Paul Carrack
Encyclopedia
Paul Carrack is an English singer, songwriter and musician. Carrack has been a member of several bands including Ace
, Squeeze, Mike + The Mechanics, and Roxy Music
, been a session and touring musician for several others including Nick Lowe
, and has enjoyed success as a solo artist as well. His distinctive voice appears on some of his affiliated bands' best-known hits. He was born in Sheffield
, South Yorkshire
, England.
, who released three albums of original material between 1970 and 1972. Carrack was the keyboard player for the band, occasionally playing other instruments, with Les Walker as the lead vocalist.
After Warm Dust broke up, Carrack and Warm Dust bassist Tex Comer helped to found the pub rock
band Ace
. Carrack both wrote and was vocalist on "How Long?", Ace's debut single – a hit in both the UK and US in 1975. However, no further Ace recordings enjoyed that same level of popularity.
In 1977 Ace disbanded, and Carrack began working as a backing musician for Frankie Miller
. Subsequently, he was a member of Roxy Music
, playing keyboards on their 1979 reunion album Manifesto. Carrack would also play on the next two Roxy Music albums, but as a session musician, not a band member.
full time, Carrack issued his first solo album, 1980's Nightbird. It was not a commercial success.
In 1981, Glenn Tilbrook
recruited Carrack to join Squeeze as a replacement for long-time keyboardist Jools Holland
. This new Squeeze line-up achieved international success with the album East Side Story, with Carrack as vocalist on the song "Tempted", their biggest US hit at the time. However, by 1982, Carrack had left the band and was replaced by keyboardist Don Snow
.
Beginning in late 1981, Carrack joined up with Nick Lowe
in a band that featured Lowe, Carrack, Martin Belmont on guitar, James Eller on bass and Bobby Irwin on drums. This band, referred to as Noise To Go, existed to back both Carrack on his solo recordings, and Lowe on his. (This was similar to the arrangement Lowe had with Dave Edmunds
and Rockpile
in the late 1970s.) Noise To Go also backed Lowe's wife Carlene Carter
on her 1981 album Blue Nun
.
After Carrack's 1982 solo album Suburban Voodoo, Eller left Noise To Go, and Nick Lowe took over bass duties within the group. The group was rechristened Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit, and recorded two albums from 1983 to 1985, with Lowe as lead vocalist. The group also backed John Hiatt
on side two of Hiatt's 1983 album Riding With The King
.
During this era, Carrack also worked as a session musician for The Smiths
and The Pretenders
.
Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit dissolved in 1985, and Carrack was contacted by Mike Rutherford
(of Genesis
) who asked him to join Rutherford's new side project, Mike + The Mechanics. Initially, Carrack and Paul Young were alternating lead vocalists for the group. He sang lead on their 1985 hit "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)
".
In 1986, Carrack was a member of Roger Waters
' newly-formed backing band, The Bleeding Heart Band, recording tracks for the soundtrack of the film When the Wind Blows. The following year, Waters (still accompanied by Carrack and the Bleeding Hearts) released a solo album, Radio KAOS
and toured the US and Europe. Carrack often filled in as an unofficial support act on the tour, usually playing "Tempted" to warm up the crowd.
Building on the success of Mike + The Mechanics, Carrack was able to reestablish his solo career in 1987 with the hit album One Good Reason
, and the accompanying hit single "Don't Shed a Tear
", which reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100
. From this point forward, Carrack consistently maintained both a solo career and a career in Mike + The Mechanics. This band recorded and toured irregularly due to Rutherford's commitments to Genesis.
In 1989, Mike + The Mechanics had a UK number two and US number one hit with "The Living Years
", on which Carrack again sang lead. Also in 1989, Carrack recorded "Romance", a duet with Terri Nunn
from the Los Angeles-based synth-pop band Berlin
. The song appeared on the soundtrack to the movie Sing
, starring Peter Dobson
and Lorraine Bracco
.
In 1990, Carrack was recruited to perform in the groundbreaking live stage show of The Wall Live in Berlin before a crowd of 250,000. He sang "Hey You" and was one of the performers on "The Tide Is Turning
" with Roger Waters
, Joni Mitchell
, Cyndi Lauper
, Bryan Adams
and Van Morrison
.
