Here at Best Classic Bands we are big fans of Paul Carrack, whose rich and emotive voice has graced such rock classics as “How Long” by Ace, “Tempted” by Squeeze and “The Living Years” by Mike + The Mechanics. He has also appeared as a keyboard player and featured singer with Roxy Music, Ringo Starr, B.B. King, Elton John, The Pretenders and most recently Eric Clapton. His songs have been cut by such stars as the Eagles, Diana Ross and Tom Jones to name only a few. And all that is in addition to a distinguished career as a solo artist. The BBC has declared Carrack “a national treasure,” and our editor ranked him as one of the dozen best blue-eyed soul singers in rock.
His new album Soul Shadows is comprised almost entirely of some of the best songwriting of Carrack’s entire career, plus one lovingly chosen remake: the Bobby “Blue” Bland gem that was also a major R&B hit for Aretha Franklin, “Share Your Love With Me.” Its first single is the emotive plaint “Let Me Love Again.”
Most of the album’s instrumentation is by Paul himself, working in his newly refurbished home studio, with his son Jack once again joining him on drums. “It’s not a garage anymore,” Carrack laughs. “We got it up and running and a lot of the songs have come from little jams, just me and Jack.”
Six of the tracks on Soul Shadows have the addition of a hand-picked string and horn section recorded in the hallowed surroundings of George Martin’s AIR Studios in London. Other highlights will include a new song with lyrics by Paul’s longtime friend Chris Difford of Squeeze, “Bet Your Life,” and a guest appearance by Pee-Wee Ellis, the legendary saxophonist from James Brown’s band who played on and co-wrote such greats as “Cold Sweat” and “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud.”
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