Song of the Day: 'June's Sundown' by Carlene Carter

Carlene is seen here at Cash Cabin studio recording "June's Sundown" for the new album I mentioned last week of songs created from previously unknown poetry, lyrics and letters of "Big John," aka her stepfather Johnny Cash. Order HERE.

Stream the album HERE.

Carlene discusses writing the song from Johnny's poem.

Kathy Griffin Apologizes for 'Cunt' Misquote

I don't watch "RuPaul's Drag Race," but knowing what a potty mouth Kathy Griffin has I'm guessing she was referencing the infamous "putting the cunt back in country" line Rosanne Cash's stepsister Carlene Carter said at the Bottom Line back in the late '70s not realizing her mother and stepfather, Johnny Cash, were in the audience. Rosanne's response is dripping with sarcasm ... I hope. 

Song of the Day: 'Meant It for a Minute' by Carlene Carter

Oh, the '80s. Was there an artist alive -- black, white, country, rock -- who didn't try to go New Wave for a minute?!

You're Looking at Cuntry

From Carlene Carter's Facebook wall:

This was right after I made the sweeping statement that has haunted me all these years at The Bottom Line! If you don't know what I'm talking about that's fine with me! LOL

!

Song of the Day: 'Slow Dance' by Carlene Carter

  One of several highlights from June Carter Cash's eldest child's debut album.

Carryin' On With Carlene Carter

I have been out every night for the past two weeks, so I am the unwinning combination of being behind on blogging and completely exhausted. However, I didn't want too much time to go by without mentioning what a fantastic time I had seeing Carlene Carter at the Cutting Room on Wednesday night. (See if she's coming to your town HERE.) The entire evening started out as a bit of a lark. I have become pals with former Go-Go's bassist Kathy Valentine in recent years, and I knew she and Carlene were close friends dating back the late '70s. So when I got tipped off that CC was booking a date in New York, I called Kathy to see if she would want to go with me, fully expecting her to say no since she's a mother of a school age daughter and lives in Austin. Well, never underestimate the wild streak of a rock star. Summer break is on, and Kathy "doesn't need her arm twisted" to go to New York, a city she loves but has never called home. I had already asked my literary agent friend Christopher to go to the show -- he fell in love with Carlene during "Little Love Letters," then circled back to the earlier albums and loved them too -- which was serendipitous seeing as I have been trying to hook him up with Kathy ever since she started sharing with me all of her ideas for books. Hours before the show, Kathy and I were talking about love and life on a bench in Madison Square Park when Christopher suddenly came flying by en route to meet us for dinner -- if his feet touched the ground, I didn't see them -- which was was our cue that we had been talking too long and were also nearly late. It was all of our first time at General Assembly, but after a quick table change -- too close to the LOUD happy hour crowd in the bar -- it turned out to be a splendid meal, rivaled only by the great company. Kathy pitched book ideas like a  pro -- this is no one-trick-memoir pony! -- and we also got to talk about the upcoming Go-Go's theatrical show, "Head Over Heels." It was nice to be able to share the excitement with Kathy since she can no longer celebrate with the band. (Kathy also had lunch with the lawyer behind the project earlier in the day and I know she appreciated how thrilled he is, too!)

After a bit of a delay in getting seated, we were finally in the Cutting Room. (Somebody from Yes or something was playing before CC, but we were all saying no, no, no.) Carlene finally took the stage around 9:40 and was in fine form, as much a storyteller without the guitar as with it. She played many of the songs off her acclaimed family tribute album, "Carter Girl" -- Christopher and I agree that mama June's "Tall Lover Man" is the album's standout, and it was performed exquisitely -- but also surprised us with "Easy From Now On," the song she explained she wrote for Emmylou Harris that got the then-19-year-old signed to Warner Brothers Records, and a couple unexpected album tracks. Although she is traveling with just one guitarist -- whose role as all-around helper earned him the nickname "Roadie With Benefits" -- Carlene has clearly been working on her guitar-playing, which gave the duo a strong, confident sound. Carlene's hubby, Joe, was capable if not a little smarmy as guest and backing vocalist, and Carlene seemed to love having him up there, which isn't surprising given she comes from a traveling musical family.

Afterward we got to hang out with the lady of the hour -- she's as fun and larger than life as you'd expect! -- and Kathy ran into some old music executives she once knew (did you know Tommy Mottola was this close to managing the Go-Go's, but a certain pipsqueak wouldn't agree to it?) and a lovely singer she knows from Austin named Suzanna Choffel (above). We all congratulated Carlene on a wonderful set, and I brought up Ronnie Spector's "Behind the Beehive" show, which is a combination of monologue, songs and old home movies, which seems like a natural for Carlene as she gets older. CC agreed, having already Incorporated more stories into the set, like the one about the time Kris Kristofferson's helicopter(!) landed in her parents' backyard, and how the sight of this hunky stranger left her 12-year-old self titillated and confused. ("I didn't know what was going on!") Kathy met a fan or two -- one told her that when he once met the Go-Go's backstage someplace, she was the "nice one," something she rightfully seemed to take pride in, because she IS the nice one. We eventually said our goodbyes and then as I walked Kathy back to her hotel room, we reflected on what a great night it had been -- she adored Christopher as much as I do, and he adored her as much as I do -- and I asked her what it felt like to watch a friend of more than three decades perform after having been to hell and back. I won't divulge what she said exactly, but I know she was proud of her old friend. Carlene's done some hard living, burned some bridges, and I'm sure she, like many people, has her share of regrets. (That stepsister Rosanne Cash was not in attendance was clearly a source of sadness.) But seeing her on stage looking strong, head held high, and ably carrying on the family tradition took me back to the words of the mutual friend who had brought us there that night. It can't be easy for Carlene to go on after the death of so many members of the Carter family, most notably little sister Rosie, in a freak carbon-monoxide accident in 2003. But you can't stop the world, so why let it stop you? Carry on, Carlene! Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters would be proud.

Song of the Day: 'Every Little Thing' by Carlene Carter

  From Carlene Carter's most-polished album, don't forget June's daughter plays at the Cutting Room tonight. Tickets available HERE.

Song of the Day: 'Too Bad About Sandy' by Carlene Carter

This was the b-side to yesterday's Song of the Day -- and every bit as good.

Song of the Day: 'Baby Ride Easy' by Carlene Carter (With Dave Edmunds)

Show business success is a strange thing -- you just never know when something's going to stick. When Carlene Carter began her recording career in the late '70s, she seemed like a shoo-in for superstardom. The daughter of music royalty, she was gorgeous, driven and, above all, extremely talented. Her albums were packed with catchy originals ("Swap Meat Rag," "Do It in a Heartbeat," "Madness," "Third Time Charm"), plus a few well-chosen songs by other writers (Rodney Crowell's "Never Together but Close Sometimes" and Elvis Costello's "Radio Sweetheart") -- and she worked with a top-notch collection of musicians and producers. And then nothing. (I can only imagine the looks of utter disbelief on the faces of her management and record label executives.) At the time, many felt she was too pop and too sexy to fit in in Nashville -- and her moving to London and marrying pub legend Nick Lowe certainly didn't make her a country insider. But listening to her early material now, it's startling how contemporary it feels -- almost as if all of these sexy blond chart toppers from the past 20 years actually had talent. People who are ahead of their time often don't get the recognition they deserve, but it must have been gratifying for Carlene when she returned in the early '90s and finally had some chart success working with her otherwise-disastrous lover/producer Howie Epstein. Carlene is on the road again, this time promoting her critically acclaimed -- but again commercially ignored -- new album of Carter Family songs, "Carter Girl." (See tour dates HERE.) My only complaint about seeing her live these days is that she completely ignores her first five album, which is where she often shines brightest. If I had to pick, I'd say her third LP, "Musical Shapes," is her masterpiece. (Have you heard "Too Bad About Sandy"?!!!) And it's this duet with Dave Edmunds that ranks as one of my favorite songs of all time, although I'm not even sure why. (I relate to nothing about the lyrics, yet get goosebumps every time I hear them. Maybe because it makes the complicated topic of romance seem so simple?) When I met Carlene at Joe' Pub in 2011, I told her I'd come prepared to sing the duet with her. Here's hoping she remembers this when she gets to the Cutting Room next week -- it's a standing offer.

