2013 finds Turner entering an exciting new creative phase, with his varied talents showcased on a variety of notable new recording projects. Later this year, he’ll release his sixth album as a leader—his first under his own name in a dozen years. He’s also featured on new or upcoming releases by pianist Stefano Bollani, guitarist Gilad Hekselman, pianist Baptiste Trotignon and the Billy Hart Quartet, of which Turner’s been a member for nearly a decade and with whom he recorded two previous albums. He’s also continuing his work as a member of Fly, a collaborative trio with bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jeff Ballard.
Born in 1965 in Ohio and raised in Southern California, Turner grew up surrounded by music.
“There always was a lot of R&B and jazz and soul and gospel going on in the house all the time,” he recalls.
“This was in the early ’70s, when the whole integration and civil rights thing had begun to go mainstream, and my mother and stepfather were in the first wave of young black professionals and intellectuals who moved to upper-middle-class white neighborhoods. They and their friends were always going out to see live jazz. I was intrigued by that, and I was intrigued by the whole history of jazz music and African-American culture, as well as the music itself. And my father, who died when I was one and a half, had played saxophone, so maybe I was looking for a connection with him too.”
1991
Mark Turner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get you a copper coil.
Fill it with new made corn mash
And never more you′ll toil.
You'll just lay there by the juniper,
While the moon is bright.
Watch them jugs a-filling
Build you a fire with hickory,
Hickory, ash, and oak.
Don′t use no green or rotten wood,
It'll get you by the smoke.
We'll just lay there by the juniper,
While the moon is bright.
Watch them jugs a-filling
In the pale moonlight.
My daddy, he made whiskey.
My granddaddy, he did too.
We ain′t paid no whiskey tax
Since 1792.
We′ll just lay there by the juniper,
While the moon is bright.
Watch them jugs a-filling
In the pale moonlight.
In Mark Turner's song "1991", the lyrics tell a story of a traditional moonshining process and the pride associated with carrying on a family legacy. The song transports us back to a time when making and consuming homemade whiskey was not only illegal but also a way to rebel against authority.
The first verse introduces us to the process of making moonshine. The singer suggests getting a copper kettle and coil, essential equipment for distillation. The phrase "Fill it with new made corn mash" refers to the mixture used to ferment and create the whiskey. The line "And never more you'll toil" implies that by engaging in moonshining, one can escape the hardships of labor and find a sense of fulfillment in this hidden, outlawed practice.
The chorus describes a scene of gathering under a juniper tree, a symbol of secrecy and wilderness. The moon's brightness adds an ethereal atmosphere to the moment as the characters observe the jugs being filled with moonshine in the pale moonlight. This imagery emphasizes the beauty and mystical nature of the moonshining tradition.
In the second verse, the lyrics advise using specific types of wood to build a fire: hickory, ash, and oak. The importance of not using green or rotten wood is emphasized, as it could produce improper smoke and affect the quality of the product. This attention to detail reflects the knowledge and expertise passed down through generations.
The final verse further highlights the family legacy of moonshining. The singer asserts that both their father and grandfather were involved in making whiskey and even mentions avoiding paying the whiskey tax since 1792. This implies a rebellious nature and a sense of pride in continuing the family's moonshining practices despite the potential consequences.
Overall, "1991" captures the allure of moonshining and the nostalgia associated with a bygone era. The lyrics celebrate the craftsmanship, camaraderie, and defiance embedded in this centuries-old tradition. It simultaneously invites listeners to imagine themselves partaking in the hidden world of homemade whiskey and acknowledges the strength of family bonds and the passing down of heritage.
Line by Line Meaning
Get you a copper kettle,
Acquire a copper kettle, which is commonly used in the process of making moonshine.
Get you a copper coil.
Obtain a copper coil, an essential component used in the distillation of moonshine.
Fill it with new made corn mash
Pour fresh corn mash into the kettle, the key ingredient for making moonshine.
And never more you'll toil.
By making moonshine, you can avoid hard labor and enjoy the fruits of your illicit distilling.
You'll just lay there by the juniper,
Instead of working, you can relax near the juniper tree.
While the moon is bright.
During the nighttime when the moon is shining brightly.
Watch them jugs a-filling
Observe the jugs being filled with fresh moonshine.
In the pale moonlight.
The jugs are being filled under the dim and gentle glow of the moon.
Build you a fire with hickory,
Construct a fire using hickory wood, known for producing desirable flavors in moonshine.
Hickory, ash, and oak.
You should also incorporate ash and oak wood, while avoiding any green or rotten wood.
Don't use no green or rotten wood,
Avoid using wood that is either freshly cut (green) or in a decayed state (rotten), as it would negatively affect the moonshine's taste.
It'll get you by the smoke.
Using the right type of wood helps avoid an excessive amount of smoke that could give away illegal moonshine production.
My daddy, he made whiskey.
My father was involved in the production of whiskey, likely in an illegal manner.
My granddaddy, he did too.
My grandfather was also engaged in the illicit crafting of whiskey.
We ain't paid no whiskey tax
Our family has evaded paying taxes on whiskey for a long time.
Since 1792.
This tax evasion dates back to the year 1792.
We'll just lay there by the juniper,
We will continue our tradition of leisurely resting near the juniper tree.
While the moon is bright.
Taking advantage of the ample moonlight during the nighttime.
Watch them jugs a-filling
Observe the ongoing process of filling the jugs with moonshine.
In the pale moonlight.
The jugs are being filled under the soft, subdued light of the moon.
Writer(s): Frank A Beddoe
Contributed by Mateo F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.