Gary Barnacle (born in Dover, England in 1959) has been playing saxophone and flute for many years. Barnacle is one of the most sought-after musicians in the business. Even if his name is unfamiliar, you have certainly heard Gary’s work: among his countless credits, he played the saxophone solo on T’Pau’s ‘China In Your Hand’, and his sax playing can be heard on innumerable other hit singles including M’s ‘Pop Muzik’ and Level 42’s ‘Lessons in Love’. Back in the 1990s, Gary played an on-screen role as the saxophonist in Alan Partridge’s house band in the BBC comedy classic Knowing Me, Knowing You.

It would probably be quicker to list the famous names that Gary Barnacle hasn’t worked with, but that would be silly. So let’s name-drop just a few more of the artists for whom he has played – and this is only the tip of the iceberg… Tom Jones, Dusty Springfield, David Bowie, Ray Davies, Tina Turner, The Clash, Visage, Holly Johnson, Jamiroquai, Soft Cell and Marc Almond, Elvis Costello, Roger Daltrey, Pet Shop Boys, Paul McCartney, The Damned, Jaki Graham, Junior Giscombe, Public Image Ltd, Morrissey, Simple Minds, China Crisis, The Teardrop Explodes, Paul Hardcastle, Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, The Boomtown Rats, Madness, Dexys Midnight Runners, The Beautiful South, Nik Kershaw, Bros, 10cc, Ultravox, Boy George, Rick Astley, Duran Duran, INXS, Kylie Minogue, Bucks Fizz, The Communards, Erasure, Wet Wet Wet, Tears For Fears, The Style Council, Cilla Black, Sandie Shaw, Petula Clark, Cliff Richard, Eartha Kitt, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Elkie Brooks, Suzi Quatro, Status Quo, The Beach Boys, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Jeff Lynne, Brian May, Prefab Sprout, Genesis, Phil Collins, Nico, David Sylvian, Massive Attack, Soul II Soul, Nona Hendryx, Chaka Khan, Geno Washington, The Temptations, Joe Cocker, Lenny Kravitz, kd lang, Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin, Bjork, Siouxsie and the Banshees … and, just for an encore, the mighty James Brown.

The song "Like A Melody" featuring a singer by the name of Jo-Jo is taken from Gary's CD Paradise from 1995 released in Japan only. If you like Paul Hardcastle's work then you will like Gary Barnacle's albums, especially the ones released '94 and '95.