In 1993, Carrack joined with bassist Tony Levin
, drummer Steve Ferrone
, guitarist Phil Palmer
and keyboardist/producer Rupert Hine
to form a band known as Spin 1ne 2wo. They released one album, a self-titled project, made up of classic rock cover
s including songs by Jimi Hendrix
, The Who
, Led Zeppelin
, Blind Faith
, Steely Dan
and Bob Dylan
. He dueted with Beth Nielsen Chapman
on "In The Time It Takes".
Also in 1993, Squeeze had Carrack return for their album Some Fantastic Place
and a subsequent tour. With Carrack on vocals, the band re-recorded their hit "Tempted" for the soundtrack to the movie Reality Bites
(1994). However, Carrack once again left Squeeze after about a year with the band.
Following his second stint with Squeeze, Carrack joined forces with Timothy B. Schmit
and Don Felder
of The Eagles for an ambitious but ultimately unrealised recording project. Schmit and Felder soon reunited with the rest of the Eagles and their Hell Freezes Over
album, bringing with them one of the songs Carrack co-wrote, "Love Will Keep Us Alive
." It was recorded by The Eagles and won an award as being the most-played single in America in 1995. The same year, Mike + the Mechanics scored yet another top 20 hit, "Over My Shoulder
". It not only featured Carrack on lead vocals, but was the first Mechanics hit co-written by him.
Finally in 1996, Carrack resumed his solo career with the album Blue Views.
. He also served as the sole lead vocalist for Mike + The Mechanics following the death of Paul Young
in 2000. In 2004, Carrack would leave the Mechanics following the release of Rewired
, their only album with Carrack as sole lead vocalist.
After a lull in Carrack's career, in 2007 The Eagles covered Carrack's "I Don't Want To Hear Anymore" on their long-awaited reunion album Long Road Out Of Eden
. The album went to number one in the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and several other countries around the world.
Carrack embarked on a tour of Germany in May 2009, supported by Canadian artist Brendan Croskerry
.
In 2010, Carrack released his most recent album A Different Hat, with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra which was arranged by David Cullen
.
In 1997, Carrack played organ for Elton John on the single "Something About The Way You Look Tonight
". It was coupled with "Candle In The Wind '97" on a double A-sided single, which set a new record for best selling single of all time.
," came after he signed as a solo artist to Chrysalis Records
in 1987.
Ace
Squeeze hit singles with Carrack on lead vocal
Mike + The Mechanics hit singles with Carrack on lead vocal
Ace (band)
Ace were a British rock music band, who enjoyed moderate success in the 1970s. They are notable for their part in the early career of Paul Carrack, who later became famous as a solo artist, and as a member of several other groups...
, Squeeze, Mike + The Mechanics, and Roxy Music
Roxy Music
Roxy Music was a British art rock band formed in 1971 by Bryan Ferry, who became the group's lead vocalist and chief songwriter, and bassist Graham Simpson. The other members are Phil Manzanera , Andy Mackay and Paul Thompson . Former members include Brian Eno , and Eddie Jobson...
, been a session and touring musician for several others including Nick Lowe
Nick Lowe
Nicholas Drain "Nick" Lowe , is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer.A pivotal figure in UK pub rock, punk rock and new wave, Lowe has recorded a string of well-reviewed solo albums. Along with vocals, Lowe plays guitar, bass guitar, piano and harmonica...
, and has enjoyed success as a solo artist as well. His distinctive voice appears on some of his affiliated bands' best-known hits. He was born in Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire is a metropolitan county in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England. It has a population of 1.29 million. It consists of four metropolitan boroughs: Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and City of Sheffield...
, England.
1970s: Warm Dust, Ace and Roxy Music
Carrack's recording career began with the jazz rock band Warm DustWarm Dust
Warm Dust was a British progressive jazz rock band of the early 1970s. Although a relatively obscure group, they featured Paul Carrack and Terry "Tex" Comer, who later formed Ace and Les Walker.-Members:*Les Walker - Vocals, Harmonica, Guitar...
, who released three albums of original material between 1970 and 1972. Carrack was the keyboard player for the band, occasionally playing other instruments, with Les Walker as the lead vocalist.
