Carmel -

Carmel was an English jazz-pop/soul combo from Manchester led by the namesake vocalist Carmel McCourt. They debuted with a 1982 self-titled EP on Red Flame, followed by four albums between 1984 and 1989 on London Records.

Members: Carmel McCourt (vocals), Jim Parris (bass), Gerry Darby (drums)

Background

Carmel formed in Manchester in 1981 when singer Carmel McCourt teamed with double bassist Jim Parris. Drummer-percussionist Gerry Darby, a cousin of Parris, completed the trio.

McCourt was born Nov. 24, 1958, in Wrawby near Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, to an English mother and Irish father. She grew up with four sisters in an Irish Catholic household and sang in church choir. McCourt left home at seventeen for Manchester School of Art, where she studied painting. She co-fronted Manchester new-wave quintet the Thunderboys with Danny Daniels. The band recorded a Piccadilly Radio session in 1979 and issued “Fashion” (b/w “Someone Like You”) through Recent Records.

Parris was born Jan. 13, 1957, in East Finchley, London, to an English mother and Guyanese father. He studied psychology at Manchester Polytechnic and founded Bee Vamp. The group invited guest musicians into live improvisations, with McCourt as a singer and Darby on percussion.

Darby was born Oct. 13, 1959, in East Finchley and taught himself drums from records. Jowe Head also enlisted McCourt for Soundtracks and Head’s “Rain Rain Rain” in 1981. Rough Trade issued the recording as a 12-inch single the following year.

Carmel entered Cargo Studios in Rochdale on Jan. 7, 1982, for “Storm” and “I Can’t Stand the Rain.” Jim Parris and soprano saxophonist Paul Ablett produced the session. Red Flame issued “Storm” as the trio’s debut single and released the six-track Carmel mini-album in 1982. Carmel played ICA Rock Week in 1983 and secured a contract with London Records. The trio sold out Ronnie Scott’s in London and reached No. 15 on the UK Singles Chart with “Bad Day.” London followed with “Willow Weep for Me” in November 1983 and “More, More, More” in early 1984; the latter reached No. 23. Carmel entered sessions with producer Mike Thorne for first full-length album The Drum Is Everything.

Discography: