Disco de Tina Turner: “Twenty Four Seven”

Having been disappointed by her last, rather lack-lustre recording "Wildest Dreams", I confess to have approached this new effort with some trepidation, and so am happy to report on Miss Turner's best effort in well over a decade.

Tina's first really cohesive album since attaining super-stardom is no mean accomplishment, given the array of producers and musical styles, but it is held together throughout by her re-energized and assertive vocals and supported by talented and sympathetic production.

Primarily focusing on a euro-dance and euro-pop sound, the first half of the album is outstanding, topped by the excellent "Absolutely Nothing's Changed", the slinky "All The Woman", the classic-sounding, mid-tempo "Whatever You Need" and the first single, the Rawling and Taylor-produced "When The Heartache Is Over" which unfortunately begins with a sound crashingly reminiscent of another large comeback hit by a one name star (you guess who), but then thankfully assumes an assiduously rhythmic identity of its own.

The ballads on the set are effective; the plaintive "Don't Leave Me This Way" is particularly moving (even with its predictable chorus) and the sexy slow remake of "Falling" is the album's best showcase of her prodigious vocal talent. But while the strident "Without You" is serviceable and hardly original, the superior "Go Ahead" is a winner, especially for its phrasing.

Less than outstanding is the throwaway - and too obvious - title song, which sounds like a weak blend of "Proud Mary" and "Break Every Rule", but which still manages to achieve its limited objectives. And the delightful mid-tempo, gospel tinged "I Will Be There" is superior to its similar-sounding (and definitely poor!) cousin, "Talk To My Heart".

Though not a classic - after all, such heights are supremely difficult to achieve - such a synthesis between artist, themes and music as is accomplished on this album makes it, in my opinion, essential music for those wishing to hear the work of a modern veteran.

"Twenty-four seven" is Tina's second true studio release in ten years, following the 1996 release of "Wildest Dreams," one of her most underappreciated works. This album just goes to show that no matter what age you are, you can still rock with the best of them. "When The Heartache Is Over," produced by Metro, is the lead off this album, and is one of the best tracks as well. Its' dance beat has put Tina back on the charts, and is sure to reach the top ten if her record company would get their heads out of their butts. "Without You" features a cameo from Bryan Adams, and is 100% pure rock. "Talk To My Heart" displays Tina's signature vocals on a love/ballad song that has become the highlight of her newest performances. Other songs on the album are completely original music for Tina, including the title track "24/7" which makes you want to shake every time you hear it. For all just thinking about buying this album....let me make up your mind. BUY IT.

With 24-7, Tina Turner reminds us all that you can still do what you do best at 60! We had the fortunate opportunity to see Tina on the opening night of her US Tour in the Twin Cities on March 23, 2000. She was phenomenal, as is this compilation of music. As a club DJ, I was fortunate to see and hear Tina's hot new dance track "When The Heartache is Over" before the US release of this CD. For the most part however, this collection is similar to Tina's "Private Dancer" years of the early 1980's. You won't find the rock-n-roll style of music ("Proud Mary") that Tina was so famous for in the 70's. Though she comes close to her R&B / Rock&Roll roots with the title track. Other fine songs include "Whatever You Need" and "Talk To My Heart". If you are a serious Tina fan, just a casual fan, or simply a fan of popular music, you won't be disappointed with this CD. Unlike another all-time great who released her comeback success "Believe" in 1998 (Cher!), this collection from Tina is slower and not as dance-oriented, but a great collection just the same.

An interesting aspect of the music on this CD I noticed was the fact that many unique, original tracks sound as though they had "always been". I suppose this would be because some are so insta-classic, and this is probably the result of the well crafted, infectuous melodies. The tracks that exemplify this best are Absolutely Nothing's Changed, which seems to recapture a certain degree of attitude from the 70's; Go Ahead, a heavier track in a minor key with lyrics that surprised me for their originality and seamless function with the music; Talk to my Heart, an uptempo number, with a slight hint of Sheryl Crow-ness in there; Don't Leave Me This Way, an upbeat ballad with a presentation both confident and warm (and odd combo indeed); When the Heartache is Over, the first single, slightly reminiscient of Believe, but highly enjoyable nonetheless; and the title track, Twenty-Four Seven, a rock-n-roll that seems as though it could have come from right out of 1962. Overall, this CD touches upon plenty of Tina's styles (though not as keenly sensual as some of her prior work), and feels like a proper culmination of the past century of her music, with a drive for the future.

This is Tina best album. This is her first album of the 90's that is sure to go multiplatnum in the U.S. Her last few albums have been less than spectacular, but Twenty four seven is jam packed with hits! The album cover all genres; Dance, Pop, R&B, and rock. The songs are not only new and fresh but they are trend setting and pull you into the melodies at first glacne. They sound destined to become hits. I'm 22 years old and there are really no other 60 year old artists that have this type of mordern and hip music out there that a younger generation can appreciate. This album is definatly her best ever! it's assertive, the vocals are beautiful. I cant wait to go to a club and jam off of of "Absolutly Nothings Changed"! Thanks Tina for this musical jewel.