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"Guitar-slinger" songwriter Carlton, born in Frisia, North Germany, raised on a farm, on the road since his early youth, managed to make his name as an extraordinarily talented and internationally renowned musician.

At the age of 17, infected with Soul and Rhythm & Blues, he left home for good and moved to the Netherlands, where, he signed up with rock bands like Herman Brood, Long Tall Ernie & the Shakers and most successful with Vitesse who scored a pile of Top Ten hits in the early 80s. A little later he moved over to New York invited to play with Mink DeVille, who recruited him during a tour in Holland. From there he then stopped over in London working for Manfred Mann's Earthband and returned to play in Germany in the late 80s, working with German stars like Udo Lindenberg, Trio's Stephan Remmler, Nina Hagen, Peter Maffay, George Kranz and Wolfgang Niedecken.
With a circle of fellow Dutch musicians he formed a band named "New Legend" in 1989. They recorded 2 critically acclaimed albums for RCA, but a clash of egos made this formation a shortlived one.

Since the early 90s Carl Carlton has lived in Dublin, Ireland together with his wife Natasha, incidentally the artist responsible for the wonderful paintings on the Songdogs album covers, and their kids, Keanu, Jessica and Max. (Natasha and Carl seperated in 2005. Nevertheless she will continue to produce her popular artwork for the Songdogs).

Carl finally had his coming-out with his very first solo album in 2001, "Revolution Avenue" and the successful follow-up "Love & Respect" released in 2003. Perhaps "The Songdogs" would have never seen the light of day, were it not for Robert Palmer, who adjured Carlton to eventually start his very own career and finally record his material. Carl had worked with Robert since 1994. (With Palmer's death in October 2003, Carl has lost a true and faithful friend and collaborationist, but above all a teacher, brother and mentor.)

Truly a rocking and rolling globe-traveller, Carlton has an impressive list of international stars on this agenda. He produced, wrote and played with the likes of Robert Palmer, Joe Cocker, Jimmy Barnes, Keb Mo, Alannah Myles, Eric Burdon, Amanda Marshall, Yothu Yindi to name but a few.

The first Songdogs recording session took place in Louisiana's Dockside Studios, down in the heart of the swamps, during September 2000. If the southerly atmosphere of the album stirs you up to listen, wait till you've read the credits!
A choice of great musicians who made American rock history: there's slide-guitarist Sonny Landreth, known for his work with John Hiatt and the Goners, keyboarder Ian McLagan (Small Faces, Rolling Stones), Carl's true heroes, Levon Helm (drums) and Garth Hudson (keyboards) of The Band, Jon Smith (sax) and Steve Howard (trumpet) known as Edgar Winter's Legendary White Trash Horns and of course, inevitable Robert Palmer on background vox and percussion.

Then, with a bang, there is the core of the Songdogs, Wyzard (bass) and Moses Mo (guitar), both members of Atlanta's funk rock sensation Mothers Finest, Bertram Engel (drums) and Pascal Kravetz (organ, piano, clavinet, Wurlitzer). Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones, who happens to be a pal of Carl's, living in the Dublin vicinity, helped out with 2 songs, "Breath on me" and "I can feel the fya". He also suggested and introduced Mac and Bobby Keys to Carl. Both have played with the Songdogs ever since. (Bobby joined the Songdogs on their first tour in 2001)
The atmosphere reflected in Carlton's "Revolution Avenue", is reminiscent of the spirit that made The Band a personification of American rock, their ability to express a whole generation's hopes, dreams and fears, their feeling of homelessness and loss, of being disoriented and at the same time ready to go, The 13 tracks offer a bright collection of what makes the heart of American rock music, a truly traditional and wide-ranging masterpiece of Americana. An album that through to the smallest details breathes the odyssey of its author, who has managed to focus his musical passions.

No surprise that the album features a Robert Johnson song "From Four To Late", and a never before released "God's Gift To Man" by Tom Petty. But, most importantly, Carlton himself proves to be a versatile and interesting songwriter. If you like saddle-proof shuffles, funky "Little Featish" grooves or down-to-earth Rolling-Stones-style rock, this is your record. But there's also room for that Mississippi-Delta Blues and the "second-line" New Orleans-sound. "Revolution Avenue" leads straight to your heart and soul - no detours, no prisoners.
No wonder, considering the all-star line-up, but it does seem like a miracle that a European musician should be able to spiritualize this cultural heritage so immaculately. It's been a long way for Carl to walk his "Revolution Avenue", but every step of it has been worthwhile when he sings "Coming Home", you can feel his sensitivity, determination and at the same time his vulnerable soul creep through the speakers into your heart.