After Warm Dust broke up, Carrack and Warm Dust bassist Tex Comer helped to found the pub rock
Pub rock (UK)
Pub rock was a rock music genre that developed in the mid 1970s in the United Kingdom. A back-to-basics movement, pub rock was a reaction against progressive and glam rock. Although short-lived, pub rock was notable for rejecting stadium venues and for returning live rock to the small pubs and...
band Ace
Ace (band)
Ace were a British rock music band, who enjoyed moderate success in the 1970s. They are notable for their part in the early career of Paul Carrack, who later became famous as a solo artist, and as a member of several other groups...
. Carrack both wrote and was vocalist on "How Long?", Ace's debut single – a hit in both the UK and US in 1975. However, no further Ace recordings enjoyed that same level of popularity.
In 1977 Ace disbanded, and Carrack began working as a backing musician for Frankie Miller
Frankie Miller
Frankie Miller is a Scottish rock singer-songwriter, who had his biggest success in the 1970s. Miller was raised at Colvend Street, Glasgow with his parents, Cathy and Frank, and elder sisters Letty and Anne. Miller attended Sacred Heart Primary school. He was an altar boy in Sacred Heart Chapel...
. Subsequently, he was a member of Roxy Music
Roxy Music
Roxy Music was a British art rock band formed in 1971 by Bryan Ferry, who became the group's lead vocalist and chief songwriter, and bassist Graham Simpson. The other members are Phil Manzanera , Andy Mackay and Paul Thompson . Former members include Brian Eno , and Eddie Jobson...
, playing keyboards on their 1979 reunion album Manifesto. Carrack would also play on the next two Roxy Music albums, but as a session musician, not a band member.
1980s: working solo and as a session musician
Shortly after leaving Roxy MusicRoxy Music
Roxy Music was a British art rock band formed in 1971 by Bryan Ferry, who became the group's lead vocalist and chief songwriter, and bassist Graham Simpson. The other members are Phil Manzanera , Andy Mackay and Paul Thompson . Former members include Brian Eno , and Eddie Jobson...
full time, Carrack issued his first solo album, 1980's Nightbird. It was not a commercial success.
In 1981, Glenn Tilbrook
Glenn Tilbrook
Glenn Martin Tilbrook is the lead singer and guitarist of the English band Squeeze, a band formed in the mid 1970s who broke through in the new wave era at the decade's end. He generally wrote the melody for Squeeze, while his writing partner, Chris Difford, wrote the lyrics...
recruited Carrack to join Squeeze as a replacement for long-time keyboardist Jools Holland
Jools Holland
Julian Miles "Jools" Holland OBE, DL is an English pianist, bandleader, singer, composer, and television presenter. He was a founder of the band Squeeze and his work has involved him with many artists including Sting, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, The Who, David Gilmour and Bono.Holland is a...
. This new Squeeze line-up achieved international success with the album East Side Story, with Carrack as vocalist on the song "Tempted", their biggest US hit at the time. However, by 1982, Carrack had left the band and was replaced by keyboardist Don Snow
Don Snow
Don Snow is a vocalist, Hammond organist, pianist, guitarist, bass guitarist, drummer and saxophonist who is primarily known for his work with Squeeze, the Sinceros, Procol Harum and the new wave act The Catch...
.
Beginning in late 1981, Carrack joined up with Nick Lowe
Nick Lowe
Nicholas Drain "Nick" Lowe , is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer.A pivotal figure in UK pub rock, punk rock and new wave, Lowe has recorded a string of well-reviewed solo albums. Along with vocals, Lowe plays guitar, bass guitar, piano and harmonica...
in a band that featured Lowe, Carrack, Martin Belmont on guitar, James Eller on bass and Bobby Irwin on drums. This band, referred to as Noise To Go, existed to back both Carrack on his solo recordings, and Lowe on his. (This was similar to the arrangement Lowe had with Dave Edmunds
Dave Edmunds
David 'Dave' Edmunds is a Welsh singer, guitarist and record producer. Although he is primarily associated with Pub rock and New Wave, and had numerous hits in the 1970s and early 1980s, his natural leaning has always been towards 1950s style rock and roll.-Early bands:As a teenager Edmunds first...
and Rockpile
Rockpile
Rockpile were a British rock and roll group of the late 1970s and early 1980s, noted for their strong rockabilly and power pop influences, and as a foundational influence on new wave...
in the late 1970s.) Noise To Go also backed Lowe's wife Carlene Carter
Carlene Carter
Carlene Carter is an American country singer and songwriter. She is the daughter of June Carter and her first husband, Carl Smith....
on her 1981 album Blue Nun
Blue Nun (album)
Blue Nun is the fourth album by Carlene Carter. It features two duets with British rocker Paul Carrack: "Oh How Happy" and "Do Me Lover."-Track listing:All tracks composed by Carlene Carter; except where indicated...
