The Singer's Tale

"A great UK talent" John Fordham, The Guardian / "A national treasure" Blues in Britain / "The Edith Piaf of British music" Camden Review / "As a woman and an artist, Carol has experienced much, learned more and conveys what she knows in a manner that genuinely connects." The Vortex

Born in 1944, Carol Grimes began singing for her supper on the streets of London and along the UK south coast in the 1960s. The Singer's Tale is the story of Carol's childhood, her youth, her marriage to artist Larry Smart, her life in London and her career as a jazz, blues and world music singer.Described as a `high-spirited veteran' by the Evening Standard, Carol joined her first groups, Shades of Grey and The Race, from the mid '60s, and went on to sing with the bands Babylon, Delivery and Uncle Dog before releasing her solo albums. Carol also performed alongside Cream, Alexis Korner, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, The Yardbirds, The Graham Bond Organisation, Howlin' Wolf, Buddy Guy and Freddie King. Carol lived in London amongst a `rag popsicle bag of people' during the counter culture years. A so-called community of freaks, immigrants, photographers, artists, writers, musicians, filmmakers, drug dealers, models, fashionistas, groupies and hangers-on. Described by the press as fuelled by LSD, hashish, grass and sex, it was a time of change. Not for women though, and Carol witnessed appalling male behaviour in the music business. She became politicised and in 1976, performed at the first Rock Against Racism gig and went on to support Rock Against Sexism. Carol is still performing and is the Musical Director for the Bloomsbury Sing for Joy Choir and The Wildflowers Choir in Folkestone.