Carl Carlton (born Karl Walter Ahlerich Buskohl, 20 April 1955) is a German rock guitarist, composer and producer. His collaboration with Robert Palmer culminated in the Grammy-nominated album '' Drive'', released in 2003. In 2005, Carlton joined

Eric Burdon Eric Victor Burdon (born 11 May 1941) is an English singer. He was previously the lead vocalist of R&B and rock band the Animals and funk band War. He is regarded as one of the British Invasion's most distinctive singers with his deep, pow ...

and

the Animals The Animals (also billed as Eric Burdon and the Animals) are an English rock band, formed in Newcastle upon Tyne in the early 1960s. The band moved to London upon finding fame in 1964. The Animals were known for their gritty, bluesy sound and ...

. The collaboration resulted in the Grammy-nominated album '' Soul of a Man'', released in 2006. Carlton has released five albums with his own band, Carl Carlton and the Songdogs and two solo albums. Carlton grew up on a farm in Northern Germany, leaving for the Netherlands at age 17. Starting in Groningen, Carlton played in numerous rock bands, including

Herman Brood Hermanus "Herman" Brood (; 5 November 1946 – 11 July 2001) was a Dutch musician, painter, actor and poet. As a musician he achieved artistic and commercial success in the 1970s and 1980s, and was called "the greatest and only Dutch rock 'n' ...

and his Wild Romance, Long Tall Ernie and the Shakers (with whom he recorded a gold record in 1977), and Vitesse. In 1979, he traveled across the Atlantic to become a guitarist for the band

Mink DeVille Mink DeVille was a rock band founded in 1974, known for its association with early punk rock bands at New York's CBGB nightclub and for being a showcase for the music of Willy DeVille. The band recorded six albums in the years 1977 to 1985, afte ...

. In the 1980s Carlton also played with

Manfred Mann's Earth Band Manfred Mann's Earth Band are an English rock band formed by South African musician Manfred Mann. Their hits include covers of Bruce Springsteen's " For You", "Blinded by the Light" and "Spirit in the Night". After forming in 1971 and with a ...

. Most notably at the time, Carlton performed as a guitarist, composer and producer for two of Germany's biggest rock stars,

Peter Maffay Peter Alexander Makkay (born 30 August 1949), known as Peter Maffay (), is a Romanian-born German musician, singer, and composer. Early life Born in Braşov (german: link=no, Kronstadt), Romania, the son of a German ( Transylvanian Saxon), ...

and

Udo Lindenberg Udo Lindenberg (born 17 May 1946) is a German singer, drummer, and composer. Career Lindenberg started his musical career as a drummer. In 1969, he founded his first band Free Orbit, and also appeared as a studio and guest musician (with Micha ...

, with whom he recorded thirteen and six albums, respectively. Of these, eleven singles topped the charts. During this period, Carlton married and had two children, Max and Jessica Buskohl (Max has since followed in his father's footsteps with his own band, Empty Trash

EMI EMI Group Limited (originally an initialism for Electric and Musical Industries, also referred to as EMI Records Ltd. or simply EMI) was a British Transnational corporation, transnational Conglomerate (company), conglomerate founded in March 1 ...

and a solo album Sidewalk Conversation - Universal.) At the end of the 1980s, Carlton began writing film and television scores, while, in addition, he played guitar for Joe Cocker,

Keb Mo Kevin Roosevelt Moore (born October 3, 1951), known as Keb' Mo', is an American blues musician and five-time Grammy Award winner. He is a singer, guitarist, and songwriter, living in Nashville, Tennessee. He has been described as "a living link ...

Jimmy Barnes James Dixon "Jimmy" Barnes (née Swan; born 28 April 1956) is a Scottish-born Australian rock singer. His career, both as a solo performer and as the lead vocalist with the rock band Cold Chisel, has made him one of the most popular and best- ...

Mother's Finest Mother's Finest is an American rock band founded in Atlanta, Georgia, by the vocal duo of Joyce "Baby Jean" Kennedy and Glenn "Doc" Murdock in 1970 when the pair met up with guitarist Gary "Moses Mo" Moore and bassist Jerry "Wyzard" Seay. Thei ...

, Simple Minds and numerous other bands.

Personal projects

In the early 1990s, Carlton and longtime musical partner Bertram Engel, a drummer, formed a band called New Legend, which also included keyboardist Pascal Kravetz and the two Dutch blues rockers Harry de Winter and Peter Bootsman. Two CDs were released before the band broke up two years later due to personality conflicts. In 1994, Carlton took up residence in Dublin, which at the time was one of the few pulsating metropolises for music in Europe. In 1999, Carlton again formed a band of his own, Carl Carlton and the Songdogs, which consisted of a multi-national line-up of musicians. In 2001, Carlton convinced Robert Palmer, with whom he had worked previously as a guitar player, to record a version of "Milk Cow's Calf Blues" with him as part of a tribute album to

Robert Johnson Robert Leroy Johnson (May 8, 1911August 16, 1938) was an American blues musician and songwriter. His landmark recordings in 1936 and 1937 display a combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that has influenced later generati ...

