Obit: James Carr is dead

Subject: James Carr is dead
From: GUEST, MARINER
Date: 10 Jan 01 - 03:45 PM

I've just heard that the great soul singer has died. I'm sad, his version of "Dark End of The Street" will never be surpassed. Another great voice, possibly the best in soul has gone.

Subject: RE: James Carr is dead
From: Rev
Date: 11 Jan 01 - 04:09 AM

I'm very sad to hear that about James Carr. I've always felt a bond with him, probably related to our shared name. I'm sorry I never got to hear him in person.

James R. Carr

Subject: RE: James Carr is dead
From: GUEST,bbc at work
Date: 11 Jan 01 - 11:30 AM

This was a very disturbing subject line for me to read. I didn't know the singer, but my younger son, now almost 16, is named James D. Carr. I sure was glad to discover that the thread was *not* about him!!!

bbc

Subject: RE: James Carr is dead
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 11 Jan 01 - 12:53 PM

Moron

Subject: RE: James Carr is dead
From: okthen
Date: 11 Jan 01 - 02:55 PM

that's not very nice.

Subject: RE: James Carr is dead
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 11 Jan 01 - 06:01 PM

If James Carr is (was) one of the greatest, possibly THE greatest voices in soul music, how come I have never heard of him and how come there are no hits when you search the Web? I mean I am no expert on soul music, but I have heard Otis Redding ,Curtis Mayfield, James Brown, and David Allison, but James Carr? I seek further enlightenment. FFTIW I like Ry Cooder's "Dark End of the Street" best, and also as sung by the fat guy in the "Commitments".

Murray

Subject: RE: James Carr is dead
From: John of the Hill
Date: 11 Jan 01 - 06:37 PM

The "fat guy in the Commitments" is named Andrew Strong.

Subject: RE: James Carr is dead
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 11 Jan 01 - 06:44 PM

If James Carr is (was) one of the greatest, possibly THE greatest voices in soul music, how come I have never heard of him and how come there are no hits when you search the Web? I mean I am no expert on soul music, but I have heard Otis Redding ,Curtis Mayfield, James Brown, and David Allison, but James Carr? I seek further enlightenment. FFTIW I like Ry Cooder's "Dark End of the Street" best, and also as sung by the fat guy in the "Commitments".

Murray

Subject: RE: James Carr is dead
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 11 Jan 01 - 06:46 PM

Oh sorry about the duplicate posting ....this thing isn;t working too well tonight

Murray

Subject: RE: James Carr is dead
From: Clifton53
Date: 12 Jan 01 - 12:22 AM

Murray, the man led a tortured life as he was manic depressive. By his own admission, his priority list was a drink, a joint, and a woman, in no particular order. His behavior was erratic at best and he spent a good deal of time in institutions. Small wonder that his career foundered for long stretches.

Clifton53

Subject: RE: James Carr is dead
From: MARINER
Date: 12 Jan 01 - 02:09 AM

Murray, Another reason that you and millions of others never heard or saw James Carr was because, unusual for a singer, he suffered from chronic stage fright. The last time I heard of him appearing on stage was in Japan some years ago when he walked out on stage, took one look at the audience and froze! It's not easy to find his recordings.The last one I've seen is on Ace records, entitled "Soul Survivor". Give it a listen. Ry Cooder's version of "Dark End of The Street" is good but not as good as Dan Penn's , who part wtote it. But neither can hold a candle to Jame's definitive version. The fat guy on the Committments(Andrew Strong) is still regurgitating second class copies of Soul standards if his recent release is anything to go by.He doesn't seem to realise that you need more than a hoarse voice to sing soul. What you need is; Soul!!.

Subject: RE: James Carr is dead
From: okthen
Date: 12 Jan 01 - 04:24 AM

Have heard Ry Cooder, R&L Thompson, and love them both, have yet to hear Mr. Carr's original.Sad to hear of his passing though.

cheers

bill

Subject: RE: James Carr is dead
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 13 Jan 01 - 01:43 AM

Any CD's available? Recommendations? Is Soul Survivor available? I haven't heard him, either. By all these accounts, I should. A sad life and a sad ending. I'm sorry for those of you who cherished his music and knew about his life.

-chanteyranger

Subject: RE: James Carr is dead
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 13 Jan 01 - 02:09 AM

I should have searched before posting that inquiry. Amazon.com's site shows four CD's available : 1. The Essential James Carr, 2. Where The Girls Are, Vol 3, 3. 24 Karat Soul, and the one mentioned by Mariner, Soul Survivor. However, that last one is an import and sells for $40!

Subject: RE: James Carr is dead
From: MARINER
Date: 13 Jan 01 - 03:44 AM

$40 for Soul Survivor!. Well I'll be.Ace is possibly the premier reissue label over here in Europe, but they also do an excellent catalogue of new stuff, James Carr's Soul Survivor being one of them. The album was recorded in the U.S.surely someone there has bruoght it out?>

Subject: RE: James Carr is dead
From: GUEST,PJ Curtis(Ireland)
Date: 13 Jan 01 - 05:48 AM

I agree with Mariner's view above...James Carr had a major problem with live appearences and from what I read had some other 'personality' problems as well which meant that his recordings did not 'chart'...but the fact remains that he was regarded(even by his peers) as the greatest SOUL MASTER of them all. Listen to his 'Essential James Carr' on Razor & Tie. I present a roots/blues etc radio prog.on RTE Radio 1 and have been playing James on Irish national radio for twenty years and will be playing him again on my reg. prog 'Rhythm & Roots (sun night8-9PM) to mark his passing. PJC

Subject: RE: James Carr is dead
From: MARINER
Date: 13 Jan 01 - 07:54 AM

Fair play P.J. I would reccommend PJ.Curtis's progs. to anyone interested in Folk, R'n'B, Rock'n'Roll, Blues,Jazz,Trad, World Music etc.It was on one of his shows I first heard James Carr, many years ago. He has been flying the flag of real music against the rising tide of dross and slick marketing for twenty years or more.More often than not against an apathetic radio authority.He has also produced over 40 albums, among the best of Irish music ever produced,two which recieved awards in the U.S. Listen to him, he knows what he's talking about, a rare thing on radio these days!. God I had better stop or else people might think I run his fan club or something(LOL) Seriously though, do your ears a favour and tune in to anything P.J. Curtis puts out, you won't be dissapointed.

Subject: RE: James Carr is dead
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 14 Jan 01 - 02:09 AM

The same PJ Curtis who wrote "Notes From The Heart"? Pardon my thread creep, but if you're still reading this, this is my chance to say how much I've enjoyed reading your book! It's a gem, and I hope everyone interested in traditional Irish music gets a hold of it.

Ok, everyone...as you were.

-chanteyranger