Iman and I have gone back and forth over the merits of Paul Carrack for a number of years. He can’t understand why I am such a fan of someone he considers to be little more than a well-traveled studio musician. I can’t understand how someone with his music acumen has managed to underestimate the accomplishments of a fine pop singer/musician/songwriter (If “underestimate” is the wrong word, please correct me our lad).
I guess it really comes down to one of those completely subjective issues for which there is no real resolution. Simply put, I like Carrack’s voice.
His rich and varied career as a musician is noteworthy in and of itself. If he had never put out a solo album, he could rightfully rest on the hit songs he has recorded as part of various bands.
Back in the day it was called “blue-eyed soul”. White artists singing in the style of black R&B performers. The Righteous Brothers weren’t the first to be anointed with that title, but they are probably the best known. That call-and-response in “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” popularly established their white soul credentials.
But who would have thought a song by the British pub band Ace would do the same for Carrack? The plaintive vocal of “How Long” gave that band a U.S. Top 40 single (their only) and placed a down payment on Carrack’s BES bona fides.
It’s not my intent to recap Carrack’s career and discography. Do yourself a favor and read the Wiki on him. The man played with everybody! I truly believe that with a little more digging it will be discovered that he played on at least one Beatles album.
Nor is it my intent to play fanboy. I guess I just wanted to give a shout out to a performer I believe is immensely talented and, I think, a little under appreciated.
SOME SONGS I LIKE BY PAUL CARRACK:
“From Now On”
“Somewhere in Your Heart”
“Loving You Tonight”
“How I Wish That You Were Here” (with Nick Lowe)
“Don’t Walk Over Me”
“Love Will Keep Us Alive”
“I Need You”
“Eyes of Blue”
“Any Day Now”
“Over My Shoulder”
“How Long?”