Paul Carrack
Paul Carrack |
|---|
Paul Carrack (born April 22, 1951 in Sheffield, England) is an English keyboardist, singer and songwriter. Carrack has had multiple careers which have overlapped over the last three-plus decades. He has been a member of several bands including Ace, Squeeze, Mike + The Mechanics,, been a session and touring musician for several others, and has enjoyed success as a solo artist as well. His distinctive voice shows up on some of his affiliated bands' best-known hits.
Career Overview
The 1970s: Warm Dust to Ace to Roxy Music
Carrack's recording career began with the progressive rock band Warm Dust, who released 3 albums of original material between 1970 and 1972. Carrack was the keyboard player for Warm Dust, and occasionally played other instruments as well, but he was not the band's lead vocalist. The lead vocalist was [Les Walker].
After Warm Dust broke up, Carrack and Warm Dust bassist Tex Comer helped to found the pub rock band Ace. Carrack wrote and sang "How Long", Ace's debut single and a hit on both sides of the Atlantic in 1975. However, no further Ace recordings caught on.
In 1977 Ace disbanded and Carrack began working as a backing musician for Frankie Miller. This was followed by a turn as 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.
The 1980s: Squeezing a solo career around other band commitments
Shortly after leaving Roxy Music full time, Carrack issued his first solo album, 1980s Nightbird. It was not a commercial success.
1n 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, on which Carrack sang their biggest US hit to that time, "Tempted." But by 1982, Carrack had left the band, and had been replaced in Squeeze by keyboardist Don Snow.
Beginning in late 1981, Carrack had 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 handling all the lead vocals. They also played behind John Hiatt on side two of Hiatt's 1983 album Riding With The King.
During this era, Carrack also kept himself busy with session work for The Smiths and The Pretenders.
Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit dissolved in 1985, but around the same time, Carrack was contacted by Mike Rutherford (of Genesis) and asked to join Rutherford's new side project, Mike + The Mechanics. Initially, Carrack was one of two 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 Hearts 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.
Leveraging 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". From this point forward, Carrack usually managed to maintain both a solo career and a career in Mike + The Mechanics, a band which recorded and toured irregularly due to Rutherford's commitments to Genesis.
In 1989, Mike + The Mechanics had a UK No. 2 and US No. 1 hit with the "The Living Years", on which Carrack again sang lead. Also in 1989, Carrack recorded a duet with Terri Nunn from the Los Angeles-based synth-pop band Berlin entitled "Romance". The song appeared on the soundtrack to the movie Sing, starring Peter Dobson and Lorraine Bracco.
The 1990s: Sessions, solo work, Squeeze (again) and Spin 1ne 2wo
In the 1990s, Carrack's solo career went into abeyance for a few years, although he maintained a career as a session musician for hire. He also continued working with Mike + The Mechanics, who continued to record through the 1990s. During this era, Carrack assumed keyboard duties within 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 in Berlin by Roger Waters. He performed "Hey You" to the crowd of 250,000.
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 covers including songs by Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Blind Faith, Steely Dan and Bob Dylan.
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 unrealized 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.
Finally in 1996, Carrack resumed his solo career with the album Blue Views.
Into the 21st century
Carrack maintains his active solo career, as well as his career as a session musician and songwriter. He also became Mike + The Mechanics' only lead vocalist after the death of Paul Young in 2000. In 2004, the band was officially re-named Mike + The Mechanics & Paul Carrack.
After a period of comparative quiet 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 #1 in the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and several other countries around the world.
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 Smiths' eponymous debut album, The Smiths (1984)
- Piano on The Pretenders album Learning To Crawl (1983)
- Keys and vocals on Roger Waters' "Radio K.A.O.S." (1987) and subsequent tour
- Organ on Elton John's Made in England (1996) and The Big Picture (1997)
- Organ and vocals on B.B. King's Deuces Wild (1997)
- Touring with Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band (2003)
In 1997, Carrack played organ for Elton John on the single "Something About The Way You Look Tonight". Coupled with "Candle In The Wind '97", this became the 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 Tear," came after he signed as a solo artist to Chrysalis Records in 1987 .
