Out Now - ‘The Country Side of Paul Carrack Vol 2’
Following the success of his number one country album last year, Paul is releasing today: ‘The Country Side of Paul Carrack Vol 2’
Available on CD, LP vinyl and on all streaming platforms.
Click the link below right now and help to get the album into the charts!
Recorded in Nashville with producer Steven Wood and featuring a veritable who's who of premier Nashville studio musicians, 'The Country Side of Paul Carrack Vol 2' features cover versions of 10 classic Country hits:
'That’s The Way Love Goes' (Merle Haggard), ‘Is Anybody Goin’ To San Antone’ (Charley Pride), ‘Before The Next Teardrop Falls’ (Freddy Fender), ‘I’m Just an Old Chunk Of Coal’ (John Anderson), ‘Always On My Mind’ (Willie Nelson), 'That's How I Got to Memphis', 'Nobody’s Darling but Mine', 'Let It Be Me', 'Baby We’re Really in Love' and 'When God Dips His Love in My Heart'
Paul says:
“I’ve always wanted to make a country album, and I'm now very pleased to be coming with the second edition.
A lot of people detect the influences of soul in my music, but I’ve always loved country as well. Growing up, I was hungry for any kind of music, but I would listen to people like Chet Atkins, The Everly Brothers, Hank Williams and I particularly loved Ray Charles, who is predominantly known for his soul and jazz stuff, but could also sing great country.
I have an older brother, John, and one Christmas we were given toy guitars. We used to sing along with skiffle, people like Lonnie Donegan and songs like 'Hang Down Your Head' by Tom Dooley. We really loved The Everly Brothers and would try to sing the harmonies. 'Cathy’s Clown' was a favourite. Then in the 80s, when I was in a band with Nick Lowe, touring America on the bus we would always have George Jones and Willie Nelson playing, and people like The Osborne Brothers. It just seemed right listening to that when you’re on the road in the USA.
Over the years, I’ve done little bits of country on different albums but then out of the blue, a guy from North Carolina emailed me and said: "Hi, I’m Steven Wood, I’m a country artist and I’d like to cover your song, 'Lighten Up Your Mood'. Would that be OK and if so, would you like to maybe play on it or sing a few lines?"
I agreed, I dubbed on some Hammond organ and sang a few lines, and I think it turned out really well. I told him I’d always wanted to make a country album and he said: "Well, why don’t we collaborate on something?" So, that’s the beginning of the story.
We talked a lot about country music and what it means, because it’s such a massive subject. I like the older stuff, the authenticity of it and I didn’t want to pick obscure songs for the sake of it. So on the first album I wanted familiar songs that I’d always loved with an early 60s-70s vibe so, after some very long conversations we chose tracks by people like George Jones, who’s a genius basically, and Merle Haggard, who I love. We even did a Hank Snow song, which is one of my favourites, and one of my grandsons too. And of course, we did some Ray Charles and Hank Williams. The same for Volume 2, with songs from Charley Pride, Freddy Fender, and again more from Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson!
On a few tracks, Steven added some perfect Nashville style strings at Starstruck Studios with the Nashville String Machine and the arranger, David Shipps. We knew what we wanted to do. We picked the songs and we did it.
I hope you enjoy listening to this new album as much as we enjoyed making it."
Several songs from the album and lots of other great videos can be found on Paul's Official YouTube channel. Please visit, watch, like and subscribe!