The Essential Carter Brothers

The Carter Brothers (not to be confused with the country/bluegrass Carter Family) was (is? - they were still gigging at the time of this 2003 CD release) a blues/soul/gospel trio of brothers from Garland, Alabama, who moved to Pacoima, California and recorded for Shreveport, Louisiana's Jewel Records. They hit big on the R'n'B charts in the mid-60's with "Southern Country Boy", a rockin' mix of Bobby "Blue" Bland and B.B.King. Excellent vocals, stinging guitar work and a fine groove - what a way to start a career!

Lots of fine music on this collection - amazing blues like "Booze in the Bottle" (highlighting guitarist Al Carter - the other brothers were Jerry on keys and Roman on superb lead vocals and bass), "I've Been Mistreated", "Booby Trap Baby" and funky soul numbers like "Stop Talking in Your Sleep", "I Don't Care", "So Glad She's Mine", etc. Most of the tunes are amalgamations of these formulas, usually mixing elements of everything together into one cohesive and fun whole. There's even a soulful ballad (that is truly full of soul) in "Don't Pity Me", a more up-beat dance feel to "Queen Bee", the horn-driven "There's Trouble Brewin'", the gospel keys mixing with soul in "Hey It's Alright", the Motown-ish "Anything For You Baby", and lots more.

This is one of my current favorite acquisitions. Yes, it is somewhat derivative of the artists that influenced them but still truly fun stuff done excellently - highly recommended!