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The blues kid grows up

Jonny Lang brings his celebrated sound to Summerfest

Courtesy of Jonny Lang

By Jenna Todoroff

August 21, 2008 | 12:00 a.m. CST

Blues sensation-turned-Grammy-winning gospel rocker Jonny Lang has been spending his summer touring North America and giving blues aficionados a chance to hear his new sound live. When he takes the stage on Wednesday in Columbia as part of Summerfest, fans can decide for themselves how they feel about his musical 180.

Lang’s move to gospel music was unexpected. In an interview with ChristianMusicToday.com, Lang says he wasn’t a firm believer in Christianity until the death of his future father-in-law. That tragedy led to his sudden musical shift and the release of his 2006 album, Turn Around. The album was inspired by his newfound relationship with God.

“It is good to see that his writing style is evolving,” says Eric Maxwell, a Columbia resident and devoted fan of Lang. “If (gospel music) is what he is writing these days, then that is what he is feeling, and I can respect that.”

Although Turn Around is a huge departure from his three previous albums, it displays Lang’s range as a musician. His challenge on this album was to bring in elements of funk while remaining true to his blues roots.

Lang fantasizes about his dreams of changing the world with his songs, but also about making it big on “One Person at a Time” (“Sure be nice to go triple platinum”). One of the most enjoyable songs on the new album, “Bump in the Road,” treats Lang fans with the return of the upbeat, contemporary blues style that made him famous.

“Today, there are not a lot of blues artists that have reached the accessibility that he has,” says Richard King, owner of The Blue Note. “That speaks volumes for what he is doing. But he still maintains the integrity of being a classic blues artist.”

The Fargo, N.D., native began his career as a blues guitarist just before his 15th birthday. His first gig was as the lead singer of a band called Kid Jonny Lang and the Big Bang. The Twin Cities-based group released one studio album, Smokin’. From there, Lang decided to hit the solo route. He signed with A&M Records and released his debut album, Lie to Me, in 1996.

“I had a friend in college toss me his CD one day and say, ‘Listen to this. He is the next coming of Stevie Ray Vaughan,’” Maxwell says. “He has a great voice, neat sound and is always fun to listen to.”

From the way he projects his powerful voice in the up-tempo “Matchbox,” you wouldn’t think this singer belting out “I got my clothes and a matchbox / gonna forget about you” was only 15 years old at the time of recording. The ballads “Still Wonder” and “Darker Side” flaunt Lang’s guitar playing.

“The blues feel along with the driving guitar beat is a very dark sound but very entertaining,” Maxwell says.

Lang’s Grammy-nominated album, Wander This World, is a definite departure from Lie to Me, and it illustrates Lang’s vocal prowess. After Wander This World’s release, Rolling Stone dubbed Lang a “certifiable prodigy.”

Lang’s third album, Long Time Coming, features his signature deep projection with more percussion backing his ever-present guitar. The dark and mysterious “Save Yourself” and the get-out-of-your-seat “Happiness and Misery” give fans the delight of experiencing one of Lang’s electrifying blues-enhanced guitar solos.

Morgan McClease was introduced to Lang’s music by her father and was instantly impressed with Lang’s croons. “I like the beat of his music,” she says. “He has a little Southern blues sound to him and a very mature voice.”

Many Lang fans are still undecided when it comes to his new sound. “I’m not sure if I like (Turn Around) as much as his older stuff,” McClease says. “I am not a big fan of Christian rock, and it is just a different sound (than) what I like about his original music.”

King’s recognizes this as well. “It is a lot more soulful than previous stuff, that is for sure,” he says.

Lang is no stranger to performing live; he has toured with the likes of B.B. King, The Rolling Stones and Aerosmith. His performances generate positive reviews that praise his voice, instrumental talent and ability to captivate his audiences.

Ultimately, fans will need to see Lang perform to decide how well his new sound suits him.

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