/// “Remember the first time you heard Dylan, or Springsteen, or Costello, or Waits? Charlie Wood delivers that same jolt.”/// – Jazz Times

We’re incredibly proud to welcome Charlie Wood to our publishing family. Charlie has been a part of the evolving Karousel ‘ecosystem’ since the start, playing several shows for us and being a part of the bigger writing family, so it’s a source of immense pride for us to be representing some of his songs officially. While we’re tremendously passionate about emerging artists, it’s the burning core of what we do to celebrate elite songwriters and musicians whatever age, or however many albums in. Charlie has a tremendous amount of respect among musicians, and a strong core fanbase, but we’re determined he should see some of the wider success his unique talent warrants. Sometimes these days, there’s too much emphasis on artists under 30, as if their talent expires on their birthday – we must celebrate artists who have lived, loved, won and lost, and honed their craft. Few have done that so consistently, or to a higher level than Charlie Wood.

Undoubtedly one of the greats of his generation, Charlie has recently been awarded the Beale Street Brass Note (in addition to already having a day named after him in Memphis, and the keys to the city). There are only 128 people in history afforded that honour (unless they just added a couple more!-Ed.) and he has joined the likes of Elvis Presley, Big Star, Jerry Lee Lewis, BB King, Isaac Hayes, Booker T & The MGs and Otis Redding on the roll of fame.

Talk about an education in your field… Charlie played with and learned from the greats: from BB King (he joined his band and toured with him aged just 21) Albert King and Mose Allison; to Dame Cleo Laine, Jacqui Dankworth and Van Morrison to name a few. In recent years played with the likes of Paloma Faith and Harry Shearer among others, but it’s his own songs – his unparalleled lyrics, hurricanic melodies and volcanic piano and organ playing (so good it borders on contempt for the instrument) that have cemented his reputation – We’re on a mission to let the rest of the world know about this great artist, and one of the loveliest, most generous and most insightful human beings you’ll ever meet.

“Like BB King used to say, I play for free. They pay me to travel.”

Current record, New Souvenirs got 4**** in Jazzwise, who said it had “…the growl and moan of Eric Burdon, the otherworldly lilt of Donald Fagen, and the scorched majesty of Kurt Elling.” Radio 2 Magazine followed suit with 4**** as did the Jazz Journal, Peter Quinn exclaiming that “This is an album that taps straight into the core of Wood’s formidable artistry.”

Need some more quotes?

“I fell in love with this man’s voice the moment I heard it. He is the essence of soul and blues. I am so lucky to have sung on the same stage as him.” – Paloma Faith

“Charlie Wood is that rarest of combinations, a singer who’s as soulful as his songwriting is smart. He’s also a wicked piano and B3 player. He does it all, except ironing.” – Harry Shearer

“(Wood’s) writing is exceptional, the often-ruminative songs featuring well-honed, literate lyrics… written with the technical precision and linguistic flair of a classic from the Great American Songbook.” – Trevor Hodgett, R2 Magazine

“…a lean, unblemished voice which has the high, lonesome timbre of a dedicated bluesman.” – New Statesman

“Grade-A natural beauty.” – Mojo Magazine

“Charlie Wood embodies hepcat worldliness and barroom empathy; he’s got style but also the wisdom that gives it heftiness.” – Jazz Review

“Every jazz fan likes to have a best-kept secret but if there’s any musical justice, we should see a lot more of Charlie Wood.” Mark Gilbert, Jazz Journal

If you’d like to use some of Charlie’s music for sync, contact sync@karouselmusic.com; and likewise, get in touch if you’re interested in collaborating. For the right projects Charlie is also available for sessions.