|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carl "Blue" Wise, Producer/Songwriter/Owner of Blueboy Records in Memphis, TN, the home of Rhythm, Rock and Soul. He has been writing and producing music for years. He recently produced an album on the legendary Sun Recording artists "The Climates" and the new band "Highway 51" on Blueboy Records at blueboyrecords.com. These are a labor of love recorded at Royal Studios - this is the same studio that housed Hi Records, home of Al Green, Willie Mitchell, Bill Black, Charlie Rich, and Ann Peebles. Keith Richards and Rod Stewart also recorded their biggest solo records at Royal. John Mayer and Tom Jones have recently recorded there as well. |
| Carl "Blue" Wise and his son Jordan formed Blueboy Records to exploit all genres of great music including R&B, Soul, Rock and Roll, Americana, and Pop. Carl "Blue" Wise, having been in every facet of the music industry since the Stax glory days, had the good fortune of working with some of the all-time greats in the music industry; Willie Mitchell, Eddie Floyd, Sir Mack Rice, Rufus Thomas, Bruce Springsteen, Steven Van Zant, The Bar-Kays, and many more. |
|
 |
| Carl and Jordan |
|
|
|
|
| Having the production/songwriting skills and the artistic abilities, Carl and Jordan needed an outlet to bring their creative services to the people. "With Blueboy Records, We intend to bring fresh,new talent along with some of the great artists of the past." -Carl "Blue" Wise. It is their goal at Blueboy Records to fill the need for original music in the market. They will present to you music and artists with integrity, heart, and soul. Their motto is "Music For The Universe". They intend to give the little guy the break he/she would never get at a large record label. Look for Blueboy Records to bring back that warm,vintage feel we all love with exciting, cutting edge sounds. |
|
|
| Interview with Carl 'Blue' Wise... |
|
- Could you briefly tell us about your background? Like, when were you
born?
I was born in Memphis, TN .
- What did you grow up listening to?
Elvis, Ray Charles, the Platters, The Beatles all the Motown and Stax Records and particularly Otis Redding.
- Can you remember the first record you ever bought?
It was a Sun 45 on Elvis. My first full length record was Live at the Whiskey A Go Go with Otis Redding.
- What is your musical background like?
As a kid I played guitar until around the age of 13. and then I switched to drums and did all the marching band stuff and all the parades but keep in mind, I worked at a skating rink and at 10:00 PM on weekends the live bands would perform. I saw amazing groups from England and all over America in the 1960's as a young kid. I remember seeing The Yardbirds sing "I'm a Man" and the lead singer and I chatted for at least 20 minutes after the set. It was amazing. I had to have been around 13 at the most.
- Who has been your biggest inspiration in music?
It's a blend between Elvis, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding, Eddie Floyd and Sir Mack Rice (they taught me to write songs) and The Beatles, of course.
- When did you start as a professional?
I was the last person hired at Stax Records. After the studio closed, Stax's publishing arm, East Memphis Music was looking for a song plugger/professional manager. Larry Nix, Stax Mastering Engineer recommended me to Tim Whitsett, president of East Memphis Music. I had been going to Stax for almost 3 years with Larry Nix hanging with everyone. This is how you got hired in that era; Kind of like an internship . I remember one thing in paticular ; Everyone treated me as if I were family from day one.
- Let's talk about "WDIA AM 1070" CD, the concept behind the idea and your impressions.
I was contacted by Johnny Phillips of Select-o-Hits (nephew of Sam Phillips) to produce the music disc for the WDIA project. The history was set, of course, James Davis had discovered the old tapes in the middle of a WDIA move. What I wanted to bring to the project was an example of the artists that represented soul music in Memphis yesterday and today. There are many acts in Memphis dedicated to rhythm and blues/soul music. Take Teenie Hodges of the Hi Rhythm Section, his selection was unbelievable and a treasure to discover as well as Ben Cauley, original member of the Barkays and only surviving passenger from the Otis Redding plane crash. I can't count the times people have said to me, "I didn't know Ben Cauley sang", when in fact, he's one of the greatest singers around. The same with Teenie Hodges, they think of Teenie as a guitar player/songwriter. When you look at the recording artists on this disc, it's a treasure chest of soul and r&b.
- How has the reaction been so far?
Phenomenal--I have done interviews all over the world for the WDIA CD and everyone is so excited to discover new songs by the Mad Lads, Barkays, Climates, Preston Shannon, Wise Williams, along with all the other great acts--Not to forget Mr. Rufus Thomas, my dear friend....
- What is your favorite cut on the album?
These are all treasures in their own right. If I had to pick just one, it would be Rainin' in Memphis by The Climates as I wrote and produced it, it is very close to my heart.
- Moving to the Climates' "Rainin' In Memphis" CD, Who were the
members?
Derek Smith*, James King*, Larry Harper, Robert Chisem and Robert Rivers--there was a guest appearance by Gary Hudson on "Out of Control" and "Down at Willie's Place".
(* Derek Smith and James King : former members of the Vintage Group)
How did you end up them?
