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Graham Clark
Music Features Writer
@Maxximum23Clark
4:01 PM 24th January 2016
arts

Album Review: Paul Carrack - Soul Shadows

 
The album title gives a lot away: Paul has made an album that has a soulful side to it, the former lead singer of Ace, Mike and the Mechanics and successful solo singer has made one of the best albums of his solo career.

The album opens up with Keep on Loving You, a song that brings to mind the classic soul groups like The Temptations or The Four Tops. The track has not been over produced and the melody is allowed to shine through and you can hear the emotion in his voice. No wonder Radio 2 have playlisted the track.

Sleep On It starts off with what could be Stevie Wonder playing harmonica, it isn't but this is an uplifting track that would fit soundly on Stevie's Songs In The Key of Life. It will be a delight to hear these songs played live on his current tour. The track too could have come from Paul's days when he was in Ace, the track could be the cousin to the bands big hit How Long?

Sweet Soul Legacy has a big band sound and he name checks Jackie Wilson and James Brown and Paul says in the lyric that the sweet soul music is still his remedy. It still sounds good to me, he sings and it does sound good in his hands.

Let Me Love You Again is a ballad that you could imagine The Stylistics performing. If you liked Eric Carman's hit All By Myself you will appreciate this track.

Watching Over Me has a lyric about Paul's musical journey so far and how his career has progressed. Late At Night has a funky guitar riff that carries the track whilst the album closes with the ballad Share Your Love With Me, less soulful than the other tracks it is still a good way to close this excellent album.

If you have enjoyed his previous work then this new album will be a delight to you. If you have never heard a full album by him then this is as good a starting point. The album entered the UK album charts at #25 this week.

4 out of 5