Clarence Carter: Willie and Laura Mae Jones

Clarence Carter is best known for his string of hits in the late ’60s, including “Slip Away” and his biggest hit, “Patches.” I first heard him in the ’80s when his double-entendre tune “Strokin'” received radio play on my town’s small local radio station. I’ve been listening to his most successful album, the 1970 release Patches, and the first track “Willie and Laura Mae Jones” is a fantastic album opener. Originally written and recorded by Tony Joe White in 1969 for the same album that included his classic song “Polk Salad Annie,” it tells a tale of friendship crossing racial lines. Like all great story songs, it weaves a sentimental tale with few words. While White’s version is set firmly in his style of countrified psych-rock, Carter’s version is a soulful tune featuring his trademark baritone story-telling delivery.

To learn more about Clarence Carter, check out his Facebook page.

To listen to all of the songs of the day, check out the Radio Faux Show Song of the Day playlist.

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