SINGER/songwriter Paul Carrack is relishing the fact that he is now recognised as a solo act.
“It has taken a while for me to establish myself as a solo artist – about 10 years, in fact – and it’s great,” he said, just before embarking on the second leg of his mammoth tour of the UK.
“I’ve got a great band who have mostly been with me for almost 10 years, and a great crew.”
Sheffield-born Paul first came to our attention in the mid-70s as a member of Ace, whose evergreen hit How Long was written by him.
From Ace, he moved into the keyboard slot vacated by Jools Holland in Squeeze, for whom he wrote – and sang lead on – the hit Tempted.
Then, as a member of Mike and the Mechanics, he brought life into songs such as Silent Running and The Living Years.
As a songwriter, apart from the songs mentioned already, he co-wrote I Don’t Want To Hear Any More for the Eagles, among many others.
He has always had a soft spot for How Long, though.
“It has endured in a big way,” he said, “and I still enjoy performing it.”
“However,” he continued, “I think I’ve written better songs, such as I Don’t Want To Hear Any More.
In fact, that track, performed by himself with Eagle stalwarts Timothy B. Schmit and Don Henley, is on his latest album, entitled I Know That Name, which also includes Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City and his classic Eyes of Blue.
“Actually, it has been out a couple of years now,” he said. “It did brilliantly well, not so much in sales, but in airplay and getting bums on seats at the live shows.”
“So I should really be trying to make a new album this year.”
“I have some songs written, but in reality the earliest it could be out is the autumn.”
Just in time for the next tour?
“Yes, you could be right,” he laughed.
Paul’s soulful voice can tackle just about any type of song, and passion permeates every note he sings, as evidenced on the album.
And he’s no slouch on the live stage, either.
Being a man of many talents, he doesn’t see himself as just a performer or songwriter.
“I really enjoy performing out there with the band; there’s the satisfaction of doing a good gig and seeing all the smiling faces of the audience.”
“It wouldn’t bother me if I didn’t write another song,” Paul went on.
“But I want to keep on producing new things. However, you don’t get the instant gratification that a live audience gives you.”
The tour started in October and, after a short break for Christmas, is set to go on until mid-March – a bit gruelling.
“No, not at all.” Paul hastened to point out.
“It’s what we do and it’s not gruelling at all.
“The first half of the tour has been fantastic and I honestly feel as if each tour has been better than the one before.”
“It is quite hard work, but we do have days off and we get to go home most nights.”
To relax, Paul goes back to his Yorkshire roots (which, to be honest, he has never left, if his accent is anything to go by).
“I’m a big football fan,” he said.
“But being a Sheffield Wednesday fan at the moment is far from relaxing.”
After this tour ends in March, there won’t be much time for relaxation.
“That’s right,” he said.
“We end up doing things all over the continent, just odds and sods at the moment.”
Paul’s band features himself and seven others, including trumpet, sax and a female vocalist in the form of Lindsay Dracass, who represented the UK in The Eurovision Song Contest back in 2001.
“But she’s come on a lot since then and is very talented,” said Paul.
Paul promises an evening of superb musicianship and emotive vocals.
“We enjoy the touring, and it works, judging by the audiences,” he said.
“Long may it continue.”
Paul Carrack and his band will be appearing at The Music Hall, Aberdeen, on Wednesday, February 3. Tickets are available from www.boxofficeaberdeen.com or by calling 01224 641122.