James Carr (singer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Carr
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | James Edward Carr |
| Born | June 13, 1942 Coahoma, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | January 7, 2001 (aged 58) Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Genres | Rhythm and blues, soul |
| Years active | 1966-1990s |
| Labels | Goldwax Records |
James Edward Carr (born June 13, 1942 – died January 7, 2001) was an American R&B and soul singer. Many people called him "one of the greatest pure vocalists that deep Southern soul ever produced."
Contents
About James Carr
James Carr was born in Coahoma, Mississippi, in a family of Baptist preachers. When he was three years old, his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee. James started singing in church. He also performed with gospel groups like the Harmony Echoes. At the same time, he worked making tables in a factory in Memphis.
Early Music Career
Carr tried to join Stax Records, but they turned him down. So, he made his first recordings in 1964 with Goldwax Records. This was a small, independent record label in Memphis. He released several songs before becoming successful in 1966. His song "You've Got My Mind Messed Up" became a hit. It reached number 7 on the Billboard R&B chart. It also reached number 63 on the pop chart. He also released a popular album called You Got My Mind Messed Up.
Later Successes
Carr continued to have hit songs with Goldwax. These included "Pouring Water on a Drowning Man." But his most famous song was "The Dark End of the Street" in 1967. Dan Penn and Chips Moman wrote this song. It reached number 10 on the R&B chart and number 77 on the pop chart.
Carr kept recording for Goldwax until the label closed in 1969. He didn't reach the same level of success with his later songs. However, "A Man Needs a Woman" in 1968 was a hit. It reached number 16 on the R&B chart and number 63 on the pop chart. He also recorded an album with the same name. After Goldwax closed, he released a song on Atlantic Records in 1971. He released another song in 1977 on his manager's label, River City.
Later Life and Legacy
James Carr faced some health challenges throughout his life. Despite this, some called him "the world's greatest Soul Singer." In the 1980s, people became interested in his music again. This was partly because of a book called Sweet Soul Music by Peter Guralnick. This helped Carr return to the recording studio. He released another album, Take Me to the Limit, in 1991. This was for a new version of the Goldwax label. He also performed at music festivals in the US and Europe. In 1994, he released another album called Soul Survivor.
In the mid-1990s, he was diagnosed with lung cancer. James Carr passed away in a Memphis nursing home in 2001. He was 58 years old.
Discography
Singles
- "You've Got My Mind Messed Up" (1966) R&B No. 7, Pop No. 63
- "Love Attack" (1966) R&B No. 21, Pop No. 99
- "Pouring Water on a Drowning Man" (1966) R&B No. 23, Pop No. 85
- "The Dark End of the Street" (1967) R&B No. 10, Pop No. 77
- "Let It Happen" (1967) R&B No. 30, Pop No. 106
- "I'm a Fool for You" (duet with an uncredited Betty Harris) (1967) R&B No. 42, Pop No. 97
- "A Man Needs a Woman" (1968) R&B No. 16, Pop No. 63
- "Life Turned Her That Way" (1968) Pop No. 112
- "Freedom Train" (1969) R&B No. 39
- "To Love Somebody" (1969) R&B No. 44
Albums
- You Got My Mind Messed Up (1967) R&B: No. 25
- A Man Needs a Woman (1968)
- Take Me To The Limit (1991)
- Soul Survivor (1994)
Compilations
- Complete, Vol. 1 (1994)
- Complete, Vol. 2 (1994) Goldwax
- The Essential James Carr (1995) Razor & Tie
- 24 Karat Soul (2001) Soultrax
- The Complete Goldwax Singles (2001) Kent
- My Soul Is Satisfied: The Rest of James Carr (2004) Kent
- A Man Worth Knowing: The 1990s Goldwax & Soultrax Recordings (2006) Ace
See also
In Spanish: James Carr para niños
