Acid Queen is the second solo album while Tina was still married with Ike Turner. All songs from the a-side are covers of famous rock songs from The Rolling Stones, The Who and Led Zeppelin, while all songs from the b-side are Ike Turner compositions. The title track is a re-recorded version from the Tommy soundtrack. Baby, Get It On, the first from four singles, was Ike & Tina's very last chart success before they separated. Beside other artists, Kim Carnes did the backing vocals on some tracks, as well as Rod Taylor on Whole Lotta Love. Tina performed Acid Queen live in the late concerts from Ike & Tina as well as at most of her solo concerts. Live versions are available on the home video Nice ’N' Rough from 1982 and One Last Time from 2000. The album was reissued on compact disc from EMI Records with some bonus tracks in 1991.
Producer: Denny Diante & Spencer Proffer / Ike Turner (b-side)
Photographer: Randy Green (back)
Design: Bob Cato
Release: August 1975 / Various (Reissue) / November 2023 (Digital)
Label: United Artists / EMI (CD)
Format: Vinyl / Cartridge / Cassette / CD / Digital
Charts: USA: #39 (R&B) / Australia: #75
Tracks
- Under My Thumb 3:19
- Let’s Spend The Night Together 2:50
- Acid Queen 3:01
- I Can See For Miles 2:52
- Whole Lotta Love 5:23
- Baby, Get It On 5:33
- Bootsey Whitelaw 5:05
- Pick Me Tonight 3:13
- Rockin’ And Rollin’ 3:58
Singles
The Ike Turner composition Baby, Get It On was the first of four single releases and the last chart entry for the duo before their separation. The Led Zeppelin cover Whole Lotta Love is the very first solo single from Tina Turner, which was issued 48 years later again as a digital single in 2023. The title track Acid Queen is a re-recording from the Tommy soundtrack and Under My Thumb from The Rolling Stones was an Australian only single to promote Tina's tour Down Under.
More Info
Billboard
August 30, 1975
Ms. Turner's much talked about British LP turns out to be one side material from the Rolling Stones, Who and Led Zeppelin and one side lke Turner originals. The first side, featuring the artist's distinctive interpretation of some of the more standard British rock bands should bring in the pop and soul crowds, while the flip should hold the attention of long time Ike & Tina fans. Strong production from Denny Diante, Spencer Proffer (and Ike on side two) with top Los Angeles session men Ed Greene and Tom Scott among the guests. Ms. Turner's gruff vocals are perfect for the raucous British material she has chosen, while side two, though soul oriented, should also reach the pop fans with its strong Sid Sharp string arrangements.
Cashbox
August 30, 1975
Tina Turner's very musical being mirrors the sensual and erotic aspects of the rock and roll genre. Her vocal stance (likened to a shrieking purveyor of uptempo blues) is the probe that hits on the very essence and soul of pop music. On "Acid Queen" the literal sweat of the music is ours for the taking, as Tina does right by original and professional covers. Top cuts include "Pick Me Tonight," "Whole Lotta Love" and a raucous "Let's Spend The Night Together." Tina Turner’s "Acid Queen" is a rock primordial and wonderful.