Artist:Paul Carrack
Venue:The Sage
Town:Gateshead
Date:29/01/09
Paul Carrack is unquestionably best known for his time spent in the British bands Ace, Squeeze, and of course, Mike & The Mechanics
Having seen Mike and The Mechanics in 2000 when they opened for Celine Dion in Wembley, I was very much looking forward to seeing how Mr Carrack fared solo.
As a refreshing change, there was no support act and his show was split into 2 distinct sections. He took to the stage wearing a dark suit and his now surely trademark hat and dark shades.
Easing us in gently, Paul commenced the evening with a 45min opening section, featuring more laid back numbers, sat alone at the keyboard for Satisfy My Soul; gradually joined by his 7-strong band including a saxophonist and a trumpet player. You can't help but ask yourself how someone so small can have such a huge voice! As She's My Kind got underway, it was barely possible to recognise Carrack's fingers, they moved so fast across the frets of his guitar. This first set continued with a song I had actually forgotten he wrote; Don't Dream it's Over which he wrote with Paul Young, of course made famous by Crowded House. This version was completely different, in terms of phrasing and interpretation, with stunning backing vocals, reminding me once again that there is nothing like hearing a song sung by the person who wrote it. An offering from the new album came in the form of I know that Name, written with Chris Difford; an articulate look at that place that exists in all our dreams. A duet version of a song recorded by the Eagles; I don't wanna hear anymore' on their most recent album, Long Road out of Eden, allowed backing vocalist Lindsay Draccus (pronounced Draycass) to take centre stage and show the audience her skills as their voices melded together. My feeling is that Carrack's version has the edge. Who Am I closed out the first set as Paul announced they would be back soon to have a little fun.
Much to the audience's delight, the second set lasted around ninety minutes, generally containing the more upbeat songs we all know and love, from both his solo career and his time with Ace and Mike and The Mechanics – in fact he and the band have created a mini section of Mike and the Mechanics tracks. Highlights from this second set included another song recorded by the Eagles called Love will Keep us Alive, Silent Running, When you Walk in the Room, How Long, The Hardest Part, Another Cup of Coffee and a great new song with an almost Jamaican sound called Just for Tonight. It Ain't easy to Love Someone allowed them to demonstrate their more bluesy side. My favourite moment of the evening was his rendition of the Mike and the Mechanics classic, The Living Years. This was written from the perspective of a son who has a conflicted relationship with his Father. After his father dies, he discovers that he and his father had a much stronger bond than he ever realised, and regrets not saying more while he was alive. Personal connections to the lyrics of this song could be felt around the hall and the occasional sound let you know several had been moved to tears. As the song was sung, the images which had been displayed on the back screen of Paul and his band were replaced with images of a stained glass window, flickering candles, and an angel sculptures. As the audience were encouraged to join in with the end choruses, these somehow turned the song from a mere song, to a prayer to all of the Dads who were clearly being thought of as the song unfolded. A very special and unique live music moment.
Another highlight was when Paul invited keyboardist (and website manager!) Paul Copley to join him in centre stage. Here was his chance to shine, and he belted out in a deep, soulful voice, a striking version of Some Kinda Love, while Paul Carrack accompanied him on keyboards and backing vocals. Copley is clearly at ease with the limelight, as he played the audience, strutting across the stage. Clearly loving every minute of it. He then returned to his place at the keyboard and danced with Dracuss as the last notes faded. Proving just how down to earth he really is, Carrack encouraged the audience to applaud harder for Copley's performance. Joined by bassist Jeremy Meek,guitarist Mark Flanagan guitarist John Robinson,drummer Dean Dukes and of course Draccus, forming one of the tightest bands I have ever had the pleasure to watch, these two Pauls made me wonder more than once if this could ever really be considered work, such was the obvious enjoyment they demonstrated for what they do.
Ending the set with the classic song Over My Shoulder and You're the best Thing, Carrack earned himself a standing ovation, to great applause and loud cheers, as they returned for a final encore of the Marvin Gaye classic, What's Going On.
Despite there not having been a lot of chat between the songs, Paul Carrack's warm personality still came through during the course of one of the longest sets I've ever known an artist deliver. Despite having decided some years ago not to meet fans after the shows, several CDs, including two of my own, were taken backstage by his manager, which Carrack was more than happy to return to us signed. That alone says a lot about the man. I now intend to look up his new album I Know that Name and that will have to do me until he next graces us with his presence! By then hopefully even more people will be able to say 'I know that name is worth going to see play live.
Helen Mitchell
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