. The resulting compilation, ''

Hellhound on My Trail "Hellhound on My Trail" (originally "Hell Hound on My Trail") is a blues song recorded by Mississippi Delta bluesman Robert Johnson in 1937. It was inspired by earlier blues songs and blues historian Ted Gioia describes it as one of Johnson's "bes ...

'', was nominated for a Grammy. Its success convinced Palmer and Carlton to co-produce another pure blues album, the Grammy-nominated ''Drive'', in 2003. Drive was also named one of '' Billboards Top Ten Blues albums for that year.

Carl Carlton and the Songdogs

The band's inner circle consists of Carlton, guitarist Moses Mo, bassist Wyzard (of the Atlanta funk group

), and Pascal Kravetz. Temporary Songdogs have included

Sonny Landreth Clide Vernon "Sonny" Landreth (born February 1, 1951) is an American blues musician from southwest Louisiana who is especially known as a slide guitar player. He was born in Canton, Mississippi, and settled in Lafayette, Louisiana. He lives in Bre ...

, keyboardist

Ian McLagan Ian Patrick McLagan (; 12 May 1945 – 3 December 2014) was an English keyboardist, best known as a member of the rock bands Small Faces and Faces. He also collaborated with the Rolling Stones and led his own band from the late 1970s. He was i ...

, Levon Helm and

Garth Hudson Eric "Garth" Hudson (born August 2, 1937) is a Canadian multi-instrumentalist best known as the keyboardist and occasional saxophonist for rock group the Band, for which he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. He was a ...

. The band's first album, ''Revolution Avenue'', was recorded at Dockside Studios in Louisiana. A second LP called ''Love & Respect'' was released three years later. With more of an international membership than before, the band this time in addition to its core members consisted of Robert Palmer, Levon Helm, Sonny Landreth, Jon Smith, the White Trash Horns,

Bobby Keys Robert Henry Keys (December 18, 1943 – December 2, 2014) was an American saxophonist who performed with other musicians as a member of several horn sections of the 1970s. He appears on albums by the Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Harry Ni ...

and

Xavier Naidoo Xavier Kurt Naidoo (German: �kseːviɐ naɪˈduː born 2 October 1971) is a German soul and R&B singer, songwriter and record producer. He is a founding member of German band Söhne Mannheims, and started two record labels, Beats Around the ...

. ''Love & Respect'' was also recorded at Dockside Studios. Martin Huch, a multi-instrumentalist, was soon hired along with Wayne P. Sheehy for live performances. At the end of the ''Love & Respect'' tour Carlton collapsed from exhaustion due to an unrelenting work schedule. The incident was caught live by television cameras. Several weeks later, in the midst of doing PR for the ''Drive'' album, Robert Palmer died suddenly. The next Songdogs album, ''Cahoots & Roots'', was released in 2005. Also in 2005, Carlton joined

and

The Animals The Animals (also billed as Eric Burdon and the Animals) are an English rock band, formed in Newcastle upon Tyne in the early 1960s. The band moved to London upon finding fame in 1964. The Animals were known for their gritty, bluesy sound and ...

and recorded a blues album called ''Soul of a Man'' with Ivan Neville,

James "Hutch" Hutchinson James Hutchinson (born January 24, 1953) is an American session bassist best known for his work with Bonnie Raitt. Though his work takes him nearly everywhere he primarily resides in Studio City, Los Angeles, CA and Haiku-Pauwela, Hawaii. Ca ...

Ricky Fataar Ricky Fataar (born 5 September 1952) is a South African-English multi-instrumentalist of Cape Malay descent, who has performed as both a drummer and a guitarist. He gained fame as an actor in ''The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash'', a spoof on ...

, and Mike Finnegan. It too was nominated for a Grammy. Carlton, who in the meantime had given up his second home in Mallorca and taken up residence on the island of Gozo near Malta, began making a fourth album called ''Songs for the Lost and Brave'', whose fifteen tracks explored the many bitter blows dealt to Carlton in recent years, including a divorce from his second wife. By this time,

Zack Alford Zachary "Zack" Alford is a professional drummer, known for his work with the B-52's, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie and Tomoyasu Hotei. Alford was brought in by Danny Kortchmar to drum on Billy Joel's ''River of Dreams'' album. Alford contribut ...

