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Post by MokyWI on Jun 6, 2015 12:11:47 GMT -5
I know that Valerie Carter was arrested in 2009 in Florida for possession of drugs. She was pretty down and out at the time. I wonder what lead her down that road of destruction. I think I remember she was in recovery for years and slipped in 2009. Her booking photo was very sad to see. She has such talent. An artist that should have had a successful career of her own with the voice she possessed. She was able to complete a recovery program and went though drug court that was on TV. James Taylor was there when she graduated.James was happy for her. It was moving to watch. But since then I have heard nothing about her.Valerie's website is gone. I don't think she is touring with James Taylor any longer and I have not heard if she performed on his new release. Anyone else heard anything about Valerie Carter?
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Post by Dalton on Jun 6, 2015 16:26:16 GMT -5
Mike, that is wonderful you are thinking of Valerie. I find myself wondering the same thing too especially when I hear her beautiful voice harmonizing with Linda or James frozen in time, a better time ... maybe happier. Unless one is really grounded or allergically repulsed by drugs like Linda they can take hold and no matter how hard you shake they will not let go. Almost like an entity attachment. Unless one is really strong the entertainment industry can be a pusher. Seems like it has always been that way.
Will Jennings, who worked with Steve Winwood on songs from his albums wrote these lyrics and says "Valerie is a real person, whose identity I will not reveal. She was almost at the top of the world in her profession and let it slip away from her. She was a dear friend and this was my tribute to her."
We all know this is about OUR Valerie the original wild child. I hope she knows her fans still care.
So wild standing there
With her hands in her hair
I can't help remember
Just where she touched me
There's still no face
Here in her place
So cool she was like jazz
On a summer's day
Music high and sweet
Then she just blew away
Now she can't be that warm
With the wind in her arms
Valerie call on me
Call on me Valerie come and see me
I'm the same boy I used to be
Love songs fill the night
But they don't tell it all
Not how lovers cry out
Just like they're dying
Her cries hang there in time somewhere
Someday some good wind
May blow her back to me
Some night I may hear her
Like she used to be
No it can't be that warm
With the wind in her arms
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Post by MokyWI on Jun 6, 2015 19:34:20 GMT -5
Dalton, thank you for posting that video for "Valerie" I had no idea that was written about her. After learning this and listening to the song again I am getting deep into the tune. I remember seeing Valarie Carter backstage after the first FEELS LIKE HOME TOUR stop outside of San Francisco back in 1995. Valerie's family was backstage also and Valarie seemed so happy and healthy. You could tell Linda thought the world of Valarie and they laughed a lot together that night backstage. In 2009 when I heard the news of her arrest and saw the photos it broke my heart. She had to been close to fifty at the time of her arrest, and to think of her getting busted for street drugs, well it was a shock to say the least. I am well aware of the disease of addiction and that it never goes away even once one is clean and sober. That woof is always at the back door waiting to take one down when one allows defenses down and doubts to take hold. I was introduced to Valarie Carter that night backstage in 95 and she was very sweet and genuine. Before she was arrested I had lost my copy of her CD THE WAY IT IS, which was one of my most played CD's. I wrote to her website and her assistant said she was going to try and find one as they were out of them at that time. Sure enough, less than a week later I get a used one in the mail from Valarie signed with a smiley face, "To Michael, Love Valarie". It was not to long after that I heard of her arrest. I pray for her health and sobriety. I do the same for her voice and talent. Now if there ever was a crime it was Valarie Carter not being a successful solo artist if that is what she dreamed of. A voice like her's are truly a gift straight from above.
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Post by fabtastique on Jun 9, 2015 11:46:41 GMT -5
I much prefer Valerie Carter's vocals on the T2 tracks on Feels Like Home, they are less intrusive than Dolly's .... Don't get me wrong, I love Dolly but Valerie kicks ass on those tracks. I've never heard her solo stuff, must give it a try!
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Valerie Carter Song + More
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Post by Valerie Carter Song + More on Jun 9, 2015 15:34:07 GMT -5
She has some good stuff on the two albums that LR guests on (the two albums I have). One LR guest vocal song that is great is Heartache on "Just A Stone's Throw Away" - she did this with Lowell George on a radio show (the song can make your cry). There are other great LR guest appearance songs on good albums by other female artists - how about a Trio with Willie Nelson on After the Fire Has Gone with Tracy Nelson. And LR guests on a really powerful political song with Teresa called "Out Among The Stars" written by an ex-roommate of Linda's I do believe.
