James Edward Carr (June 13, 1942 – January 7, 2001) was an American R&B and soul singer, described as "one of the greatest pure vocalists that deep Southern soul ever produced". He also released the successful and critically acclaimed album You Got My Mind Messed Up. Despite this he was dubbed "the world's greatest Soul Singer". However, he completed the Japan tour before returning to Memphis. Thereafter he lived with his sister but was frequently hospitalized. He also performed at festivals in the US and Europe, and released another album, Soul Survivor, in 1994.

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) Goldwax
  • Complete, Vol. 2 (1994) Goldwax
  • The Essential James Carr (1995) Razor & Tie
  • 24 Karat Soul (2001) Soultrax
  • The Complete Goldwax Singles (2001) Kent UK
  • My Soul Is Satisfied: The Rest of James Carr (2004) Kent UK
  • A Man Worth Knowing: The 1990s Goldwax & Soultrax Recordings (2006) Ace UK

References

  • Obituary, The Guardian
  • Robert Gordon, "James Carr: Way Out on a Voyage"
  • James Carr Biography
  • Cascade Blues article