Review: Paul Carrack, Orchard Theatre, Dartford, Saturday January 21

By Keith Hunt

Can there be a more complete and accomplished performer than Paul Carrack? I would need plenty of convincing that there is another singer-songwriter and multi-talented musician of his caliber.

He may not have the universal recognition of big hitters of his era like McCartney but he has a solid following that will always fill theatres.

And so it was at the Orchard in Dartford on Saturday when Carrack and his tight-as-a-coat-of-paint band returned for another sell-out concert to a rapturous reception.

It is unbelievable that his name is not always instantly recognisable to some. Mention Ace, Squeeze (he took over from Jools Holland on keyboards) and Mike & the Mechanics and the penny drops.

Carrack strolled onto the stage wearing his latest favourite hat and eased gently into the set with his soul-soaked voice that has no right to come from a white singer.

This was the third time I had seen him in the last couple of years and like a fine wine, he seems to improve - if that were possible - with age, now a sensational 60.

Backed by two drummers, one his son Jack, sax, guitars and keyboards, but no female vocalist in the shape of Lindsay Dracass this time, he paraded some new songs from his forthcoming CD and he certainly wouldn't have escaped without rolling out some of his best known work.

The enthusiastic audience of mainly 50-somethings warmed nicely as the evening progressed and everybody was on their feet in fine fettle for the Ace classics How Long and Looking Back.

Carrack brought on quality support act Tinlin - brothers Rolf and Alex - for the first time near the end and did them the honour of joining them on one of their songs. They were to admit later that it was a daunting experience performing with the great man.

His songwriting prowess was to the fore with his rendition of I Don't Want to Hear Any More, penned for The Eagles on their Long Road Out of Eden epic, and a stirring revisit of the thought-provoking The Living Years.

His much underrated ballad Eyes of Blue, which he has recycled in several versions, is another staple. This time it was the turn of the Royal Philharmonic treatment. The extended Better Than Nothing is always a treat.

Carrack is never afraid to dip his toe into the pool of hits he didn't write, such as The Searchers' When You Walk In the Room and Gerry and the Pacemakers' Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying.

This time the closer was the Marvin Gaye classic What's Going On. One thing's for sure, we would have been happy for the concert to go on for much longer.