Central Oregon Blues Society
Music
Profile Information
- About Me:
- www.BigAlCarter.com
"Oregon-based rock and bluesman Big Al Carter continues to stockpile rave reviews and Triple A radio airplay nationwide. With a killer debut album, Soul Blue, that electrifies with an authentic rock & roll heart as well as a vintage blues spirit. Big Al is on the verge of becoming, well, bigger. Before stardom hits, Big Al gave CDReviews.com the opportunity to peek into his guitar case."
Michael Sutton, CDReviews.com, Interview
"One thing is for sure, Big Al has quite the voice. Unlike other modern rock and blues musicians who try to ape the gravelly passion of their ancestors, Big Al can actually
summon the 3 a.m. emotions of the greats. And, that my friend, is not hype; it is the shattering truth. Big Al is as inspired by classic soul as he is by the blues. That comes across vividly in his vocals, especially on the cover of Ben E. King's "Stand By Me," which is less nostalgic here and more melancholic. That alone is a bracing change of pace. Imagine that: Somebody covering "Stand By Me" who isn't trying to imitate King. Instead, Big Al makes it his own, as if the song was written for him to sing. But let's get to the blues which Big Al does so well. In fact, it's going to be hard for you to find a blues disc as consistently solid as this. The potent "Mother in Law Blues" and the dramatic "Vacant Chair" will knock the whiskey from your lungs. The production is just right, putting Big Al's two-fisted voice in front of the mix without any added artificial ingredients."
Adam Harrington, Whisperin & Hollerin, UK
"This is classic rock and blues, all soulful and gritty. Al’s voice, throaty and raw, is masculinity defined. In the case of Big Al, it’s the power of his performance. His vocals carry weight and express passion; there’s fire in those lungs. Analyzing a blues record can be rather pointless because this is an emotional, not an intellectual, exercise. On that level, Big Al hits the right heart keys, especially on “Mother in Law Blues” and “Movin’ On.” The surprising cover of Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me” nearly tops the original with its blistering voice work. While King’s version was blissfully sentimental, Big Al reveals the longing at the lyrics’ core."
Kirby Raine, Shotgun Reviews
"Sensational vocals, rhythmic guitar and vibrant stage presence."
Greg Johnson, President Cascade Blues Association, Portland, Oregon
"When listening to a CD it does not happen too often that I stop and really listen. Even though a lot of CD's are produced lately. With his first CD Big Al, his real name is
Allan Carter, I stopped and listened. I will try and describe the reason, but probably are not giving all the accolades it deserves. In other words everybody should at least
listen to it or buy it. Even if it was for the original vocals! I would advise everyone to listen to the CD, it is by far the better CD of 2007."
Blueswalker, Rootstime, Belgium
"Very, Very good. I particularly like the vocal sounds he's got."
Brad Lee Brenner, KMHD FM Live From The River City Juke Joint, Gresham, Oregon.
"Big Al is a sharp-dressed man. He’s large and in-charge and on stage he is clearly the consummate director. The man has a 50,000 watt smile, a manic Cheshire cat grin that dominates his face whenever he’s on stage. One mind-bogglingly consummate entertainer"
Ardis Hedrick, Positively Entertainment, Vancouver, Washington.
“The vocals are amazing and unique.”
Przemek Draheim, DJ for 2 radio shows in Poland, Radio Sfera www.sfera.umk.pl and Radio Brawo 92.8 FM in Ciechocinek (Poland). It's called “Z Bluesem na
Ty” (“Blues 4 U”). Contributor to the “Living Blues” magazine's radio charts. Poland.
© 2009 Created by Cliff on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
Comment Wall (13 comments)
You need to be a member of COBS to add comments!
Join this Ning Network
Send to me at
Steve Spoulos
6935 Ivy St
Springfield, OR 97478
That is the quickest way to the blues library at KRVM. I am also on MySpace...I send you a friend request.
Steve
I'm listening to Won't Be Satisfied right now and liking it very much :)
I added some pictures of somebody you know! ;-) These are from the Portland Waterfront July 4th. I am a DJ in Eugene for KRVM. I would love to get a CD for air play.
Steve
I just created a new group called Sounding Board - please join :)
Thanks for the add and the comment, took a listen to your songs, pretty rockin' stuff. We'd love to have you down to bend sometime. Keep on rockin, Joe B
(: Nice photo :)
Let us know when you are in the area - I, for one, would be glad to see you without the top of your head cut off! :)
Barbara is expecting your email - she's a Paint Shop expert so send her a picture - she can crop it, etc!
View All Comments