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Paul Carrack

Jools welcomes Paul Carrack to the studio to sing with the band, chat and pick some favourite records.

Paul Carrack guests, singing with Jools's band, chatting and playing some favourite records

Paul Carrack is a vocalist and keyboardist who enjoyed considerable success over the course of his lengthy career while in the service of bands ranging from Ace to Squeeze to Mike + the Mechanics, his finest work often came at the expense of his own identity as a performer; indeed, of the many big hits on which the unassuming singer was prominently featured, only one, 1987's "Don't Shed a Tear," bore his own name. Carrack was born April 22, 1951, in Sheffield, England; he joined the pub rock group Ace in 1972, eventually writing and singing their debut single, "How Long."

He soon resurfaced in Roxy Music, appearing on the LPs Manifesto and Flesh and Blood before releasing his solo debut, Nightbird, in 1980. Carrack next joined Squeeze, replacing Jools in fact; in addition to contributing to the group's 1981 creative pinnacle East Side Story, he also assumed lead vocal duties on the single "Tempted," A tenure as a sideman with Eric Clapton followed, and in 1985 he joined Mike + the Mechanics. Their hits include "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)" and "All I Need Is a Miracle."

Carrack spent the first half the 2000s touring, both as a solo act and as the frontman in Mike + the Mechanics, releasing Groovin' in 2001 and It Ain't Over in 2003. A holiday album appeared in 2005, followed in 2007 by Old, New, Borrowed and Blue. After 2008's knowingly titled I Know That Name, Carrack took a detour on 2010's A Different Hat, an album cut with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Two years later, he returned with the soulful 2012 album Good Feeling. Ever the prolific musician, Carrack went on to release Rain or Shine a year later in 2013, followed by 2016's Soul Shadows.

57 minutes

Last on

Mon 30 May 2016 23:00
BBC Radio 2

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Music Played

  • B.B. King

    Bad Luck

    • Kent.

  • B.B. King

    Please Love Me

    • One Nighter Blues.
    • Ace.
    • 9.

  • B.B. King

    Mean Old Frisco Blues

    • The Best Of The Early Years.
    • ACE.
    • 1.

  • B.B. King

    When It All Comes Down (I'll Still Be Around)

    • MCA.

  • Jools Holland & Paul Carrack

    Pauly's Birthday Boogie

  • B.B. King

    To Know You Is To Love You

    • His Definitive Greatest Hits.
    • MCA.
    • 8.

  • Paul Carrack

    Sweet Soul Legacy

    • Soul Shadow.
    • Carrack UK.
    • 3.

  • The Everly Brothers

    Bye Bye Love

  • Paul Carrack with Jools Holland & Band

    Share Your Love With Me

  • Booker T. & the MG’s

    Hip Hug-Her

    • MG's -The Platinum Collection.
    • Rhino/Atlantic.
    • 2.

  • Paul Carrack

    Bet Your Life

    • Soul Shadow.
    • Carrack UK.
    • 5.

Broadcast

  • Mon 30 May 2016 23:00
    BBC Radio 2