b. January 18th, 1933 in Omaha (Nebraska)
I MADE MY OWN WORLD
Kent
1960 - 1970
Grâce à l'apprentissage du chant à l'église dès l'enfance, Vernon est embauché pour chanter au sein des Swan Silvertones (dont le leader est Claude Jeter) à la fin des années 40. Puis, il chante avec les Mixers. Par la suite, Vernon quitte Omaha pour Los Angeles où il exerce différents métiers (ouvrier, gardien d'usine, conducteur de camion) tout en continuant sa carrière de chanteur. Puis, il intègre les Sliders. En 1960, Vernon fait la rencontre de Jeweline Whittaker alias Jewel qui devient sa femme et sa partenaire sur scène pour chanter avec lui sous le nom de Vernon & Jewel. Le duo propose une poignée de titres très convaincants pour Imperial, Bay Tone, Modern/Kent : "Those lonely lonely nights", "Just to hold my hand", "Sail on", "In my heart" (dans une superbe version live dans ce CD). Malheureusement, Jewel décède soudainement d'un cancer et Vernon est forcé de reprendre sa carrière en leader. Superbe chanteur, il délivre quelques superbes pièces Soul comme "If I could turn back the hands of time", "Shine it on" (produit par Maxwell Davis), "Slow and easy", "Running out" (composé par Nick Ashford & Valerie Simpson, produit par Arthur Wright). Ce CD est consacré pour moitié à Vernon & Jewel et pour l'autre moitié à Vernon seul.
Through learning singing in church from childhood, Vernon was hired to sing in Swan Silvertones (whose leader is Claude Jeter) in the late 1940's. Then, he sings with the Mixers. Subsequently, Vernon leaves Omaha for Los Angeles where he practices various jobs (worker, factory guard, truck driver) while continuing his career as a singer. Then he joins the Sliders. In 1960, Vernon met Jeweline Whittaker aka Jewel who became his wife and partner on stage to sing with him under the name of Vernon & Jewel. The duo offers a handful of compelling titles for Imperial, Bay Tone, Modern/Kent : "Those lonely lonely nights", "Just to hold my hand", "Sail on", "In my heart" (in a superb live version in this CD). Unfortunately, Jewel suddenly dies of cancer and Vernon is forced to resume his career as a leader. Superb singer, he delivers some great Soul pieces like "If I could turn back the hands of time", "Shine it on" (produced by Maxwell Davis), "Slow and easy", "Running out" (composed by Nick Ashford & Valerie Simpson, produced by Arthur Wright). This CD is dedicated for half to Vernon & Jewel and the other half to Vernon alone.
THE STORY OF VERNON GARRETT
Tramp
1967 - 1970
Après sa collaboration avec Modern/Kent (qu'il quitte en 1968), Vernon joue pour différents labels comme Open G (le curieux "Caveman"), Soul Clock ("Just ain't my day" produit par Richard "Dimples" Fields), Glow Hill ("Christmas groove", "Merry Christmas baby"), Kapp ("We people of the ghetto", "You blew my mind" sous la houlette du producteur Bill Mac Cloud). Il travaille aussi pour Venture (une filiale de MGM) où il enregistre quelques morceaux sous la supervision de Mickey Stevenson et Clarence Paul. Mi-compilation mi-anthologie, ce disque reprend une poignée de singles de cette époque ainsi que plusieurs titres issus du LP "Going to my baby's place". La version CD est agrémentée de plusieurs titres bonus. Au final, un opus intéressant qu'on conseille surtout aux fans confirmés de Vernon Garrett.
After collaborating with Modern/Kent (which he left in 1968), Vernon plays for various labels like Open G (the curious "Caveman"), Soul Clock ("Just ain't my day" produced by Richard "Dimples" Fields), Glow Hill ("Christmas groove", "Merry Christmas baby"), Kapp ("We people of the ghetto", "You blew my mind" under the leadership of producer Bill Mac Cloud). He also works for Venture (a subsidiary of MGM) where he records some songs under the supervision of Mickey Stevenson and Clarence Paul. Half-compilation half-anthology, this album comprises a handful of singles of this time as well as several titles coming from the "Going to my baby's place" LP. The CD version is embellished with several bonus titles. In the end, an interesting opus that is recommended especially to confirmed fans of Vernon Garrett.
GOING TO MY BABY'S PLACE
Grenade
P-Vine
Prob. 1970
Contacté par le producteur Bill Mac Cloud (avec lequel il a travaillé chez Kapp), Vernon trouve l'opportunité de sortir un album complet sur la marque Grenade. Enregistré probablement en 1970 mais publié seulement en 1975 par Grenade, ce microsillon reste aujourd'hui fort rare. Parfaite synthèse de Soul, Blues et Funk avec aussi de fortes influences Gospel, il est dominé par le chant profond de Vernon. Sur ce recueil, il est accompagné par deux formations distinctes : Love Ltd (ancien groupe de Sam & Dave) et Total Black Experience. A noter d'ailleurs qu'il chante sur des bandes pré-enregistrées. Un programme très consistant : "Going to my baby's place", "I learned my lesson", "Satisfied woman satisfied man" (en duo avec Margaret Love), "One man's loss", "I made my own world", "Don't do what I do".
