HE’s the man with the golden voice and also with a knack for writing a good song, but Paul Carrack remains very modest about his career.

Legends such as Eric Clapton and Elton John may ask him to sing with them but the Sheffield-born musician, who embarks on a UK tour next month, insists he’s just going about his business.

“Since I started doing this independent thing around 2000 (Paul works from his own studio, his converted garage), I’ve just trusted my own musical instincts and enjoyed myself and it’s the work I’m most proud of and what represents me best.

“Nobody is telling me what to do but it’s not that challenging this stuff. It’s a tried and tested route of two verses and middle bit and a chorus.”

Paul’s most recent album, Soul Shadows released last year, proved to be a major hit. It was in the top 10 albums of the year as reviewed on Amazon.

“I saw that,” he said, “that was a real surprise.

“It went down well with my supporters which is kind of what I’m trying to do. I want to enjoy myself and the music and the more I do that the more people seem to like it.”

For Soul Shadows, Paul worked with son Jack in pulling ideas together - Jack is also part of the seven-strong touring band.

“When I start an album I haven’t really got anything to work with,” he said, “just a couple of little nuggets maybe.

“From there we’ll just start off having a few little jam session and stuff developed in that way.”

A number of songs from Sold Shadows will, Paul promises, feature in the set for his forthcoming tour which opens in Manchester.

“We’ve got quite a repertoire to choose from,” he said. “We’re very mindful that we want to make it a good night for everybody, We want to send people home happy and have to strike right balance of old and new material.”

Paul will forever be associated with a number of truly classic songs such as Tempted when he sang with Squeeze, Ace’s How Long? and the Mike and the Mechanics hits The Living Years and Over My Shoulder,

“I still enjoy those songs,” he said. “I like the fact they are good songs which hit a spot with the audience and generally get a great response. I’m a sucker for a good response”

“But I’m more than happy to sing them and certainly don’t get fed up doing them.

“As a singer you can always find little ways of bringing new meaning to a song.”

Paul’s popularity shows no signs of fading - many of the shows on his tour are either sold out or virtually sold out already.

“The tour is doing fabulously,” he said. “But all this isn’t handed to you on a plate. It’s not like I’m on the TV every week.

“It’s about going round and doing it every year and doing shows that people want to come back and see.

“When I started out there were so many bands, the accepted thing was that you had to pay your dues.

“That has never gone away from me, it’s about working hard and doing it. It’s a bit old fashioned I know but that’s what I believe in.”

For the tour Paul will be back with his band who have been with him for 20 years.

“They are great bunch of lads,” he said. “They are all Sheffield boys except my son. I’m a southern softie these days, I have been for a while.

“Manchester is our opening night on the tour, so we’ve got to hit the ground running.”

Paul Carrack, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, Saturday, February 4. Details from 0161 907 9000