Paul Carrack - piano, organ, keyboards, vocals; Andy Newmark - drums; Andy Fairweather Low - guitars; Nick Lowe - bass, lead vocals; Austin DeLoan - keyboards
Carrack has the rare distinction (or blessing, depending on how you view it) of being one of those rock stars who is famous but faceless. Although he first emerged in the early 1970s with the U.K. pop band, Ace, and would later return as a member of Squeeze, Carrack saw his biggest solo success at the dawn of the MTV age. He released a number of solo albums while also holding down his job as vocalist and keyboardist with the Genesis off-shoot project Mike and he Mechanics.
This recording was made as part of an MTV video taped show, and was thrown together as a one-off promotional tool for his current solo LP, One Good Reason, and his forthcoming LP, Groove Approved. The band was an all-star affair, comprised of many of Carrack's best pals, among others. Carrack seems a little uncomfortable being in the solo spotlight, though he is clearly best when he can concentrate on his sideman performance at the keyboard.
This show is a casual affair, performed in front of a small studio audience. Carrack plays the most radio friendly tracks from his solo albums, including 1989's Top 20 hit "Don't Shed A Tear," "Fire With Fire" and "Button Off My Shirt." He also played enough of his non-solo hits to make this a completely enjoyable, hit-packed concert. From his years with Squeeze, he sings "Tempted," as well as "How Long," the #1 hit he cut with Ace. Bandmate Nick Lowe sings lead on "I Knew The Bride (When She Used To Rock And Roll)," and Carrack performs an unplugged, solo piano read of two incredible ballads: "(Do I Figure) In Your Life," and "Give Me A Chance." Another highlight is Carrack's blue-eyed soul version of The Temptations classic "Ain't Too Proud To Beg."