For those unaware, Paul Carrack, an acclaimed English singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, has carved out a distinguished career spanning over five decades. Born in Sheffield, Carrack first gained prominence as a member of the band Ace, where his soulful vocals drove the success of their 1974 hit “How Long.” This early success marked the beginning of a musical journey that would see Carrack become a pivotal figure in rock, pop, and soul music.

Paul was still a teenager when he made his professional recording debut with the jazz-rock band Warm Dust. The band would release three albums before splitting in 1972; after they broke up, Carrack and Warm Dust bassist Terru “Tex” Corner helped to form the pub rock group Ace the same year. Carrack wrote and sang their debut single, “How Long.” After reaching the Top 20 in the group’s native Britain, the record hit the number three position in the U.S. however, after subsequent material failed to match the success of “How Long,” Ace disbanded in 1977, and Paul signed on with Frankie Miller’s band.

Paul soon resurfaced in Roxy Music, appearing on the albums, Manifesto and Flesh and Blood, before releasing his own solo debut, Nightbird in 1980. Paul next joined Squeeze, replacing keyboardist Jools Holland. He added to the group’s 1981 East Side Story and took up lead vocals on the single “Tempted,” their best-known and most loved hit.

Paul’s time in Squeeze however was brief, and he spent a great deal of time working with singer, songwriter and producer, Nick Lowe. Once again he tried to forge a solo career, this time with his 1982 album Suburban Voodoo which cracked the U.S. Top 40 with the single “I Need You.”

A stint as a sideman to guitarist Eric Clapton followed, and in 1985 Paul joined Genesis’ Mike Rutherford in his side project, Mike & The Mechanics. Paul’s contributions to Mike &The Mechanics solidified his reputation as both a gifted vocalist and songwriter. His work on songs like “The Living Years” and “Silent Running” became iconic anthems of the era, earning widespread acclaim and commercial success.

No-one really knew who Paul Carrack was in the UK but in the US, because of the success that Mike & The Mechanics was enjoying, Paul’s third solo album, One Good Reason proved to be by far his most popular effort to date, with the single “Don’t Shed a Tear” reaching the Top Ten.

Meanwhile still with The Mechanics, their hit The Living Years climbed to number one. By 1993 he was again a member of Squeeze. And soon after rejoined The Mechanics. Another solo album followed in 2000 and Paul spent a great deal of time touring, both as a solo act and as the frontman in Mike & The Mechanics releasing Groovin’ in 2001 and It Ain’t Over in 2003.

Paul joined Eric Clapton again on the guitarist’s 50th anniversary tour in 2013, also appearing at two of Clapton’s 70th Birthday celebrations in 2015. In 2019, Paul released the first of two albums with Germany’s SWR Big Band. 2020 also saw the release of Love Songs, a collection of romantic tunes he’d recorded over the years.

Paul Carrack – For One Night Only is a live recording of the For One Night Only concert from Paul celebrating 50 years of How Long. A concert of two halves, with the first half with special guests SWR band and orchestra playing songs from the album Don’t Wait Too Long and the second half being Paul Carrack with his own band featuring all the big hits and a special version of the Living Years (1st Single) and How Long where they are joined by a 150-piece choir, The Funky Voices.

Disc 1:
Dimensions in Blue; Cryin’ Won’t Help You; I’ll Always Be in Love With You; Got to Get You Off My Mind; The Only Thing Missing Is You; Question; Ain’t Nothing You Can Do; Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Cryin’; Don’t Wait Too Long; The Frim Fram Sauce; Sticks and Stones; Good and Ready; Satisfy My Soul; Life in a Bubble

Disc 2:
Eyes of Blue; Shame on You, Shame on Me; Bet Your Life; Love Will Keep Us Alive; If I Should Fall Behind; That’s All That Matters to Me; Watching Over Me; Life’s Too Short; One in a Million; The Living Years; Tempted; How Long; Over My Shoulder; Over My Shoulder (w/ SWR Big Band & Strings); Trust in Me (w/ SWR Big Band & Strings)

Official Purchase Link

www.paulcarrack.net