A soulful voice …
An expressive and versatile vocalist, Carl Anderson worked in theatrical productions and recorded soul, pop, rock, and fusion dates. He was born in Lynchburg, VA, and moved to Washington in 1969. Anderson sang with the rock band Second Eagle before relocating to Los Angeles in the early ’70s and joining Motown in 1971.
While working with Stevie Wonder on some songs that were never issued, Anderson began acting. He was in both the film and stage productions of Jesus Christ Superstar during the early and mid-’70s, and also made appearances in several L.A. clubs.
CBS talent scout Larkin Arnold signed Anderson to his label in 1980, and Richard Rudolph produced his Columbia debut, Absence Without Love, in 1982. It didn’t attract much attention, but the second LP, On & On, included the single “Magic” and duet “It’s The Love” with Vanesse Thomas, which did well internationally.
He cut two more LPs for the label, and the 1986 release Carl Anderson earned him his lone pop hit, the duet “Friends and Lovers” with soap star Gloria Loring that made it to the number two spot. Anderson recorded with Nancy Wilson and Weather Report in 1987; his duet with Wilson, “Forbidden Lover,” won critical praise.
He recorded An Act of Love for Polydor in 1988, and Pieces of a Heart and Fantasy Hotel for GRP in 1990 and 1992, respectively. The third release on GRP “Heavy Weather Sunlight Again” was released in 1994. After this release Carl Anderson took a break in recording. In 1997 he recorded a livealbum in the “Agape Sanctuary Concert Hall”, a great album featuring Freddie Ravel, Michael Paulo, Alphonso Johnson, Leslie Smith and others.
His acting career continued as well, with appearances in the television programs Hill Street Blues and Hotel and the film The Color Purple.
Anderson passed away on February 23, 2004 after a battle with leukemian, expressive and versatile vocalist, Carl Anderson has worked in theatrical productions and recorded soul, pop, rock, and fusion dates. He was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, and moved to Washington in 1969. Anderson sang with the rock band Second Eagle before relocating to Los Angeles in the early ’70s and joining Motown in 1971.
Discography
Protocol
Sony Music 2010
Tracks: Can't Stop This Feeling, Let's Talk, Still Thinking of You, What Will Happen Now, Somebody Up There Likes Me, One More Time With Feeling, Love On Ice, Girl I Won't Take No, Saving My Love for You, Let´s Talk (U.K. Remix), Light Me & Can´t Stop This Feeling (12" Ext. Version).
Musicians on the Protocol album: Carl Anderson and others.
Absence Without Love/On & On
Expansion Music 2009
Tracks: A.W.O.L., Going Out Again, Amour, Fooled Myself Again, Buttercup, C’es la Vie, Got To Find A Way To Get To You, Lose That Girl, Don’t Make Me Wait, Magic, It’s The Love, Try, Keep It Alive, On & On, Time To Win & Lately.
Musicians on the Absence Woth Out Love/On & On album: Carl Anderson, Vaneese Thomas, Krystal Davis, Keeley Curtis, Phillip Ballou, Ike Floyd, Carmen Lundy, Dennis Collins, John Anderson, Wayne Brathwaite, Nathan East, Omar Hakim, Yogi Horton, J.T. Lewis, Steve Williams, Sammy Figeroua, Steve Kroon, Jerry Hey, Chuck Findley, Gary Grant, Bill Reichenbach, Larry Williams, Lou Cotelezzi and others.
Superstar
Agape 2004
Tracks: You'll Never Walk Alone, Rolling River God, The 23rd Psalm, You Annointed Me, Inner Visions, The Star Spangled Banner, I Release, I Am The Rock, The Age Of Aquarius/What's Going On/Om Shanti, The Lord's Prayer, Can It Be Done, I'm Ready To Listen & Alleluia.
Musicians on the Superstar album: Carl Anderson, Freddie Ravel, Michael Paulo, Alphonso Johnson, Bernie Dresel, Fred Schreuders, Leslie Smith & Anjani.
... Why We Are Here!
