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A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

How Long

1 votes

Tempted

7 votes

I Need You

0 votes

The Living Years

2 votes

Don't Shed a Tear

3 votes

Silent Running

1 votes

When You Walk in the Room

0 votes

Other??

1 votes

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 10 2013 09:43 AM

I might have to look this up, but I'd guess that Paul Carrack is rock and roll's ultimate utility infielder: One of the few singers to sing hits for three different bands and as a solo artist. He's also a journeyman sideman and keyboardist, having spent time with Roger Waters/Pink Floyd; Roxy Music; Nick Lowe & the Cowboy Outfit, etc etc. Which of these soulful-white-guy Paul Carrack-sung songs do you take with you to the desert island? How Long (with Ace) [youtube]mW9TIKrxT18[/youtube] Tempted (Squeeze) [youtube]3UuU4mX1qnk[/youtube] I Need You (solo) [youtube]yE4MnFtqTx8[/youtube] The Living Years (Mike + the Mechanics) [youtube]uGDA0Hecw1k[/youtube] Don't Shed a Tear (solo) [youtube]LJ4wa-432xQ[/youtube] Silent Running (Mike + the Mechanics) [youtube]ep7W89I_V_g[/youtube] When You Walk in the Room (solo) [youtube]4Dht2b_J4tY[/youtube]

Swan Swan H Jul 10 2013 09:45 AM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

Carrack does a nice job with it, and Tempted is the best song on the list by miles.

seawolf17 Jul 10 2013 09:52 AM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

Love a bunch of these, but I always really loved "The Living Years."

Edgy MD Jul 10 2013 09:54 AM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

Csomic Carrack at the start of "When You Walk in the Room" is creepy. I'm leaning towards "Tempted" but have a soft spot for the 100CC-ish "How Long?" Maybe he pissed off Godley and Creme and they avenged themselves by making him look bad in the "WYWitR" video. Funny how Mike Rutherford went "solo," and ended up enlisting such a Phil Collins type on vocals. I was half surprised he didn't get a call during the brief time Genesis decided to tour without Phil.

Edgy MD Jul 10 2013 09:59 AM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

Hits as lead singers with more than one band and as a solo act: Paul Carrack Paul McCartney Steven Stills Rod Stewart RRobert Plant sorta Steve Winwood Maybe Eddie Vedder Obviously, what makes Carrack (and Rod Stewart and Winwood, I guess) stand out is that the bands he sang for weren't vehicles for him, brought in as a part of somebody else's initiative --- in that sense, yeah, a utility infielder.

Frayed Knot Jul 10 2013 10:02 AM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

'How Long'

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 10 2013 10:06 AM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

Mike also employed Paul Young to sing, very Collinsy himself. I want to vote against "Tempted" because as good as it is, I resent it being Squeeze's most recognized hit when they'd done so many great songs that were not white soul sung by Paul Carrick. But I can't really vote for "I Need You" because as good as that is, it's sort of an inferior second attempt at "Tempted." The 80s production really detracts from "Don't Shed a Tear" but I like that one quite a bit. Angry verses ("Cab fare to nowhere is what you are") but a dramatic, triumphant chorus.

Mets – Willets Point Jul 10 2013 10:33 AM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Mike also employed Paul Young to sing, very Collinsy himself. I was going to ask why "Every Time You Go Away" wasn't an option, but that's by Paul Young who I often conflate with Carrack, perhaps for good reason.

Edgy MD Jul 10 2013 10:43 AM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

Yabbut, the "Everytime You Go Away" Paul Young is not the same Paul Young who was in Mike + the Mechanics. The M+tM Paul Young had been the singer for Sad Café, a British band with little traction in the US. If Paul Carrack was Bob Bailor, M+tM Paul Young was, like, Ross Jones. Maybe he's Tom Veryzer. Maybe. The Paul Young of "Every Time" was a pretty huge solo act in Europe, and did alright stateside too. He sang the first two lines of "Do They Know it's Christmas" and got a prime-time slot at Live Aid, duetting with Alison Moyet --- pretty much considered the top British male and female vocalists at the time.

TransMonk Jul 10 2013 10:43 AM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

Mets – Willets Point wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Mike also employed Paul Young to sing, very Collinsy himself. I was going to ask why "Every Time You Go Away" wasn't an option, but that's by Paul Young who I often conflate with Carrack, perhaps for good reason. "Every Time You Go Away" was originally a Hall & Oates song to further the conflation.

