Reggae · August 22, 2007
Check Surforeggae's interview with the great Carl McDonald, an artist from reggae's golden era!
Putting on a show of patois (the language used by Jamaicans, derived from English and often difficult to understand), Carl McDonald, an arti
Putting on a show of patois (the language used by Jamaicans, derived from English and often difficult to understand), Carl McDonald, an artist from the golden days of Reggae, granted Surforeggae an exclusive interview, where he spoke about his life, his career and his coming to Brazil, which is expected to happen still in 2007. In a very relaxed and cheerful tone, Carl showed why he is highly respected by musicians and producers in the scene, including by the Marley Family, which recently invited him to perform Bob's songs at Cedella Marley's birthday (mother of the king of reggae). The artist will also be releasing in the country the CD “The Reggae Warrior”, which should come out in the coming months.
Rafael: Carl, first of all it is a pleasure to have the opportunity to talk with you. On behalf of Surforeggae I thank you for the promptness with which you are granting us this interview. But now, tell us a little about your beginning in music so that everyone who does not yet know you can understand who you are and what you represent for Reggae.
Carl: Well… first of all my mother told me that I came out of her belly singing, instead of crying like most babies (big laugh). I was born in Kingston, capital of Jamaica, and represented the schools where I studied in several singing competitions, besides already taking part in the choir of the Church I attended early on. In adolescence I went to London to live with my parents and soon entered the London School of Fine Arts, Music and Drama, where I learned to play trumpet and studied performing arts. I was also part of the Linton School of Voice and Composition in the same city. That is more or less how I started.
Rafael: What was it like recording the historic album “African Countries” at Coxsone Dodd's legendary Studio One ?
Carl: For me it was a fantastic experience, because Studio One was like the Motown of Reggae, where many greats such as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, among many others, learned. At the same time, the album “African Countries” was, for the first time in history, something that was not produced by Coxsone Dodd in his studio, nor was it something sung over his riddims, but rather something that was sketched, created, written, arranged and sung by me.
I have the utmost respect and admiration for Dodd, because through his productions, many, many artists became known throughout the world, though it is a shame that several do not recognize this.
Rafael: When did you move to the United States ? Please tell us about the differences you noticed between the USA and Jamaica with regard to Reggae.
Carl: As you know, I was born in Jamaica, so I will always be Jamaican, and even though I have spent a large part of my life outside my country, my roots remain there. The difference for me is more in the movement, because what is in my heart will never change. In terms of creating and writing music, for me it made no difference, because for me that is an expression that comes from my heart and my soul regardless of the place.
Reggae is world music, so it can never remain only in Jamaica. It has to expand around the world, because it is the music of JAH. So there are no barriers, because JAH never built any wall or fence so that Reggae would remain trapped in its homeland. Therefore, that is the reason why people all over the world love Reggae, because it deals with peace and love for all humanity. Even people who are always at war end up lowering their weapons just by listening to Reggae and understanding its message. So if world leaders listened to Reggae, they would not be promoting war and people would be living in peace, love and harmony. But as you know, they do not want that, because what interests them is only money, so they continue with this policy full of little games, deceiving people all the time.
Rafael: Through which countries have you traveled taking your music ? Where did you have the largest audience in your career ?
Carl: I have traveled through many countries in this world, Rafa, and I keep traveling in the rush of day-to-day life. There are many to mention; the list is very long. And my mission is to go everywhere in the world to do the works of JAH. The largest audience I ever had was at the Dolphins stadium in Miami, where there were thousands of people. And also at the Sunfest Festival in the USA, where I shared the stage with great artists from other rhythms such as Santana, Greenday, Nickelback and Earth Wind & Fire.
Rafael: You will be coming to Brazil soon and your CD called “The Reggae Warrior” will be coming out. What do you expect from the Brazilian people ?
Carl: I expect spiritual consciousness, that people are connected in peace, love and unity, so that I can bring the purest and most natural vibration possible. We want all of us to travel together as if we were a wave seeking purity of spirit.
Rafael: Could you tell us a little about other artists and songs with whom you have worked and have been working in your career ?
Carl: As with the countries I have been through, it is a very long list. I have worked with many experienced musicians, for whose respective work I have all love and respect.
One important thing is that I never used the colony politics that prevails in many Reggae groups, where musicians do not receive credits for what they do and are only paid a pittance. I give credit to everyone who worked on my projects. As the Bible says, give to Caesar what is Caesar's.
Rafael: Tell us about the importance of releasing your albums for you.
Carl: The importance of each release is the certainty of always growing intellectually, so that people can appreciate what you are doing and learn something positive that came from your creativity.
Rafael: What are your plans for the future ? Tell us about your projects.
Carl: I do not think about what is to come in the future, because I believe JAH has already traced my destiny. I just always give thanks and live each day as if it were the last. That is my life.
Rafael: How do you define your style of Reggae ?
Carl: My style is something that takes you on a journey through your physical realm.
Rafael: Why did you choose to sing Reggae and not another musical style ?
Carl: I make several types of music; I am not partial. But Reggae is something that is in my roots.
Rafael: Do you prefer to sing songs that speak of love or songs of protest and political challenge ?
Carl: I sing every kind of music, depending on the time and the state of spirit. There is a right moment for each kind of song.
Rafael: Do you have any reggae singer who inspired or influenced you ?
Carl: I love many artists and musicians from different parts of the planet. But my inspiration comes from JAH the almighty. JAH, himself! Rasfa-Far-I lives always! SELAH!
