Primal therapy freed creativity, says songwriter
ST. CATHARINES STANDARD - 04/16/04
by Christopher Waters
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."
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