Carrie Cleveland - Love Will Set You Free

While searching suggestions from YouTube I came across this very romantic story. Carrie Cleveland and her husband Bill Cleveland of Oakland Cf decided to make an album of songs written by Bill and taken from love letters they had exchanged, working in their garage. Bill was a law enforcement officer and also a self taught musician who could play just about any instrument. All instruments heard here are played by Bill. They had 1000 vinyls of the album and some singles pressed. Carrie recalls that many were just given away to friends. The album was to be an expression of their love for each other. Sadly Bill died of a heart attack at 54. Carrie remarried and the couple moved away from Oakland. Her son Heston however picked up on the story and this has resulted in the album being released in vinyl and cd form in 2018. Carrie is now 81 but appeared on stage in2020 and still has her charming voice. While living in Oakland Carrie and Bill had often played in clubs in the Bay area. Carrie was a shy person but Bill always encouraged her to sing whenever the opportunity arose. The one thing that surprises me is that she was never picked up by one of the big record companies and promoted. Here I'm thinking Atlantic, who were instrumental in building the careers of many African American singers like Bettye Swann and LaVern Baker, two of my favourite singers. Take a listen to her beautiful voice and see if you agree.