On The Phone With Carol Woods

I met the amazing Carol Woods through my friend Freda Payne in 2007.  Carol was in Los Angeles and needed some new publicity photos since she had recently completed filming of the Julie Taymor cinematic masterpiece, tribute to ‘The Beatles’ music, ‘Across The Universe.’  The emotional heart of the film is a scene where Carol sings 'Let It Be’ with young singer, Timothy T. Mitchum.  It was so exciting to work with such a talented and beautiful woman like Carol.  She was an absolute delight to be with on an unforgettable afternoon photo session.  I can honestly say I’ve never met anyone like her.  Carol has a natural sense of joy and fulfillment that permeates to everyone around her.  My spirit was lifted from our time together.  Since working with her I’ve kept up with everything she does and discovered her phenomenal 1971 album ‘Out Of The Woods’ has been released on CD.  


Carol and I reconnected a couple of weeks ago over the phone so I could feature her on the blog now.  Just hearing her voice through the air waves brought back even more beautiful memories of taking the photographs in Pasadena.  She is currently in the long-running Broadway production of ‘Chicago’ and getting ready to perform her nightclub act at ‘Below 54' this October 15.  


Internationally known, Carol has had command performances for England’s Princess Margaret and Prince Andrew, starred in the London production of ‘One Mo’ Time’ and performed the title role in ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ at the Royal National Theatre. She was nominated for an Olivier Award for her outstanding performance in the London production of ‘Blues In The Night.’


Carol’s movie and television career include not only ‘Across The Universe,’ but ‘The Honeymooners,’ ‘Steam’ opposite Ruby Dee, Woody Allen’s ‘Sweet and Lowdown,’ ‘Eddie Murphy Raw,’  ‘Stepping Out’ opposite Liza Minnelli, and ‘Copland.’  Her television credits include guest appearances on ‘The Practice,’ ‘Third Watch,’ ‘Law & Order,’ and as a series regular on ‘The Parent Hood.’


Carol’s nightclub and cabaret performances span the globe from London to Tokyo and from Las Vegas to Honolulu. Carol has toured the United States with the 1st National Companies of ‘The Full Monty’ and ‘Chicago.’  She made her 2000 solo Carnegie Hall debut at ‘Weill Recital Hall: An Evening With Carol Woods.’


Her Broadway credits include ‘Chicago,’ ‘One Mo' Time,’ the 2001 revival of ‘Stephen Sondheim’s Follies,’ ‘Smokey Joe’s Café,’ the Tommy Tune directed ‘Stepping Out,’ Neil Simon’s ‘The Goodbye Girl,’ ‘Grind,’ ‘Big River’ and ‘The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas.’


In February 2008 she received a standing ovation during the Grammy Awards broadcast singing ‘Let It Be.’  I was watching the television at home. The performance was so powerful and memorable.  I was thinking how unbelievable that I not only knew this woman but I worked with her too!  What a blessing!  That’s really what Carol Woods is...a blessing.





AM:  Hi Carol!  You are in the middle of doing ‘Chicago’ on Broadway right now aren’t you?


CW: Yes I am!


AM:  How long have you been performing in ‘Chicago’?


CW:  I’ve been doing the show since 1997.


AM: Oh!  So you know it!


CW:  (laughing)  Like the back of my hand.


AM:  You don’t even have to think anymore do you?  You can just get on stage and do it.


CW:  Yes I do.  Sometimes I have a senior moment because I’m getting up there! (more laughter)


AM: Can you tell me about auditioning for ‘Across The Universe’?


CW:  I lost my son in 2005 in a car accident.  I auditioned for that movie and the premise is the little boy who gets killed in the riots.  They asked my permission to tape the audition and I said yes, then I forgot about the cameras because I was so into singing the song.  I got so emotional at the end of the song because it was near my son’s birthday when I had to audition.  After reading the script and knowing this child gets killed, it just brought it all home to me.  I really broke down at the end of the song.


AM:  That is so powerful.  I saw the video of your audition.  This is all so spiritual.


CW:  Yes it was. When I got home that day I had a call from my manager telling me they booked me for the movie.  The first table read on the first day of rehearsal just happened to be on my son’s birthday.  He was my biggest fan.  He just loved show business.  I believe he was walking me through this process.  I had one son and I have one daughter.  My daughter is my light and my son was my light.  Every step of the way through that movie, from the moment I got the job until the Grammys, which I was so elated to perform on, I felt my son walking with me.