.
After Carrack's 1982 solo album Suburban Voodoo, Eller left Noise To Go, and Nick Lowe took over bass duties within the group. The group was rechristened Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit, and recorded two albums from 1983 to 1985, with Lowe as lead vocalist. The group also backed John Hiatt
John Hiatt
John Hiatt is an American rock guitarist, pianist, singer, and songwriter. He has played a variety of musical styles on his albums, including New Wave, blues and country. Hiatt has been nominated for several Grammy Awards - although he has never won- and has been awarded a variety of other...
on side two of Hiatt's 1983 album Riding With The King
Riding with the King
Riding with the King was singer-songwriter John Hiatt's sixth album, released in 1983. It was his second of three albums with Geffen Records. Ron Nagle and Scott Mathews produced side one of the album at The Pen in San Francisco, with Mathews himself playing all instruments and all the...
.
During this era, Carrack also worked as a session musician for The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
and The Pretenders
The Pretenders
The Pretenders are an English rock band formed in Hereford, England in March 1978. The original band consisted of initiator and main songwriter Chrissie Hynde , James Honeyman-Scott , Pete Farndon , and Martin Chambers...
.
Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit dissolved in 1985, and Carrack was contacted by Mike Rutherford
Mike Rutherford
Michael John Cleote Crawford Rutherford is an English musician. He is a founding member of Genesis, initially as a bassist and backup vocalist. In later incarnations of Genesis, he assumed the role of lead guitarist. He is one of only two constant members in Genesis . He also fronts Mike + The...
(of Genesis
Genesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
) who asked him to join Rutherford's new side project, Mike + The Mechanics. Initially, Carrack and Paul Young were alternating lead vocalists for the group. He sang lead on their 1985 hit "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)
Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)
"Silent Running " is a pop rock song performed by Mike + The Mechanics. Written by Mike Rutherford and B. A. Robertson, it was the first track from their 1985 self-titled debut album...
".
In 1986, Carrack was a member of Roger Waters
Roger Waters
George Roger Waters is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. He was a founding member of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, serving as bassist and co-lead vocalist. Following the departure of bandmate Syd Barrett in 1968, Waters became the band's lyricist, principal songwriter...
' newly-formed backing band, The Bleeding Heart Band, recording tracks for the soundtrack of the film When the Wind Blows. The following year, Waters (still accompanied by Carrack and the Bleeding Hearts) released a solo album, Radio KAOS
Radio Kaos
Radio Kaos is Mexican Rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1992. The band currently features Claudio Pérez , David Pérez . The release of their first album Botas Negras under EMI Capitol was a success in Mexico...
and toured the US and Europe. Carrack often filled in as an unofficial support act on the tour, usually playing "Tempted" to warm up the crowd.
Building on the success of Mike + The Mechanics, Carrack was able to reestablish his solo career in 1987 with the hit album One Good Reason
One Good Reason (Paul Carrack album)
One Good Reason is the third solo record by British singer-songwriter and Mike + The Mechanics singer Paul Carrack. It features 10 songs, one of which, "Don't Shed a Tear", became a Top 10 hit in America, peaking at number 9.-Reception:...
, and the accompanying hit single "Don't Shed a Tear
Don't Shed a Tear
"Don't Shed a Tear" is a song by English singer-musician, Paul Carrack, from his third solo album, One Good Reason. It was released as a single in 1987 and became his biggest U.S. hit, peaking at number nine on the pop chart.-Background:...
", which reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. From this point forward, Carrack consistently maintained both a solo career and a career in Mike + The Mechanics. This band recorded and toured irregularly due to Rutherford's commitments to Genesis.