In 2001/2, after launching their first album, the band toured intensively in Europe building up a steady growing following, revelling in their first chart success and rave reviews. The economic factor was of course supplanted by their fierce enthusiasm as if they still were reeling in their teens, far from being sensible family men. (manager's statement)
Carl knew this would be a hardroad and endurance was the word of the hour in times of push-button-drums, artificial sounds and a music business in rapid decline and turmoil. In 2003 Carl teamed up again with Robert Palmer, whom he persuaded to contribute a song to a Robert Johnson tribute album (Grammy nominated), featuring Taj Mahal, Hubert Sumlin, B.B. King amongst others, after being asked by producer John Snyder who outed himself as a big Songdogs and Palmer fan. Robert and Carl delivered a breathtaking "Milk Cow Calf's Blues", stripped to just a groove, Robert's vocal and Carl's slide guitar Robert craved for more .. a year later "Drive" was released, a musical masterpiece entering the Billboard Blues Top Ten, attended by overwhelming reviews worldwide.
(Besides his own albums, Carl rates this album "Drive" his personal guitar masterpiece.)

Carl Carlton and the Songdogs regrouped in November 2002 back at Dockside Studios in Lafayette Louisiana, pockets full of songs, ready to record their second blast. Again the Songdogs deliver relentlessly that musical Mississippi Delta Music-GumboRock'n Roll, a sprinkling of Rhythm & Blues with a touch of Country and Reggae. Trademark Songdogs at its finest! The same line-up as the first session except Bobby Keys, just coming off the Stones Licks Tour, joined them for the first time in the studio after already sharing the stage on their first tour.
Carl, besides his love for Reggae and everything that grooves, also being an "alternative" country music and pedal steel fanatic, found a fundamental contribution in Richard Comeaux (pedal steel). Levon and Sonny teamed up again, so did Jon Smith and Steve Howard. The wonderful voice of Charlene Howard which decorated Revolution Avenue so marvellously, got a partner in rising star, EMI singer Shannon McNally from New Orleans.
Robert Palmer again arranged and delivered stunning ethnic choruseson the title track "Love, Understanding and Respect". And famous German soul/rap vocalist Xavier Naidoo guested on vocals released in May 2003 the album stood the test of expectations fuelled by its predecessor. Carl and the Songdogs hit the the road again in Summer 2003. In order to reproduce the sounds of Love and Respect he recruited pedal-steel, mandoline and steel-player Martin Huch, who fit like a glove in the new Songdogs line-up. When Carl's old buddy Bertram Engel lent his drumming skills to a Udo Lindenberg production and tour, Wayne P. Sheehy another of Carl's Irish mates and known as drummer for Ron Wood & Hothouse Flowers jumped in and took over as timekeeper and fun-raiser.
A warm welcome to Martin and Wayne, true Songdogs!!

Unfortunately due to his extreme and exhausting work-schedule Carl suffered a breakdown at the end of this tour in front of an audience and running TV cameras. A few weeks later Robert passed away. Carl now was stopped in his tracks, more than ready for a break, but not before he fulfilled his obligation as musical director to the successful Musical Event "Tabaluga" in November/December.
The Songdogs completed the "Cahoots & Roots Tour" with ripping performances in February, closing this episode with the legendary "Rockpalace" TV Show in Germany and in September 2005 a rambunctious "Beat Club" performance.
A complex double album consisting of one disc live and a second filled with special performances, featuring Robert Palmer with his very last live-appearance, the Songdogs backing him on a couple of smoking tunes. All 3 albums so far are a "must-have", made by an extremely likeable Artist who has both his feet firmly on the ground and whose love of music is so inspiring that both musicians and audience are "committed" to him. In 2005 he completed a much acclaimed album with Eric Burdon (Soul of a man, SPV)produced by Tony Braunagel in Johnny Lee Schell's studio in LA. (Eric Burdon-vox, Hutch Hutchinson-bass, Ivan Neville-clavinet/organ, Mike Finnigan-organ/piano, Johnny Lee Schell and Carl Carlton-guitars)
Currently Carl is working on his project "The Route", a film-, or better, a comprehensive multi media project following the roots of contemporary music all the way from Africa to America, by travelling the old slave route on a two mast schoner with his band The Songdogs. Produced by the maker of Buena Vista Social Club, Ulrich Felsberg, it is also an Art 4 Amnesty project. (more details on www.carlcarlton.com)

© 2008 by Talent Borroughs and Jenius Steals