Paul Carrack

Paul Carrack’s back in Basingstoke after a couple of years away and it seems the locals have been waiting for him, with the venue sold out. He’s here to play tracks from his lengthy career and most recent album A Different Hat, the title of which becomes clear as he walks on stage wearing new headgear, a more fashionable trilby style affair.

Before that though we are treated to an intriguing set from Tinlin, two brothers with just acoustic guitar, a drummer and a mandolin. They are a quaint duo lacking a little presence (as is typical of many support artists) and reminiscent of The Boy Least Likely To. After their performance comes confusion for many of this evening’s audience. Told that the main act will soon be on stage, many stay in their seats, not realising now is the time to get that drink and those M&Ms. One or two disgruntled conversations are had with staff, but this is a crowd to see Paul Carrack, and things don’t escalate beyond a slightly angry tut.

Then it’s time to relax and enjoy a demonstration of why Paul Carrack is so revered by the industry. Not only is his voice in splendid soulful form, but once again the list of songs in his arsenal are impressive; the likes of ‘Eyes of Blue’, ‘Love Will Keep Us Alive’ and ‘Living Years’. There are covers too, with another Bonnie Raitt tune used (he’s previously performed ‘Nick of Time’), but the gentle version of ‘I Can’t Make You Love Me’, lacks the original’s charm and George Michael’s bite.

Halfway through there’s a sequence of slower tracks that feature a keyboard induced orchestral backing. These songs point to the special gigs coming up with the Royal Philharmonic in London and may well sound much better for it. Tonight his band’s too good to play second fiddle to fake strings and thankfully the pace picks up.

Apart from grumblings about how the interval wasn’t announced properly, the crowd is mainly appreciative but relaxed. That is until they are encouraged to get up and join in to ‘How Long’ and the subsequent tidy little encore.