UPDATE: I SWEAR I wrote this post before I saw THIS GREAT LIST of her best songs!

Carlene Carter Coming to the Cutting Room NYC, June 11

My wish has been granted -- the great Carlene Carter is returning to New York City, June 11 at 9:30 p.m. at the Cutting Room. Tickets on sale now HERE. The woman who once promised to "put the cunt back in country" has a brilliant new album out, "Carter Girl," that pays tribute to her legendary family.Download it now HERE -- and I hope to see you at the show!

Song of the Day: 'Black Jack David' by Carlene Carter (Feat. Kris Kristofferson)

Just one of the great songs from Carlene Carter's new album, "Carter Girl," which pays loving tribute to her legendary family. I had hoped to exclusively report that Carlene will be returning to New York City -- June 11 at the Cutting Room -- although I still don't see the tickets on sale. My source says the show is confirmed, though, so be on the lookout for this underappreciated singer/songwriter and get the new album HERE.

Carter Girl - Carlene Carter

Song of the Day: 'Little Black Train' by Carlene Carter

From the former alt-country bad girl's new LP, "Carter Girl," which Rolling Stone calls "evocative, mature, and consistently impressive." The album is an homage to her ancestors, yet she still makes it a true original. Download now HERE.

Song of the Day: 'Radio Sweetheart' by Elvis Costello

When a song this great is left off your debut album and used as a b-side, you know you're headed for legendary status. Nick Lowe produced, which explains why his then-wife Carlene Carter covered it shortly thereafter. No, I can't hide my love ...

Happy Birthday to Carlene Carter!

Here's wishing the lovely and talented Carlene Carter a very happy 57th birthday. Not familiar with June Carter and Carl Smith's daughter's work? Click HERE. And click HERE for a review of her show here in New York last year. Carlene was married to the legendary Nick Lowe in the late '70s and '80s and footage from their wedding ceremony -- which took place at Carlene's Hollywood Hills home -- was used in the video for "Cruel to Be Kind," one of the greatest pop songs of all time. Come on back to the (212), Carlene, we miss you already!

And this is one of my favorites, a duet with Dave Edmunds called "Baby Ride Easy":

 

Happy Birthday to Carlene Carter!

Here's wishing the lovely and talented Carlene Carter a very happy 56th birthday. Not familiar with June Carter and Carl Smith's daughter's work? Click HERE.

And click HERE for a review of her show here in New York earlier this year. Carlene was married to the legendary Nick Lowe in the late '70s and '80s and footage from their wedding ceremony -- which took place at Carlene's Hollywood Hills home -- was used in the video for "Cruel to Be Kind," one of the greatest pop songs of all time. Check out the pop-up version for more fun tidbits below -- and come on back to the (212), Carlene, we miss you already!

Carlene Carter Brings 'Every Little Thing' to Joe's Pub

Michael and I ushered in the latest East Coast snowstorm spending a cozy night at Joe's Pub seeing the talented Carlene Carter perform. Although I'm a latecomer to the music of the daughter of Carl Smith and June Carter Cash, I've more than made up for in in recent times, so was thrilled that the uncomfortably hilarious singer/comedian Tammy Faye Starlite persuaded Carlene to return to New York City for a one-off concert so she could open for her.

