Matt Turk IN BETWEEN
7 New Songs from Venerable Folk Singer
Thoughts from rock journalist Joe Viglione
Matt Turk knows how to spin an instantly memorable tune, and how to deliver. From “Everybody in the World,” “In the Middle of the Night” to “Without Her” this is the work of a craftsman with superb playing, production and vocal delivery. The seven songs are like a time machine, “I am Guitar” could have been written and performed by Stephen Foster and seemingly could be found on Peter Calo’s Cowboy Song, tribute to magical old time compositions. “Lottery” goes back to the future, more contemporary and enticing. When Ray Charles released Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music it was actually a pop masterpiece, with genres colliding. Turk has designed some modern sounds in contemporary folk/rock. “This Old Way” has the elegant stuff, while “Beautiful Day” concludes the album the way Paul McCartney put “Honey Pie” on the White Album.
PRESS RELEASE
“In Between” is Matt Turk’s latest solo release. The collection of 7 original tunes crafted over the last several years highlight Turk’s dedication to song craft. Satisfying original melodies, strong, clear lyrical content, professionalism and expertise embody “In Between”. “In Between” is a great group of tunes with production on point.
With a working friendship that spans 25 years, Matt Turk and Kevin Hupp (Iggy Pop, Edgar Winter, Rufus Wainright, Rick Derringer, Eddie Van Halen, Maceo Parker) have reemerged with a dynamic, clear new recording together. For a recent recording session of “Riley Shy”, a collaboration for Illusion Genius Ben Robinson’s new work Majikal, Turk brought in Kevin Hupp to nail the drums at the session with Hamilton bassist, Deadgrass’ Dave Richards and Grammy Winner, Sherwood Ridge studio owner C Lanzbom. After the session Turk and Hupp were speaking of new creative projects and both realized there was a window of opportunity to ride together again and cut a new record. Over the last years, these two seasoned vets endured changes yet again in the music industry, Covid and rediscovered a deeply shared love of song craft and recording. It was out of this context that "In Between" was born. Agreeing to meet over the summer of 2024 at Hupp’s studio, the Groove Room, Turk wrote all words and music, and co-writing “Without Her” with Hupp. Matt Turk sings, plays acoustic guitar, mandolin, mandola and electric guitar. Kevin Hupp produced "In Between", plays drums, percussion, keyboards and sings background vocals. Along with bassist David Richards, the three together embarked on a joyful journey creating “In Between”.