Mets – Willets Point Jul 10 2013 10:46 AM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

TransMonk wrote: Mets – Willets Point wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Mike also employed Paul Young to sing, very Collinsy himself. I was going to ask why "Every Time You Go Away" wasn't an option, but that's by Paul Young who I often conflate with Carrack, perhaps for good reason. "Every Time You Go Away" was originally a Hall & Oates song to further the conflation. Damn, the early 80s was no time time to be a child. It was all a fucking muddle.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 10 2013 11:10 AM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

Edgy MD wrote: Yabbut, the "Everytime You Go Away" Paul Young is not the same Paul Young who was in Mike + the Mechanics. The M+tM Paul Young had been the singer for Sad Café, a British band with little traction in the US. If Paul Carrack was Bob Bailor, M+tM Paul Young was, like, Ross Jones. Maybe he's Tom Veryzer. Maybe. The Paul Young of "Every Time" was a pretty huge solo act in Europe, and did alright stateside too. He sang the first two lines of "Do They Know it's Christmas" and got a prime-time slot at Live Aid, duetting with Alison Moyet --- pretty much considered the top British male and female vocalists at the time. What the hell? Who'd compete with another Paul Young during the 80s? I mean, I never dug M+M so wouldn't know, but geez. The "real" Paul Young by the way would be a bit like the Joe Charbonneau of rock. Everyone just assumed he was headed directly to the Hall of Fame. Rod Stewart in his book recalls people telling him PY would steal his whole audience.

Edgy MD Jul 10 2013 11:17 AM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

I think we did a Real Paul Young Very Important Poll back in the day.

Mets – Willets Point Jul 10 2013 11:19 AM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

Edgy MD wrote: I think we did a Real Paul Young Very Important Poll back in the day. Which one is the real one?

Edgy MD Jul 10 2013 11:23 AM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

Joe Charbonneau > Tom Veryzer.

metirish Jul 10 2013 11:28 AM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

Great thread I voted for The Living Years, 1) it's a great song with some meaning, 2) for all these years I thought Mike Rutherford sang it ....

Swan Swan H Jul 10 2013 11:54 AM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

Edgy MD wrote: Hits as lead singers with more than one band and as a solo act: Paul Carrack Paul McCartney Steven Stills Rod Stewart RRobert Plant sorta Steve Winwood Maybe Eddie Vedder Obviously, what makes Carrack (and Rod Stewart and Winwood, I guess) stand out is that the bands he sang for weren't vehicles for him, brought in as a part of somebody else's initiative --- in that sense, yeah, a utility infielder. Martha Wash sang with Two Tons O'Fun, The Weather Girls, Black Box and C+C Music Factory, in addition to her solo career.

Mets – Willets Point Jul 10 2013 12:04 PM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

Swan Swan H wrote: Hits as lead singers with more than one band and as a solo act: Paul Carrack Paul McCartney Steven Stills Rod Stewart RRobert Plant sorta Steve Winwood Maybe Eddie Vedder Obviously, what makes Carrack (and Rod Stewart and Winwood, I guess) stand out is that the bands he sang for weren't vehicles for him, brought in as a part of somebody else's initiative --- in that sense, yeah, a utility infielder. Martha Wash sang with Two Tons O'Fun, The Weather Girls, Black Box and C+C Music Factory, in addition to her solo career. And she had to fight to get recognition for singing lead with those last two. A great voice and a nice addition to the list.

seawolf17 Jul 10 2013 12:10 PM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

As a young card collector, I remember being fascinated by Joe Charbonneau. I remember finding his 81 Topps card and thinking "why, in 1984, have I never heard of this guy?" Carrack was part of Ringo's All-Starr Band when we saw them at Westbury in 2002 or thereabouts. Played "How Long" and "The Living Years," IIRC.

Edgy MD Jul 10 2013 12:18 PM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

Must raise a hefty soulful flag here. Two Tons O'Fun, The Weather Girls. Same act man.

Swan Swan H Jul 10 2013 12:36 PM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

George Harrison, if we're counting 'Handle With Care' as a hit. Tom Petty for 'End of the Line,' but maybe not. I know he had hits where he was listed as a solo artist, but the whole with/without the band named after one person thing always seems like it should be regarded as a single entity to me. There's a scene in the video for "The Living Years" that always got me - Rutherford and a kid (his son? him as a kid?) are standing in a graveyard. As the camera comes in and the angle lowers, suddenly the kid pivots on his heel and walks away. You can practically hear the director calling out 'Not yet...not yet...NOW!' Unintentional humor - can't be beat.

Swan Swan H Jul 10 2013 12:38 PM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

Edgy MD wrote: Must raise a hefty soulful flag here. Two Tons O'Fun, The Weather Girls. Same act man. True, but Martha still got 3+1.

