Death of Clarence Carter’s Famous Voice
A recent announcement said that the soul and R&B artist and producer, Clarence Carter, had died. The great artist took leave of us at the age of 90. Clarence Carter is known for his exceptional voice and his skillful storytelling and even his controversial humor in lyrics, which have earned him fame in the music world for decades.
Apart from famous songs such as “Patches” and “Strokin’,” there are many other pieces of music produced by Clarence that can’t be described as belonging to any genre.
From Roots in Alabama to Soul Stardom
Carter was born in Montgomery, Alabama and brought up with the sounds of gospel music, the blues, and the evolving genre of Southern R&B. Like other soul singers of his time, Carter trained his voice in church, and after that went to pursue a secular music career, full of pain and humor.
The decade of the 1960s saw Carter become a prominent musical artist. It was only the 1970s, though, that made Carter an established musician within the sphere of Southern soul music.
“Patches”: Carter’s Turning Point
“Patches,” which is an extremely soulful and emotional piece of art that chronicles the story of a young man whose life is transformed through the struggles he faces, turned out to be the turning point for Al Green.
“Patches” became a hit and earned Carter a lot of praise; he even won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance. This song not only proved its longevity but also cemented its place in the annals of soul music.
“Patches” continues to be one of Carter’s most renowned and soulful songs to date.
Clarence Carter’s “Other Side”: “Strokin’”
Whereas “Patches” displayed Carter’s vulnerable side, “Strokin’” revealed a different side of his genius. He was able to create music that was bold, hilarious, and adult in nature.
Although it was first released in the 1980s, the track became popular for its naughty lyrics and unusual storytelling approach. Although the song was prohibited from playing on the radio because of its sexual content, it still gathered huge crowds by being played through underground means.
Carter: Career Defined by Contrast
The one thing that made Carter unique was the presence of contrast in his songs.
On one hand, Carter would sing some soulful tunes from the south. On the other hand, he also sung songs that had elements of humor, sensuality, and obscene language, none of which were common among musicians.
It is the capability to achieve this contrast that helped him stand out in the world of competitive R&B music, where artists could not sing any song beyond their genre.
The Influence of Carter beyond Soul Music
Over the years, Carter has influenced other genres of music, being sampled and homaged on numerous occasions. There are many hip hop and Southern rap artists who have drawn upon Carter’s style of storytelling and rhythms.
Courtesy of gabriela talarico (Flickr CC0)His legacy is visible within the culture of Southern hip-hop, where humor, storytelling, and gritty lyrics may be incorporated much in the same way Carter did it himself.
While his full music history might not be known to every listener, his legacy and influence will certainly be recognized in current music.
How Fans Responded to the Loss of Their Idol Voice
In response to his passing, fans flocked to social media sites where they posted their memories, comments, and lines from some of his songs.
Some people admired him for being among those rare few artists capable of excelling as a ballad singer as well as a comedian, yet not at the expense of their genuineness in both cases.
Some of the comments included:
“Clarence Carter had the ability to make you cry on one song and laugh your heart out on another. Nobody could do that but him.”
“Patches’ was soul music royalty. ‘Strokin” was pure cultural anarchy.”
A Polished Legacy
What is fascinating is that Carter’s biography shows a broader concept about Southern soul, which is that its true beauty lies in its duality – its realism and authenticity.
While other musicians opted to be polished for commercial appeal, Carter decided to showcase his imperfections through authentic storytelling.
This characteristic of Carter played an important role in making him popular amongst all age groups.
Clarence Carter – Looking Back at His Life
While everyone in the music industry grieves the loss of the legendary singer, who passed away at the age of 90, Clarence Carter’s music is certainly not the only thing people are going to remember about him.
It’s his audacity, his way of expressing himself openly that people will remember. It was a man whose words could crush your heart, and then make you laugh in less than two seconds’ time.
Clarence Carter: An Enduring Voice
Despite Clarence Carter being gone now, he has made quite a mark on American soul music.
Whether it is the poignant story behind “Patches” or the raw energy of “Strokin,” the songs of Clarence Carter continue to resonate with listeners.
It is this refusal to take sides when both sides needed to be represented that makes Clarence Carter special in the realm of soul music.
By David Loran Jr
A successful Editor-in-Chief, journalist for over 6 years, writing about important topics that are going on within the U.S. and beyond.
Sources:
AL.com: Iconic Alabama-born singer of classic ’60s, ’70, ’80s hits has died: ‘He was family’
Yahoo! Entertainment: Clarence Carter, Soul Star and ‘Patches’ Hitmaker, Dies at 90
RollingStone: Clarence Carter, Singer-Producer Who Scored Hits With ‘Patches’ and ‘Strokin’,’ Dead at 90
Featured Image Courtesy of Saint Joseph‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of gabriela talarico‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