In 1989, Mike + The Mechanics had a UK number two and US number one hit with "The Living Years
The Living Years (song)
"The Living Years" was written by Mike Rutherford and B. A. Robertson, and recorded by Rutherford's English rock band Mike + The Mechanics. It was released in January 1989 as the second single from their album, Living Years. The song was a top ten chart hit around the world. It peaked at number one...
", on which Carrack again sang lead. Also in 1989, Carrack recorded "Romance", a duet with Terri Nunn
Terri Nunn
Terri Kathleen Nunn , is an American singer and actress. She is best known as the lead vocalist of the New Wave band Berlin.-Biography:...
from the Los Angeles-based synth-pop band Berlin
Berlin (band)
Berlin is an American New Wave/Synthpop band. The group was formed in Los Angeles in 1978 by John Crawford . The band contained Crawford, Terri Nunn , David Diamond , Ric Olsen , Matt Reid and Rod Learned . Learned left during the first EU tour and was replaced by Rob Brill...
. The song appeared on the soundtrack to the movie Sing
Sing (1989 film)
Sing is a 1989 film, starring Lorraine Bracco, Peter Dobson and Jessica Steen. The movie is about a fictional New York City SING! production...
, starring Peter Dobson
Peter Dobson
Peter Dobson is an American actor who has appeared in Drowning Mona, The Frighteners, The Poseidon Adventure, and the film adaptation of Last Exit to Brooklyn. He also had a cameo role in Forrest Gump as Elvis Presley. Peter also credits himself under alternate name Derek Hoyle...
and Lorraine Bracco
Lorraine Bracco
Lorraine Bracco is an American actress. She is best known for her TV roles as Dr. Jennifer Melfi on HBO series, The Sopranos, and Angela Rizzoli on the TNT series, Rizzoli & Isles...
.
1990s: solo and collaborations
In the 1990s, Carrack's solo career went into abeyance for a few years, although he maintained a career as a session musician. He also continued working with Mike + The Mechanics, who recorded throughout the 1990s. During this era, Carrack played keyboards in the band, and also began to co-compose some of the band's songs with Rutherford.In 1990, Carrack was recruited to perform in the groundbreaking live stage show of The Wall Live in Berlin before a crowd of 250,000. He sang "Hey You" and was one of the performers on "The Tide Is Turning
The Tide Is Turning
"The Tide Is Turning " is a song from the 1987 album Radio K.A.O.S., by Roger Waters. Though Waters had offered his services for the Live Aid concert in 1985 and was turned down by organizer Bob Geldof, the event still inspired Waters to write this song...
" with Roger Waters
Roger Waters
George Roger Waters is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. He was a founding member of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, serving as bassist and co-lead vocalist. Following the departure of bandmate Syd Barrett in 1968, Waters became the band's lyricist, principal songwriter...
, Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell, CC is a Canadian musician, singer songwriter, and painter. Mitchell began singing in small nightclubs in her native Saskatchewan and Western Canada and then busking in the streets and dives of Toronto...
, Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper
Cynthia Ann Stephanie "Cyndi" Lauper is an American singer, songwriter, actress and LGBT rights activist. She achieved success in the mid-1980s with the release of the album She's So Unusual and became the first female singer to have four top-five singles released from one album...
, Bryan Adams
Bryan Adams
Bryan Adams, is a Canadian rock singer-songwriter, guitarist, bassist, producer, actor and photographer. Adams has won dozens of awards and nominations, including 20 Juno Awards among 56 nominations. He has also received 15 Grammy Award nominations including a win for Best Song Written...
and Van Morrison
Van Morrison
Van Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
.
In 1993, Carrack joined with bassist Tony Levin
Tony Levin
Tony Levin is an American progressive rock musician, specializing in bass guitar, Chapman stick and upright bass ....
, drummer Steve Ferrone
Steve Ferrone
Steven "Steve" Ferrone is a British drummer.He was a member of the Average White Band, and has recorded and performed with numerous other high-profile acts, including Slash, Chaka Khan, Eric Clapton, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Scritti Politti...