Abu Khalil Productions 1997
Tracks: Daybreak, How Deep Does It Go, Lover's Mask, Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me), It Is the Law!, My Ship, Sophisticated Lady, My Funny Valentine, 'Round Midnight, Hot Coffee, How Do You Keep the Music Playing? & Heavy Weather.
Musicians on the "... Why We Are Here!" album: Carl Anderson, Freddie Ravel, Michael Paulo, Alphonso Johnson, Anjani, Bernie Dresel, Fred Schrenders & Leslie Smith.
Heavy Weather Sunlight Again
GRP Records 1994
Tracks: I Can't Stop the Rain, I'm All About You, I Need Your Love, Love'll Hold My Baby Tonight, Gather Ye Rosebuds, Heavy Weather, God's Gift to the World, Feel the Night, Always Come Running & Black Rain (Miles to Go).
Musicians on the Heavy Weather Sunlight Again album: Carl Anderson, Jennifer Batten, Terry Steele, John Chiodini, Michael Sembello, Michael Ruff, Catte Adams, Maxi Anderson, Wayne Arnold, Cynthia Bass, Dave Boruff, Brad Cole, Brenda Lee Eager, Lynne Fiddmont, Dave Hart, Marc Hugenberger, Paul Jackson Jr., Natalie Jackson, Jesus Christ Superstar Choir, Tom Keane, Michael Landau, Della Miles, Katrina Perkins, Terry Sampson, Leslie Smith, Anjani Thomas & Jerry Jr. Watts.
Heavy Weather Sunlight Again
GRP Records 1994
Tracks: I Can't Stop the Rain, I'm All About You, I Need Your Love, Love'll Hold My Baby Tonight, Gather Ye Rosebuds, Heavy Weather, God's Gift to the World, Feel the Night, Always Come Running & Black Rain (Miles to Go).
Musicians on the Heavy Weather Sunlight Again album: Carl Anderson, Jennifer Batten, Terry Steele, John Chiodini, Michael Sembello, Michael Ruff, Catte Adams, Maxi Anderson, Wayne Arnold, Cynthia Bass, Dave Boruff, Brad Cole, Brenda Lee Eager, Lynne Fiddmont, Dave Hart, Marc Hugenberger, Paul Jackson Jr., Natalie Jackson, Jesus Christ Superstar Choir, Tom Keane, Michael Landau, Della Miles, Katrina Perkins, Terry Sampson, Leslie Smith, Anjani Thomas & Jerry Jr. Watts.
Fantasy Hotel
GRP Records 1992
Tracks: I Will Be There, If Not for Love, Once in a Lifetime Love, Love Will Follow, Enough Said, All I Wanna Do, The Closest Thing to Heaven, Lover's Mask, I'm No Stranger & Wish I Could Stay (Fantasy Hotel).
Musicians on the Fantasy Hotel album: Carl Anderson, Gerald Albright, David Foster, John Chiodini, Michael Thompson, Maxi Anderson, Dave Boruff, Brad Cole, Julie Delgado, Nathan East, Andre Fischer, Kevin Guillaume, Alphonso Johnson, Rick Marotta, Tony Morales, Mark Portmann, Leslie Smith, Larry Steelman, Neil Stubenhaus, Steve Tavaglione, Anjani Thomas & Russ Freeman.
Fantasy Hotel
GRP Records 1992
Tracks: I Will Be There, If Not for Love, Once in a Lifetime Love, Love Will Follow, Enough Said, All I Wanna Do, The Closest Thing to Heaven, Lover's Mask, I'm No Stranger & Wish I Could Stay (Fantasy Hotel).
Musicians on the Fantasy Hotel album: Carl Anderson, Gerald Albright, David Foster, John Chiodini, Michael Thompson, Maxi Anderson, Dave Boruff, Brad Cole, Julie Delgado, Nathan East, Andre Fischer, Kevin Guillaume, Alphonso Johnson, Rick Marotta, Tony Morales, Mark Portmann, Leslie Smith, Larry Steelman, Neil Stubenhaus, Steve Tavaglione, Anjani Thomas & Russ Freeman.