From the second she walked out on stage with a two-piece band and a shit-eating grin, CC let it be known that she was there to have a good time -- a credo she's willing to admit she has practiced to a fault, even if she insists there are no regrets -- then launched into the upbeat "Sweet Meant to Be" from her 1993 LP, "Little Love Letters." From there, she did a string of songs from her most recent album, "Stronger," including her actual little love letter to hubby Joe Breen (who was seated next to us), "Bring Love," in which the then-lost soul learns to live and love with again with his help after a string of personal losses and wounds, some of which were self-inflicted.

The night was filled with highlights, including a show-and-tell segment where she pulled out a red miniskirt she used to comfortably fit into -- she joked that when she used to tour regularly, she only needed a suitcase the size of a makeup trunk because her clothes were so small!) -- as well as the famed see-through plastic mini she wore at the Bottom Line the night she uttered the immortal "put the cunt back into country" line not realizing her parents were in the audience. "I had undergarments on, but then the whole thing fogged up!" she laughed. "These days, about the only thing I could use this for is a rain bonnet!" (In fact, she looked pretty damn good for a hard-living 55-year-old broad.) An "I Fell in Love" singalong (practically led by yours truly) and lots of self-deprecating humor kept the evening festive, despite some serious song topics.

There were also lots of fun stories about growing up in the Carter Family -- accompanied by a beautiful medley of "My Dixie Darling," "Wabash Cannonball" and "Church in the Wildwood" -- and it was heartwarming seeing how her face lit up even more than usual every time she'd talk about her touring days with the Carter Sisters. (A peculiar tale about how sister Rosie knew how to stealth spit while she sang, and used to take great pleasure in messing with Aunt Helen, who could be very by-the-book on tour, seemed to tickle her the most.)

Her versatility was on full display too, playing the autoharp on the lovelorn song "The Rain" and the piano on the inspirational "Stronger," about little sister Rosie, who died of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning on a tour bus in 2003.

"Sweet baby sister held the world upon her shoulders / She had a spirit like a twister this life could not hold her ..."

If I were to have any complaints about the show -- and when don't I have a complaint? -- it would be that she didn't do any material off her acclaimed early albums (by far her best stuff), back when Nashville didn't know what to make of the heiress to a country throne who moved overseas and married a British New Wave rocker.



(Did you know that the wedding scenes in Nick Lowe's classic "Cruel to Be Kind" video are actual footage of his marriage to Carlene?!)

Still, whenever someone has been making music for around 35 years, you're never going to be please everyone. For the record: I'd have settled for just one, though -- especially if it had been "Never Together (But Close Sometimes" or "Radio Sweetheart" -- but what can you do?

Afterward, CC came out for a meet-and-greet in the pub's lobby, where I got some nice photos and an autograph. I complimented her on a great show and told her that I had come fully prepared to duet with her on "Baby Ride Easy" -- her duet with Dave Edmunds from "Musical Shapes" that is my all-time fave -- which made her laugh and we agreed we'd do it "next time." 

"Musical Shapes" (1980)

I then asked her if she had thought about writing a memoir -- "From Maybelle to Maybelline: My Life as the Carter Family Bad Girl" or "From State Fairs to State Prisons: Growing Up Bad in the Carter Family of Good" are titles that come to mind -- to which she replied rather emphatically, "Yes, I am." I asked her if she had an agent and she said no, and I told her I might know people who could help. (I do, and I will be following up on that. This is a book any music fan would love to read!)

As we said goodbye, I asked her if she had read (stepsister) Rosanne's book. She said she hadn't, but that she'd bought herself a copy and then she smiled and said, "I'll bet I know what's in it!" From there, Michael and I -- a little bit drunker, and a little bit happier -- walked out into the blizzard, singing "I Fell in Love" the whole way home. And I believe Mikey -- who had never heard any of Carlene's music before -- indeed did.

Joe's Pub, Jan. 26, 2011, set list:

"Sweet Meant to Be" (Little Love Letters)
"The Bitter End" (Stronger)
"To Change Your Heart" (Stronger)
"Bring Love" (Stronger)
"Break My Little Heart in Two" (Stronger)
"The Rain" (Little Love Letters)
"My Dixie Darling" (Carter Family)
"Church in the Wildwood" (Carter Family)
"Wabash Cannonball" (Carter Family)
"Me and the Wildwood Rose" (I Fell in Love)
"Ring of Fire" (Musical Shapes)
"Hallelujah in My Heart" (Little Love Letters)
"I Fell in Love" (I Fell in Love)
"Every Little Thing" (Little Love Letters)
"Stronger" (Stronger)

Music Box: Carlene Carter

Long before the country music's current Blond Invasion of Carrie Underwood, Julianne Hough and Taylor Swift, there was Carlene Carter, the bombshell daughter of music legends Carl Smith and Carter Family matriarch June Carter, who married Johnny Cash when Carlene was 12. Carlene had everything it took to be a star -- the pedigree, the looks and the talent -- but made it clear from the get-go that she was not going to play by Nashville's rules, recording her first album in England (a New Wave-country fusion) and then staying there after marrying Brit rocker Nick Lowe (home movies of their actual wedding were used in the classic Lowe video "Cruel to Be Kind").

Although I was keenly aware of Carlene back in the day -- her beauty and family name turned her into an a bit of an "it" girl for a few years, posing for fashion spreads in magazines like Harper's Bazaar and INTERVIEW, and being picked as the Creem Dream -- it was stepsister Rosanne Cash who captured my ear first, and whose music I obsessively collect to this day.

But after reading about some personal problems Carlene had encountered a couple years ago, I finally got around to checking out her music, and found myself instantly hooked on her "Hindsight 20/20" best-of collection. Pop-country hits like "I Fell in Love," "Come on Back" and "Every Little Thing" from the early '90s earned her the success she was long overdue, but it's the songs from her quirkier early albums -- made with The Rumour (Graham Parker's backing band), the Doobie Brothers and Lowe himself -- that intrigue me most. Her version of former brother-in-law Rodney Crowell's "Never Together (But Close Sometimes)" gives me chills, and songs like "Cry," "I'm So Cool," "Baby Ride Easy" and "Do It in a Heartbeat" (which she wrote with Lowe) have me fixin' to go on another CD buying spree. There was a 13-year gap between her album "Little Acts of Treason" and 2008's critcally acclaimed comeback, "Stronger." Just got her chart hit duets "Time's Up" (with Southern Pacific) and "I Couldn't Say No" (with Robert Ellis Orrall) and love 'em both. Would love to hear from hardcore fans with advice on where to dig in first on the rest of her catalogue. The best-of disc has me thinking I'm in for a real treat. Visit Carlene on the Web HERE.

UPDATE:

I did follow through on my plans to investigate Carlene's early music further and I can't begin to say how thankful I am I did. Wounded Bird reissued her first four albums -- albeit clumsily with the first and third on one disc, and second and fourth on another -- but the end result if pure delight. Everything hinted at with the handful of songs included on her "20/20 Hindsight" best-of collection is completely fleshed out on these albums. Smart covers -- Graham Parker's "Between You and Me," Elvis Costello's "Radio Sweetheart" (the definitive version), a duet of Richard Dobson's "Baby Ride Easy" with Dave Edmunds -- and memorable originals -- "Slow Dance," "Do It in a Heartbeat" (written with then-hubby Lowe), "Madness," "Appalachian Eyes," the sassy "That Boy" "Billy" (with Paul Carrack) and the ebullient "When You Comin' Back."

Even 1983's critically dismissed "Cest C Bon" -- her fifth release, and the last before her 1990 reinvention -- has plenty of memorable moments ("Third Time Charm" is an instant classic!). After going through some horrible times -- the death of her mother, stepfather, longtime lover and little sister, a return to drugs and alcohol and various run-ins with the law -- Carlene made another remarkable comeback with "Stronger," her critically acclaimed 2008 return to form. She's returned to the stage in support of the album over the last couple years, and I'm looking forward to seeing her in New York City in January 2011. Consider me your No. 1 "Kenny Come Lately" fan, Carlene!