Carl Carlton’s road to “Lights Out in Wonderland” was a long, rocky, adventurous journey filled with highlights, glorious achievements, countless encounters and certainly many a detour and circumstances of hardship.

Long-standing and inspiring friendships with two of the greatest figures in history of rock, inspired Carl to create this album – Levon Helm, singer and drummer of the legendary The Band and Robert Palmer, who until his death in 2003 collaborated very closely with Carlton.
Both of them inspired Carl to aim his talent and amazing energy not only towards playing guitar side by side with international stars such as Willy De Ville, Paul Young, Nina Hagen, Eric Burdon, Joe Cocker, Jimmy Barnes, Garland Jeffreys among others, but also to realize his own musical vision. As a consequence and encouraged by his brotherly friend Robert Palmer, Carl created his own band: Carl Carlton and the SongDogs. Together they played music influenced by his passion for the British blues innovation of the 60s, bands such as the Rolling Stones, Kinks, Small Faces and of course U.S. legends such as The Meters, Little Feat and The Band.
The founding members of the band along with Carl were Wyzard and Moses Mo (Mother’s Finest), as well as idols such as Ian McLagan (Small Faces), Bobby Keys (Rolling Stones), Sonny Landreth, Steve Howard (The Wings), Jon Smith (Edgar Winter) and of course Levon Helm. Together with the Songdogs, Carl acquired a reputation of a very exciting, charming and passionate life performer.
It was in Levon Helm’s studio, an old barn in the mythical Woodstock, NY, that Carlton also produced „Toast To Freedom“, a song he co-wrote with Larry Campbell (Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris) for the 50th anniversary of Amnesty International. Side by side Bono Vox and Bob Geldof among others, Carlton was and is actively engaged in the human rights organization performing the role of its Musical Director. For the production of ‘Toast to Freedom” Carlton invited over 50 well-known musicians from around the world, including Levon Helm and his The Band mate Garth Hudson, Kris Kristofferson, Carly Simon, Angelique Kidjo, Ewan McGregor, Donald Fagen, Marianne Faithfull, Warren Haynes, Keb Mo, Eric Burdon, Taj Mahal, Florent Pagny, Jane Birkin, Jimmy Barnes, Rosanne Cash, Shawn Mullins, The Blind Boys Of Alabama and many others. A few days before Amnesty International released the song in early May of 2012, Levon Helm passed away from cancer. The death of this longtime companion, mentor and close friend left Carlton in the middle of an existential personal and creative crisis. Wondering how to keep on keeping on contributing to a digital world of unsubstantially music mass productions, he lost his way for a …“lunch – time”.
As a sensitive and creative soul, a human rights activist, Carlton is and was of course always engaged in the woes and joys of a world tending to go wrong.

Carl: “There is a quote in a Woody Guthrie song, “Lights Out in Wonderland”. Hearing it for the first time it stuck in my head ringing like tinnitus. The human stain, delirious obsession for money – followed by relentless pursuit of total power, religious madness, corruption hand in hand with staged wars, controlled by “Wonderland”, joint leverage of the so called civilized world! What happened to the righteous values, human rights, love and respect? But hold on, there are still faint glimmers of humanity in this barbaric slaughterhouse. All the modest, humble, honest and insignificant mavericks, sly outsiders, romantic philosophers, rascals and rebels with a human cause who live in these songs reflect my unyielding faith.
Can you hear the most powerful dreadful sound ever- it hurts doesn’t it? That is the terrible silence of the masses. So here comes an unconditional calling for civil obedience before the lights go out forever not just in Wonderland. A modest warning, that is. – I wish I could be louder!”

Fortunately however, Carlton is not so easily intimidated. His curious and questioning soul learned to channel this unstoppable energy towards creativity and self-discovery. Besides his rock and blues soul, it turns out Carlton also has a lyrical heart. Even though it took him longer to realize and accept his own lyrical talent, his friends Robert, Levon and Van Dyke Parks continuously encouraged his song writing, giving him fair feedback, advise and praise. Thus, his confidence grew, bringing his own lyrics, along with the music, to form the basis for a new, deep, melodic album.