Pieces Of A Heart
GRP Records 1990
Tracks: My Love Will, Baby My Heart, How Deep Does It Go, You're the Reason, Hot Coffee, Pieces of a Heart, If I Could, Children of a Lesser God, Life's Lessons, Dance of the Seven Veils & Maiden Voyage.
Musicians on the Pieces Of A Heart album: Carl Anderson, Brenda Russell, Steve Reid, Sam Riney, Joe Sample, Jimmy Haslip, Catte Adams, Maxi Anderson, Wayne Arnold, Pat Deremer, Bernie Dresel, Russell Ferrante, Lynn Fiddmont, Andre Fischer, Basil Fung, Kevin Guillaume, Tom Harriman, Marlo Henderson, Marc Hugenberger, Alfred McCrary, Judd Miller, Tony Morales, Katrina Perkins, Sharon Robinson, Larry Steelman, Kirk Whalum, Michael Thompson, Russ Freeman & Jimmy Johnson.
Pieces Of A Heart
GRP Records 1990
Tracks: My Love Will, Baby My Heart, How Deep Does It Go, You're the Reason, Hot Coffee, Pieces of a Heart, If I Could, Children of a Lesser God, Life's Lessons, Dance of the Seven Veils & Maiden Voyage.
Musicians on the Pieces Of A Heart album: Carl Anderson, Brenda Russell, Steve Reid, Sam Riney, Joe Sample, Jimmy Haslip, Catte Adams, Maxi Anderson, Wayne Arnold, Pat Deremer, Bernie Dresel, Russell Ferrante, Lynn Fiddmont, Andre Fischer, Basil Fung, Kevin Guillaume, Tom Harriman, Marlo Henderson, Marc Hugenberger, Alfred McCrary, Judd Miller, Tony Morales, Katrina Perkins, Sharon Robinson, Larry Steelman, Kirk Whalum, Michael Thompson, Russ Freeman & Jimmy Johnson.
Carl Anderson
Epic 1986
Tracks: Friends and Lovers, C'Est la Vie, First Time On A Ferris Wheel, Buttercup, Can't Stop This Feeling, Mr. V.J., You Are My Shining Star, Just a Little Love & Woman in Love.
Musicians on the Carl Anderson album: Carl Anderson, Gloria Loring, Angela Bofill and others.
An Act Of Love
Polygram Records 1988
Tracks: Baby You Just Don´t Know, Falling All Over Again, Hurry Back, Someone, More than You´ll Ever Know, I´m Gonna Get Your Love, Stop Along The Way, All The Way & Love Is (The Love Song).
Musicians on the An Act Of Love album: Carl Anderson, Al McKay, Terry Marshall, Bill Summers, Gerald Albright, Jeff Smith, La La, Fritz Cadet, Karen Anderson, Biti Strauchn, Sandra St. Victor, Jeff Lorber, Robbie Buchanan, Paul Jackson Jr., Ed Green, James Jamerson Jr., Gregory Doty & Larry Antinino.
Protocol
Epic 1985
Tracks: Can't Stop This Feeling, Let's Talk, Still Thinking of You, What Will Happen Now, Somebody Up There Likes Me, One More Time With Feeling, Love On Ice, Girl I Won't Take No & Saving My Love for You.
Musicians on the Protocol album: Carl Anderson and others.
On & On
Epic 1984
Tracks: Don´t Make Me Wait, Magic, It´s The Love, Try, Keep It Alive, On & On, Time To Win & Lately.
Musicians on the On and On album: Carl Anderson, Vaneese Thomas, Krystal Davis, Keeley Curtis, Phillip Ballou, Ike Floyd, Carmen Lundy, Dennis Collins, John Anderson, Wayne Brathwaite, Nathan East, Omar Hakim, Yogi Horton, J.T. Lewis, Steve Williams, Sammy Figeroua, Steve Kroon, Jerry Hey, Chuck Findley, Gary Grant, Bill Reichenbach, Larry Williams & Lou Cotelezzi.
Absence Without Love
Epic 1982
Tracks are: Absence Without Love, Going Out Again, Amour, Fooled Myself Again, Buttercup, C´est La Vie, Got To Find A Way To Get To You & Lose That Girl.
Musicians on the Absence Without Love album: Carl Anderson and others.