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Post by moe on Jun 9, 2015 16:12:02 GMT -5
I much prefer Valerie Carter's vocals on the T2 tracks on Feels Like Home, they are less intrusive than Dolly's .... Don't get me wrong, I love Dolly but Valerie kicks ass on those tracks. I've never heard her solo stuff, must give it a try! With you 100% just started listening to FLH, Valerie's harmonies are spot on and not as "tricksy" as Dolly's (for whom I also have infinite respect) it's just that the earlier versions are simpler and a little more listenable. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2015 19:38:48 GMT -5
I very much enjoyed Valerie's harmonies during the FLH era, and also preferred them to Dolly (no disrespect at all to Ms. Parton)..
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Post by Richard W on Jun 9, 2015 20:10:57 GMT -5
Love Valerie. A Stone's Throw Away is a classic.
Mike, did you ever pick up on the hidden track on The Way It Is? It's not listed and comes on several minutes after the last listed track ends. It's a fabulous version of Earth Wind & Fire's "The Way of the World."
She also put out a 4-song EP CD several years ago, with a Prince cover. Somehow I've misplaced it. Damn!
Wild Child wasn't as artistically successful as Stone's Throw (for me), but it had some good songs on it. Shame it's never been released on CD.
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Post by MokyWI on Jun 10, 2015 8:48:13 GMT -5
Yes I got the hidden track on the one I bought and the one she sent me. It's an Earth Wind & Fire tune if I remember correctly...maybe " The Way of the World", it's going to drive me crazy now wondering what it is. I'm in route to DC at this time. I am going to get my hand on Wild Child and have been looking for that 4 song ep but Amazon said its sold out i have Just a Stone Throw Away and The Way It Is
Sorry Richard I just reread your post, I wasn't doubting you about the hidden track. My mind went to remembering what it was and didn't read the rest.
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Post by friendofval on Jan 30, 2016 23:42:51 GMT -5
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Post by goldie on Jan 31, 2016 15:47:36 GMT -5
Darn, I have been going out of my way to avoiding being plugged in to facebook which is the best CIA tool ever invented. (me suspicious? nah) Please someone go there and report back. I think we all love our vulnerable artists especially with one as lovely and talented as Valerie. She obviously has heart.... and what a rare and "different" voice that stands apart from most. |
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Post by the Scribe on Dec 6, 2016 0:28:41 GMT -5
I think about this woman a lot and always wonder how she is doing. I remembered this photo I recently posted of Linda and Valerie. This thread would be a good home for it. I need to find more. I also had a real hankering to hear this song again.
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Post by the Scribe on Dec 8, 2016 0:32:52 GMT -5
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Post by the Scribe on Dec 8, 2016 1:23:13 GMT -5
I thought this was funny as it is one of my favorites but had no idea about the meaning. I think the below explanation might be a joke but maybe not if you listen to the lyrics. I report, you decide:
So I was thinking this Jackson Browne song was about Valerie Carter but now I am not so sure lol:
This is also one of my favorite songs co-written by Valerie and sung by Jackson Browne AND Valerie:
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Post by litenup2u on Mar 4, 2017 18:34:40 GMT -5
St. Petersburg, FL – 3/4/2017
Legendary rock singer Valerie Carter died today at 3:00 AM EST at St. Anthony’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida according to her longtime manager, Jim Della Croce.
“Beyond her 45-year professional career as a solo artist and one of the music industry’s leading vocalists, Val was a dear friend to her beloved industry friends and associates. Her soft, sultry and soulful voice made an indelible imprint on fans worldwide. Val will be fondly remembered, always loved and never replaced,” Della Croce states.
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Post by MokyWI on Mar 4, 2017 18:44:18 GMT -5
I can't find anything on her dying on internet. I have just by chance, once again, been listening to her albums on my new six disc CD player since Thursday evening...Please tell me this is a hoax. Not Valerie Carter...
