Review: Paul Carrack - Harrogate Royal Hall

Paul Carrack has been in various groups over the years such as Ace, Squeeze and Mike and the Mechanics as well as having a successful solo career.

He casually walks on stage at the Royal Hall in Harrogate and without any talking from the man himself he goes straight into the opening track of his new album. Keep on Loving You is typical of what was in store for the fans tonight. The best track of the album, Sleep on It follows, with its Stevie Wonder harmonica introduction a soulful twist is brought to the track. The song shows that his creative juices have not dried up.

It was a superb way to start off the gig, you think how can he follow this? He does of course with the Mike and the Mechanics song he sang lead vocals on, Another Cup Of Coffee. Backed by a six piece band that includes two drummers (not seen since Adam and the Ants) he seems happy to be in Harrogate.

It is good to hear the songwriter tell you the story behind his songs: That's All That Matters To Me is apparently about when his daughter went on a six month travelling holiday. His influences come to the fore when he sings the Gerry and the Pacemakers hit, Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying.

The Squeeze hit he provided vocals on, Tempted sounds timeless. Dedicating the Eagles track Love Will Keep Us Alive to Glen Frey, the song was co written by Carrack.

Things move up a gear with the Mike and the Mechanics hits The Living Years and Over My Shoulder. "This is the first song I wrote" he informs the audience as he introduces the Ace hit from 1974, How Long?

They call him the man with the golden voice and he lived up to that.
The sound too was perfect and it was refreshing being able to hear all the instruments being played on stage. He never took his trademark hat off during the gig, no need to as I am sure that there are plenty more hits he has under his hat.