Carol Grimes

Born in England, vocalist Grimes first rose to attention in 1969 upon becoming a member of Delivery. Initially a blues outfit, the group moved toward more experimental territory over time and issued a single album prior to splitting up, after which she launched a solo career. In 1972 she assembled Uncle Dog, yet the promising venture fell short of its initial promise, prompting her return to independent work. Her commanding vocal style came across strongly on the 1974 solo album Warm Blood, although even with contributions from musicians associated with Area Code 615 and the Average White Band the collection did not fully display her abilities. A tighter subsequent album was cut in Memphis, where the Brecker Brothers, the Memphis Horns, Duck Dunn and Willie Hall all participated.

Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s Grimes collaborated with the short-lived Sweet F.A. and Carol And The Crocodiles while also sustaining a steady workload as a session singer. In 1984 she established the more enduring Eyes Wide Open, which produced several favorably received albums for the Line label. She expanded her activities into music theatre and education, running private vocal workshops and earning an MA in Voice Movement Therapy. In the late 1990s she began an association with the remarkable vocal choir the Shout, a project chiefly serving songwriters Orlando Gough and Richard Chew. Still regarded as an underrated artist, Grimes maintains an active schedule of performing and recording and retains a strong following across the continent.