Paul Carrack at the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. 2016. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

It is a simple equation in the end, a matter of fact that should always be repeated wherever and whenever the mood strikes and the thoughts in the head turn to a more beautiful life than one recklessly being left to rot in the chains of musical absurdity. Paul Carrack does not come to Liverpool enough, especially for the army of fans he has made over a long and impressive career that packed out the Philharmonic Hall on sleet filled sky night in January.

With the feelings of playful neglect quickly forgotten, the Philharmonic crowd were treated to a set comprising of songs from the brand new and wonderfully recorded album Soul Shadow, as well as old favourites from a very distinguished career including his time with Mike and The Mechanics, Squeeze and Ace.

It was a set in which the feeling of emotional rejoice was brimming at all times, bubbling away in the audience, and in which the added pleasure of having Andy Staves, Jeremy Meek, Steve Beighton, Jack Carrack and Dean Duke join the distinguished front man acted as a conduit to bring those emotions to the very peak of their musical game.

Time has marched on and in the end waits for no one in particular and yet Paul Carrack’s voice is such that the sweet embrace it offers any size crowd is taken with warm heart and the feeling of responsible adoration; in any size crowd a voice such as Mr. Carrack’s is normally accompanied by the witnessing of a many a shed silent tear in the darkness of the auditorium glare and as songs such as Keep On Lovin’ You, Another Cup Of Coffee, Satisfy My Soul, You Don’t Know Me, Tempted, the excellent Bet Your Life, the rapturous beauty of The Living Years and How Long were played out, the tears in the eyes of many were visible and held dear.

With one of Paul Carrack’s Liverpool heroes in the audience, Gerry Marsden, there was no mistaking the adoration in the voice as he and the band proceeded to perform the Gerry and the Pacemakers hit Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying with a sense of great profound beauty.

A night of reliving emotions, of feeling the benefit of a fruitful career played so splendidly, Paul Carrack may not come to Liverpool enough, however when he does it is something truly exquisite to behold.

Ian D. Hall