Carlton Livingston
 Carlton Livingston is one of the many great singers from Jamaica whose undoubted talents are frequently overlooked. Carlton started with a group of singers in the Trench Town suburb of Kingston (this was a group later known as Knowledge). Then turned his vocal skills to deejaying in the early seventies with a sound system alongside well-known micman Lone Ranger before returning to singing again later on in that same decade. His first release was 'The Tale of Two Cities' on Channel One's Hitbound label in 1977. Carlton had several hit tunes for Sly & Robbie, Clive Jarrett's Dynamite imprint and Jah Life among others. Some twenty years back, around the time of his first albums for the Bebo label he also recorded for Studio One, one single from these sessions, "Why", was released in 1981. Following this there was another single and he has worked on and off for Coxsone since that time. There is also a Studio One album completed , but unfortunately, still awaiting release. The following interview was conducted with Carlton on the 2nd of February '03, shortly after he had just finished some recordings for Coxsone and when his Studio One LP was expected to appear at any time. My thanks to Carlton for taking time out to do this (actually calling up!), Johan, Brian Keyo (Tallawah), Robert Schoenfeld, Tim P and Mike Turner for support and assistance.
CARLTON LIVINGSTON Carlton Livingston, the fourth of six children, was born in the parish of St. Mary, Jamaica. At an early age, Carlton began singing in church; this is where he discovered his musical gift. Carlton,s mother Beryl and his older sisters were all very active in their church choir and play a part in influencing and giving Carlton a base to start his musical journey. Carlton moved to Kingston along with his family. In 1970 Carlton moved to Franklyn Town where HE attended Vauxhall Secondary School. And started a sound system with his friends-the most famous being Lone Ranger. Tony Walcott heard the talent in Carlton and Ranger, and took them along with new comers Welton Irie and Puddy Roots to refine their skills. Carlton impressed Tony so much that around 1978 he took him to Channel One Records to record :( Tale of Two Cities). After that he went to Studio One, This led to such hits as (Why)(here I Stand)and(Predictions). Carlton also attended Trench Town Comprehensive. |
