It is hard to say that James Carr has been forgotten over time. In fact, James Carr may not have ever received the attention and acclaim he should have in the first place. Do you know James Carr? If you do, then you are nodding your head. If you are shaking your head, “no”, then let me introduce you to one of the stone cold greatest pure gut-bucket soul singers ever.
James Carr was a prime soul stirrer of the halcyon ’60′s period. In those years, it seemed like every time someone turned over some rich Memphis soil, another Memphis soul legend was found. Otis, Aretha, Sam & Dave, O.V. Wright, Percy Sledge, these are the voices of legendary soul that first come to mind…as they should. They were the hit makers and jaw droppers and they helped bring attention to the soul sound so that other artists could get a break…artists like James Carr.
Why isn’t Carr one of the first soul voices that come to mind for the masses? Was it because he didn’t have as many hits? Was it because of bad guidance from handlers? Was it because he couldn’t handle the pressures of
the road? By all accounts, yes, these could be contributing factors of the lack of Carr’s mention as a soul legend. Sure, the super soul fans know Carr, but the masses don’t…but should.
From what I have read, Carr had his demons, namely depression and touring stress. Not a good combo when performing was as important as recording in those days. Unfortunately, this hurt his ability to keep focus on his career, say the way Otis Redding owned his. In the many
tragic stories of music lore, James Carr ranks high.
If you are looking for some new turn-ons, give James Carr a spin. You’ll know straight away that James Carr has been overlooked and underplayed in soul music’s history. Take a much covered song, “Dark End of the Street”. This song was written by Dan Penn & Chip Moman (read more
here on Dan Penn and then go kick yourself in the ass for not knowing about him either). This song has been covered by many, many greats: Aretha, Percy Sledge, The Flying Burrito Brothers to name a few. James Carr’s version towers above them all as the definitive and most emotionally powerful version ever.
It is a bittersweet experience. The story is a sad one of a secret, adulterous love. It’s wrong, but it is oh-so right. Carr sings it as if he is pulling out his own guts. It is an intimate performance that is meant for one other person only…the woman that is standing with him at the dark end of the street. The yearning in his voice is heartbreaking. He is singing with bridled emotion and power. He knows if he lets it all out he will not be able to control it and he and his secret lover will be found out.
“they gonna find us…they gonna find us…they gonna find us, looooord some day…”
You must listen to this track. be prepared to go find more James Carr to listen to after that as well. I recommend Carr’s “
You Got My Mind Messed Up” album.
Put your ears on Carr’s rendition of this song here:
Dark End of the Street_____
Last night I was at Mojo Records here in Sydney and I was behind the counter talking to some customers. This Sydney couple came in and they were picking up some albums they ordered from Uncle Frank (Uncle Frank does all the ordering for Mojo). They were on a country music kick and had ordered some George Jones…of which they had
never heard (!) but only read about. Good on them. We opened the album and played it and they were floored. They couldn’t believe the raw truth in Jones’ voice.
We got to talking about how within all of the racks of CDs and records at Mojo there were so many unheard and hidden gems all around us. “James Carr!” I shouted out. You must get your ears on James Carr. In unison, with wide open, curious eyes, they said, “who is James Carr”?
I ran round the counter to the store floor and pulled some vintage Carr off the shelf and played them the bow down track, “Dark End”. Carr’s voice filled up the shop and set my couple friend’s jaws to the floor. I looked at her and she pulled up her shirt sleeve…goosebumps. She was floored and she was hooked and she bought that CD faster than I could say, “so, do you like it”? Another satisfied Mojo customer. Actually, two satisfied Mojo customers. I got to experience James Carr for the first time all over again.
You c
an share all kind of things, including songs, over the Internet, but this was an experience. A face to face, real deal flesh and blood experience. It is why I go to record shop. To explore, experience and engage with like minded, curious, passionate music fans.
Now go back and listen to that James Carr song again…
