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Bing Turkby: Turakina Tales

You’d be forgiven for thinking that 'Turakina Tales’ is a journey back to yesteryear and a collection of classic tunes brought to you by a group of old-timers and their banjos. Not so. Bing Turkby is a madman in the best sense of the word. He plays all the instruments on this release and even introduces songs via a running commentary/rant that’s so laughably unfunny, so bad, that it’s all good. Highlights on the rekkid (that’s Bing-speak for record) are Turkby Tone Rekkids, Farewell Good Vortigern and Wakarimasen (Japanese for 'I don’t understand’), with its opening lyric "Watashi no namae wa Bing Turkby desu" ("My name is Bing Turkby"). There’s even a sweet and slightly serious sounding song called World Suspended, where our Bing croons like an old pro. But it would be unfair to compare him to anyone, as he’s intent on doing things his own way, suffice to say that it is hit and miss, but even its faults can be interpreted as strengths. Sometimes reviewing CDs for a music magazine has its benefits; most namely being given something you would not normally listen to and finding an unpolished gem. Make sure this record doesn’t fly under your radar. Maybe get it for your gran this Christmas. Or perhaps a leg of lamb. And make sure to check out the inside photos for the crappiest guitar I have ever seen.

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