Paul Carrack’s New Solo Album, ‘These Days’: Listen

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Paul Carrack, whose hits include the 1987 solo top 10 “Don’t Shed a Tear” and 1975’s “How Long” with Ace, returns with a new studio album, These Days, on Sept. 7 on his own record label, Carrack-UK.

Carrack will also embark on an extensive U.K. tour for 2019. On Aug. 31, a video for “In the Cold Light of Day” was released. Watch it below.

These Days is Carrack’s 17th solo album, a run that began in 1980. Before then, Carrack’s breakthrough moment came when he wrote and sang “How Long,” and was the voice of “Tempted” from his tenure with Squeeze. Then came such hits with Mike + the Mechanics’ “The Living Years” and “Over My Shoulder,” the latter a co-write with Mike Rutherford. He also co-wrote, “Love Will Keep Us Alive,” which was covered by the Eagles and won an ASCAP Award as Song of the Year.

Watch “In the Cold Light of Day” from These Days

Diana Ross covered Carrack’s co-write with Nick Lowe, “Battlefield,” and as a collaborator, Carrack has been involved in sessions with the Smiths, Roxy Music, B.B. King and others, culminating in a request from Eric Clapton to join his touring band this summer.

Watch Carrack perform “These Days” earlier this year

These Days’ line-up features Carrack on keyboards and guitar and regular bandmate Jeremy Meek on bass, joined by Robbie McIntosh (Paul McCartney, Pretenders, Norah Jones, John Mayer) on lead guitar and drummer Steve Gadd, Carrack’s Eric Clapton bandmate who has worked with everyone from Steely Dan to James Taylor.

The album’s horn section is overseen by saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis, an integral part of James Brown’s shows and records of the vintage Cold Sweat era. Five tracks on These Days have lyrics by former Squeeze bandmate and consummate wordsmith Chris Difford.

These Days Track Listing
1. Amazing
2. Life In A Bubble
3. In The Cold Light Of Day
4. Dig Deep
5. These Days
6. You Make Me Feel Good
7. Tell Somebody Who Cares
8. Where Does The Time Go?
9. Talk To Me
10. Perfect Storm
11. The Best I Could

Tour Dates (Tickets are available here and here)

2018
13 Oct Enschede, NL – Muziekcentrum Enschede
14 Oct Amsterdam, NL – Theater Carré
15 Oct Zwolle, NL – Theater De Spiegel
17 Oct Arnhem, NL – Musis Parkzaal Arnhem
18 Oct Eindhoven, NL – Muziekgebouw Frits Philips
20 Oct Bochum, DE – Ruhrcongress
22 Oct Berlin, DE – Passionskirche

2019
18 Jan Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
19 Jan Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
20 Jan Leeds Leeds Town Hall
25 Jan Birmingham Symphony Hall
26 Jan York The Barbican
27 Jan Gateshead The Sage
01 Feb Perth Perth Concert Hall
02 Feb Hull Hull City Hall
03 Feb Cambridge Corn Exchange
08 Feb Bournemouth Pavilion
09 Feb Plymouth Pavilions
10 Feb Swansea Brangwyn Hall
14 Feb Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
15 Feb Milton Keynes Milton Keynes Theatre
16 Feb Margate Winter Gardens
22 Feb Edinburgh Edinburgh Festival Theatre
23 Feb Dunfermline Alhambra Theatre
24 Feb Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
01 Mar Southend Cliffs Pavilion
02 Mar London London Palladium
03 Mar Birmingham Symphony Hall
08 Mar Guildford G Live
09 Mar Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
10 Mar Cardiff St David’s Hall
14 Mar Sheffield City Hall
15 Mar Leicester De Montfort Hall
16 Mar Brighton Brighton Centre
22 Mar Middlesbrough Middlesbrough Town Hall
23 Mar Harrogate Convention Centre
24 Mar Salford The Lowry