Along his own tunes and lyrics, Carl lined up a number of other songs which marked him since his youth and which fit perfectly in the ensemble. A great example is Warren Zevon’s ‘Mutineer”, which according to Carlton, never got the recognition it deserved. Ultimately, this album is dedicated to all those places, people, experiences and events, which have inspired and influenced Carlton. It is a journey through- and a reflection of Carl’s own past and present.

“Lights Out in Wonderland” takes its title from DBC Pierre’s novel with the same name, as well as from one line from a song from Woody Guthrie. The music on the album draws from moments that go back to Carl’s earliest youth, when he regularly accompanied his father to the cattle market, taking the chance to play a game of cards at the local pub. It is there, in the lowlands of East Friesland, where he first saw a jukebox and heard hit singles by Ray Charles, Lee Dorsey and Big Mama Thornton. Further elements followed to what will later be known as Carl’s ‘Road to Freedom”: the encounter with Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, and the black and white TV in his parent’s house would open his eyes over the vastness of the Mississippi. Carl was “infested” with enthusiasm for a land and its music: Louisiana, New Orleans and the sound of the American South, this melting pot in which Delta blues, country, Cajun and Soul meet through its African roots. No wonder that Carlton’s first SongDogs albums were all recorded at Dockside Studios in Maurice, a small delta town close to Lafayette, Louisiana.

Speaking of roots – Carl Carlton is a true Roots-Man and an obsessive music connoisseur. He became enthusiastic about the Appalachian Mountains wild folk when he was still playing with his first band: The Emsland Hillbillies, who would perform covers by Bill Monroe, Waylon Jennings, Jerry Jeff Walker and Johnny Cash. Further, in the role of the leading guitarist of the Dutch Enfant Terrible Herman Brood and with the successful band Vitesse, Carlton saw the raw, dirty rock and roll. It got even rougher after Carlton moved to New York and played in Willy de Ville’s band, getting influenced by N.Y.’s New Wave and Tex Mex elements.

The connection to the blues of the American South constantly accompanied him and eventually led him to his African roots, with gratitude to his “lecturer” Robert Palmer, whom he dubs a „music professor“. All of these elements, together with his untamed curiosity and firing passion led to the creation of “Lights Out in Wonderland”, leaving their mark on the album whether in the choice of the very special cover versions or in Carl’s own creations. „Rock’n’Roll Gypsies“ for instance, comes from the unjustly forgotten singer-songwriter Roger Tillison, which Carl Carlton discovered on the solo album of the revered Taj Mahal guitarist Jesse „Ed“ Davies; „Sailin ‚Shoes“ formerly recorded by Little Feat and is part of the repertoire of his friend Van Dyke Parks; or ” Mutineer“ – which is the title track of his favorite album by Warren Zevon. Carl’s own compositions retell his story through songs such as „Lucky Bet“ (composed jointly with Robert Palmer), “Sailin ‚Shoes“ – where the African elements are most present or “Invincible,“ a song written by his son Max Buskohl, about the juvenile rebelliousness of Kerouac’s „On The Road“ and which recalls a little the British folk-rock pioneers Stealers Wheel.

“Little Men in the Radio” is essentially a tale from his childhood, when his grandmother and father would tell him “…there sits a little man in the radio, or if you lie, your tongue will turn black, or all clergy and politicians go to heaven after they die. The song is more all less about this bullshit I was indoctrinated throughout my life. If you grow up deep in the countryside like me, you are somehow almost bound to believe all that they tell you. In the end however, we learn the truth by our own experiences, curiosity and watchful vigilant disobedience. You have to learn to let go of this prejudices and dangerous pseudo sciences in order to be open to unselfish love and sincere friendships.”