Contacted by producer Bill Mac Cloud (with whom he worked at Kapp), Vernon finds the opportunity to release a full album on the Grenade imprint. Probably recorded in 1970 but issued only in 1975 by Grenade, this LP remains very rare today. Perfect mix of Soul, Blues and Funk also with strong Gospel influences, it is dominated by the deep vocals of Vernon. On this collection, he is accompanied by two separate formations : Love Ltd (former group of Sam & Dave) and Total Black Experience. Note also that he sings here on pre-recorded tapes. A very consistent program : "Going to my baby's place", "I learned my lesson", "Satisfied woman satisfied man" (duet with Margaret Love), "One man's loss", "I made my own world", "Don't do what I do".
CROSSROADS
California Gold
1982
Après le succès de "I'm at the crossroads" en 1977 pour le label ICA d'Al Bell, la carrière de Vernon Garrett est relancée. Pour le label California Gold de Joey Jefferson, il propose alors ce court album moitié live dans un club de Los Angeles, moitié studio entre Blues ("Jody can ease the pain") et Soul Sudiste ("Crossroads", "Love junkie, I need a love injection") qui le montre en pleine possession de ses moyens.
After the success of "I'm at the crossroads" in 1977 for Al Bell's ICA label, the career of Vernon Garrett is revived. For Joey Jefferson's California Gold label, he then delivers this short half live album in a Los Angeles club, half studio between Blues ("Jody can ease the pain") and Southern Soul ("Crossroads", "Love junkie, I need a love injection") which shows him in full possession of his means.
SOMEBODY DONE MESSED UP AT THE CROSSROAD
White Enterprise
1984 / 1987
IF YOU CAN'T HELP ME BABY
White Enterprise
1988
Second album (très court : seulement 29 minutes) pour le producteur Jerry White et son label White Enterprise. Un bon cocktail Soul-Blues cuivré avec des titres convaincants comme "Cross fire", "I can't work and watch you too", "Johnnie Walker Red".
Second album (very short : only 29 minutes) for producer Jerry White and his label White Enterprise. A good brassy Soul-Blues cocktail with convincing titles like "Cross fire", "I can't work and watch you too", "Johnnie Walker Red".
CAUGHT IN A CROSSFIRE
Ichiban
1991
Remarqué par John Abbey, Vernon Garrett signe chez Ichiban. Il est placé sous la supervision de Gary "B.B." Coleman (multi-instrumentiste et producteur) et réussit un album très consistant dans un style Soul-Blues parfaitement maitrisé. On peut ressortir "Bottom line", "Driftin' apart", "If you can't help me baby", "Don't make me pay for his mistakes", "Caught in a crossfire".
Spotted by John Abbey, Vernon Garrett signs at Ichiban. He is placed under the supervision of Gary "B.B." Coleman (multi-instrumentalist and producer) and achieves a very consistent album in a perfectly mastered Soul-Blues style. We can point out "Bottom line", "Driftin' apart", "If you can't help me baby", "Don't make me pay for his mistakes", "Caught in a crossfire".
ICHIBAN BLUES AT CHRISTMAS vol.1
Ichiban
1991
TOO HIP TO BE HAPPY
Ichiban
1993
Pour ce second album chez Ichiban, Vernon Garrett travaille avec Buzz Amato, Jimmy O'Neill, Edd Miller et Bryan Cole. Il se montre en parfaite forme vocale et délivre une prestation bien supérieure à "Caught in a crossfire". Ses musiciens - dont une excellente section cuivres arrangée par Dave Ferguson - le soutiennent remarquablement. Les bons moments sont nombreux : "You just call me", "You don't know nothin' about love", "Too hip to be happy", "She's a burglar", "Gonna have to use my head", "Lil' black woman".
For this second album at Ichiban, Vernon Garrett works with Buzz Amato, Jimmy O'Neill, Edd Miller and Bryan Cole. He shows himself in perfect vocal form and delivers a much better performance than in "Caught in a crossfire". His musicians - including an excellent horn section arranged by Dave Ferguson - support him remarkably. The good moments are numerous : "You just call me", "You don't know nothin' about love", "Too hip to be happy", "She's a burglar", "Gonna have to use my head", "Lil' black woman".
HALF PAST THE BLUES
Ichiban
1997
DON'T LOOK ANY FURTHER
Evejim
2000
WHEN SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH MY BABY
Evejim
2002
Second album pour le label Evejim de Leon Haywood. Style Soul-Blues cuivrée parfaitement chantée par Vernon Garrett, parfois en duo avec l'excellente Brenda Lee Eager. D'excellents morceaux inspirés et accrocheurs comme "My trial of love", "When something is wrong with my baby", "I'm not gonna go down", "Don't look any further", "I still love you", "I've got to get over (to my baby's place)". Un disque remarquable probablement un de ses plus aboutis.
Second album for Leon Haywood's Evejim label. Brassy soul-Blues style perfectly sung by Vernon Garrett, sometimes in duet with the excellent Brenda Lee Eager. Inspired and catchy songs like "My trial of love", "When something is wrong with my baby", "I'm not gonna go down", "Don't look any further", "I still love you", "I've got to get over (to my baby's place)". A remarkable record, probably one of his most achieved.
NEW BEGINNINGS
Video Uptown
2005
BLUES IN THE KITCHEN
Video Uptown
2007
I'M TOO FAR GONE
Video Uptown
2009
DON'T FALL IN LOVE WITH ME
Video Uptown
2011