winstead, co–creator of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and to Al Franken, both of the new liberal Air America Radio Network. ‘Empire's Fall’ is also being considered by producer and directors Libby Handros and John Kirby for the upcoming documentary The American Ruling Class, a critique of present U.S. policy. I have also sent the song to Michael Moore for possible inclusion in his new film Fahrenheit 911, so I've got my fingers crossed."

This summer, along with touring Ontario, Turton has dates booked throughout the North Eastern USA, from New Jersey to Maine to Michigan.

This weekend will be the first time Turton has performed in his hometown of St. Catharines since 2000.

"It feels good to bring my music home," said Turton. "St. Catharines is where it all started for me, back in 1964."
- Marinko Jareb / PULSE NIAGARA

Sam Turton has come to the realization that supporters of U.S. President George W. Bush can be found in some fairly unexpected places.

The Guelph singer-songwriter concluded this after a recent home-town showcase at the River Run Centre's Songwriter's Café, the monthly gathering where local songsmiths swap musical tales and writing techniques.

Turton performed his song Patriot -- a stinging rebuke of the current administration at the White House -- and was approached after the show by a man who took exception to Turton's anti-war stance.

"He presented the similar argument: What would you have done about Saddam Hussein?" Turton said. "My general response is that I think violence has to be saved as the last resort. I think there are more creative solutions."

What was notable about the confrontation is that it's the only negative response Turton has received thus far to the tune, despite having played it in a number of U.S. venues.

Patriot, which contains such less-than-subtle musings as "You won't take their oil and our money and drag us down the road to hell, no," has been performed by Turton in Detroit and Pennsylvania among other places. Each time he performs it, the 53-year-old has gingerly prefaced the song with an explanation.

"I was a little concerned that people would be offended by someone from another country, in a sense, critiquing their government," he said. "I took my time to set up the song, saying that in a great democracy you can agree and disagree. It's a patriotic act to agree and disagree."

Turton's song and reputation as a protest singer are likely to get a boost in New York City in the next week when he performs as part of an anti-Bush showcase at the Knitting Factory. Turton will perform the tune on Sunday as part of the Canadian Artists Against War showcase at the world-renowned venue. He will perform again the following night, which just happens to be the day the Republican Convention is launched in the Big Apple.

The second show is part of the Knitting Factory's Involver series, one of many anti-Bush initiatives spearheaded by American artists and promoters.

Turton is no stranger to tuneful politicking. In 1978, he hitchhiked from Nova Scotia to Ottawa to take part in a Canadian "No Nukes" concert. His recently released album Feel contains the politically charged Empires Fall, a song that targets what he sees as American imperialism. The singer has also been a part of the movement protesting Wal-Mart's proposed location in the north end of Guelph.

So why does Turton feel compelled to involve himself in another country's politics?

Turton said he wrote the song as a "world citizen," dedicating it to his American friends who are opposed to Bush's policies.

Unlike the protest movement in the 1960s, Turton said artists have become unusually organized this time around. Bruce Springsteen, for example, is leading a touring anti-Bush show featuring Pearl Jam and REM among others that will specifically target states that could determine the outcome of the November presidential election.

"They seem to be becoming more comfortable coming out now," Turton said.

"Before, there seemed to be more of a culture of fear, more like the McCarthy era where artists were scared to risk their careers. I know a lot of musicians who were told 'Don't play those peace songs.' Musicians have held back in the last year."

But anyone who thinks only U.S. musicians are entitled to voice their opinions on American politics have a rather naive view of the power America holds over the world, said Chrysanthi Michaelides, a spokeswoman for the Toronto-based Artists Against War.

Since April, the organization has held some high-profile concerts featuring Sarah Harmer and The Cowboy Junkies in Toronto.

"It's not just American politics," she said. "That's what we need to open our eyes to. U.S. foreign policy affects all of us. They are global issues. No one is safe, to put it bluntly."
- Eric Volmers / GUELPH MERCURY

Sam Turton: "There are no real borders... but in this case policies in the US are affecting all of us and we have a right to speak to that"

Every movement needs a theme song.

So I was told by that 1998 satire ‘Wag the Dog’, a movie I watched last week with increasingly mirthless laughter. Its "fake war" was too eerily true, and my position as a spectator too uncomfortably familiar. Then I got to speak with a Canadian who actually has written a theme song, and who is overturning his role as spectator to the American administration.

Sam Turton is a longtime singer-songwriter now settled in Guelph, Ontario. His anthem, currently flying around the inter-world on downloadable mp3, is a single called "Patriot." The impossibly direct message of this track slices to the heart of Bush's militaristic PR.

"Patriot" refuses that last bastion of nationalistic propaganda-the "you're with us or against us" mentality that characterizes crusaders of any persuasion. Its lyrics reclaim dissent itself as patriotic, demanding that the listener think beyond any blind nationalism to a more essential ideal. "I have a lot of American friends," says Turton, "and I send them information all the time because they're living in a media blackout. This song grew out of that sense of...world community, of being in Canada, just feeling very affected by what Bush's administration has been doing."

"If mainstream America heard this song without the words, they'd love it," Turton declared. It's easy to agree. "Patriot" mixes a down-home country flavour with a fife-and-drum-type motif which sure does waken a sense of the old Stars and Stripes. Now perhaps I'll be forgiven for craving a little variety in "Patriot's" refrain...but when one has the propaganda of the current climate to counter (Did anybody else hear about the new truckers-against-terror vigilante program?), there's value in what's catchy and direct.

In "Patriot", all-American musical style and thematic content are comfortably entwined, a deliberate choice. Instead of using biting humour, the beloved weapon of Bush-bashers, Turton chose infectious rhythm and melody to snare his audience and convey his earnest message. Although this intersection of art and politics is a new project for Turton, a musician for some 30 years, the passion driving the project is tempered by pragmatism. Lots of "activist music" is about personal expression, he says, but he disciplined "Patriot" to resist murky artistry and speak to a large and mainstream audience.

And what, I wondered (always willing to jump in and ask the obvious), do audiences think of some Canadian guy singing at them about American politics? "Mmmmm," said Turton, "People don't usually appreciate people from other countries coming in and commenting on their political processes."

Well, no. Yet Turton has had only positive responses, having now performed at a variety of venues in Ontario, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, and currently preparing for some gigs in Greenwich Village.

Is this success because he's been preaching to the converted? Actually, no: his first and most nervous "Patriot" performance was to a staid bunch in rural Pennsylvania. Oddly enough the only belligerent audience member he's yet encountered was at home in Guelph.

Ideally, a reasonably well-known US artist will pick up the song and re-release it in the US, spreading the message and inspiring people to oust Bush come November. Barring that, as time ticks along and the election approaches, Turton hopes for media attention (I coughed politely) and increased radio play of his own recording.

Having only just recovered from my annual phobic response to Canada Day, though, I did have to raise some concerns about this whole "I am a patriot [repeat]" idea. Patriotism is chauvinism, no doubt about it, and Turton is ready to say so. "There are no real borders, of course; economically, socially, environmentally...but in this case policies in the US are affecting all of us and we have a right to speak to that." The rhetoric of the song is a tactic, then, an effort to use patriotism to curtail its own excesses.

The Canadian federal election, on the other hand, came and went without any Sam Turton sound bites. "I was pretty uncomfortable about that, actually," Turton admitted, "though it was a joke amongst my friends. Here we were, realizing that Stephen Harper's a little Bush, and I don't have a song!" Letters to the editor were his route on that one.

With "Patriot", both sound and message are a departure from Turton's usual approach. Although the song implicitly denounces the authoritarian Bush administration, Turton ordinarily shies away from such generalized criticism. Ideals of compassion are central to his career, as a primal integration therapist, and also to his musical compositions. The variety of tracks on his 2003 album 'feel' are more representative and were selected to evoke a "vibrant, primal, fully feeling way of life - Jane Henderson / The Dominion

Sam Turton has come to the realization that supporters of U.S. President George W. Bush can be found in some fairly unexpected places.

The Guelph singer-songwriter concluded this after a recent home-town showcase at the River Run Centre's Songwriter's Café, the monthly gathering where local songsmiths swap musical tales and writing techniques.

Turton performed his song Patriot -- a stinging rebuke of the current administration at the White House -- and was approached after the show by a man who took exception to Turton's anti-war stance.

"He presented the similar argument: What would you have done about Saddam Hussein?" Turton said. "My general response is that I think violence has to be saved as the last resort. I think there are more creative solutions."

What was notable about the confrontation is that it's the only negative response Turton has received thus far to the tune, despite having played it in a number of U.S. venues.

Patriot, which contains such less-than-subtle musings as "You won't take their oil and our money and drag us down the road to hell, no," has been performed by Turton in Detroit and Pennsylvania among other places. Each time he performs it, the 53-year-old has gingerly prefaced the song with an explanation.

"I was a little concerned that people would be offended by someone from another country, in a sense, critiquing their government," he said. "I took my time to set up the song, saying that in a great democracy you can agree and disagree. It's a patriotic act to agree and disagree."

Turton's song and reputation as a protest singer are likely to get a boost in New York City in the next week when he performs as part of an anti-Bush showcase at the Knitting Factory. Turton will perform the tune on Sunday as part of the Canadian Artists Against War showcase at the world-renowned venue. He will perform again the following night, which just happens to be the day the Republican Convention is launched in the Big Apple.

The second show is part of the Knitting Factory's Involver series, one of many anti-Bush initiatives spearheaded by American artists and promoters.

Turton is no stranger to tuneful politicking. In 1978, he hitchhiked from Nova Scotia to Ottawa to take part in a Canadian "No Nukes" concert. His recently released album Feel contains the politically charged Empires Fall, a song that targets what he sees as American imperialism. The singer has also been a part of the movement protesting Wal-Mart's proposed location in the north end of Guelph.

So why does Turton feel compelled to involve himself in another country's politics?

Turton said he wrote the song as a "world citizen," dedicating it to his American friends who are opposed to Bush's policies.

Unlike the protest movement in the 1960s, Turton said artists have become unusually organized this time around. Bruce Springsteen, for example, is leading a touring anti-Bush show featuring Pearl Jam and REM among others that will specifically target states that could determine the outcome of the November presidential election.

"They seem to be becoming more comfortable coming out now," Turton said.

"Before, there seemed to be more of a culture of fear, more like the McCarthy era where artists were scared to risk their careers. I know a lot of musicians who were told 'Don't play those peace songs.' Musicians have held back in the last year."

But anyone who thinks only U.S. musicians are entitled to voice their opinions on American politics have a rather naive view of the power America holds over the world, said Chrysanthi Michaelides, a spokeswoman for the Toronto-based Artists Against War.

Since April, the organization has held some high-profile concerts featuring Sarah Harmer and The Cowboy Junkies in Toronto.

"It's not just American politics," she said. "That's what we need to open our eyes to. U.S. foreign policy affects all of us. They are global issues. No one is safe, to put it bluntly."
- Eric Volmers / GUELPH MERCURY

Singer/songwriter Sam Turton returns to St. Catharines to show off his new solo debut and reconnect with family and friends who watched his musical talent flourish.

"I basically started my whole musical life in St. Catharines and played around a hell of a lot over the years, so it is exciting for me to come back home," explained Turton, 52, who performs tonight at the Double Olive in downtown St. Catharines.

The 10:30 p.m. show features Turton's seven-member band, which includes St. Catharines natives Christine Bougie, Jane Lewis and his son Jesse Turton. The band is also featured on the 12-track CD, Feel, which was released in December 2003.

Turton teamed up with the talented young guitarist Bougie in 1998. The Turton Bougie Band gigged around town, performing at Beantrees and The Merchant Ale House, until Turton moved to Guelph and Christine en-rolled at Humber College. She is now a professional musician and teacher, living in Toronto.

Turton's earlier musical outlets included stints as lead guitarist for Soul Obsession and Drivin’ South. The passionate songwriter credits primal integration therapy with helping him find his inspiration to strike out with his own music—to find his songwriting and singing voice.

"Primal therapy, which John Lennon did, has been very helpful for me to expand my creativity and free me from a lot of blocks," said Turton, who has since become a therapist himself.

Lennon's experience with the therapeutic approach was the root of the harrowing tracks, such as Mother and God, on his seminal John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band recording. Turton's music, as captured on Feel, which is inspired by funk, folk and gospel music, sounds almost joyful in comparison.

"Most of the songs come from some kind of personal awareness and expand to the social or the political," Turton said. "There's a lot of personal stuff—it hooks into my own therapy work, which has been a big part of my own growth."

Turton and his partner Jane Lewis traded St. Catharines for Guelph in 2001. The two had been simultaneously house hunting in both communities before they found the perfect property.

"There's a lot of music and art happening around here (Guelph)," Turton reported.

The St. Catharines date is part of his expanding focus to promote his independent release, which will be sold for $15 at shows or via www.samturton.com.

"I'm starting to get gigs all over," he said, including forthcoming "dates in Toronto, Oakville, Orangeville, Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York City.

"People are interested in hearing a different voice, from somewhere else."

Most appearances feature Turton performing as a duo or a trio. The St. Catharines date is the rare occurrence when he can bring the full complement of players along.

"I love playing with the big band," he said. "With Jane and Heather (MacRae) singing we get these three-part gospel style harmonies, which you don’t often get to hear in bars."

The group will perform a blend of Turton originals, including tracks from the new CD, with some well-chosen covers that have been adapted by the players.

"I like to do unusual interpretations," said the bandleader. "For instance we do Come Together like a Latin jazz number, kind of like the Girl from Ipanema version of Come Together.

"It's more fun for the band."
- Christopher Waters / ST. CATHARINES STANDARD

Singer/songwriter Sam Turton returns to St. Catharines to show off his new solo debut and reconnect with family and friends who watched his musical talent flourish.

"I basically started my whole musical life in St. Catharines and played around a hell of a lot over the years, so it is exciting for me to come back home," explained Turton, 52, who performs tonight at the Double Olive in downtown St. Catharines.

The 10:30 p.m. show features Turton's seven-member band, which includes St. Catharines natives Christine Bougie, Jane Lewis and his son Jesse Turton. The band is also featured on the 12-track CD, Feel, which was released in December 2003.

Turton teamed up with the talented young guitarist Bougie in 1998. The Turton Bougie Band gigged around town, performing at Beantrees and The Merchant Ale House, until Turton moved to Guelph and Christine en-rolled at Humber College. She is now a professional musician and teacher, living in Toronto.

Turton's earlier musical outlets included stints as lead guitarist for Soul Obsession and Drivin’ South. The passionate songwriter credits primal integration therapy with helping him find his inspiration to strike out with his own music—to find his songwriting and singing voice.

"Primal therapy, which John Lennon did, has been very helpful for me to expand my creativity and free me from a lot of blocks," said Turton, who has since become a therapist himself.

Lennon's experience with the therapeutic approach was the root of the harrowing tracks, such as Mother and God, on his seminal John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band recording. Turton's music, as captured on Feel, which is inspired by funk, folk and gospel music, sounds almost joyful in comparison.

"Most of the songs come from some kind of personal awareness and expand to the social or the political," Turton said. "There's a lot of personal stuff—it hooks into my own therapy work, which has been a big part of my own growth."

Turton and his partner Jane Lewis traded St. Catharines for Guelph in 2001. The two had been simultaneously house hunting in both communities before they found the perfect property.

"There's a lot of music and art happening around here (Guelph)," Turton reported.

The St. Catharines date is part of his expanding focus to promote his independent release, which will be sold for $15 at shows or via www.samturton.com.

"I'm starting to get gigs all over," he said, including forthcoming "dates in Toronto, Oakville, Orangeville, Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York City.

"People are interested in hearing a different voice, from somewhere else."

Most appearances feature Turton performing as a duo or a trio. The St. Catharines date is the rare occurrence when he can bring the full complement of players along.

"I love playing with the big band," he said. "With Jane and Heather (MacRae) singing we get these three-part gospel style harmonies, which you don’t often get to hear in bars."

The group will perform a blend of Turton originals, including tracks from the new CD, with some well-chosen covers that have been adapted by the players.

"I like to do unusual interpretations," said the bandleader. "For instance we do Come Together like a Latin jazz number, kind of like the Girl from Ipanema version of Come Together.

"It's more fun for the band."
- Christopher Waters / ST. CATHARINES STANDARD

Arts Notes
Vancouver
July 21, 2005

Wal-Mart’s proposal to build a big-box store on Marine Drive was defeated at city council last month, after councillors listened to choruses by the Raging Grannies and the Solidarity Notes. This particular brand of protest may have been a first at City Hall, but it’s something Wal-Mart has heard before.

Across North America, artists are picking up their brushes and raising their voices to stop the retail giant.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
In Guelph, Ontario, singer-songwriter Sam Turton is leading the charge against Wal-Mart’s plans to build a 135,000-square-foot store in between the city’s historic Jesuit retreat centre, an organic farm, and two cemeteries. The latest tactic in the decade-long protest involves a CD called Not There, named for a song Turton wrote.

A verse: "But council turned right and sold their souls/So the people joined hands at that old crossroads/For the dead and the living gonna take it to the judge/Gonna hold our ground in the name of love".

Turton explained to the Straight that most artists do not find the idea of corporate control inspiring. The CD, featuring music from a wide range of Ontario artists, is available at not-there.ca/.
- Pieta Wooley/THE STRAIGHT

July 8, 2005

Sam Turton, local music producer and songwriter, is releasing the CD Not There at a concert July 14.


Sometimes, the stars just seem to align. As proof, next Thursday at 7:30 p.m., a CD launch concert at Chalmers United Church on Quebec Street will feature a who's who of the area's musical scene.

Sam Turton's latest CD is aimed at getting Guelph to sing a different tune about Wal-Mart.

Many of the 17 musicians and singers who added their voices and their songs to the anti-Wal-Mart compilation will be part of the show.

"It's like our own Guelph Aid," singer-songwriter James Gordon said. "It's a great experience to have all these Guelph musicians from different music genres available at this time of year with all the festivals and shows that are taking place."

Turton, a music producer and songwriter, said sales of the album will help offset the legal costs for Residents for Sustainable Development which Turton says is now the only official Wal-Mart opposition.

"To raise funds and awareness -- and express the support of Guelph's rich musical community -- I decided to produce this CD. The title track, 'Not There,' was written as a vehicle for many voices."

On the CD, 12 artists use Turton's lyrics to Not There in their own way.

"I am honoured that they have given their time and talents to this song and this benefit compilation," Turton said.

Proceeds from the sale of this CD will go to Residents for Sustainable Development in Guelph to assist in its legal battle against Wal-Mart.

"This is our mini Live 8," Turton said. "We're not telling Wal-Mart to go to Mars, but we want it to stand up and work with the community. It's very much in the Live 8 theme of 'think globally and act locally.' "

The CD includes such familiar local voices as Ken Brown, Nonie Crete, Dave Teichroeb and the Plaster Cowboys, James Gordon, Sandy Horne, House of Velvet, Jiwani, Norman Liota, Andrew McPherson, Craig Norris, Passenger, The Sam Turton Band with Jane Lewis, Heather MacRae, Drew McIvor and Jesse Turton, Tannis Slimmon, Jesse Stewart and Well-Charged.

Many of those artists will be part of the July 14 concert.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door and are available on the Internet at www.not-there.ca/cd.

Tickets are also available at The BookShelf, Thomas Entertainment and Music In Orbit, all in downtown Guelph.
- Alan Ferris/GUELPH MERCURY

Arts Notes
Vancouver
July 21, 2005

Wal-Mart’s proposal to build a big-box store on Marine Drive was defeated at city council last month, after councillors listened to choruses by the Raging Grannies and the Solidarity Notes. This particular brand of protest may have been a first at City Hall, but it’s something Wal-Mart has heard before.

Across North America, artists are picking up their brushes and raising their voices to stop the retail giant.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
In Guelph, Ontario, singer-songwriter Sam Turton is leading the charge against Wal-Mart’s plans to build a 135,000-square-foot store in between the city’s historic Jesuit retreat centre, an organic farm, and two cemeteries. The latest tactic in the decade-long protest involves a CD called Not There, named for a song Turton wrote.

A verse: "But council turned right and sold their souls/So the people joined hands at that old crossroads/For the dead and the living gonna take it to the judge/Gonna hold our ground in the name of love".

Turton explained to the Straight that most artists do not find the idea of corporate control inspiring. The CD, featuring music from a wide range of Ontario artists, is available at not-there.ca/.
- Pieta Wooley/THE STRAIGHT

July 7, 2005

If you’re a Guelph resident, you’d be hard pressed not to bump into a conversation about the Wal–Mart mega store that is trying to bulldoze it’s way into the north end of Guelph.

In 1995, Wal–Mart announced plans to build a 135,000 sq. ft. store between two historic cemeteries and the century–old Ignatius Jesuit retreat centre and organic farm. The application did not conform to the city’s official community development plan and was refused. But, rather than accepting the decision of Guelph’s citizens, Wal–Mart unleashed a ten–year legal siege that has cost the local taxpayers and supporters over $1,000,000. In 2004 the city buckled under the pressure and reversed its position. The group Residents for Sustainable Development is now the only official opposition and faces an oppressive financial burden as it works to protect Guelph and it’s sacred spaces against the continued force of the world’s richest corporation.

In walk Sam Turton and the Not There Benefit collaborators. On Thursday, July 14, Chalmers United Church will host a concert and cd release party in support of the Residents for Sustainable Development’s opposition. All proceeds will be going to their legal battle against Wal–Mart.

Not There is a compilation of Guelph artists and seeks to raise awareness about, and money for, the Wal-Mart battle. The title track features 12 different artists expressing Turton’s lyrics, a protest song aimed directly at Wal-Mart: "World is round, box is square / Stick it in the south, we don’t care / At 6 and 7 don’t you dare / No, no, no, not there."

James Gordon, Tannis Slimmon, Ken Brown, Sam Turton, Well Charged, Norman Liota, Andrew McPherson, House of Velvet, Jiwani, Passenger, Nonie Crete, Sandy Horne, Jesse Stewart, Dave Teichrob and the Plaster Cowboys each contribute tracks that express their concerns for Guelph, it’s community and the magnitude of Guelph’s David and Goliath battle against consumerism and greed.

What seems to be getting lost in the battle is the smaller voice, the one that is trying to remind people exactly where Wal–Mart would choose to build a giant grey box store, surrounded by a vast grey parking lot. Guelph citizens who would welcome Wal–Mart need only go to 6 and 7 and take a stroll through the cemeteries to understand why this battle isn’t as simple as: Wal–Mart, yes or no? Would the founding citizen’s who rest in those graves beside the Jesuit retreat centre, or those visiting the centre itself, feel at ease meditating to the sounds of cars and blue light specials?

Ken Brown’s significant contribution and track "Learn to Behave" attempts to simplify what’s happening: "The idea of their store being in Guelph didn’t bother me too much. But when I heard people saying I was anti–Wal–Mart when what I actually said was I didn’t like it being rammed up against the Jesuits…. Well, that’s bullying for profit – and it has to stop. Now is a good time, and here is a good place."

It’s been a long battle, and it’s not over. Pick up the cd and join the Residents for Sustainable Development at the benefit on July 14 to preserve Guelph’s heritage and support healthy growth and development. Stand up against reckless consumerism because though Wal–Mart is big, Sam Turton reminds us "all empires fall."
- Christy Bertrand/ECHO MAGAZINE

July 7, 2005

If you’re a Guelph resident, you’d be hard pressed not to bump into a conversation about the Wal–Mart mega store that is trying to bulldoze it’s way into the north end of Guelph.

In 1995, Wal–Mart announced plans to build a 135,000 sq. ft. store between two historic cemeteries and the century–old Ignatius Jesuit retreat centre and organic farm. The application did not conform to the city’s official community development plan and was refused. But, rather than accepting the decision of Guelph’s citizens, Wal–Mart unleashed a ten–year legal siege that has cost the local taxpayers and supporters over $1,000,000. In 2004 the city buckled under the pressure and reversed its position. The group Residents for Sustainable Development is now the only official opposition and faces an oppressive financial burden as it works to protect Guelph and it’s sacred spaces against the continued force of the world’s richest corporation.

In walk Sam Turton and the Not There Benefit collaborators. On Thursday, July 14, Chalmers United Church will host a concert and cd release party in support of the Residents for Sustainable Development’s opposition. All proceeds will be going to their legal battle against Wal–Mart.

Not There is a compilation of Guelph artists and seeks to raise awareness about, and money for, the Wal-Mart battle. The title track features 12 different artists expressing Turton’s lyrics, a protest song aimed directly at Wal-Mart: "World is round, box is square / Stick it in the south, we don’t care / At 6 and 7 don’t you dare / No, no, no, not there."

James Gordon, Tannis Slimmon, Ken Brown, Sam Turton, Well Charged, Norman Liota, Andrew McPherson, House of Velvet, Jiwani, Passenger, Nonie Crete, Sandy Horne, Jesse Stewart, Dave Teichrob and the Plaster Cowboys each contribute tracks that express their concerns for Guelph, it’s community and the magnitude of Guelph’s David and Goliath battle against consumerism and greed.

What seems to be getting lost in the battle is the smaller voice, the one that is trying to remind people exactly where Wal–Mart would choose to build a giant grey box store, surrounded by a vast grey parking lot. Guelph citizens who would welcome Wal–Mart need only go to 6 and 7 and take a stroll through the cemeteries to understand why this battle isn’t as simple as: Wal–Mart, yes or no? Would the founding citizen’s who rest in those graves beside the Jesuit retreat centre, or those visiting the centre itself, feel at ease meditating to the sounds of cars and blue light specials?

Ken Brown’s significant contribution and track "Learn to Behave" attempts to simplify what’s happening: "The idea of their store being in Guelph didn’t bother me too much. But when I heard people saying I was anti–Wal–Mart when what I actually said was I didn’t like it being rammed up against the Jesuits…. Well, that’s bullying for profit – and it has to stop. Now is a good time, and here is a good place."

It’s been a long battle, and it’s not over. Pick up the cd and join the Residents for Sustainable Development at the benefit on July 14 to preserve Guelph’s heritage and support healthy growth and development. Stand up against reckless consumerism because though Wal–Mart is big, Sam Turton reminds us "all empires fall."
- Christy Bertrand/ECHO MAGAZINE