Edgy MD Jul 10 2013 12:49 PM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

seawolf17 wrote: As a young card collector, I remember being fascinated by Joe Charbonneau. I remember finding his 81 Topps card and thinking "why, in 1984, have I never heard of this guy?" Carrack was part of Ringo's All-Starr Band when we saw them at Westbury in 2002 or thereabouts. Played "How Long" and "The Living Years," IIRC. How can he leave out "Tempted"? Especially with other vocalists on stage to sign the Tillbrook/Difford/Costello parts in verse two.

seawolf17 Jul 10 2013 12:51 PM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

I don't know that Eddie Vedder belongs on that list. Temple of the Dog? From the harder end of the spectum: Sammy Hagar (Montrose, VH) Ronnie James Dio (Rainbow, Sabbath) -- does "Dio" count as a "solo" act? David Coverdale? (Whitesnake, Deep Purple) -- depends on what you see the "Coverdale/Page" record as

Edgy MD Jul 10 2013 12:54 PM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

Yeah, Eddie was a stretchie. Did Rainbow have any any hits? Did Montrose? Coverdale-era DP? Meanwhile, I'll give you some serious Elmer Fudd-sings-Bruce-Springsteen action. [youtube:l50dokta]MoLi12k2NO0[/youtube:l50dokta]

seawolf17 Jul 10 2013 01:22 PM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

[youtube:1e6lks5j]x8T_PQoTC30[/youtube:1e6lks5j] [youtube:1e6lks5j]p9nfVrusSMg[/youtube:1e6lks5j] [youtube:1e6lks5j]Nd7-PHdbCnE[/youtube:1e6lks5j]

Edgy MD Jul 10 2013 01:26 PM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

I don't know. I've been listening to a lot of 1970s Casey Kasem, and I ain't heard no Montrose.

Mets – Willets Point Jul 10 2013 01:54 PM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

Edgy MD wrote: I don't know. I've been listening to a lot of 1970s Casey Kasem, and I ain't heard no Montrose. Is there a list of metal/hard rock bands named for the surname of one (or more) of the members of the band, but not the lead vocalist? Montrose seems to fall into that sub-genre.

Edgy MD Jul 10 2013 01:56 PM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

I got: Van Halen Santana Argent Montrose Bonham

Swan Swan H Jul 10 2013 02:06 PM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

J. Geils Band is not really hard rock but it fits, as does Santana. Elvin Bishop did not sing on the biggest hit by the Elvin Bishop Group (future Starship howler Mickey Thomas did). Marshall Tucker Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd are named for people who are not band members, as everyone knows.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 10 2013 02:09 PM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

Between the superdramatic keyboards and the fucking child's choir, "Living Years" might be the most maudlin song I've ever heard about fathers and sons, and that's saying something.

seawolf17 Jul 10 2013 02:27 PM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

Fleetwood Mac.

Chad Ochoseis Jul 10 2013 03:41 PM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

Spencer Davis Group

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 10 2013 06:12 PM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

Not hard rock, but... Blackmore's Night? Was (Not Was)? Bronski Beat?

Zvon Jul 10 2013 06:25 PM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

Chose "other" and only considering Carracks solo work. All the Squeeze stuff is primo. Other= Button Off Of My Shirt [youtube:wi6akfr6]4k7eY30rj-g[/youtube:wi6akfr6]

cooby Jul 10 2013 07:21 PM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

Gosh this is beyond hard. I am torn between Silent Running and Dont Shed a Tear (which has a personal appeal for me)

metirish Jul 11 2013 09:00 AM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Between the superdramatic keyboards and the fucking child's choir, "Living Years" might be the most maudlin song I've ever heard about fathers and sons, and that's saying something. say it loud, say it clear

Swan Swan H Jul 12 2013 08:37 PM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

Edgy MD wrote: I got: Van Halen Santana Argent Montrose Bonham Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes.

Edgy MD Jul 13 2013 03:16 PM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

Well, keep in mind, we weren't merely going for (a) bands named for non-frontmen, but also (b) hard rock, and (c) last-name-only appellations.

Edgy MD Jul 13 2013 03:24 PM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Between the superdramatic keyboards and the fucking child's choir, "Living Years" might be the most maudlin song I've ever heard about fathers and sons, and that's saying something. "Cat's in the Cradle" cries for the loss of it's crown.

RealityChuck Jul 13 2013 04:03 PM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

You can't beat Squeeze. Edgy MD wrote: Hits as lead singers with more than one band and as a solo act: Paul Carrack Paul McCartney Steven Stills Rod Stewart RRobert Plant sorta Steve Winwood Maybe Eddie Vedder Others with 2 bands and solo hits: Mick Jagger -- with Peter Tosh, solo, and a band. [youtube]3o4Fgh0KW_4[/youtube] George Harrison -- Beatles, Traveling Wilburys, solo Also, Michael Jackson -- Jackson 5ive, USA for Africa, solo USA for Africa also adds Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers, Diana Ross, and Bob Dylan (Traveling Wilburys, too).

Edgy MD Jul 13 2013 08:02 PM Re: A Desert Island Test of Carrack-ter

Some stretchy stretches, I would think.