Rafael: Carl, thank you very much for the interview. I hope you enjoyed our conversation. Please send a message to Surforeggae visitors and to the people who will see you soon in Brazil.
Carl: Maximum respect to Brazil and Brazilians. I love Brazil and I very much want to be in this wonderful country soon. RESPECT ALWAYS!
Click here and learn more about Carl McDonald.
Click here and watch Carl McDonald's live performance!.
THE INTERVIEW
Rafael: Carl, first of all it is a pleasure to have the opportunity to talk with you. On behalf of Surforeggae I thank you for the promptness with which you are granting us this interview. But now, tell us a little about your beginning in music so that everyone who does not yet know you can understand who you are and what you represent for Reggae.
Carl: Well… first of all my mother told me that I came out of her belly singing, instead of crying like most babies (big laugh). I was born in Kingston, capital of Jamaica, and represented the schools where I studied in several singing competitions, besides already taking part in the choir of the Church I attended early on. In adolescence I went to London to live with my parents and soon entered the London School of Fine Arts, Music and Drama, where I learned to play trumpet and studied performing arts. I was also part of the Linton School of Voice and Composition in the same city. That is more or less how I started.
Rafael: What was it like recording the historic album “African Countries” at Coxsone Dodd's legendary Studio One ?
Carl: For me it was a fantastic experience, because Studio One was like the Motown of Reggae, where many greats such as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, among many others, learned. At the same time, the album “African Countries” was, for the first time in history, something that was not produced by Coxsone Dodd in his studio, nor was it something sung over his riddims, but rather something that was sketched, created, written, arranged and sung by me.
I have the utmost respect and admiration for Dodd, because through his productions, many, many artists became known throughout the world, though it is a shame that several do not recognize this.
Rafael: When did you move to the United States ? Please tell us about the differences you noticed between the USA and Jamaica with regard to Reggae.
Carl: As you know, I was born in Jamaica, so I will always be Jamaican, and even though I have spent a large part of my life outside my country, my roots remain there. The difference for me is more in the movement, because what is in my heart will never change. In terms of creating and writing music, for me it made no difference, because for me that is an expression that comes from my heart and my soul regardless of the place.
Reggae is world music, so it can never remain only in Jamaica. It has to expand around the world, because it is the music of JAH. So there are no barriers, because JAH never built any wall or fence so that Reggae would remain trapped in its homeland. Therefore, that is the reason why people all over the world love Reggae, because it deals with peace and love for all humanity. Even people who are always at war end up lowering their weapons just by listening to Reggae and understanding its message. So if world leaders listened to Reggae, they would not be promoting war and people would be living in peace, love and harmony. But as you know, they do not want that, because what interests them is only money, so they continue with this policy full of little games, deceiving people all the time.
Rafael: Through which countries have you traveled taking your music ? Where did you have the largest audience in your career ?
Carl: I have traveled through many countries in this world, Rafa, and I keep traveling in the rush of day-to-day life. There are many to mention; the list is very long. And my mission is to go everywhere in the world to do the works of JAH. The largest audience I ever had was at the Dolphins stadium in Miami, where there were thousands of people. And also at the Sunfest Festival in the USA, where I shared the stage with great artists from other rhythms such as Santana, Greenday, Nickelback and Earth Wind & Fire.
Rafael: You will be coming to Brazil soon and your CD called “The Reggae Warrior” will be coming out. What do you expect from the Brazilian people ?
Carl: I expect spiritual consciousness, that people are connected in peace, love and unity, so that I can bring the purest and most natural vibration possible. We want all of us to travel together as if we were a wave seeking purity of spirit.
Rafael: Could you tell us a little about other artists and songs with whom you have worked and have been working in your career ?
Carl: As with the countries I have been through, it is a very long list. I have worked with many experienced musicians, for whose respective work I have all love and respect.
One important thing is that I never used the colony politics that prevails in many Reggae groups, where musicians do not receive credits for what they do and are only paid a pittance. I give credit to everyone who worked on my projects. As the Bible says, give to Caesar what is Caesar's.
Rafael: Tell us about the importance of releasing your albums for you.
Carl: The importance of each release is the certainty of always growing intellectually, so that people can appreciate what you are doing and learn something positive that came from your creativity.
Rafael: What are your plans for the future ? Tell us about your projects.
Carl: I do not think about what is to come in the future, because I believe JAH has already traced my destiny. I just always give thanks and live each day as if it were the last. That is my life.
Rafael: How do you define your style of Reggae ?
Carl: My style is something that takes you on a journey through your physical realm.
Rafael: Why did you choose to sing Reggae and not another musical style ?
Carl: I make several types of music; I am not partial. But Reggae is something that is in my roots.
Rafael: Do you prefer to sing songs that speak of love or songs of protest and political challenge ?
Carl: I sing every kind of music, depending on the time and the state of spirit. There is a right moment for each kind of song.
Rafael: Do you have any reggae singer who inspired or influenced you ?
Carl: I love many artists and musicians from different parts of the planet. But my inspiration comes from JAH the almighty. JAH, himself! Rasfa-Far-I lives always! SELAH!
Rafael: Carl, thank you very much for the interview. I hope you enjoyed our conversation. Please send a message to Surforeggae visitors and to the people who will see you soon in Brazil.
Carl: Maximum respect to Brazil and Brazilians. I love Brazil and I very much want to be in this wonderful country soon. RESPECT ALWAYS!
MORE INFORMATION
Click here and learn more about Carl McDonald.
MULTIMEDIA
Click here and watch Carl McDonald's live performance!.Category
#Reggae