Albums: Paul Carrack And The SWR Big Band- Don’t Wait Too Long

Paul Carrack's covers album celebrates the pioneering golden era in music from the 50s and beyond spanning blues, gospel, country and jazz. Carrack has a deep love of R&B songs from that period and for him, 1950s music was filled with intense emotion, wildly kinetic and had a profound impact on his career.

In Carrack’s mind, it’s where all modern pop music began, the sounds were spectacular and revolutionary. Days when the change from jazz to pop was stretched via pioneers and great singers, like Bobby Bland, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and Lloyd Price. These artists always resonated as fantastic performers with stylistic records that had such joy and intensity.

It was not only a time for musical revolution but a social and generational upheaval of vast and unpredictable scope. The power of this music is as vital today as it ever was with the power to change lives forever.

So, what of the new album? His soulful pop stylings shine brightly on this new album recorded with Stuttgart-based SWR Big Band is a change of direction for Carrack.

Carrack told us that the inspiration came from his relationship with SWR Big Band who he has worked with for ten years since recording a Christmas swing style album with them.

“I go over there every Christmas to perform and we decided to record an album that reflected the influences I had when I was younger such as blues and soul. I am up really for any kind of musical experience,” he told the p.ublisher group of line newspapers.

Highlights on the album include the first single Cryin' Won't Help You, his tribute to the king of the blues, B.B. King. Carrack previously featured on the BB Kings’ Deuces Wild album alongside Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour. Also featured Carrack’s version of Bobby 'Blue' Bland‘s classic The Only Thing Missing Is You, which stays close to the original version.

Carrack also adds his own raw intensity and soul to the Etta James classic Trust in Me which is a brave number to cover but he has pulled it off with ease.

The title track, his version of Madeleine Peyroux’s, Don’t Wait Too Long, is perfect positioning between a jazz and country sound and a song that stands out for Carrack. “I think what Madeleine is saying in the song is very pertinent- especially to old gits like me, with no time to waste!”

He admits it is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea: "I think if you are a big music fan you can appreciate good music - which this new album is. For me the album is a side project and I hope that the fans will enjoy the album."