Rain or Shine

Personnel: Paul Carrack (vocals, guitar, piano, vibraphone, drums); Doug Webb (alto saxophone); Tom Evans (tenor saxophone); Tom Luer (baritone saxophone); Steve Stassi, Lee Thornburg (trumpet).
Audio Mixer: Rupert Cobb.
Recording information: Entourage Studios, Los Angeles, CA.
Photographers: Martin Huch; Andrea Hunnisett.
Like 2012's Good Feeling before it, 2013's Rain or Shine captures Paul Carrack living comfortably inside his signature sound: a blue-eyed soul that turns happier with each passing year. Sounds-wise, this one is rooted fairly strongly in late-'60s Motown, sometimes swinging a little earlier (there's "You Don't Know Me," which owes a debt to Ray Charles), sometimes swinging a little later (but no later than the early '70s, the time when Philadelphia International reigned supreme). The production on Rain or Shine is crisp and clean, almost a little too bright and shiny (the preponderance of strings accentuates this), but Carrack warms things up considerably with his light, easy touch. Make no mistake, this album doesn't deliver a knockout punch -- either with an individual song or overall impact -- but Carrack doesn't intend to wow; he aims to please, which he does in nice, relaxed ways here. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine