One of the most important things that you must do before you die is pick out the song that they will play at your funeral. Mine originally was going to be “Its Raining Men” by The Weather Girls but after hearing “Turn Your Heart in My Direction” from Jeff Turmes new album Five Horses Four Riders, I’ve had a change of heart. I have decided to update my will to indicate the change of song. It is hands down one of the finest songs I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. Steve Huffsteter’s horn drifts in like a breeze through an open window on a summer’s day. The notes come out so smoothly I think he sprays his trumpet with Pam before playing it. It is possible that this song alone might be able to bring about world peace. I don’t want to over sell it but it is possible.
Jeff Turmes voice is like an old friend who greets you on the porch with a cold glass of lemonade, a nice chair, and a quick joke. With songs like “Give Satan a Chance” and “God Came Down From Heaven”, he brings a smile to your face with his quick wit and vision of things. The latter song begs you to pay attention to the lyrics while the gentle acoustic music tries to convince you it’s the actual focus. The song “When My Baby Wakes Up” marches in like wonderfully crazy man with a baritone sax leading a parade down the street in Tom Waits’ neighborhood. If you can resist tapping your toes to this song you might want to check your pulse as I believe you may be dead. His blend of blues, ballads, and folk music is as addicting as crack without all the drawbacks like losing your family.
Being from Pittsburgh I may be a bit biased in my review of the solo acoustic guitar instrumental “Iron City”. It was composed, as the story goes, on a rainy night in a Pittsburgh hotel room. It sounds though as if it was created up somewhere in heaven, originally on a harp I’m guessing. Being serious, it is a beautiful triumph of what an acoustic guitar can sound like when plugged into someone’s soul.
Five Horses Four Riders is an album you should know as well as your right hand. As a matter of fact, you should start calling your right hand Jeff Turmes just to get used to the idea. If there ever was a soundtrack for sitting on the front porch watching the breeze blow and maybe the occasional crazy march down the street, Jeff Turmes Five Horses Four Riders is it.
Key Tracks: Turn Your Heart in my Direction, God Came Down From Heaven, When My Baby Wakes Up
Doug Morrissey- Muzikreviews.com Staff