Solo Albums
- 1980 Nightbird
- 1982 Suburban Voodoo
- 1987 One Good Reason
- 1989 Groove Approved
- 1996 Blue Views
- 1997 Beautiful World
- 2000 Satisfy My Soul
- 2001 Groovin'
- 2003 It Ain't Over
- 2005 Winter Wonderland
- 2007 Old, New, Borrowed and Blue
Compilations
- 1987 Ace Mechanic
- 1988 The Carrack Collection
- 1994 Twenty-One Good Reasons: The Paul Carrack Collection
- 1995 Carrackter Reference
- 2006 Greatest Hits - The Story So Far
Solo Hit Singles
- "I Need You" (US #37, 1982)
- "When You Walk in the Room" (UK #48, 1987)
- "Don't Shed A Tear" (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)
- "For Once In Our Lives" (US #72, 1997)
Ace Hit Singles
- "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 Running" (US #21/UK #6, 1985)
- "The Living Years" (US #1/UK #2, 1989)
- "Over My Shoulder" (UK #12, 1995)
- "Now That You've Gone" (UK #35, 1999)
Singles
| Year | Artist | Title | Peak Chart Position | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | U.S. | U.S. Mainstream Rock | ||||
| 1975 | Ace | "How Long" | 20 | 3 | - | Band member (lead vocals, keyboards), composer. |
| 1975 | Ace | "Rock & Roll Runaway" | - | 71 | - | Band member (lead vocals, keyboards). |
| 1975 | Ace | "I Ain't Gonna Stand for This No More" | - | - | - | Band member (lead vocals, keyboards), composer. |
| 1976 | Ace | "No Future in Your Eyes" | - | - | - | Band member (lead vocals, keyboards), co-composer (with Ace). |
| 1977 | Ace | "You're All That I Need" | - | - | - | Band member (lead vocals, keyboards), composer. |
| 1978 | Frankie Miller | "Stubborn Kind of Fellow" | - | - | - | Session musician (keyboards). |
| 1978 | Frankie Miller | "Darlin'" | 6 | 103 | - | Session musician (keyboards). |
| 1979 | Frankie Miller | "When I'm Away from You" | 42 | - | - | Session musician (keyboards). |
| 1979 | Roxy Music | "Trash" | 40 | - | - | Band member (keyboards). |
| 1979 | Frankie Miller | "Good to See You" | - | - | - | Session musician (keyboards). |
| 1979 | Roxy Music | "Angel Eyes" | 4 | - | - | Band member (keyboards). |
| 1980 | Roxy Music | "Oh Yeah (On the Radio)" | 5 | 102 | - | Session musician (strings). |
| 1980 | Paul Carrack | "Beauty's Only Skin Deep" | - | - | - | Performer. First solo single. |
| 1981 | Squeeze | "Is That Love" | 35 | - | - | Band member (keyboards). |
| 1981 | Squeeze | "Tempted" | 41 | 49 | 8 | Band member (keyboards, lead vocals). |
| 1981 | Squeeze | "Labelled with Love" | 4 | - | - | Band member (keyboards). |
| 1981 | Squeeze | "Messed Around" | - | - | - | Band member (keyboards). |
| 1981 | Carlene Carter (duet with Paul Carrack) | "Do Me Lover" | - | - | - | Duet vocals, keyboards. |
| 1982 | Paul Carrack | "Lesson in Love" | - | - | 33 | Performer, composer. |
| 1982 | Paul Carrack | "I Need You" | - | 37 | 22 | Performer, co-composer (with Martin Belmont and Nick Lowe). |
| 1982 | Paul Carrack | "A Little Unkind" | - | - | - | Performer, composer. |
| 1982 | Paul Carrack | "Always Better with You" | - | - | - | Performer, composer. |
| 1983 | Nick Lowe | "Ragin' Eyes" | - | - | - | Session musician (keyboards). |
| 1983 | John Hiatt | "Riding with the King" | - | - | - | Session musician (keyboards). Promo release only. |
| 1984 | Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit | "Half a Boy and Half a Man" | 53 | 110 | - | Band member (keyboards). |
| 1984 | Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit | "L.A.F.S." | - | - | - | Band member (keyboards). |
| 1984 | The Pretenders | "Thin Line Between Love and Hate" | 49 | 83 | - | Session musician (piano, backing vocals). |
| 1985 | Mike + the Mechanics | "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)" | 21 | 6 | 1 | Band member (lead vocals). |
| 1987 | Paul Carrack | "Don't Shed A Tear" | 60 | 9 | 5 | Performer. |
| 1988 | Paul Carrack | "One Good Reason" | - | 28 | 20 | Performer, co-composer (with Chris Difford). |
| 1988 | Paul Carrack | "When You Walk into the Room" | 48 | 90 | - | Performer. |
| 1988 | Paul Carrack | "Button Off My Shirt" | - | 91 | - | Performer. |
| 1989 | Mike + the Mechanics | "The Living Years" | 2 | 1 | 5 | Band member (lead vocals). |
| 1989 | Paul Carrack & Terri Nunn | "Romance (Love Theme from Sing)" | - | - | - | Co-performer. |
| 1989 | Paul Carrack | "I Live by the Groove" | - | 31 | - | Performer, co-composer (with Eddie Schwartz). |
| 1990 | Paul Carrack | "Loveless" | - | - | - | Performer, co-composer (with T-Bone Wolk). |
| 1990 | Paul Carrack | "Dedicated" | - | - | - | Performer, composer. |
