Joe Lynn Turner is a name that needs no introduction to any rock fan. Quite simply Joe is back with his best album in years. We jump into fire with the vocal legend.

The Usual Suspects is your latest album, first of all congratulations it's our album of the month for February. How long did it take to record the vocals as the performances sound very fresh honest, and from the heart.

JLT: Thank you for your kind words. That was the whole intent. True Emotion. I'd say about 2 weeks. 10-12 days. 6 hours at most on those days as it's not a good idea to strain your voice. If you do the next day you'll be too tight.

There is a strong Rainbow vibe throughout the album which is something I have been hoping you would revisit for a long time. What brought about having that sort of vibe back again?

JLT: People in the music industry, journalists, radio programmers and fans kept saying I should try and make a definitive melodic rock album. All my solo CDs have tracks reminiscent of Rainbow on them but I have been told that this one is the most complete package. The idea to do this happened very naturally and the songs developed that way also. Nothing was forced.

'Devils Door' has that dark Blackmore vibe to it, whilst 'Rest Of My Life' and 'All Alone' have that AOR Stone Cold feel to them. What was your initial impression when you heard this music and indeed that of the rest of the material?

JLT: I agree it has that sound. Your description is accurate. It totally fits in with the rest of the CD. I have been told that the album is diverse enough as a package but there is a common thread, sonically, that runs through it. It's kind of like those quilts that are made where the patches of fabric are all in the same colour family but there are different textures and variations.

Karl Cochran and Al Pirelli both played on the album, what do you feel they each contribute in the guitar department?

JLT: You can't get much better than these two guys. They contributed writing and also tonalities. They brought life to the performances. Karl and Al are literally indispensable. That is why they are part of "The Usual Suspects." ;-)

These songs will be killer out on the road, how many do you plan to perform in the live environment?

JLT: When you make up a set list you have to include both older and new material. I am not sure how many...maybe 5-7. And that could totally change. Some fans will tell you they'd rather hear all new and others will scream for the classics. It's a challenge to please everyone.

You have worked with a lot of good guitarists -Blackmore / Malmsteen / Pitrelli yet it's good to see you also collaborating with the younger generation with guys like Joe Bonamassa. What do you look for in a guitarist?

JLT: They all have "That (special) thing." It's an intangible quality. Very hard to describe but very easy to pinpoint and hear. Joe is an incredible guitarist. You can only feel it through your ears...the "it" factor that I am talking about. Hear it and feel it!

If we could travel back to the Rainbow days, how was it getting that gig and maintaining that it until Ritchie got the call about reforming Deep Purple?

JLT: Obviously it was like living a dream! I had some success with Fandango in the USA but with Rainbow we had a worldwide audience. Rainbow welcomed me with open arms from the beginning. Everyone was part of the team and we all worked well together. Helping Rainbow achieve major commercial success for the first time in the band's history was also something I was and always will be very proud of. When Ritchie told me he was going to reform Purple I was also told that this was a temporary reunion. So, that would give me time to do a solo album. I was hoping after the initial DP reunion album ("Perfect Strangers") that Rainbow would get back together. It was ironic that I ended up joining Purple several years later!

The 3 Rainbow albums saw tremendous growth and really hone that style of hard rock. Was it apparent at the time what you guys were achieving over the space of 2 to 3 years?

JLT: Yes it was. I think we knew what we were tying to do and did progress in the process. The increasing commercial success we achieved demonstrates this.

That stuff still stands up musically, lyrically and sonically. If Ritchie was to phone you tonight and say "Joe lets get this thing going again" what would your reaction be?

JLT: Thank you for your compliment. I agree it definitely has stood the test of time. If Ritchie wanted to reform Rainbow for an album, tour or both I'd be game! I'd love to work with him again. We had amazing chemistry...especially as co-writers.

I have recently picked up a copy of 'Rescue You' and was pleasantly surprised by the material, how long it took so long to get it re-released on CD?

JLT: Nearly 15 years since it came out in the mid-80s. Thanks to companies like Wounded Bird, fans can now have access to albums that are hard to find or out of print.

You worked with Yngwie on Odyssey, a great great album - what are your memories of making that album?