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Post by erik on Mar 4, 2017 19:14:26 GMT -5
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Post by moe on Mar 4, 2017 19:18:05 GMT -5
I can't find anything on her dying on internet. I have just by chance, once again, been listening to her albums on my new six disc CD player since Thursday evening...Please tell me this is a hoax. Not Valerie Carter... There is a Wikipedia entry for Valerie stating she died yesterday 3/3/17. However I can find no other support for that assertion. A search for obits for Valerie Gail Zakian Carter (who knew?) Yielded no results. I am hoping that Wikipedia's entry is wrong and she is alive and well. Stay tuned and hope for the best. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2017 20:06:32 GMT -5
There are other indications that the sad news is true, including her FaceBook page....http://www.vintagevinylnews.com/2017/03/passings-valerie-carter-1953-2017.html
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Post by the Scribe on Mar 4, 2017 21:12:20 GMT -5
VALERIE CARTER (February 5, 1953 – March 4, 2017)
“You were born a wild child of light’s wonderful secret
— you return to the beauty you have always been.”
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Post by Jack on Mar 4, 2017 22:31:22 GMT -5
I know that Valerie Carter was arrested in 2009 in Florida for possession of drugs. She was pretty down and out at the time. I wonder what lead her down that road of destruction. I think I remember she was in recovery for years and slipped in 2009. Her booking photo was very sad to see. She has such talent. An artist that should have had a successful career of her own with the voice she possessed. She was able to complete a recovery program and went though drug court that was televised on TV. James Taylor was there when she graduated from it and he was so happy for her. It was very touching. But since then I have heard nothing about her. Her website is gone. I don't think she is touring with James Taylor any longer and I have not heard if she performed on his new release. Anyone else heard anything about Valerie Carter? |
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Post by Peace At Last on Mar 5, 2017 0:34:15 GMT -5
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Post by the Scribe on Mar 5, 2017 2:44:49 GMT -5
The previous post says it all in Valerie's own beautiful voice.
So it is confirmed. Valerie (Gail Zakian) Carter belongs to the ages.
Singer Valerie Carter Dead at 64: Check Out the Many Great LP's She Sang On Our Tribute .
Rock History Music
Published on Mar 4, 2017
Singer Valerie Carter Dead at 64
She certainly had a gorgeous memorable voice. That's why she sang on hundreds of albums since the early 70's. Just to name a few - Little Feat's "The Last Record Album" from 1975, Nicolette Larson debut from 1978 which featured the hits "Lotta Love" written by Neil Young, The next year she sang on Christopher Cross' debut album which had three hits "Ride Like the Wind,""Sailing" and "Never Be the Same.” That was her singing the duet with Cross on “Spinning.” Carter was also on Randy Newman's "Born Again" from the same year. In 1980 she sang backup on Eddie Money's third LP "Playing For Keeps." There was also Jimmy Webb's "Angel Heart" in 1982 and Don Henley's 1989 "The End of the Innocence." Carter was very busy in the 90's with Aaron Neville, Diana Ross, Neil Diamond, Ringo Starr, Glenn Frey, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne among many others. She was the go-to girl when you needed to get it done.
I first noticed her on "Gorilla" the first James Taylor album I ever bought in 1975. It would be the start of long relationship with Taylor but she didn't start touring with him until 1990. Carter would be a huge part of that heavenly wall of sound of background singers to back the legendary singer along David Lasley, Kate Markowitz and Arnold McCuller. Carter would record over half a dozen albums with him. If you have never heard “Shed a Little Light” from Taylor's “New Moon Shine” from 1991. I saw that whole band live outside in Vancouver in 1992 with Valerie. That was one of the best concert experiences of my life.
In 1999 in an interview with Laura Stegman on James-Taylor.com Carter talked about Lowell George introducing her to James Taylor at Amigo Studios in L.A. The place had a basketball net and he was just shooting hoops within a very short time she and Lowell were singing background on “Angry Blues” from the “Gorilla' album.
On her transition to concentrating more on being a background singer than a solo one Carter explained, “I was too delicate. But what I could do was sing, and that’s what I’ve always been happy doing. And I knew I could stand behind someone and let the spotlight shine somewhere else. I could at least express myself through the power of singing.”
She was born on February 5, 1953. In the early 70's Carter formed the group Howdy Moon. Their first album was produced by her mentor Lowell George of Little Feat. He would go on to co-produce her debut album which featured some heavy players including Linda Ronstadt, Earth, Wind and Fire’s Maurice White, Jackson Browne on piano and guitar. Also on the album there were 4 Toto members Jeff Porcaro on drums, bassist David Hungate, Steve Lukather on guitar and Synthesizer's from Steve Porcaro. Lukather said on his Facebook today, “RIP Valerie Carter.. She was an amazing talent and very sweet girl. One of a kind voice.”
