Another cracking Carrack!
Paul Carrack Harrogate International Centre.
WITH a seven-piece band and a stunning brass section Paul Carrack, shorter in person than one might imagine for a man whose career is of considerable stature, strode onto stage and delivered an amazing show which served almost as a who's who of popular music over the last 30 years.
As well as a bigh sound, there was also a brilliant video backdrop showing footage of the band on stage mixed with pre-recorded arty video clips along with footage of his collaborations with Mike and the Mechanics amongst others.
A superb rendition of the Squeeze hit Tempted was blasted out along with smoother new material written for the Eagles including the wonderful Love Will Keep Us Alive off their Hell Freezes Over album. Other tracks worthy of mention in the night include Eyes of Blue and Groovin.
As the evening intensifies the crowd are on their feet clapping along, lifting the atmosphere as the band up their game and really start to rock the stage in what up until this point had been a cosy, laid-back evening.
The trumpet and tenor sax solos blasted out over the audience and really made the ears sit up and twitch to the beat. The Mike and the Mechanics hit Over My Shoulder comes complete with video footage including Mike Rutherford.
It also sees the beginning of dancing in the aisles by a few of the braver and less inhibited Harrogate audience.
Then the mood comes down with the wonderful I Need You as carrack slides from guitar to piano and delivers a heart rending version.
Candles light the screen and shafts of light come down and focus on Carrack as he plays the opening chords of The Living Years and the audience bursts into spontaneous applause.
The power of Carrack’s voice fills the air and the music swells to fill the International Centre and washes over everyone with wave after wave of chords and chorus.
Finally the audience begin to get to their feet as the pace is picked up for the classic Everytime You Walk in to the Room, punchy and vibrant this is Carrack at his strongest. Followed by Blood is Thicker Than Water the pace continues.
Finally the number everyone has been waiting for, the one that is my teenage 7-inch singles collection, the truly stunning song How Long which was released with Carrack’s 70s band Ace.
Carrack lived up to expectations and played an extended version as the lights came up and the band got the whole of the International Centre singing along.
The curtain falls on a superb concert and wave after wave of fans head home weary but very happy.
There is little chance that anyone could have gone away feeling shortchanged from this firm Harrogate favourite.
Missed him this time, then catch him next year when he comes around again.
Stuart Rhodes
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Weather for Ripon
Sunday 05 February 2012
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