B I O G R A P H Y, page three
— by Don Garlock Jr.
The early to mid 70s would prove to be among the most exhilarating and grueling years of Carl's life.
Endless tour dates and press conferences tried to satisfy the furor that
arose over JCS. As powerful as JCS was and is, Carl was frequently described
by critics as "stealing the show" with his unbounded energy and riveting
delivery. For his portrayal of Judas, Carl won — and continued to win — accolades, awards and standing ovations
world wide. The role he made a household word garnered him Golden
Globe nominations in two categories, Photoplay Magazine's Gold Medal and
NAACP's Award for Theater. In a remarkably short time, Carl went from virtual obscurity to being one
of the most recognized faces on the planet, able no longer to enter public
places without being accosted by a throng of JCS fans wanting to get the
autograph of "Judas."
But that wasn't all going on during the 70s: Carl also made numerous
appearances at several notable L.A. clubs and, with Columbia Records' talent scout Larkin Arnold, signed a record deal for which
Carl would release four albums on the Epic label.
As a solo artist, Carl recorded hits including "How Deep Does It Go," "Pieces of a Heart," "Hot Coffee," and the mega-hit from his eponymous 1986 album, "Friends and Lovers," (a duet with Gloria Loring) which reached the number-two spot on the charts that year and endeared Carl to soap opera fans.
After recording "An Act of Love" on the Polydor label in 1988, Carl released three albums on the GRP label in the 90s. (See Discography.)
Carl Anderson's session work as a guest vocalist is also legendary, and includes work such as "Can It Be Done?" (the only vocal contribution ever made on a Weather Report project). Jazz legend Nancy Wilson put Carl's unmistakable voice to work on her "Forbidden Lover" CD and live in concert as her favorite duet partner (witness the concert video, Nancy Wilson — Live at Carnegie Hall), and the list of people Carl has worked with goes on and on as a veritable who's who of contemporary pop and jazz.
The Consummate Performer Matures
The Carl Anderson of recent memory was the personification of grace, wisdom
and experience. He was no longer merely "Judas." He no longer tried to
sing like Nancy Wilson, or anyone else for that matter. Carl Anderson
was comfortable with himself. There, on the stage, was the trademark commanding
persona... unassuming confidence, if you will. Carl neither forgot where
he came from, nor did he wish to. He was proud of it. Through all of the
extremes of his performing career, which had indeed been a rollercoaster
ride, a stronger, more polished Carl Anderson had emerged. He didn't have
to prove anything to anyone but himself. And prove himself he did, with
a graciousness absent in so many of his profession. One thing even the
most skeptical reviewer walked away from a Carl Anderson performance with
is that he loved life and loved people. It was contagious. From toddlers
to silver-haired members of his audience, they were all wearing broad
smiles early into any show.
This writer left Carl's performances both exhilarated and exhausted, awed and yet feeling like an old friend. The memory of his show is burned indelibly on the mind and runs on instant replay... something easily retrieved and frequently relished.
