Title:  Let Me Touch Your Mind
Company: United Artists
Catalog: UAS-5660
Year: 1973
Country/State: US
Grade (cover/record): VG / VG+
Comments: punch out hole top right corner; gimmick cover

For such a talented duo, at least to my ears most Ike and Tina Turner albums are an abject waste of time and energy. Sadly 1973's "Let Me Touch Your Mind" stood as a perfect example of their collaborative shortcomings as a recording act. Exemplified by material like the title track, a weird cover of 'Up On the Roof' and 'Home Free' this time out the Turners seem to have focused their attention on rock audiences. Relatively few of the ten track had an R&B or soul edge. That said, the big problem here remained Tina's voice. While there was no denying the fact she had some amazing chops, on virtually every one of these songs she insisted on over-singing, giving them a harsh, shrieky edge that was beyond annoying. Surrounding her with poor song choices, haphazard arrangements, and equally shrieky backing vocalists didn't help the situation. Adding to their problems, from a marketing standpoint the set simply underscored their unique and untenable position with audiences - much of their catalog was too rock oriented for black audiences while they were too soulful for rock audiences.

- 'Let Me Touch Your Mind' stood as a perfect example of everything wrong with Ike and Tina records. Tina's worst over-singing traits were in full form here. For whatever reason she continued to confuse vocal prowess with shrill shrieking. The fact this was a simply horrible song didn't exactly help the situation. rating: * star
- While it wasn't a great performance, 'Annie Had a Baby' was at least interesting for it's old school soul feel. It was also a true Ike and Tina collaboration with the pair sharing lead vocals. Interestingly, listening to this track the pair appeared to have zero chemistry. I've seldom heard a male/female duet with less charm. In fact their shared vocals were simply irritating. They almost sounded like they were trying to undo one another. rating: * star
- The lone Ike Turner composition, 'Don't Believe Her' started out on a high note, Sporting a tasty soul melody, Tina actually showed some restraint across the first couple of lines, but then quickly reverted to her shrieky vocals. Hard to imagine it, but Ike's Pop Staples-styled vocal was actually far better and he turned in a nice guitar solo, though the overly long sax solo didn't do much for me. rating: *** star
- Geez, given Tina's cart wailing screech, the bluesy 'I Had a Notion' never had a chance. rating: * star
- Opening up with some tasty Ike fuzz guitar and some extraordinarily cheesy synthesizers and bubble sound effects (which I love), 'Popcorn' was the album's funkiest number. Unfortunately, once again Tina's harsh and shrieky vocals managed to suck away much of the song's charm. rating: ** stars
- With an old school R&B edge, 'Early One Morning' was the one track where Tina actually showed a bit of vocal restraint. It made for a nice change of pace. rating: *** stars
- Hum, the thought of either of the dysfunctional Turners handing out marital advice was certainly thought provoking. In hindsight, given Tina's tortuous relationship with Ike, this was one ironic performance. Hard to listen to her singing 'there's no such thing as a perfect man ...' rating: *** stars
- Subjecting a pop classic like 'Up On the Roof ' to the Turner 'rock' treatment was one of those ideas that probably sounded better on paper than in execution. Tina's strangled vocal was very strange and certainly wasn't going to make you forget the original, but the performance certainly had a certain bizarre appeal. rating: ** stars
- While I always liked the song 'Home Free' Tina's harsh vocal did nothing to improve the track. rating: ** stars
- The closer 'Heaven Help Us All' got my choice for worst performance. Tina sounded uncomfortable with the song, turning in an exceptionally ragged performance that was only underscored by the Gospel-tinged chorus. Yech. rating: ** stars

Elsewhere the title track was tapped as a single:

- 1972's "Let Me Touch Your Mind' b/w 'Chopper' (United Artists catalog number 50955)

Well, at least the album packaging was pretty cool. The back panel was folded into four discrete squares which had to be unfolded in order to take the LP out. Imagine an elaborate origami structure ...
 
"Let Me Touch Your Mind" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Let Me Touch Your Mind (D. Sain) - 3:59
2.) Annie Had a Baby (Henry Glover - L. Mann) - 3:43
3.) Don't Believe Her (Ike Turner) - 2:51
4.) I Had a Notion (Tina Turner) - 3:44
5.) Popcorn (Tina Turner) - 3:08
 
(side 2)
1.) Early One Morning (R. Whittaker) - 3:38
2.) Help Him (Tina Turner) - 3:42
3.) Up On the Roof (Gerry Goffin - Carole King) - 2:55
4.) Home Free (J. Berry - D. Black) - 3:28
5.) Heaven Help Us All (R. Miller) - 3:12