, guitarist Phil Palmer
Phil Palmer
Philip 'Phil' John Palmer is a sideman and session guitarist in jazz and rock who has toured, recorded, and worked with numerous famous artists...
and keyboardist/producer Rupert Hine
Rupert Hine
Rupert Neville Hine is an English musician, songwriter and prolific record producer, having produced albums for artists including Kevin Ayers, Tina Turner, Howard Jones, Saga, The Fixx, Bob Geldof, Thompson Twins, Stevie Nicks, Chris de Burgh, Suzanne Vega, Rush, Underworld, Duncan Sheik, and ...
to form a band known as Spin 1ne 2wo. They released one album, a self-titled project, made up of classic rock cover
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
s including songs by Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
, The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
, Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
, Blind Faith
Blind Faith
Blind Faith were an English blues-rock band that consisted of Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, Steve Winwood and Ric Grech. The band, which was one of the first "super-groups", released their only album, Blind Faith, in August 1969...
, Steely Dan
Steely Dan
Steely Dan is an American rock band; its core members are Donald Fagen and Walter Becker. The band's popularity peaked in the late 1970s, with the release of seven albums blending elements of jazz, rock, funk, R&B, and pop...
and Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
. He dueted with Beth Nielsen Chapman
Beth Nielsen Chapman
Beth Nielsen Chapman is an American singer-songwriter, mostly known for her numerous hits recorded by country and pop music performers.-Early history:...
on "In The Time It Takes".
Also in 1993, Squeeze had Carrack return for their album Some Fantastic Place
Some Fantastic Place
Some Fantastic Place is a 1993 album by the British New Wave group Squeeze. It is the band's tenth studio album, and it marks the departure of drummer Gilson Lavis, the only band member besides Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook who had appeared on every Squeeze album to this point...
and a subsequent tour. With Carrack on vocals, the band re-recorded their hit "Tempted" for the soundtrack to the movie Reality Bites
Reality Bites
Reality Bites is a 1994 American romantic comedy-drama film written by Helen Childress and featuring the directorial debut of Ben Stiller. It stars Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke and Stiller, with major supporting roles played by Janeane Garofalo and Steve Zahn. The film was shot on location in Austin...
(1994). However, Carrack once again left Squeeze after about a year with the band.
Following his second stint with Squeeze, Carrack joined forces with Timothy B. Schmit
Timothy B. Schmit
Timothy Bruce Schmit is an American musician and songwriter, best known for his work as bass guitar player and singer for Poco and the Eagles. Schmit has also worked for decades as a session musician and solo artist.-Early career:Raised in Sacramento, Schmit began playing in the folk music group...
and Don Felder
Don Felder
Donald William "Don" Felder is an American musician and songwriter, best known for his work as lead guitarist for the Eagles from 1974 to 1980 and again from 1994 to 2001.-Early life and influences:...
of The Eagles for an ambitious but ultimately unrealised recording project. Schmit and Felder soon reunited with the rest of the Eagles and their Hell Freezes Over
Hell Freezes Over
Hell Freezes Over is a live album by the Eagles, released in 1994. The album contains four new studio tracks and eleven tracks recorded live for an MTV special. It went to #1 on the Billboard album chart upon its release where it stayed for two weeks. It is the band's second live album behind their...
album, bringing with them one of the songs Carrack co-wrote, "Love Will Keep Us Alive
Love Will Keep Us Alive
"Love Will Keep Us Alive", is the title of a song written by Jim Capaldi, Paul Carrack, and Peter Vale. It was performed first by the Eagles in 1994, during their "Hell Freezes Over" reunion tour. It was sung by bassist Timothy B...
." It was recorded by The Eagles and won an award as being the most-played single in America in 1995. The same year, Mike + the Mechanics scored yet another top 20 hit, "Over My Shoulder
Over My Shoulder (Mike + The Mechanics song)
"Over My Shoulder" is a song by Mike + The Mechanics. It was released in February 1995 as the first single from their album Beggar on a Beach of Gold...
". It not only featured Carrack on lead vocals, but was the first Mechanics hit co-written by him.
Finally in 1996, Carrack resumed his solo career with the album Blue Views.
2000 – present
Carrack maintains an active solo career, as well as his career as a session musician and songwriter. Paul toured solo in 2002, mostly opening for bands such as SupertrampSupertramp
Supertramp are a British rock band formed in 1969 under the name Daddy before renaming to Supertramp in early 1970. Though their music was initially categorised as progressive rock, they have since incorporated a combination of traditional rock and art rock into their music...
