Jean Carne - Was That All It Was

Singer Jean Carne's career has had various incarnations, as well as a slight name change similar to Dionne Warwick's (adding an "e" to the end of her last name as Warwick did for a short time). Born Sarah Jean Perkins in Columbus, GA, she was raised in Atlanta. She began singing gospel music in the church choir at age four; she also took piano lessons and learned the clarinet and bassoon. Carne won a music scholarship to Morris Brown College and began her recording career in 1969 with her husband, keyboardist Doug Carn, on the Black Jazz label, where she was one of the last vocalists to work with jazz legend Duke Ellington before his death.
Carne popped up several times during the early-to-mid-'70s, singing with Earth, Wind & Fire on two albums, recording several times with Norman Connors, and reaching the charts via George Duke's hit single "Reach for It." In 1977, Carne was signed to Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff's Philadelphia International Records; her debut album, Jean Carn, was a classy affair that merged the best of '70s soul and jazz with solid songwriting and tight instrumental support (MFSB, Instant Funk). The debut single "Free Love" went to number 23 R&B. Though the follow-up single didn't chart, several of the album's tracks received considerable radio airplay, and some tracks made the disco charts. In June 1978, her second album for the label was released; Happy to Be With You included the hit single "Don't Let It Go to Your Head."

Carn's final Philadelphia International album, 1980's When I Find You Love, was more of a return conceptually (musically and sonically) to Jean Carn. Produced by Dexter Wansel, the album rates as one of Carne's best efforts. The smooth and halting "My Love Don't Come Easy" peaked at number 35 R&B. Released in August 1981, Carne's Sweet and Wonderful featured a remake of the Spinners' "Love Don't Love Nobody," which went to number 35 R&B. Carne moved to Motown Records in 1982, making her label debut with the album Trust Me. The single "If You Don't Know Me By Now," a cover of the Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes hit with backing vocals by the Temptations, went to number 49 R&B.

By 1986, Carne signed to Omni Records; Closer than Close was released in July of that year and the title track that went to number one R&B. Her 1988 album You're a Part of Me included a hit cover of Aretha Franklin's "Ain't No Way." Carne later signed with Place One Entertainment, which reunited her with former Omni Records president Steve Bernstein, with her Love Lessons album being distributed by PPI/Peter Pan. Carne continues to tour with Connors, among others, and makes her home in Atlanta. ~ Ed Hogan, All Music Guide

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[Stratavarious777]

Hey There, We are trying to decide if we should post the new instrumentals on "Was That All It Was" - and who better to ask then all of you. If we see a true interest and desire for this we will post it - but that all depends on your responses. Thanks Johnny Usry

Arranger, Composer, Conductor

Producer: "Was That All It Was"

[6743Peoria]

Old School! Back when R&B singers could SANG!!

[eddiemambo]

Did You Use  Me ?

[sparty524]

Heard this playing in the background watching Precious and had to find this, didn't take long, thanks so much for uploading! :)

[attaalib]

@FamousMikeyG Ron Hardy........Muzik Box..........Chi-Town.....'Nuf­f Said.

(She REALLY sounds like Phyllis Hyman..........hmm

[FamousMikeyG]

Johnny, in addition to the new instrumental versions you're considering posting, it would be REALLY nice of you to include the ORIGINAL 1979 INSTRUMENTAL VERSION of Jean's P.I.R. 12 Inch Remix Version. Maybe add Jean's Instrumental take as a B-Side Track, should you decide to pressing some 12 Inch Singles on vinyl or on CD Single.

[eddiemambo]

Passion Left Behind

[SkidMunro]

Been looking for this one for YEARS. Thank you Jean and Johnny and Dante63 - lost myself on the dance floor many nights to this. Smooth groove. Love it.

[Stratavarious777]

mmace63, Thanks - the new Instrumental tracks for "Was That All It Was" are done and will be released in February.

We're already getting airplay in the UK and on some U.S. stations.

Working on a computer can be quite effective but you need to have a lot of plugins, hardware etc., and the ear to make it sound live. Keep working at it - your love for music will take you right to where you need to be.  Thanks again for you kind comments. Johnny Usry

[mmace63]

@Stratavarious777 - Are you kidding??? The sounds and songs you had a hand in creating at PIR are legendary and are the blueprint for true soul music lovers. I only wish I had pursued this kind of artistic and creative dedication in my youth, instead of trying to rely on computerized tracks & arrangements to do my own songs, as I do now!!! Please, by ALL MEANS, release these instrumentals!! A fan for life... Mal Mace

[mmace63]

@BKDotDavis - The song you're looking for is 'Together Once Again', from Jean's 'Happy To Be With You' lp. It's available on cd. :)

[RichardKoenigsberg]

The greatest disco song ever made: fulfillment of the sexual revolution, and the flight from it.