Country Side Of Paul Carrack Vol. 1

Description

By Paul Carrack - I've always wanted to make a country album - Many people detect soul influences in my music, but I've also always loved country - Growing up, I was eager for all kinds of music, but I listened to artists like Chet Atkins, the Everly Brothers, Hank Williams and I particularly loved Ray Charles, who is best known for his soul and jazz tracks, but who also knew how to sing country very well. I have an older brother, John, and one Christmas, we were given toy guitars. We sang while listening to skiffle, artists like Lonnie Donegan and songs like (Hang Down Your Head) Tom Dooley.
We loved the Everly Brothers and tried to sing the harmonies. Cathy's Clown was one of our favorites. Then, in the 80s, when I was in a band with Nick Lowe, we always listened to George Jones, Willie Nelson and artists like the Osborne Brothers during our bus tours across the United States. It seemed quite appropriate to listen to that kind of music while traveling in the U.S. Over the years, I've made a few forays into country on different albums, but one day, a guy from North Carolina emailed me saying, "Hello, my name is Steven Wood, I'm a country artist and I would like to cover your song Lighten Up Your Mood. Is that okay with you, and if so, would you maybe like to play on it or sing a few lines?" I agreed and he sent me all the files. I added a few notes on the Hammond organ and sang a few lines, and I think the result is really good. I told him that I had always wanted to make a country album and he replied, "Well, why not collaborate on something?"
That's how this album was born. We talked a lot about country music and its meaning, as it's a very broad subject. I love the old tracks, their authenticity, and I didn't want to choose obscure songs just for the sake of it. I wanted familiar songs that I've always loved, with a vibe from the early 60s-70s. After long discussions, we chose tracks by George Jones, who is a genius, and Merle Haggard, whom I adore. We even cover a song by Hank Snow, which is one of my favorites, and one of my grandson's favorites. And of course, we also cover Ray Charles and Hank Williams. We also included a few tracks that I contributed to writing and that we wanted to try in a country style. There's Love Will Keep Us Alive, which I wrote with Peter Vale and Jim Capaldi and which was a hit for the Eagles.
I recorded several versions, but this one is a production by Steven Wood, who brings a fresh touch to the song. And then there's In The Cold Light of Day, which I wrote with Chris Difford from Squeeze, with his typical approach to lyrics. I have a lot of respect for Steven and what he does, so I let him take the lead.
He provided the initial tracks, I recorded the vocals and he assembled an incredible group of the best musicians in Nashville to record the live instruments. On a few tracks, Steven added perfect strings in the Nashville style at Starstruck Studios with the Nashville String Machine and arranger David Shipps. We knew what we wanted to do. We chose the songs and we did it. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed making it.