Karen Carroll, one of the top voices of our times, has passed. My prayers are with her family and friends.

I received some very sad news this week. My blues friend and dynamic singer Karen Carroll has passed. Karen had been working in Europe for quite some time and we became friends.  In 2014 Karen became ill and moved back to Atlanta to recuperate. I spoke with her a few times and she was making progress but unfortunately on March 9th after years of trouble with her health in the hospital she went peacefully. This week I spoke with Ronnie Templin, her manager/promoter, who had a very special relationship with Karen. "The most special thing I can think of is how selfless she was and how music moved her in a way that moved other people into a place of fun and all in a spiritual way. I appreciate that she was a dear friend of mine who I called my sister and she was my best friend in the world and I miss her much "

 Karen was nominated for a German Grammy for singing Vicksburg Blues that her mother, Jean Carroll, started in the family with Little Brother Montgomery. She played in the 1996 Chicago Blues Fest and also played in the 2008 Chicago Blues Festival opening for BB King. Karen had a daughter and a son, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was from the south side of Chicago and died in Macon Georgia.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, United States, Carroll started singing in church at the age of six. In her first appearance on stage, she played guitar with her mother's band at age 14. Early in her career she worked with Katie Webster and Albert King. She recorded her first song with Carey Bell on his album Son of a Gun in 1983.Ca rroll went on to tour with Eddie Lusk in Canada after performing on his album Professor Strut in 1989. She went on to play in prominent Chicago blues clubs. In 1995, she contributed to an album with five other female blues artists, entitled Women of Blue Chicago; which is still played on the radio today. She was offered a recording contract by Delmark Records in 1995, subsequently making the album Had My Fun. This was followed by another album, Talk to the Hand, in 1997. She wrote and held copyright to some of the tracks on this album.
She worked with many Chicago blues musicians, including Carey and Lurrie Bell, Rudy Rotta, Otis Grand, Angela Brown, Billy Branch, Melvin Taylor, Eddy Clearwater, Lonnie Brooks, Alvin Lee, Byther Smith and Sugar Blue.
Her album Be My Guest! was released by Indigoteam Records in 2008.
The BBC Radio 2 blues programme, the "Paul Jones Show", played several of her tracks by way of an obituary during the 28 March 2016 edition. The DJ said he had been informed of her death by the blues singer, Deitra Farr.

A member of the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame as a Master Artist. Her mother was Jeanne Carroll who was named the first lady of Blues by the mayor of Chicago in the fifties. Karen was one of those special artists with an especially rich voice. If you never had the opportunity to hear her, please check out some of her music. She was a super talent.

Don't You Lie To Me - Karen Carroll

Karen Carroll (born January 30, 1958, Chicago, Illinois, United States) is an American Chicago blues singer. She was born to parents Mack Carroll and Alberta Simmons Carroll (stage name: Jeanne Carroll). Her godparents were the jazz guitarist George Freeman and blues vocalist Bonnie Lee.

Carroll started singing in church at the age of six. Her first appearance was on stage playing guitar with her mother's band at age 14. Early in her career she worked with Katie Webster and Albert King. She recorded her first song with Carey Bell on his album, Son of a Gun in 1983. Carroll went on to tour with Eddie Lusk in Canada, after recording his album Professor Strut in 1989. She went on to play at some big Chicago blues clubs. In 1995, Carroll worked on an album with five other female blues artists called Women of Blue Chicago, and it is still being played on the radio today. She was offered her own recording contract by Delmark Records in 1995, subsequently making the album Had My Fun. This was followed by another recording, Talk to the Hand in 1997. Some of the tracks on the album Carroll wrote and holds copyright for.

Over the years she has worked with many Chicago blues musicians such as Carey and Lurrie Bell, Rudy Rotta, Otis Grand, Angela Brown, Billy Branch, Melvin Taylor, Eddy Clearwater, Lonnie Brooks, Alvin Lee, Byther Smith and Sugar Blue
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New Release: Live in Coburg, Germany - Karen Carroll - Review

I just got a copy of Karen Carroll's latest release, Live in Coburg, Germany and it's a beaut! The release is made up of 11 tracks which were recorded live by Karen with her band, Fever de Soul, at the Irish Pub in Coburg, Germany in 2008. This is a really great set of blues tracks and it captures the richness of Karen in concert. The track list consists of:
I Aint Got Nothin But The Blues
Steppin In
Part Time Lover
Next Time You See Me
Play The Blues For Me
I Need Money
Breakin Up Somebodys Home
Dont You Lie To Me
Do Your Thang
Are You Ready
Killin Floor
Along with Karen's deep lush voice, this is a very tight band. They have the chance to open up and play in strong support with some beautiful instrumental work throughout. I particularly like the bass players style but all of the instrumentation is great.
It's hard to believe that such a solid set could have been buried for such a long time. I'm glad that they have released it.

Enjoy!
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Free Downloads - Karen Carroll - NEW!!!!

Karen recorded a live show in Coburg, Germany in 2008 and fortunately for us she has decided to release it! I expect to have a review copy within days...stay tuned... It is made up of 11 tracks of blues standards. From what I've heard it's some of her best work on the standards. She was really on it this night. The club is no longer open but it was at the "Irish Pub".

I have a few free downloads for you below so help yourself and take a taste!

"Do Your Thang"
https://www.createspace.com/Preview/1093884

"I Ain't Got Nothing But The Blues" https://www.createspace.com/Preview/1093886

"Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody's Home" https://www.createspace.com/Preview/1093887

Bman

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New Release: Karen Carroll's Blues Mix - Karen Carroll - review

I have just received a preview of the to be released recording by Karen Carroll called " Karen Carroll's Blues Mix". This recording is totally different from what I have heard in the past from Karen but I really like it. Karen has a very dark and mysterious voice and she uses it very productively. This recording ventures in many directions including Blues, Neo Soul,Hip Hop, Funk,Gospel, maybe even rap... good rap. The recording is primarily Karen's stunning voice with blended harmonies, acoustic guitar and harmonica, electric keys and drum. Ok, so you want to know what it may remind you of... a really great singer with the wonderful textural harmonies reminiscent of D'Angelo, Stevie Wonder on harmonica, Snoopy (Doggy Dog)dropping by for some gin and a very confident singer just out making great music. She worked with young American artist, Michael Booze of "Boozefam," in Europe to develop the new hip-hop tracks. I'm not a huge urban Hip Hop fan but it is tastefully done and the balance of the recording is so strong it effortlessly carries the weight that any old school Hip Hop music might lend. This is a very strong recording and I hope you grab a copy while you can!
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The Way of Time - Karen Carroll

Karen Carroll, singer, songwriter, musician was born in Chicago Illinois. She started with singing in church at six. She learned to play the guitar from the real master Robert Allen, and learned vocal from master Nate Griffin. She played on stage with performers like Lonnie Brooks, Albert King, and the Freeman Bros. It goes without saying that all along her career she's been supported by her mother Jeanne, with whom she had her first professional gig. Since then she's played with numerous famous musicians, among them Katie Webster and Lurrie Bell. Apart from singing gospel since her childhood she is known as an authentic performer of the American Deep Blues On the summer of 2008. Karen was invited to perform on the Chicago Blues Festival by B.B. King. After Chicago, Karen turned back Europe, to make a tour with Mississippi Grave Diggers and provocate a stormy applause from all the audience.
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