She recorded 4 solo albums 1977's "Just a Stone's Throw Away" which featured her take on the soul classic ""O-o-h Child," then came "Wild Child" from 1978, "The Way it Is" from 1996 and "Find a River" - a 5-track-EP released in 1998.
She co-wrote "Love Needs a Heart" with Jackson Browne and Lowell George which appeared on his classic live album, "Running on Empty. In that same Laura Stegman interview Valerie opened up about how her tune “Cook with Honey” ended up being recorded by Judy Collins. They were at a BBQ at the singers house, they got along well very quickly, both moved to Judy's music room where she sang making Valerie cry then she sings “Cook with Honey” for the legendary singer nervously only to look up at the end to see Judy Collins cry. It became a hit.
Shawn Colvin said on Facebook, “The first time I heard her all I wanted was to sing like THAT, and I tried, but no one ever will. Love you, Val.”
In August and October 2009, Carter was arrested in St. Petersburg, Florida for possession of drugs. She later completed a drug program in May of 2011. Taylor was at her "drug court" graduation ceremonies to support her. - by John Beaudin
Full Interview with Valerie www.james-taylor.com/articles/jto-feature-valerie-carter/
Jellyfish in Space by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
Popular Videos - Valerie Carter
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaxJKYAMSozb-DQQu77E5m40sqVe4sPc3
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Post by Richard W on Mar 5, 2017 16:26:23 GMT -5
Oh, that's so sad.
I still play her debut album a lot, and have ever since it was released.
Sorry to see you go, Valerie.
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Post by erik on Mar 5, 2017 19:23:53 GMT -5
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Post by the Scribe on Mar 6, 2017 1:49:30 GMT -5
This in part explains why Valerie didn't want the spotlight. By delicate I was thinking emotionally delicate but her sister said she suffered from heart issues her whole life. As someone with similar problems I can tell you that it takes its toll. And being the upfront singer has got to be extremely stressful for most nonetheless someone who might be shy and have health issues to boot. Even Linda preferred the back up to up front and fortunately for Linda her voice and health rarely let her down in the early days.
Heart issues can be a peaceful way to go. Most if not all people are out of the body before any pain takes hold. Ironically the night Valerie died I listened to an interview of a woman who died of heart issues and returned to life only to talk about the experience and make a documentary. Heart issues, sleep apnea, hyper and hypotension and related issues need to be dealt with aggressively if you want to stay around the planet for a while. Valerie's death can be a lesson, a positive one for us all. I am thankful for her legacy.
ronstadt.proboards.com/thread/591/life?page=3&scrollTo=38319 |
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Post by 70smusicfan on Mar 6, 2017 16:54:06 GMT -5
Very sad - taking the opportunity to listen to, for the umpteenth time, the two CDs I have of hers - Just a Stone's Throws Away (1977) and The Way It Is (1996). Too bad her other CDs are out of print (press?) and are hideously expensive. The hidden Earth Wind and Fire song on TWII is dynamite. So many of our idols are passing...
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Post by the Scribe on Mar 11, 2017 20:17:23 GMT -5
Very sad - taking the opportunity to listen to, for the umpteenth time, the two CDs I have of hers - Just a Stone's Throws Away (1977) and The Way It Is (1996). Too bad her other CDs are out of print (press?) and are hideously expensive. The hidden Earth Wind and Fire song on TWII is dynamite. So many of our idols are passing...
And "our" place in line moves forward as well. It already seems like a lifetime since Valerie died and it has only been 7 days. Seems to be no letting up when you live in fast times. |
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Post by Kathy on Mar 29, 2017 19:54:21 GMT -5
Please continue to follow Valerie at www.valeriecarter.net. This is a new website that was in the middle of being put together when she became ill so it will continue to be updated with liner notes, etc. |
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Post by the Scribe on Apr 1, 2017 14:55:00 GMT -5
Please continue to follow Valerie at www.valeriecarter.net. This is a new website that was in the middle of being put together when she became ill so it will continue to be updated with liner notes, etc.
I guarantee that while Val may be gone she will never be forgotten. Her kind of magic only comes around once in a blue moon, if that. Most people don't know what they have missed. I hope a recording of her best material is compiled to include some of her wonderful backup work. Those kinds of recordings are difficult business wise to do but it sure would be nice. |
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