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Artist: Paul Carrack Title: "Beautiful World" Label: Ark 21 Reviewed By: Colette Engel Rating:

I looked at the name, I listened to the CD, and I said to myself, “I know this voice.”  It kept nagging at me, bugging me, until I had to find out where I knew Paul Carrack from.  After a little reading, I realized that I'd seen him in many places, but the one that stood out for me was as a former member of "Squeeze."  His was the voice behind "Tempted." At last!  Mystery solved! Apparently, I’m not the only one who’s had trouble putting name to face with Mr. Carrack. Carrack himself says, “The bane of my life, if there is one, is that people know the voice or the songs but don’t really know who Paul Carrack is.”  The relative obscurity hasn’t stopped him from moving forth in the musical world though.  This gentleman has been associated with an unending list of bands and singers including The Eagles, Elvis Costello, Roger Waters, The Pretenders, Diana Ross, Rod Stewart, Paul Young, Madness, Roxy Music, The Smiths and Mike and the Mechanics. Carrack’s latest release came about after touring in support of his last album, “Blue Views.”  The tour musicians created such a pleasant experience for him that he says after the tour ended the “ideas were just pouring out of me - we went straight into the studio and began writing.”  "Beautiful World" is already a hit in Europe, garnering Carrack the AMIGO award in Spain (the Spanish equivalent of the Grammy) for Best International Male Vocalist.  Despite all that’s going on with his own album, is still making time to join many of his musical peers, recording tracks for albums by Elton John, Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, and BB King. "Beautiful World” is a pleasure to listen to from beginning to end.  There is a lot said in these songs and it’s said in a mature voice that makes it different from so much of what's out there today.   “Time To Let Go” is a song about knowing when the end of a relationship has been reached.  It’s a bittersweet song -- but not depressing, just sad in a wistful way.  “Every kiss from your lips sends a message/Every touch of your hand tells me so/In my heart I’m already missing you/Darling I know, it’s time to let go.”  The music is actually rather upbeat and the overall tone of the song focuses on acceptance and the maturity of knowing when to let go. “Perfect Love” is one of my favorite songs on this CD.  It’s a beautiful love song. “I never thought there could be/Someone who’d mean so much to me/In my mind there was/No such thing as perfect love/But now I’m holding you tonight/And I can see that you were right/To believe there can be perfect love.”  If you’ve ever experienced this kind of sensation, then this song will speak to you.  The music is fabulous and the lyrics are straight from the heart.  This song has so much romantic appeal. “It Goes Without Saying” is yet another of my favorites.  It’s a sad song  but a very real song.  “You leave it unspoken, the message is loud and clear/Here in the silence where it goes without saying.”  The death of so many relationships is lack of communication and Carrack puts the idea out there in such a simple, yet beautiful way. This CD really touched me.  The songs have a smooth, relaxing feel to them and it’s perfect for the end of a stressful day, or when you’re looking for something to soothe and calm you -- even just for the beautiful music and lyrics.  I recommend picking this one up!

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