THE BARGAIN BUY: Clarence Carter; The Dynamic Clarence Carter

 |   |  1 min read

Clarence Carter: Look What I Got
THE BARGAIN BUY: Clarence Carter; The Dynamic Clarence Carter

One part smooth Otis Redding, one part the more sedate end of James Brown and steeped in Southern soul, the great singer Clarence Carter was one of the finest interpreters of a song, even if he only rarely cracked mainstream attention.

In the late Sixties and early Seventies he enjoyed a number of US rhythm and blues -- and even pop chart -- hits (notably Slip Away and Patches) but in New Zealand his songs were rarely, if ever, heard on radio. He wasn't Motown.

In fact he was almost one step better because he recorded at the FAME studio in Muscle Shoals and there they brought country-soul rather than urban matters into the mix. So Carter singing Harper Valley PTA -- as he does on this excellent album -- was no stretch at all.

Here too we have his aching take on I'd Rather Go Blind, the exceptional retribution ballad Look What I Got, the horn-punched Think About It written by Dan Covay, the bluesy Road of Love, a straight but soulful Light My Fire with strings, his million-selling Too Weak to Fight . . .

The supportive band includes Duane Allman (pre-Brothers), pianist Barry Beckett and a horn section of studio stars, and it is produced by Rick Hall.

JB_logoA greatest hits collection might be the way to go on Clarence Carter, but this album -- just another along the way -- shows what a malleable talent he was and at $10 at JB HiFi stores here, this Japanese import (original liner notes and lyrics in English) makes it easily into our Bargain Buy selection.

A soul star to discover. 

Share It

Your Comments

Murray - Jun 4, 2014

Hi Graham
Delighted to hear another version of Look What I Got. The only version I was familiar with was done by Boz Scaggs on his eponymous/first solo album. It is one of my Top 10 of all time songs and if Boz pre his MOR stuff (first 3 albums) is of interest and if Duane Allman does it for you take a listen to Boz's version. He nails the vocal and Duane has ample space to showcase his stuff AND the back up singers are awesome. I recommend Boz's version and the entire Boz Scaggs album. Thanks Graham. Murray

post a comment

More from this section   The Bargain Buy articles index

THE BARGAIN BUY: Van Morrison: Moondance

THE BARGAIN BUY: Van Morrison: Moondance

Moondance remains one of Van Morrison's most popular solo albums -- and not just because his previous one two years before in '68, Astral Weeks, was such a masterpiece -- but because Moondance... > Read more

THE BARGAIN BUY: Johnny Winter; Original Album Classics

THE BARGAIN BUY: Johnny Winter; Original Album Classics

As the sole proprietor of Elsewhere and a massive Bob Seger fan, I would never casually doubt My Bob-Man who sang "rock'n'roll never forgets". But Bob, in truth it does. For anyone... > Read more

Elsewhere at Elsewhere

Sorrento, Italy: In the tower of the Saracins, luxury travel

Sorrento, Italy: In the tower of the Saracins, luxury travel

Over cocktails Lionello -- who owns a luxury hotel in Sorrento -- insists we go to his friend Gennaro’s restaurant. “He is a master, he has a gift,” he says enthusiastically,... > Read more

TH'DUDES, REVIEWED (2020): Right first and last time

TH'DUDES, REVIEWED (2020): Right first and last time

A few weeks ago at a family function I was talking with Daniel, the bass player in the Auckland rock band Racing. We were bemoaning – among other things – the fact that somewhat... > Read more