Establishing the mood with an important statement, Chris Oledude opens Turning Tables with an assertive chant of the words, “STOP THE OLIGARCHS TODAY! SAVE OUR JOBS FIGHT FOR FAIR PAY! THEY SAY CUT BACK! WE SAY FIGHT BACK! CUT BACK! FIGHT BACK!”
The opus expands with a funk guitar soundscape featuring textured drums to bring to life a dynamic and vibrant energy to accompany this genre of art as activism. As for the main body of the song, Turning Tables is essentially an important song about how many workers do not earn enough money to cover basic needs like food, housing, child care and transportation.
The prose brings to life examples of parents who work full-time, but still cannot provide simple support for their children. Chris doubles down on how this is unfair and goes against the idea that hard work should be enough to live with dignity.
The chorus calls for us all to stand up and demand change, and not accept unfair treatment. The song encourages us to “turn the tables”, and challenge the systems that keep us in a sunken place of struggle. The lyricism also touches on inequality, including how women are often paid less than men. It urges us to support one another, and fight for fair wages and safe working conditions.
Speaking on the release, Chris confesses, “I am connecting today’s socio-political challenges with the music needed to confront those challenges. You can’t have a movement if you’re not moving. Turning Tables is a straightforward fun and funky tune that tells truths about peoples’ economic needs today and the need for change.”
We appreciate the powerful vocal presence of Lindsey Wilson on the track, and the instrumental performances are transcendental with astral electric guitar accompanying the theatrical delivery and choral vocals. The energy that builds is sublime, invigorating and inspiring – in line with the lyricism.
Turning Tables was co-written by Chris Oledude and Dr. Lora-Ellen McKinney. It was arranged and produced by Oledude for CESO Enterprises, Inc. The main engineering and mixing were done by Mark Dann at his studio in Woodstock, where he also played rhythm guitar. Lead vocals and background vocals were recorded mostly at Sheriff Bob Studio in New York City with engineer Kat Lewis. Lead guitar was played by Greg DiBenedetto, and drums were performed by Beau Brady and recorded at Chip Fabrizi’s studio in Lower Manhattan. The background vocal group included Kiena Williams, Kelly Berman, Liz Dreyer, Judy Gorman, Pam Hamilton, Amy Kessler, Yanitza Lee, Nyasha Liang, Naomi Nissen, Ellen Mendlow, Elijah Dixon Owens, Debbie Quinn, and M. Vern Woodhead.
Naturally, we are in awe – and grateful to Chris Oledude and his collaborators for creating such an important piece of music at a time when society needs it the most! We have added Turning Tables to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we anticipate the entirety of Chris Oledude‘s album, PREACHER MAN – VOL. 1.