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Carnival Time
on The Complete Ric & Ron Recordings, Vol. 2: Classic New Orleans R&B And More, 1958-1965 -
Lena
on The Complete Ric & Ron Recordings, Vol. 1: Classic New Orleans R&B And More, 1958-1965 -
Good Lookin'
on The Complete Ric & Ron Recordings, Vol. 2: Classic New Orleans R&B And More, 1958-1965 -
You Done Me Wrong
on The Complete Ric & Ron Recordings, Vol. 1: Classic New Orleans R&B And More, 1958-1965
Bio Full Biography »
Al Johnson's "Carnival Time" is as much a part of the Mardi Gras tradition in New Orleans as parades, floats, and masked revelers. The song has reigned supreme during the city's celebratory season for four decades with only a handful of rivals, such as "Go to the Mardi Gras" from Professor Longhair. Johnson's composition and recording of the tune brought him fame, but not the hoped-for monetary rewards. Over the course of 40 years, the song didn't bring him a dime, although it did bring a good measure of heartache. At the time he recorded it, he had no knowledge of copyright laws and retained no rights to his music. "Carnival Time" was a smash, making a reappearance every Mardi Gras season since its release in 1960, but Johnson still struggled to support himself by working as a cab driver. Only much later did a federal court rule in Johnson's favor, and the rights to "Carnival Time" reverted to him. In an effort to regain some of that lost revenue, Johnson re-released "Carnival Time" a...