Pop & Miscellaneous

Simple Red – 25 The Greatest Hits (2008)

2009-10-13T21:30:02Z

Simple Red – 25 The Greatest Hits (2008)

CD 1
1-Sunrise
2-Stars
3-A New Flame
4-Holding Back The Years
5-It's Only Love
6-The Right Thing
7-Your Mirror
8-For Your Babies
9-The Air That I Breathe
10-Night Nurse
11-Ain't That A Lot Of Love
12-Fake
13-Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye

CD 2
1-You've Got It
2-Say You Love Me
3-So Not Over You
4-Angel
5-Never Never Love
6-Home
7-You Make Me Feel Brand New
8-Something Got Me Started
9-Money's Too Tight To Mention
10-Fairground
11-If You Don't Know Me By Now
12-Go

Simply Red's second major hits collection not only celebrates their illustrious 25-year career but also marks the end of it, thanks to Mick Hucknall's announcement that he will henceforth only be working under his own name. The much more comprehensive 25 features all but two of the tracks included on 1996's Greatest Hits, plus several tracks from the commercially inconsistent last decade. Of course, it's the late-'80s and early-'90s material that made Simply Red, essentially a solo vehicle for Hucknall, a household name. The likes of "A New Flame," "Holding Back the Years," and debut hit "Money's Too Tight (To Mention)" all showcase their signature blue-eyed soul sound, which has helped to sell over 50 million records worldwide. The funky piano-led "Something Got Me Started" and wistful dreamy title track justify Stars' multi-platinum success; their only number one single, "Fairground," is a mesmerizing fusion of tribal rhythms and ambient chillout pop; while "Angel," a collaboration with Fugees' Pras Michel, is a surprisingly passable attempt at hip-hop lite. And the likes of "If You Don't Know Me by Now" and "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye" show that Hucknall is a master of interpreting classics to make them sound his own. But by the late '90s, their over-reliance on cover versions began to signal their decline. "The Air That I Breathe," "Night Nurse," and "Ain't That a Lot of Love," all pale imitations of the originals, explain the dwindling album sales and the Warner Records departure. However, 2003 comeback album Home, released via Hucknall's own label, was a welcome return to form as the Hall & Oates sampling "Sunrise," classy dance-pop of "Fake," and soulful rendition of "You Make Me Feel Brand New" became his best and most successful singles in almost a decade. The only new track featured here, a cover of "Go Now," is a disappointingly lazy final curtain to an eventful career. But overall, 25 is an accomplished collection of songs that cements Hucknall's reputation as one Britain's finest soul singers. ---Jon O'Brien, AllMusic Review

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Simply Red - A New Flame (1989)

2012-02-20T09:33:21Z

Simply Red - A New Flame (1989)


1. It's Only Love
2. A New Flame
3. You've Got It
4. To Be With You
5. More Listen
6. Turn It Up
7. Love Lays Its Tune
8. She'll Have to Go		play
9. If You Don't Know Me by Now	play
10. Enough

Mick Hucknall -	Vocals
Tony Bowers - Bass
Chris Joyce - Drums
Tim Kellett - Keyboards, Trumpet
Ian Kirkham - Saxophone
Fritz McIntyre - Keyboards, Vocals (Background)
Heitor T.P. – Guitar

Although Hucknall tries to resurrect soul in his own original songs, he's most successful at evoking the past, notably on Simply Red's second number one, a remake of the Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes classic "If You Don't Know Me by Now." ---William Ruhlmann, AllMusic Review

For the life of me, I can't understand why "A New Flame" was so widely panned; call me crazy, but this was my favorite Simply Red album. Where "Men and Women" was somewhat uneven and "Life" gets a bit dull by the end, "A New Flame" really seemed to flow as an album without ever losing steam. How could critics ignore the sheer beauty of "You've Got It" or "Again"? What's wrong with "Turn it Up"? The one false note (in my opinion) was "If You Don't Know Me By Now"; there was no reason to re-make the original, and Mick Hucknall made no particular improvements to it. But on the strength of "You've Got It" alone, this album deserved much more respect than it got. --- Music Geek, amazon.com

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Simply Red - Big Love (2015)

2016-01-10T16:58:20Z

Simply Red - Big Love (2015)