, a drummer who had played for both Bruce Springsteen and

David Bowie David Robert Jones (8 January 194710 January 2016), known professionally as David Bowie ( ), was an English singer-songwriter and actor. A leading figure in the music industry, he is regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the ...

, had been added to the band, which was invited by Levon Helm, one of Carlton's closest friends, to record the new album at Helm's studio in Woodstock, New York. One of the album's tracks, a cover of Stephen Stills' "For What It's Worth", included the voices of Carlton's son, Max Buskohl, and Eric Burdon. Carlton and his son also joined together for a track on

Klaus Voormann Klaus Otto Wilhelm Voormann (born 29 April 1938) is a German artist, musician, and record producer. Voormann was the bassist for Manfred Mann from 1966 to 1969, and performed as a session musician on a host of recordings, including " You're So ...

's album, ''A Sideman's Journey''. In 2020 Carl Carlton and the Songdogs released a "Best Of album", a luxurious box set including an extensive booklet, four vinyl albums, a double CD, one vinyl 45", a hand signed poster and unique memorabilia.

"Toast to Freedom"

In 2011, Carlton and

Larry Campbell Larry W. Campbell (born 28 February 1948) is a Canadian politician that served as the 37th mayor of Vancouver, Canada from 2002 until 2005 and since 2005 has been a member of the Senate of Canada. Before he was mayor, Campbell worked for th ...

wrote " Toast to Freedom", a commemorative song to celebrate Amnesty International's 50th Anniversary. Carl Carlton & the Songdogs backed up more than 50 internationally renowned musicians, who contributed to the song in Levon Helm's studio The Barn in Woodstock, among them

Kris Kristofferson Kristoffer Kristofferson (born June 22, 1936) is a retired American singer, songwriter and actor. Among his songwriting credits are " Me and Bobby McGee", " For the Good Times", " Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", and " Help Me Make It Through the ...

Warren Haynes Warren Haynes (born April 6, 1960) is an American musician, singer and songwriter. He is best known for his work as longtime guitarist with the Allman Brothers Band and as founding member of the jam band Gov't Mule. Early in his career he was ...

, Donald Fagen,

Rosanne Cash Rosanne Cash (born May 24, 1955) is an American singer-songwriter and author. She is the eldest daughter of country musician Johnny Cash and Vivian Liberto Cash Distin, Johnny Cash's first wife. Although she is often classified as a country art ...

, Carly Simon,

Marianne Faithfull Marianne Evelyn Gabriel Faithfull (born 29 December 1946) is an English singer and actress. She achieved popularity in the 1960s with the release of her hit single " As Tears Go By" and became one of the lead female artists during the British I ...

Jane Birkin Jane Mallory Birkin, OBE (born 14 December 1946) is an English-French singer and actress. She attained international fame and notability for her decade-long musical and romantic partnership with Serge Gainsbourg. She also had a prolific career ...

, Levon Helm and many others. "Toast to Freedom" was produced by

Bob Clearmountain Bob Clearmountain (born January 15, 1953) is an American recording engineer, mixer and record producer. He has worked with many major acts, including Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones, Toto (band), Toto, Bon Jovi and Bryan Adams, with whom he ...

and released by Amnesty International on 3 May 2012.

Associated acts

A selection of projects and bands for which Carlton has played guitar: *

Alannah Myles Alannah Myles (née Byles; born December 25, 1958) is a Canadian singer-songwriter who has won both a Grammy and a Juno Award for the song " Black Velvet". The song was a top-ten hit in Canada; it was also a number one hit on the US ''Billboar ...

* Amanda Marshall * Busta Rhymes *

Carl Carlton Carl Carlton (born May 21, 1953) is an American R&B, soul, and funk singer-songwriter, best known for his hits "Everlasting Love" and " She's a Bad Mama Jama (She's Built, She's Stacked)". Career Carlton was born in Detroit, Michigan, and beg ...

& the Songdogs *

Damien Dempsey Damien Dempsey (born 9 June 1975) is an Irish singer and songwriter who mixes traditional Irish folk contemporary lyrics that deliver social and political commentaries on Irish society. Damien sings in his native, working class accent in the Eng ...

Ellen Foley Ellen Foley (born 1951) is an American singer and actress who has appeared on Broadway and television, where she co-starred in the sitcom '' Night Court'' for one season. In music, she has released five solo albums but is best known for her colla ...

Eric Burdon & the Animals The Animals (also billed as Eric Burdon and the Animals) are an English rock band, formed in Newcastle upon Tyne in the early 1960s. The band moved to London upon finding fame in 1964. The Animals were known for their gritty, bluesy sound an ...

