Soul—that mysterious orientation towards the world that seems to be frequently accompanied by a larger-than-life personality—is probably the first word that comes to mind when one thinks of Clarence Carter, that bombastic and passionate artist whose timeless music still echoes across the airwaves and our collective memory. While his classic single “Slip Away” is arguably the best place for an unversed listener to learn about Carter, the boastful machismo of “Back Door Santa”‘ is a solid deep cut. The transparent sexuality of Carter’s Old Saint Nick—complete with ho-ho-hos—is eyebrow-raising and, for some, gasp-inducing. Whether your ears are burning or not, the braggadocio in “Back Door Santa” gets the perfect complement from its brazen horns, strutting guitar, and loose rhythm section.
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