I produced a live show during the Grand Opening Celebrations of "Soulsville USA" . It was an intimate gathering of about 150 people held primarily for my friends who had made the pilgrimage from countries all over the world. I was contacted and asked if The Climates could sing that evening. Keep in mind I had The Masqueraders, The Mad Lads and possibly Carla Thomas on the bill. I knew that all of the Stax dignitaries would be in the audience. I agreed for The Climates to come on as they would be singing acapella. I was totally ripped apart by their awesome vocal talents. I spoke with the group about doing some sides together that night. Within a year and half later, I had written and produced "Rainin' In Memphis".
- What are their strong points, you saw?
The elements of a perfect soul vocal group were facing me down. First tenor, second tenor, lead, bass, baritone--it was a complete soul package. I really had no choice but to record this group.
- Please tell us a little bit about your production. What made you start
Blueboy Records ?
I always start with the song. If the song is not strong, you need not go any further. I always rehearse acapella to tell me if I have a song. If it comes across with vocals only, I know I've got a song to produce. In the studio, I cut scaled down to start to allow my singers to work the song and melody. Then I apply all my overdubs and background singers, horns and strings come last. Alot of producers are cutting straight digital, I prefer to cut 24 track analog and transfer to digital during mixing.
Blueboy records was formed to promote and release my music. It was an opportunity to build a label that reaches world wide without the hindrances of record executives. Look at us, we are now doing this interview due to Blueboyrecords.com. My son, Jordan, is an artist. Blueboy Records is dedicated to exposing his artistry. He is now doing all of my CD/record covers. Blueboy records is multi-layered. Along with my music and Jordan's art, It will present music that most likely would not have a chance to be heard from your typical record labels. Blueboyrecords.com is looking for the lost gem and the one that got passed over by the lawyers.
- Are there singers you would like to collaborate with?
Anthony Hamilton--Amy Winehouse--and Duffy , and Paul McCartney-- they are the best singers around.
- Have you ever had a memory in your career that you can't forget?
My dear friend Rufus Thomas performed one of his last live shows at the release party for my Memphis Soul Revue Volume I CD. The rehearsal that day was amazing. Rufus was in control --he worked with the horn section, he worked with the rhythm section and he let the keyboardist know what he expected that night. In a matter of one hour he had transformed sleepy, tired musicians into the tightest live soul band ever.
During my days at East Memphis Music, one of my responsibilities was promoting the music of the Stax catalog. I watched Eddie Floyd perform live onstage with Bruce Springsteen in the Ellis Auditorium in Memphis. Magic. I still have the original tape off the board of that show. It is one of my prized possessions---
- What is your musical philosophy?
It starts and ends with the song.
- What is Soul music for you?
Soul music is the music that speaks from the heart to the heart from singers that have lived . When you think of a great soul singer, names like James Brown, Otis Redding, Johnny Taylor, Mavis Staples and Carla Thomas come up. These singers are singing their life, not something they read about in a book. This is soul to me.
- Would you like to say something to your fans?
I would like to thank them for listening to my music and to let them know how much I love and appreciate them. There's more exciting Music to come and I invite you all to visit blueboyrecords.com often.
|
|
|
|
|
| Gallery |
|
| V.A. - WDIA AM 1070 - The History, The Music, The Legend(US-2CD, WDIA,
2005) |
|
 |
| Produced by Carl "Blue" Wise |
|
|
|
| CD1 -"The History" CD |
|
|
|
20 Tracks |
| CD2 -"The music" CD |
|
1 |
|
Put My Money Down - Rufus Thomas |
|
2 |
|
Listen With My Mind - William Bell |
|
3 |
|
Rainin' in Memphis - The Climates |
|
4 |
|
Still Called the Blues - Johnny Taylor |
|
5 |
|
You're My Joy - The Barkays |
|
6 |
|
Clock - Preston Shannon |
|
7 |
|
Why Don't You - Ben Cauley |
|
8 |
|
11 Months and 29 Days - Teenie Hodges |
|
9 |
|
Cheatin' in the Next Room - Lynn White w/William Brown |
|
10 |
|
Love on the Phone - J. Blackfoot |
|
11 |
|
Should've Been There for You - Archie Love |
|
12 |
|
The More You Give - The Mad Lads |
|
13 |
|
Thank You - Wise Williams |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The Climates - Rainin' In Memphis (US-CDR, JCH5, 2005) |
|
 |
| Written&Produced by Carl "Blue" Wise |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
I'm Thinking 'Bout You |
|
2 |
|
Honey Baby |
|
3 |
|
Soul Of A Woman |
|
4 |
|
A Million Ways |
|
5 |
|
Won't You Tell Me |
|
6 |
|
We Can Make It |
|
7 |
|
Whenever I Get The Chance |
|
8 |
|
Rainin' In Memphis |
|
9 |
|
You And Me |
|
10 |
|
Down At Willie's Place |
|
11 |
|
Out Of Control |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact to:
|
|
|
May 31, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