AM:  Your career has been all up hill and you are still soaring high.


CW:  It wasn’t show business that I started in, it was Gospel.  I started singing in church when I was a little girl.  My Grandfather was the Pastor and Bishop of our church and the church was right next door to our house.  I had no other alternative but to go to church and we went to church just about everyday.  So I sang in and directed the Choir.  Singing in church was my whole life.


AM:  When did you first record?


CW:  My first recording was as a ghost singer in a group called The Drinkard Singers and that group included Dionne Warwick.  I was 16 years old when I got called to do some singing on the record.  Now I’ve never heard the recording.  I have no idea what the name of the album is, but I know I did some singing on it.  It was later on in life that I found out it was Dionne Warwick.




AM:  Where did you grow up Carol?


CW:  I grew up in Queens, New York but I recorded in Brooklyn.      


AM:  I’m glad you got into secular music.  Your album ‘Out Of The Woods’ is so amazing!


CW:  Oh thank you! (laughing)  That was recorded in England.  I haven’t heard that in so long.


AM:  Do you own it on CD?


CW:  No I only have it as an album.


AM:  I’m sending you your album as mp3‘s.


CW:  Oh thank you baby.


AM:  There are some nice recording on iTunes and amazon by you like ‘I’m In Wonderland.’


CW:  You know I haven’t received one penny for that recording.  


AM:  Why do I know that’s true?  You are a big Broadway star and you’ve worked with Liza Minnelli.  What’s it like to work with Liza?


CW:  All I have to say about Liza is how great she is.  She is an excellent and perfect human being.  I mean that from the bottom of my heart.  With all that she’s been through in her life, all I have to say is positive.  She is the type of person who is caring and giving to all people.  She’s a great human being.  When you work with her she is such a giving person.  She is not at all egotistical.


AM:  You must have enjoyed making the movie ‘Stepping Out’ with her then.


CW:  I had a wonderful time shooting the movie ‘Stepping Out’ with her.  After we had finished shooting the film she took eight of us to Las Vegas to see her perform.  She took us on Pia Zadora’s private plane and put us all up in the hotel where she was performing.  She told me to bring my music so she could put me on stage so I could sing.  We were in her dressing room and she asked me what music I brought, so we looked through it and she asked me to sing ‘Come Rain or Come Shine’ with her on stage.  She would start off the song and then she gave me the microphone and she told me to blow their socks off!  That’s what she said to me.  


AM: Carol, you blow everyone’s socks off every time you perform.




CW:  That’s all I know.  I’ve had to learn to put a lid on it since some of my singing is too powerful.  I’ve learned how to pull it in when needed.  You gotta know when to hold em and know when to fold em. (laughter)


AM: With all your experience I’m sure you know just what you’re doing now.


CW:  I am learning everyday Alan, everyday I’m learning.  Everyday I’m getting better.  When we stop learning we can just hang it up.


AM:  How long are you going to stay with ‘Chicago’?


CW:  I love doing the show.  It’s a family that we’ve formed.  I don’t have a hard time doing the show.  It’s a privilege to be able to work and enjoy what you’re doing.  As long as they’ll have me I’ll be there.  


AM: Tell me about your upcoming nightclub act.


CW:  I’m going to be performing at a nightclub called ‘Below 54’ on October 15 at 9:30, where the old Studio 54 used to be.  I haven’t done my nightclub act in New York in ages.  Everybody has been after me to do my act in New York, but it’s a lot of work that is very expensive.  Most clubs want you to play for the door.  You have to have an audience that will come and support you.  Because I do a lot of theater people don’t really know me.


AM: I think you’ll sell out since it’s been so long.


CW:  I hope so.


AM:  You should record the show and put it out as a live album.


CW:  You’re right.


AM:  I hope we get to hear more recordings from you.  I love every single thing you do.  I mean that so sincerely.


CW:  Thank you Alan.  


AM:  I hope you have some reason to come to Los Angeles soon because I would adore to see you again.


CW:  I need to come to Los Angeles just to get some new photos!


AM:  Anytime Carol.  I sure appreciate you taking the time to talk with me today!


CW:  Thank you baby!