| 1990 | Rock Against Repatriation | "Sailing" | - | - | - | Band member (vocals). An ad hoc all-star band, with proceeds from the single going to charity. |
| 1990 | Roger Waters | "The Tide Is Turning" | - | - | - | Chorus vocals. Live recording. |
| 1990 | Roger Waters & the Bleeding Heart Band | "Hey You" | - | - | 37 | Lead vocals. Live recording. |
| 1991 | Mike + the Mechanics | "A Time And Place" | 58 | - | - | Band member (lead vocals, keyboards). |
| 1991 | Mike + the Mechanics | "Everybody Gets A Second Chance" | 56 | - | - | Band member (lead vocals, keyboards). |
| 1993 | Spin 1ne 2wo | "Can't Find My Way Home" | - | - | - | Band member (lead vocals, keyboards). |
| 1993 | Spin 1ne 2wo | "All Along the Watchtower" | - | - | - | Band member (lead vocals, keyboards). |
| 1993 | Squeeze | "Third Rail" | 39 | - | - | Band member (keyboards). |
| 1993 | Squeeze | "Some Fantastic Place" | 73 | - | - | Band member (keyboards). |
| 1993 | Squeeze | "Loving You Tonight" | - | - | - | Band member (lead vocals, keyboards). Initial promo release credited to "The Pressure". |
| 1993 | Squeeze | "Everything in the World" | - | - | - | Band member (keyboards). US release only. Reached #9 on US Modern Rock chart. |
| 1994 | Squeeze | "It's Over" | 89 | - | - | Band member (keyboards, backing vocals). |
| 1995 | Mike + the Mechanics | "Over My Shoulder" | 12 | - | - | Band member (lead vocals, keyboards), co-composer (with Mike Rutherford). |
| 1995 | Mike + the Mechanics | "A Beggar on a Beach of Gold" | 33 | - | - | Band member (keyboards, backing vocals). |
| 1995 | Mike + the Mechanics | "Another Cup Of Coffee" | 51 | - | - | Band member (lead vocals, keyboards). |
| 1996 | Paul Carrack | "Eyes of Blue" | 40 | - | - | Performer, composer. |
| 1996 | Mike + the Mechanics | "All I Need Is A Miracle '96" | 27 | - | - | Band member (keyboards, backing vocals). Re-recording of Mike + the Mechanics 1985 hit. |
| 1996 | Paul Carrack | "How Long" | 32 | - | - | Performer, composer. A re-recording of his hit with Ace. |
| 1996 | Mike + the Mechanics | "Silent Running" | 61 | - | - | Band member (lead vocals, keyboards). Re-issue of Mike + the Mechanics 1985 hit. |
| 1996 | Paul Carrack | "Eyes of Blue" | 45 | - | - | Performer, composer. Re-issue of Eyes of Blue. |
| 1997 | Paul Carrack | "The Way I'm Feeling Tonight" | 92 | - | - | Performer, co-composer (with Graham Gouldman). |
| 1997 | Paul Carrack | "For Once in Our Lives" | - | 72 | - | Performer, composer. Hit #3 on Billboard's US Adult Contemporary chart. |
| 1997 | Elton John | "Something About The Way You Look Tonight" | 1 | 1 | - | Session musician (organ). Double A-side with "Candle in the Wind '97". The best selling single of all time. |
| 1998 | Paul Carrack | "Beautiful World" | - | - | - | Performer, composer. |
| 1998 | Eric Clapton | "Pilgrim" | 170 | - | - | Session musician (organ). |
| 1999 | Mike + the Mechanics | "Now That You've Gone" | 35 | - | - | Band member (lead vocals, keyboards), co-composer (with Mike Rutherford). |
| 1999 | Mike + the Mechanics | "Whenever I Stop" | 73 | - | - | Band member (lead vocals, keyboards). |
| 2000 | Paul Carrack | "Satisfy My Soul" | 199 | - | - | Performer, composer. |
| 2000 | Paul Carrack | "My Kind" | - | - | - | Performer, composer. |
| 2001 | Paul Carrack | "Groovin'" | 177 | - | - | Performer. |
| 2001 | Paul Carrack | "Any Day Now" | - | - | - | Performer. |
| 2001 | Paul Carrack | "Sunny" / "Harvest for the World" | - | - | - | Performer. |
| 2003 | Paul Carrack | "She Lived Down the Street" | 90 | - | - | Performer, co-composer (with Chris Difford). |
| 2003 | Paul Carrack | "Where Did I Go Wrong?" | 184 | - | - | Performer, composer. |
| 2003 | Paul Carrack | "Happy To See You Again" | - | - | - | Performer, composer. |
| 2004 | Mike + the Mechanics & Paul Carrack | "One Left Standing" | - | - | - | Band member (lead vocals, keyboards), co-composer (with Mike Rutherford and Sharon Woolf). |
| 2004 | Mike + the Mechanics & Paul Carrack | "Perfect Child" | - | - | - | Band member (lead vocals, keyboards), co-composer (with Mike Rutherford and B.A. Robertson). |
| 2004 | Mike + the Mechanics & Paul Carrack | "If I Were You" | - | - | - | Band member (lead vocals, keyboards). |
References
- The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll, Page 4, Fireside, 2001, ISBN 0743201205
- Peter Buckley, The Rough Guide to Rock, Page 3, Rough Guides, 2003, ISBN 1843531054
- Brent Mann, 99 Red Balloons...and 100 Other All-Time Great One-Hit Wonders, Page 120, Citadel Press, 2003, ISBN 0806525169