The album reflects this experience. Each song – be it written by him or not – has its own characters to tell a story. And they certainly don’t surrender but instead rebel against the imposed so called “rules of life”. The title “Lights Out in Wonderland” might suggest a pessimist vibe, however it is as far from this as possible. It is more about getting up and not giving up. It involves the critical civil disobedience without which no democracy or coexistence is possible. The whole album is like a mosaic of interesting characters that fight for their dreams and existences.

Some of the songs were recorded in Levon Helm’s studio, however the biggest part of the recording was done at Temple Studios, on Malta’s smaller island sister Gozo, which is Carl’s new adopted home besides Woodstock NY.

Side by side with Carl, an eclectic group of musicians with different backgrounds collaborated together to create the album: percussionist and drummer Wayne P. Sheehy (Damien Dempsey, Ronnie Wood, Peter Gabriel), Pascal Kravetz (Udo Lindenberg, Robert Palmer, Bruce Springsteen, Jimmy Barnes) and Yoyo Roehm (Gunter Hampel Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Jackie Liebezeit).

The recording was led by the illustrious producer David Vella. Other renown and talented artists contributed to the album: Larry Campbell, Levon Helm (✝), Zachary Alford, Klaus Voormann and Karen Coleman among others.

CD

1 Moonlight In New York
2 Little Men In The Radio
3 Strawberry Letter #23
4 Strangers
5 Invincible
6 Cool My Heat
7 Sailin' Shoes
8 Mutineer
9 White Light
10 Lucky Bet
11 Annie
12 Rock And Roll Gypsies
13 Variations Of Jaqueline Kennedy's Pillbox Hat

Bonus DVD

1 Moonlight In New York
2 Little Men In The Radio
3 Strawberry Letter #23
4 Invincible

24.11.14 Eisenach, Jazz Keller

25.11.14 Köln, Gloria
2
27.11.14 Aschaffenburg, Colos-Saal 

28.11.14 Winterbach, Lehenbachhalle 

29.11.14 Burglengenfeld, VAZ 

01.12.14 Nürnberg, Hirsch

02.12.14 Berlin, Wintergarten

03.12.14 Hamburg, Markthalle 

05.12.14 München, Freiheiz 

06.12.14 Hanau, Comoedienhaus 

09.12.14 Mannheim, Capitol 

12.12.14 Osnabrück, Rosenhof

The highly acclaimed live double CD by Carl Carlton is now available: a follow-up to the acclaimed concert tour with songs and stories from the life of the exceptional guitarist himself. Please get in and get ready for this musical road movie…

1 Woodstock (Live) 10:56
2 The Weight (Live) 5:41
3 Cissy Strut (Live) 2:31
4 Don't Do It (Live) 4:48
5 Atlantic City (Live) 5:59
6 Little Red Rooster (Live) 9:18
7 Further up on the Road (Live) 4:29
8 The Times They Are A-Changin' (Live) 4:43
9 Annie (Live) 3:16
10 Moonlight in New York (Live) 5:10
11 Little Men in the Radio (Live) 5:12
12 Strawberry Letter No. 23 (Live) 7:05
13 Mutineer (Live) 5:01
14 Sailin' Shoes (Live) 6:32
15 Invincible (Live) 6:04
16 Toast to Freedom (Live) 7:22
17 Good to Be Alive (Live) 5:16

28.11.17 Leverkusen – Scala
29.11.17 Berlin – Kesselhaus
30.11.17 Worpswede – Music Hall
01.12.17 Flensburg – Roxy
02.12.17 Aurich – Stadthalle
04.12.17 Frankfurt – Das Bett
05.12.17 Augsburg – Spectrum
06.12.17 Schwerte – Rohrmeisterei
07.12.17 Buchholz – Empore
08.12.17 Aachen – Franz
09.12.17 Brilon – Kolpinghaus

Carl Carlton is an exceptional artist of international standing. As a guitarist, songwriter and producer, he has worked with Robert Palmer, Eric Burdon, Joe Cocker and Paul Young, to name just a few from a long list. For decades he has also accompanied the most successful German rock musicians Peter Maffay, Udo Lindenberg and Marius Müller-Westernhagen. He is known to many music lovers primarily through his band Carl Carlton & The Songdogs.

