Donnie Carl

Donnie Carlton Kight, recorded four singles for the Tyler, TX based Ty-Tex label around the time of the birth of soul. He wrote most of his own songs, and his style of singing was a very nice mixture of doo wop and soul. His 45s usually featured an uptempo side flipped with a ballad which was the fashion in those days. His first release coupled the rather earnest pop flavoured slowie “Live And Learn” with the inane “Do The Wiggle Wobble”.

But Donnie’s second release was the excellent two part ListenIt Happened To Me. This fine deep soul piece has received no attention at all sadly and it is a pleasure to feature it on these pages. The song opens with a righteous gospel “call and response” passage between Carl and his backing vocalists, the Donnels and segues into a very churchy toe tapper on which Carl’s vocals are superbly soulful. Part 2 of the track is more of the same – lovely!

The third 45 was a considerable improvement. “You’ve Got It” is a horn rich R & B dancer with the mournful ballad “Getting Over You” features a strong soul based vocal, which I have some time for. His final 45 followed a similar pattern with “Heart Attack” being a lively uptempo early soul cut with “If You Want It That Way” being a more soulful mid paced item.





Discography

Love and learn / Do the wiggle wobble ~ TY-TEX 110 (1963)
ListenIt happened to me / Pt 2 ~ TY-TEX 113 (1964)
You’re got it / Getting over you ~ TY-TEX 118 (1964)
If you want it that way / Heart attack ~ TY-TEX 119 (1965)

 

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