Fun Lovin' Criminals Fun Lovin' Criminals are an American rap rock band from New York City. They are best known for their hit "Scooby Snacks", which features samples from films by Quentin Tarantino, and the song "Love Unlimited", which recalls Barry White's backin ...

* Herman Brood & His Wild Romance *Hollander *

* Joe Cocker *

Keb' Mo' Kevin Roosevelt Moore (born October 3, 1951), known as Keb' Mo', is an American blues musician and five-time Grammy Award winner. He is a singer, guitarist, and songwriter, living in Nashville, Tennessee. He has been described as "a living link ...

* Long Tall Ernie and the Shakers *

*New Legend *Raiders of the Last Corvette *

Nina Hagen Catharina "Nina" Hagen (; born 11 March 1955) is a German singer, songwriter, and actress. She is known for her theatrical vocals and rose to prominence during the punk and new wave movements in the late 1970s and early 1980s. She is known as ...

Paul Young Paul Antony Young (born 17 January 1956) is an English musician, singer and songwriter. Formerly the frontman of the short-lived bands Kat Kool & the Kool Cats, Streetband and Q-Tips, he became a teen idol with his solo success in the 1980s. ...

* Peter Maffay Band * Robert Palmer * Simple Minds * Stephan Remmler & die Steher *Tony Sarno's All-Americans *

Time Bandits ''Time Bandits'' is a 1981 British fantasy adventure film co-written, produced, and directed by Terry Gilliam. It stars Sean Connery, John Cleese, Shelley Duvall, Ralph Richardson, Katherine Helmond, Ian Holm, Michael Palin, Peter Vaug ...

* Udo Lindenbergs Panik-Orchester * Vitesse * Wolfgang Niedeckens Leopardefell-Band *Yah Yahs

Production work

Carlton has been a producer for many artists and projects. These include: * Madness * Max Buskohl/Empty Trash *

* Robert Palmer *''Tabaluga & Lilli'' (musical) *''Tabaluga & the Magic Jadestone'' (musical) *

The Dead 60s The Dead 60s were an English ska punk band from Liverpool. The band's sound is a mixture of punk rock, ska, dub and reggae. They have taken influences from artists such as King Tubby, Jackie Mittoo, Gang of Four and A Certain Ratio. Histo ...

Yothu Yindi Yothu Yindi ( Yolngu for "child and mother", pronounced ) are an Australian musical group with Aboriginal and '' balanda'' (non-Aboriginal) members, formed in 1986 as a merger of two bands formed in 1985 – a white rock group called the Swam ...

Discography

Carl Carlton & the Songdogs

Albums

*2001: ''Revolution Avenue'' (also as an LP with two bonus tracks) *2003: ''Love & Respect'' (also as a

digipak Optical disc packaging is the packaging that accompanies CDs, DVDs, and other formats of optical discs. Most packaging is rigid or semi-rigid and designed to protect the media from scratches and other types of exposure damage. Jewel case ...

with one bonus track) *2004: ''CaHoots & Roots: Live from Planet Zod'' (live double CD) *2008: ''Songs for the Lost and Brave'' *2014: ''Lights Out In Wonderland''(Solo Album) *2017: ''Woodstock & Wonderland'' (live Album) *2020: ''Lifelong Guarantee'' (Best Of... Box Set)

Singles

*2001: "Coming Home" *2003: "Days of Magic" *2004: "Instant Karma" *2008: "For What It's Worth" (with Max Buskohl and

) *2012: "Toast To Freedom" Song for Amnesty International 50th anniversary feat. Levon Helm, Keb Mo, Taj Mahal, Ewan McGregor e.i. *2012: "King of the USA" *2014: "Moonlight in New York" *2019: "When the monkeys run the zoo"

Film scores and musical compositions

*''Damals in der DDR'' (documentary film series) *'' Lethal Obsession'' (director:

Peter Patzak Peter Patzak (2 January 1945 – 11 March 2021) was an Austrian film director and screenwriter. He directed 60 films from 1973 to 2021. His film ''Kassbach – Ein Porträt'' was entered into the 29th Berlin International Film Festival and his f ...

) *'' Midnight Cop'' (director: Peter Patzak) *''Napoleon'' (documentary TV series) *''Neues vom Wixxer'' (film) *''Swansong: Story of Occi Byrne'' (film) *''Tabaluga & Lilli'' (musical) *''Tabaluga & the Magic Jadestone'' (musical)

References

External links

Official website
(in German)
ToastToFreedom.org
{{DEFAULTSORT:Carlton, Carl 1955 births German male composers German composers German rock guitarists German male guitarists Living people