A retrospective of this distinguished artist and his brilliant band will appear on September 13th, 2019. Under the title "Lifelong Guarantee - The Best Of Carl Carlton & The Songdogs" (Staages Music / Distribution: Cargo), a vinyl box set, an extensive double CD, a collector's vinyl single and a complete digital package will be released.

The numbered box set is limited to 500 pieces and contains a total of four vinyl LPs in 180 gram format with 35 songs and individually designed LP covers. The extensive booklet, with unpublished photos, offers various forewords from Carl Carlton's personal and previously unpublished insights into the creation of all the songs, which were also completely re-mastered by Fred Kevorkian in New York. The double CD, which will also be released separately, as well as the 7 ″ vinyl single also released individually with the Amnesty International anniversary song "Toast To Freedom" and a cover of the Buffalo Springfield hit "For What It's Worth" on the B-side will also be included in this set. A hand-signed photo of all five current Songdogs members, a new laminated tour pass, two guitar picks and a key ring from the famous New York "Chelsea Hotel" with the number of the room in which Carl Carlton wrote some of his most important songs, complete the box. Not to forget the download card for the entire digital song package.

With his records and concerts, Carl Carlton caused a sensation again and again, whether as a soloist or with his roots rock formation Carl Carlton & The Songdogs. Their changing line-up included great musicians such as Eric Burdon, Robert Palmer, drummer Levon Helm and organist Garth Hudson from The Band, Steely Dans Donald Fagen, Rolling Stones saxophonist Bobby Keys, slide guitar innovator Sonny Landreth, Moses Mo and Wyzard by Mother's Finest, Faces / Stones keyboardist Ian McLagan, the 5th Beatle Klaus Voormann, blues genius Keb 'Mo', soul man Xavier Naidoo or the multi-instrumentalist Larry Campbell. The band released four critically acclaimed albums.

In addition to Mother's Finest musicians Moses Mo (guitar) and Wyzard (bass), the current band also includes drummer Bertram Engel and keyboardist Pascal Kravetz. In autumn 2019, Carl Carlton & The Songdogs will go on tour with this original core line-up - 20 years after their founding and ten years after their last tour. "Reunion On Revolution Avenue" is the motto of the 23 concerts in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. Because, as Carl Carlton himself says: “What good would all this be if we didn't bring our music on stage and celebrate it with our audience? The audience is just as important as the band and the songs ”.

1-1 God's Gift To Man 5:20
1-2 Coming Home 6:44
1-3 Flowers On The Wall 5:20
1-4 Lifelong Guarantee 5:00
1-5 Let It Rain 5:11
1-6 Florence 4:55
1-7 Revolution Avenue 5:47
1-8 One-Eyed Dog 4:37
1-9 Days Of Magic 4:41
1-10 Love, Understanding & Respect 5:54
1-11 My Oh My 7:22
1-12 The Downfall 5:35
1-13 He Gave The Names 4:05
1-14 Kingston (Reefer & Rum) 5:51

2-1 Spoke On The Wheel 4:18
2-2 Keep On Swingin' 4:40
2-3 King Of Nothing 5:28
2-4 Heartworn Freeload 4:01
2-5 Star-Crossed 6:04
2-6 High In A Sweet Release 3:55
2-7 Mother Hardship 5:46
2-8 Bring It On Home 4:12
2-9 White Light 4:16
2-10 For What It's Worth 4:10
2-11 20 Million Things 3:19
2-12 Deep Colours Bleed 4:54
2-13 Mama Talk To Your Daughter 2:55
2-14 TV Dinners 3:36
2-15 King Of The USA 4:28
2-16 Pink Gin 4:47
2-17 Toast To Freedom 6:15

After the Reunion Tour 2019, which was highly acclaimed by both critics and audiences, Carl Carlton & The Songdogs are motivated and excited to continue their musical triumph now in 2021. The tour motto "HIGH IN A SWEET RELEASE" signals this newfound enthusiasm of the five exceptional musicians.

