When Nola Blue Records president Sallie Bengtson established her label a decade ago, then New Orleans bassman and vocalist Benny Turner, age 75, was its debut artist, and his critically acclaimed Journey was its inaugural release. More Turner releases on Nola Blues followed. Bengtson believed in his story so much that she commissioned prolific writer Bill Dahl to author the book The Survivor: The Benny Turner Story, published 2017.

Turner is brother to the iconic blues guitarist Freddie King, whom he played with for years until King’s untimely death in December 1976. After a lengthy hiatus, Turner resumed playing music again, joining Chicagoan Mighty Joe Young’s band for eight years. He next relocated to New Orleans to be Marva Wright’s band director for another 20. After his tenure with Wright, Turner finally embarked on a solo career.

Six years may seem like an eternity for cutting a record, but Turner paused the project to help his terminally ill pal Cash McCall finish his final record, Going Back Home. The COVID lockdown, Hurricane Ida’s destruction of his New Orleans home, and relocation to Pennsylvania also caused delays.

Now 85, Turner’s BT is a retrospective of a fascinating career that spans blues, rock ’n’ roll, R&B, and gospel. Ironically, recording began in 2018 at FAME Studios, Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and was completed in August 2024 in Pennsylvania. In between, Turner hit studios in Chicago, New Jersey, and New Orleans, with crack session players every time. The New Orleans musicians included June Yamagishi (guitar), “Jellybean” Alexander (drums), Keiko Komaki (piano, organ), and Tiffany Pollack (background vocals). Besides playing bass and guitar, Turner also filled in on banjo and did all the arrangements.

Although this was recorded in several studios, it doesn’t feel like a patched-together affair, but a harmonious entity where everything fits snugly. What also fits is the representative song selection. Due to Turner’s longevity in the biz, some songs were recorded by legendary friends of his, like Howlin’ Wolf’s version of “Going Down Slow,” R&B soul singer Dee Clark’s composition “When I Call Your Name” and Muddy Waters’ despairing ballad “Born in this Time” that opened the motion picture Mandingo.

Turner also has three originals of his own. The jammy “Sleepy Time in the Barnyard” instrumental showcases his guitar playing best, a duet with second guitarist and engineer Bobby Gentilo that’s like a conversation between two axes. The Jimmy Reed-inspired “Drunk” is a straight-up Chicago blues shuffle, with the funniest line being “I wanna get so doggone drunk/ ’Till I see a hound dog kiss a skunk.” “Who Sang it First” reminds us to never forget those who shaped the blues.

Yet, this album hits its stride when Turner leverages his gospel background. He reaches his charismatic zenith on “When I Call On You,” which has the spirit and practically levitates effortlessly. Interestingly, it doesn’t have to be a gospel song to feel that way. “Going Down Slow” starts as a harmonica-driven blues scorcher and then shifts midway through to gospel. It may sound like a church choir behind him, but it’s all Turner’s vocal harmonies, quite a feat to pull off.

Another look at an unsung hero who stayed in the trenches making everyone’s game better. At least now he’s having his turn in the spotlight.