. He also served as the sole lead vocalist for Mike + The Mechanics following the death of Paul Young
Paul Young (Sad Café)
Paul Young was an English singer and percussionist who worked with several successful bands. He initially came to prominence as the lead singer of chart band Sad Café, and later enjoyed further chart success sharing lead vocal duties with Paul Carrack in Mike + The Mechanics.-Career:Young was born...
in 2000. In 2004, Carrack would leave the Mechanics following the release of Rewired
Rewired
Rewired is the sixth studio album by Mike + The Mechanics, released in 2004. This was the first album released by the band following the death of co-lead singer Paul Young. Partially because of this, the album was credited to "Mike + The Mechanics" + "Paul Carrack".The album was released in the UK...
, their only album with Carrack as sole lead vocalist.
After a lull in Carrack's career, in 2007 The Eagles covered Carrack's "I Don't Want To Hear Anymore" on their long-awaited reunion album Long Road Out Of Eden
Long Road Out of Eden
Long Road Out of Eden is the seventh studio album by American rock band Eagles, released in 2007 on Lost Highway Records. Nearly six years in production, Long Road Out of Eden is the first studio album from the Eagles since 1979's The Long Run, and along with the four original tracks on 1994 Hell...
. The album went to number one in the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and several other countries around the world.
Carrack embarked on a tour of Germany in May 2009, supported by Canadian artist Brendan Croskerry
Brendan Croskerry
Brendan James Bone Croskerry is an English/Canadian singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Halifax, Nova Scotia. “Superman is on Holidays”, his first commercial release, was featured on the international selling compilation albums Disco Estrella in 2007, and Supermodelo 2007...
.
In 2010, Carrack released his most recent album A Different Hat, with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra which was arranged by David Cullen
David Cullen (disambiguation)
David Cullen is an Irish basketball player.David Cullen is also the name of:* David Cullen , Canadian ice hockey defenceman* David Cullen , Wisconsin State Assemblyman...
.
Session work
Carrack's distinctive voice and keyboard skills have kept him in demand as a session musician on many projects. Some of his credits include:- Keyboards on The SmithsThe SmithsThe Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
' eponymous debut album, The SmithsThe Smiths (album)Before their debut album, single "What Difference Does It Make?" was released in January 1984. The track peaked at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. Released in February 1984, The Smiths debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart....
(1984) - Piano on The PretendersThe PretendersThe Pretenders are an English rock band formed in Hereford, England in March 1978. The original band consisted of initiator and main songwriter Chrissie Hynde , James Honeyman-Scott , Pete Farndon , and Martin Chambers...
album Learning To Crawl (1983) - Keyboards and vocals on Roger WatersRoger WatersGeorge Roger Waters is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. He was a founding member of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, serving as bassist and co-lead vocalist. Following the departure of bandmate Syd Barrett in 1968, Waters became the band's lyricist, principal songwriter...
' Radio K.A.O.S.Radio K.A.O.S.Radio K.A.O.S. is a 1987 concept album by former Pink Floyd bassist, singer songwriter Roger Waters. It is his second solo album.-Storyline:The concept is based around a 23-year-old disabled man from Wales named Billy....
(1987) and subsequent tour - Organ on Elton JohnElton JohnSir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
's Made in England (1996) and The Big Picture (1997) - Organ and vocals on B.B. King's Deuces Wild (1997)
- Touring with Ringo StarrRingo StarrRichard Starkey, MBE better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He became The Beatles' drummer in...
's All-Starr Band (2003)
In 1997, Carrack played organ for Elton John on the single "Something About The Way You Look Tonight
Something About the Way You Look Tonight
"Something About the Way You Look Tonight" is a song by Elton John, released in 1997 as the first single from The Big Picture. The song and its video were dedicated to the memory of Gianni Versace, murdered that year....
". It was coupled with "Candle In The Wind '97" on a double A-sided single, which set a new record for best selling single of all time.
Discography
Throughout his career, Carrack has released solo albums during his breaks from band duties and session work. His biggest solo hit, "Don't Shed a TearDon't Shed a Tear
"Don't Shed a Tear" is a song by English singer-musician, Paul Carrack, from his third solo album, One Good Reason. It was released as a single in 1987 and became his biggest U.S. hit, peaking at number nine on the pop chart.-Background:...
," came after he signed as a solo artist to Chrysalis Records
Chrysalis Records
Chrysalis Records was a British record label that was created in 1969. The name was both a reference to the pupal stage of a butterfly and a combination of its founders names, Chris Wright and Terry Ellis...
in 1987.
Solo albums
- 1980 Nightbird
- 1982 Suburban Voodoo – (US #78)
- 1987 One Good ReasonOne Good Reason (Paul Carrack album)One Good Reason is the third solo record by British singer-songwriter and Mike + The Mechanics singer Paul Carrack. It features 10 songs, one of which, "Don't Shed a Tear", became a Top 10 hit in America, peaking at number 9.-Reception:...
– (US #67) - 1989 Groove Approved – (US #120)
- 1996 Blue Views – (UK #55)
- 1997 Beautiful World – (UK #88)
- 2000 Satisfy My Soul – (UK #63)
- 2001 Groovin
- 2002 Still Groovin – [Re-packaging of Groovin with extra tracks and bonus DVD]
- 2003 It Ain't Over – (UK #193)
- 2005 A Soulful Christmas – [Paul Carrack & The SWR Big Band]
- 2005 Winter Wonderland – [Paul Carrack & The SWR Big Band]
- 2007 Old, New, Borrowed and Blue
- 2008 I Know That Name – (UK #152)
- 2010 A Different Hat – (UK #178) – [Paul Carrack with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra]
Hit singles
Solo- "I Need You" (US # 37, 1982)
- "When You Walk in the RoomWhen You Walk In The Room"When You Walk in the Room" is a song written and recorded by Jackie DeShannon, first released by her in 1963 but covered by many artists. The lyrics of the song attempt to detail the singer's emotions when in the presence of the person he or she loves...
" (UK # 48, 1987) - "Don't Shed a TearDon't Shed a Tear"Don't Shed a Tear" is a song by English singer-musician, Paul Carrack, from his third solo album, One Good Reason. It was released as a single in 1987 and became his biggest U.S. hit, peaking at number nine on the pop chart.-Background:...
" (US # 9/UK # 60, 1987) - "One Good Reason (US # 28, 1988)
- "I Live By The Groove" (US # 31, 1989)
- "Eyes of Blue" (UK # 40, 1996)
- "How Long?" (UK # 32, 1996)
- "Eyes of Blue" (Remix) (UK # 45, 1996)
Ace
- "How Long?" (US # 3/UK # 20 1975)
Squeeze hit singles with Carrack on lead vocal
- "Tempted" (US # 49/UK # 41, 1981)
Mike + The Mechanics hit singles with Carrack on lead vocal
- "Silent RunningSilent Running (On Dangerous Ground)"Silent Running " is a pop rock song performed by Mike + The Mechanics. Written by Mike Rutherford and B. A. Robertson, it was the first track from their 1985 self-titled debut album...
" (UK # 21/US # 6, 1985) - "The Living YearsThe Living Years (song)"The Living Years" was written by Mike Rutherford and B. A. Robertson, and recorded by Rutherford's English rock band Mike + The Mechanics. It was released in January 1989 as the second single from their album, Living Years. The song was a top ten chart hit around the world. It peaked at number one...
" (UK # 2/US # 1, 1989) - "A Time And Place" (UK # 58, 1991)
- "Everybody Gets A Second Chance" (UK # 56, 1991)
- "Over My ShoulderOver My Shoulder (Mike + The Mechanics song)"Over My Shoulder" is a song by Mike + The Mechanics. It was released in February 1995 as the first single from their album Beggar on a Beach of Gold...
" (UK # 12, 1995) - "Another Cup Of Coffee" (UK # 51, 1995)
- "Silent Running" [re-release] (UK # 61, 1996)
- "Now That You've Gone" (UK # 35, 1999)
- "Whenever I Stop" (UK # 73, 1999)
External links
- Official website
- Solo singles discography Paul Carrack, Spin 1ne 2wo, Ace comprehensive discography
- Paul Carrack biography at World of Genesis
- A House of Many Rooms – Mike + The Mechanics fansite