Paul Carrack:
You don’t know it
but you know him
Paul Carrack is the man with a voice that has woven its way through the decades, linking one generation to the next. The name draws a look of blankness from many, but hum a tune he has written, sung or played on and eyes light up in recognition… “Oh him, yeah, I know the one”.
Ace (How Long) – Mike and The Mechanics (All I need is a Miracle – Living Years – Over my Shoulder) – Squeeze – Roxy Music –The Smiths – BB King – Eric Clapton – Elton John, oh and The Eagles keep on singing and recording his songs.
You could be humming a tune from the 70s to the naughties; the guy just won’t give up… thankfully. Paul is playing Carlisle in March, performing at the newest live music venue, Sound. Stephen Murphy spoke to him to find out what goes on under his bonnet, Get That?
Hi Paul, how’s things and how’s the tour?
It’s quite hectic. We started in October and it goes through until March; busy times but it’s all good.
With your history, your phonebook must be huge, like a who’s who of the music world so, given that you have played with lots of music legends who would you most like to work, with either alive or dead? I’d love to hear you collaborate with Stevie Wonder.
I think we’d best to do something with someone who’s alive to be honest! but, if Stevie Wonder was to ring up I’d walk there. I’m a massive fan. The main thing these days is to keep my own show on the road; my touring band; my own little label recording my own albums. So that takes up all my time.
How long have you had this band together Paul?
It must be 13 or 14 years, with only one or two changes. Before that, when I did solo albums I used to put together a band using the London guys, session musicians I knew, but I just got together with these guys a while ago. They are all from Sheffield and it’s just like a proper band, although I’m the leader, the boss; it’s a good craic and that’s why we do it.
How would you define the Paul Carrack sound… Soul?
We cover quite a lot of bases because we play things from my whole career and it has been very varied. As a singer I’ve been very influenced by soul singers, my favourites, like Stevie Wonder, David Ruffin, Marvin Gaye. I love ’em and that’s where I based my style when I started singing... Musically my basic influences are soul, rock ’n roll, country, rootsy kind of stuff, but then I got involved with Mike and the Mechanics which was a bit more modern sounding at the time so, like I said, we cover a bit of everything.
Where did it all start for you?
We had a band at school in Sheffield. I left school at 16 and went on the road. I think it was called Saville Row.
You played with many bands; Squeeze twice and you left twice, did they just get on your nerves after a while?
No, not at all, it was great I loved it. The first time around I replaced Jules as keyboard player. I was along for the ride really because they were the main singers and songwriters although I sang a couple. I sang Tempted, but I wanted to be a singer-songwriter. I could have had a nice, easy ride being the keyboard player for Squeeze but I wanted to try and do a bit more than that.
What have you got planned after the tour… an album?
Well I’ve got half an album done so I need to get the other half done by June or July. We will be dong things over the summer; then probably tour again in October.
Do you never just switch off and not play? Bill Wyman goes metal detecting, what do you do?
(Laughing) I like football, I go and watch Sheffield Wednesday, but we’ve brought up four kids in our time my wife and I, so if I’ve got any spare time I put my feet up.
I saw you covering a Gerry Marsden song on YouTube, Don’t let the Sun catch you Crying, is that a track that you play on tour?
Yeah, we do, we had lots of good airplay with that, especially with Smooth Radio, that song was on an album I made with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; had a whole lot of ballads, no electric instruments, just really chilled and that track was just one of them.
Are there any current artists that you think, ‘Aye up ,they have something there’?
Well, I don’t listen to that much music. I like playing and gigging, doing my own records. That said the obvious one is Adele. She seems to be head and shoulders above everyone else. She is the real deal.
You’re self-sufficient; not with any labels; what are your views on the music industry today?
Well, it’s tough, harder now as there aren’t as many places to play. It’s a different world. You have your You Tubes and all the talent shows. It’s different, but it’s down to reason that there’s going to be the same amount of talent out there; there’s got to be, but it’s difficult to get through the verge.
Do you enjoy the freedom that you have now doing what you do on your terms?
It’s fantastic but it doesn’t come on a plate. We started doing it like that, independently, cottage industry if you like, 12 years ago. It has been constant hard graft but, I’m not afraid of hard graft, and, it’s paid off because we are in a good position. A lot of other acts and artists are looking at us and thinking ‘fff-ing hell how has he got away with that?’ But they don’t understand the work that’s gone into it; not just from me but from the family and the support… It takes constant maintenance to just keep it that way.
Looking back what’s the thing that makes you most proud?
I’m still here doing it.
Paul Carrack will be playing at Sound, Carlisle, on March 2.
To get your hands on exclusive Paul Carrack merchandise, and to keep up with all things Carrack, visit Paul’s website www.paulcarrack.net
