Interview With Paul Carrack

From starting out with Ace and the worldwide hit, How Long? Sheffield born Paul Carrack has been a member of Mike and the Mechanics as well as having a successful solo career.

Our Features Writer, Graham Clark, caught up with Paul as he prepares for his final concert of the tour in his home city of Sheffield.

Your new album One on One is really a solo album: you wrote, produced and played every instrument on the album, was it a labour of love?

Of course! Just like every album. I had no plans to record in 2020 because we had a full diary of touring dates both with my own band and as part of the Eric Clapton Band (I’ve been playing organ in EC’s band for about 10 years now.)

When the various lockdown restrictions came into play I tried to use the time constructively and, as I’m very fortunate to have a small recording studio at home, I started to work on new material.

In the beginning the restrictions meant that I had to work alone, but that’s not unusual for me. I’m used to working on my own in the studio.

I play a little bit of everything, I started out on drums, and over the years have taught myself to play most of the instruments needed to make rock and roll. I’ve also learned my own cack-handed method of recording so I can work without an engineer.

I don’t play the wind instruments though. I wrote the horn parts using keyboard samples and once the lockdown rules relaxed a bit we added the real guys.

How did getting shingles delay the recording of the album?

Well I was on course to release the album in April last year, but I went down with shingles which set me back a few weeks and we missed the boat as regards manufacturing and distribution schedules. So,we had no option but to delay release until September. No big deal. The world wasn’t holding it’s breathe but some of the hard core fans had pre-ordered it and I hate letting them down. I think most people understood the situation.

One of the tracks on the album is called Precious Time, do you value time a lot more the older you get?

I think so. I think we all should, but life can be hectic keeping all the plates spinning. I suppose being locked down gave a lot of people time to think about their own mortality, especially people as old as me!

Are you nervous about playing live concerts again after such a long time?

Not yet. I’m just looking forward to playing with the whole band again.

I’m always a bit nervous because I think it’s a big responsibility to put on a great show when people have shelled out their hard earned cash for tickets, which aren’t cheap. Not to mention making the effort to leave the comfort of their home to come and see us.

Will there still be two drummers in the band like before?

Well that’s the plan. However, my son Jack is one of the drummers and his wife is heavily pregnant and due to give birth at any time. We have an emergency contingency plan as my manager, Pete Van Hooke was the original drummer in Mike and the Mechanics and may have to step up in an emergency.

When you lived in Sheffield did you see a lot of touring acts?

I certainly did. I saw The Beatles, Stones, Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, The Shadows and many more at the City Hall. Very inspiring for a young lad.

You have had such a varied musical career, what are you most particularly proud of?

Surviving! I don’t think I am a ‘prideful’ person. I feel very fortunate to have had a career doing what I love, meeting and working with so many wonderful people.
But I have to remind myself that was not easy by any stretch of the imagination especially in the beginning. I have also had the support of a wonderful woman and the love of my family.

Do you keep in touch with any of the musicians you have worked with over your career?

Of course. I have a few very close friends and many, many more acquaintances and very few, if any, enemies.
However we’re not social butterflies and I am very much a home body when not working.