In celebration of Tina Turner’s debut album ‘Tina Turner The Country On!’s 50th anniversary, it is to be reissued with a brand new half-speed mastered vinyl and CD on 15 November. Alongside this celebratory release, Tina’s subsequent three album’s ‘Acid Queen’, ‘Rough’ and ‘Love Explosion’ are also being reissued on vinyl and CD for the first time since its initial release. All four albums came during and after Tina’s exit from the Ike & Tina Turner Revue and helped her find her own voice leading up to her ‘Private Dancer’ breakthrough album.
All will be available on 15 November and are available to pre-order now from here.
Tina Turner marked the 1970s as a journey to self-discovery and musical triumph, having already solidified herself with the explosive energy and soulful intensity of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Stepping away from the duo, Turner released her solo debut, Tina Turns The Country On!, in 1974. In an attempt to expand her stardom, Turner stepped into country music with her own soulful take on classics by Kris Kristofferson, Bob Dylan, Olivia Newton-John, James Taylor and Dolly Parton. Although the album didn’t see chart success, it received a GRAMMY Award nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female.
Turner continued to embrace her rock ‘n’ roll roots while exploring new sonic landscapes with the bold and daring Acid Queen (1975). Inspired by her role as the “Acid Queen” in Ken Russell’s film version of The Who’s classic rock opera Tommy, the title track is a gritty and raw reimagination of Pete Townshend’s original. Turner embraced her character’s fiery and defiant voice with visceral covers of The Rolling Stones’ “Under My Thumb,” The Who’s “I Can See For Miles,” and Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.” The album explored Turner’s musical boundary-pushing and was a testament to her unique artistry.
1978’s Rough saw Turner depart from the high-octane rock and soul sound of previous albums. Recently separated from her husband and musical partner Ike Turner, this album carved a new musical identity blending disco and blues with the opening track “Fruits of the Night” and Bob Segar’s “Fire Down Below.” Billboard dubbed the album as an “adventurous variety of old and new material,” adding that Turner’s “delivery has lost none of its snap and crackle.”
Tina Turner entered 1979 with the eclectic Love Explosion, a harmonious combination of upbeat rhythms, soulful melodies, and Turner’s ever-commanding vocals. The album allowed Turner to further pursue artistic freedom while maintaining her reputation as a dynamic and energetic performer. She worked with French disco pioneer Alex R. Costandinos to compile funk and soul-inspired renditions of Patti LaBelle’s “I See Home” and Dusty Springfield’s “Just a Little Lovin’.”
Tina’s early career in the 1970s is a declaration of her resilience and newfound freedom, with sultry grooves and introspective lyrics capturing her progression as an artist.
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