With their four albums reaching legendary status over the years, it was no surprise that fans and audiences alike wanted the Songdogs back on stage.

THE BEGINNING: Good advice is not always expensive. Robert Palmer, Carl’s good friend and musical teacher, gave the impetus in 1999. "Why not have your own band?" He confronted him during one of their many joint productions. “That's long overdue, Carl…!” And Robert Palmer (2003), who passed away much too early, was right, who through grandiose albums such as “Sneakin 'Sally Thru The Alley” and blockbuster hits such as “Simply Irresistible” and “Addicted To Love” achieved world fame.

Carl took Robert's advice and founded the Songdogs with a Champions League line-up that included numerous temporary supporters in addition to the core troop: Robert Palmer, Levon Helm and Garth Hudson (both The Band), Bobby Keys, Sonny Landreth (a master at the slide guitar), Ian "Mac" McLagan (Small Faces, Rolling Stones etc.), Ronnie Wood (yes, that one ...), Jon Smith, Steve Howard, Eric Burdon, Klaus Voormann and many more handpicked colleagues. The core of the Songdogs consisted of Moses Mo (guitars) and Wyzard (bass) from the funk rock pioneers Mother's Finest from Atlanta, Pascal Kravetz on the keys (Lindenberg, Maffay, Robert Palmer and others) and “the one and only” Bertram Engel on drums. Later (in chronological order) Wayne P. Sheehy (Ronnie Wood Band), Zachary Alford (David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen and others) and Dion Murdock (Mother’s Finest) were on the drums.

The founding of the Songdogs was a stroke of luck for all rock 'n' roll lovers. Carl Carlton, who as a guitarist, songwriter and performer (Robert Palmer, Eric Burdon, Peter Maffay, Udo Lindenberg, Wolfgang Niedecken and many others ) only knows one working mode: "Let's get it on!"

With the Songdogs, Carl created the perfect platform for himself to implement his "No-Bullshit, -Keep On Swinging" approach with all his top-class musician friends and to present his songs, which are deeply rooted in rock, blues and R’n’B.

The brilliant debut album from 2001 entitled “Revolution Avenue”, recorded in the swamps of Louisiana, impressively reflects the musical soul of the Songdogs. In the following years three more great Songdog Longplayer / CDs were released: “Love & Respect” (2003), which was celebrated by critics and audience alike - “even more international, even more colorful” - the live double CD “CaHoots & Roots” ( 2004) and "Songs for the Lost and Brave" (2008), for the production of which Carl & Co. met in Levon Helm's famous studio "The Barn" in Woodstock / NY. However, as history proves, so-called “supergroups” (... Carl hates the term) are fragile and sensitive structures at the same time. After almost ten successful, extremely creative years, they parted in friendship until further notice in order to be able to devote themselves to individual musical paths.

Now, 21 years after the tones of the first song "God's Gift To Man" resounded from the speakers at Dockside Studios in Maurice, Louisiana, Carl Carlton & The Songdogs are in top form after their inspiring "Reunion Tour" in the original line-up and in top form last year also fully back in 2021!

Save the dates and freely according to Carl's motto: "Keep Swinging!"

Carl Carlton And The Songdogs "HIGH IN A SWEET RELEASE" Tour 2021.

16/11/21 DasDie Brettl, Erfurt
17/11/21 Musiktheater Piano, Dortmund
18/11/21 Kulturkirche, Neuruppin
19/11/21 Live Music Center, Emden
20/11/21 Kulturetage, Oldenburg
21/11/21 JUKS Schenefeld, Hamburg
24/11/21 Musiktheater REX, Bensheim
25/11/21 Eventwerkstatt, Wetzlar
26/11/21 Bluesgarage, Hannover
27/11/21 Kolpinghaus, Brilon
28/11/21 Lokschuppen, Bebra
29/11/21 Wintergarten, Berlin
30/11/21 Scala, Leverkusen