This is first in a series of releases on Kent from the legendary Goldwax label, and it features 28 tracks from James Carr, regarded as one of the greatest deep soul singers of all time. His rendition of At The Dark End Of The Street, included here, is regarded as the definitive interpretation, and is his undisputed masterpiece.

Carr’s major & best work was recorded in Memphis for Quinton Claunch’s Goldwax Records between 1964 & 1970. He cut 14 great singles which amazingly enough have 28 (both A & B sides) different songs that vary in quality from good to stupendous. Here is the complete remastered set of sides on one CD. Includes 12-page booklet with extensive liner notes & photos.

Review:

All 28 songs from Carr’s 1964–1970 Goldwax singles are here, which is enough to make it a fair bid for a good best-of compilation, although it doesn’t have everything he recorded. About half of the songs on this British import are not on the most well-known American CD compilation of Carr’s work, The Essential James Carr, and those tracks are consistent with the level of his other Goldwax recordings, although they don’t include anything on the level of “The Dark End of the Street” or “Pouring Water on a Drowning Man.” This disc is particularly valuable for filling in some of his earliest 1964–1966 sides, which have a very slightly poppier and more up-tempo bent than his most esteemed songs. “That’s What I Want to Know”‘s groove is pretty Motown-ish, for instance, while “I Can’t Make It” and “Only Fools Run Away” have Marvelettes-like chirping in the background. The 1970 funk update of “Row, Row Your Boat” isn’t much to cheer about, though. There are plenty who will argue the point, but this doesn’t quite live up to Carr’s billing as the greatest ’60s deep soul singer; Otis Redding (who Carr resembles in some respects) was better, and others had better and more imaginative material. It’s good, certainly, and recommended to fans of artists like Redding who are looking for similar stuff that doesn’t get played on the radio anymore.
All Music Guide – Richie Unterberger

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