We lost yet another legend today. Bobby Charles, aged 71, passed away at his home in Abbeville, LA. Charles’ music has graced the pages of AD countless times over the years, from his solo work to his contributions to the Band, and most recently his re-appreciation by the Vetiver clan on their 2008 LP Thing of The Past. The man had soul—something contemporary rock & roll could use a real shot in the arm of right now.
Bobby Charles’ 1972 self-titled release may at times be a chore to track down (import), [note: this is in reference to cd/vinyl) but such efforts are more than rewarded from the moment you press play. Like Link Wray’s early seventies albums, Louisiana native Bobby Charles was making and recording music akin to the sounds The Band were exploring up north, at the big pink house, in upstate New York. The Band comparisons don’t stop there, as here, Charles is aided by Rick Danko, Garth Hudson and Levon Helm.
Charles also performed with The Band at their, Martin Scorsese filmed farewell concert, The Last Waltz. Charles reportedly laid into a spirited version of “Down South in New Orleans”, joined by the The Band and fellow New Orleanian Dr. John. While not captured on film, the performance of “Down South in New Orleans” was later recorded by Charles, Levon Helm and Rick Danko, appearing on The Last Waltz box set edition.
Elsewhere: Bobby Charles – A Lost Legend (New Orleans Times-Picayune)
MP3: Bobby Charles :: Street People
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What a gem Bobby Charles was… his early recordings are wonderful swamp soul sides. Great songwriter, great voice. He was one musician I always thought it would be a kick to meet and talk with. See you later, alligator!
1 | Jon Parris January 14th, 2010 at 8:03 pmR.I.P. bobby
2 | theMike January 14th, 2010 at 8:20 pm“I’m gonna do a lot things I know is wrong / and I hope that I’m forgiven before I’m gone.” sad news.
3 | ben January 15th, 2010 at 1:01 pm[...] New Orleans native Bobby Charles: 1938 – [...]
4 | Hidden Track » Friday’s Leftovers: Some Cat From Japan January 15th, 2010 at 7:02 pmI only bring this up out of respect for Bobby, but (2010).
5 | Shawn Morones January 15th, 2010 at 7:03 pmShawn, thanks!
6 | Satisfied '75 January 15th, 2010 at 7:31 pmMust be in a good place now.
7 | Brendan January 16th, 2010 at 12:00 amJust checked and his debut record is available on emusic, along with four others.
8 | Jeremy Jones January 16th, 2010 at 8:12 amyup, e-z to find digitally
9 | Satisfied '75 January 16th, 2010 at 4:43 pm[...] of the Week* Aquarium Drunkard: “Bobby Charles :: 1938-2010″ While a lot of people were abuzz with news of the untimely death of Jay Reatard, AD also pointed [...]
10 | In Case You Missed It: Week In Review | Knox Road January 17th, 2010 at 2:06 pm[...] Street People: By Bobby Charles. This ethnic Cajun singer-songwriter from Louisiana died this month at 71. In 1976, he was invited to play with The Band on Martin Scorcese’s rockumentary, The Last Waltz. [...]
11 | A Continental Shift : Download Central January 30th, 2010 at 9:37 am[...] on Bobby Charles: Aquarium Drunkard Offbeat Magazine The [...]
12 | Bobby Charles Remembered (Feb 21, 1938 – Jan 14, 2010) « groovescapes.com May 26th, 2010 at 10:02 am[...] leave it to those better qualified than this johnny-come-lately to offer anything resembling a eulogy. But here’s the [...]
13 | STACKS: Bobby Charles | Naive Harmonies August 24th, 2010 at 4:20 pm