JLT: Thanks again, I have heard from many fans that it is one of their favourites from Yngwie because the songs are so strong. It was his most commercially successful album in the states thus far when it was released. Yngwie had some great music tracks and titles and I came up with the lyrics and melodies. We worked together really well. The live shows were great also....especially in Russia.

You collaborated again for his 'Inspiration' album, how was it to hook up with Yngwie after the turbulence that went on after the split?

JLT: It was really good. I was very pleased that he had called me and we laughed about the past and he revealed how he had gown up a lot and we put any differences behind us. There was always a side to Yngwie I loved. He can be an extremely charming and funny guy. We had no problems on "Inspiration. In fact, it was really admirable that he let me choose what tracks I wanted to do and they came out great! One of the better cover CDs out there!

Do you still keep in contact with Yngwie?

JLT: Not really. Every once in a while I will get a message from a mutual fan or contact. While on the HTP tour someone said to say hello to pass on his regards. I told them to send Yngwie all the best and heard back that he said, really they said that he was pleased.

'Slaves & Masters' is another great album, a bit of a departure from the Gillan sound but a valid departure, I know people that saw the live show and they said it was phenomenal… what's your lasting memory of this era?

JLT: It was a surreal time for me because I had grown up playing Deep Purple covers in bands when I was in high school and now here I was fronting this legendary band that has always been one of my primary influences. It was an awesome experience and working on "Slaves and Masters" was one of the highlights of my career. In fact, Ritchie Blackmore has often stated that that album is his favourite since the band reunited in the early 1980s. We toured the world during the Gulf War when many bands were afraid to go out on the road and the fans were very appreciative. I completely respect all of the members of Deep Purple and will always admire them for their incredible contribution to rock and roll history and glad I could be part of it as well.

I have heard that there was a lot of really good material left over from the session from what became 'The Battles Rages On' co-written with Jim Peterick (of Survivor fame) called Lost In The Machine and Stroke Of Midnight - will this ever see the light of day?

JLT: It's funny you should ask that because I have some demos of that stuff. "Lost In The Machine" I actually used the title for a track that never was used on "JLT"---it is "in the can" and finished. It could resurface. "Bloodfire" on "JLT" was something we were fooling around with in the Deep Purple sessions but it was my title and ideas. I really do not know how the other guys in Purple would react if we dug those out and I do not need any repercussions. I have a good relationship with them now.

Your work with Stuart Smith on Heaven & Earth was excellent; I really hoped you two would hook up and make an album together. Is there ever a chance of this?

JLT: There is definitely a chance of that. That project was exciting and the collective group put out a great package. There are a lot of strong songs and players on that disc. He just re-released it with some new tracks including my version of "Still Got The Blues" (Gary Moore).

The Usual Suspects proves that your voice is stronger than ever. How have you managed to keep it that way when many of your counterparts have lost that edge over the years and can only really pull the strong performances out in the studio?

JLT: Thank you again for saying that! I do sing in a lot of sessions and projects and that keeps my voice "warmed up" but at the same time I try and not strain it. I live a healthy lifestyle, try and stay hydrated and get a lot of sleep. Sleep is really important for preserving your voice.

Do you do anything in particular to keep your voice in shape on the road?

JLT: All of the above plus I try not to strain it when I am not onstage. That can be hard sometimes if you have a lot of promo to do and meet and greets.

Does touring still excite you?

JLT: Absolutely!

What's planned for the rest of 2005?

JLT: I am heading to Japan soon for a promo tour to meet fans and do some music clinics. Brazen Abbot's album will be out soon and I am on that. It's called "My Resurrection." The performances are great and Nik uses an orchestra for some of it. There is talk about a Mother's Army reformation. I am also working on a rock opera called "Stargazer" about Galileo. The people who are producing the rock opera are the same people who did the "We Will Rock You" show. I am also working with the Hit Squad project here in the states plus doing some promo for the single "Still Got The Blues" off Heaven and Earth's re-release. You can read all about that on my website www.joelynnturner.com

Anything else you would like to add to end the interview?

JLT: I want to sincerely thank everyone, including your website for the support and interest in the new CD. I love all of the fans and appreciate them sticking with me all these years!

Joe, thank you very much for your time.

JLT: Thank you for everything!

Official Joe Lynn Turner website