01. Shine On (3:12)
02. Daydreaming (3:37)
03. Big Love (4:10)
04. The Ghost Of Love (3:15)
05. Dad (3:55)
06. Love Wonders (3:55)
07. Love Gave Me More (3:17)
08. Tight Tones (3:35)
09. WORU (4:13)
10. Coming Home (2:53)
11. The Old Man and the Beer (2:53)
12. Each Day (4:17)
13. Shine On (Max Bidda Radio Mix) (Max Bidda Radio Mix) (3:11)

Mick Hucknall – vocals
Kenji Suuki – guitar
Steve Lewinson - bass
Ian Kirkham – saxophone
Kevin Robinson – trumpet, flute
Dave Clayton – keyboards
Ronnie Roth - drums

It’s been three decades since Simply Red’s debut, and Mick Hucknall has admitted their 11th album may be their last. With this in mind, a wizened nostalgia hangs above this blue-eyed soul – the songs are smooth and sentimental, like easy-listening epitaphs. Wistful laments are nothing new for the group, and their unbridled sincerity remains consistent. But on Big Love these emotions sound abrupt. From Love Wonders to Love Gave Me More and the title track, there’s not a wealth of imagination at play – although Dad, a tribute to Hucknall’s late father, has a boyishly endearing simplicity. Hucknall’s voice, so full of warmth and tenderness, sounds naturally ravaged by the years – not quite a death growl, but certainly up against some strain. Thankfully, however, the famed lothario’s libido still lurks amid the schmaltz: “All the feeling’s so right,” he sings on the steamy, funk-lite Tight Tones, “on this hot horny night.” --- theguardian.com

Najpierw była informacja o reaktywacji z okazji 30-lecia istnienia. Później pojawił się news, z którego fani Simply Red ucieszyli się chyba jeszcze bardziej - grupa nagrała nowy album studyjny. Wydawnictwo "Big Love" promuje żywy i zmysłowy, silnie inspirowany funkiem i soulem z lat '70 singiel "Shine On", przypominający największe hity Simply Red z lat 90.

Jak wyjaśnia Mick Hucknall, krótko po tym, jak narodził się pomysł tournée z okazji 30-lecia, zaczął on myśleć o tym, aby spróbować nagrać nowe piosenki. "Zastanawiałem się, jak dziś moglibyśmy zabrzmieć i niedługo później zacząłem pisać" - wyjaśnia. A jak zaczął, wyszedł z tego materiał na album "Big Love". Wyjątkowy, bo pierwszy od 20 lat, na którym znalazły się wyłącznie utwory Simply Red, bez żadnego coveru. Produkcją płyty zajął się Andy Wright.

Mick przyznaje dziś, że poprzednia płyta Simply Red, "Stay" z 2007 roku, była próbą odejścia od charakterystycznego brzmienia grupy. "Wtedy uciekałem od zespołu. Dziś cieszy mnie to, że jesteśmy uważani za zespół soulowy złożony z białych muzyków. Nasze brzmienie jest rozpoznawalne" - nie bez racji twierdzi lider zespołu. --- magazyngitarzysta.pl

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Simply Red - Greatest Hits (2000)

2010-01-04T12:41:34Z

Simply Red - Greatest Hits (2000)


01- Holding back the years
02- Money´s too tight to mention
03- The rigth thing
04- It´s only love
05- A new flame
06- You´ve got it
07- If yuo don´t know me by now
08- stars
09- Something got me started
10- Thrill me
11- Your mirror
12- For oyur babies
13- So beautiful
14- Angel
15- Fairground

Pop-soulful in an archaic, '60s manner; mildly provocative at the time of their appearance due to singer Mick Hucknall's uncloseted status; Simply Red are global superstars masquerading as an urban sophisticate cult item. Fans from the U.K. and other countries already know this. But in the States we don't quite believe that a group like this can be suave without being cheesy. America, here's your proof once again: the No. 1 smashes "Holding Back the Years" and "If You Don't Know Me by Now," packed with a smattering of overseas chart hits. But where's "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye?" If you like this one, also try Picture Book, the band's 1985 debut. ---Gavin McNett, amazon.com

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Simply Red - Picture Book 1985

2012-02-16T09:45:57Z

Simply Red - Picture Book (1985)


01. Come to My Aid [4:01]
02. Sad Old Red [4:29]
03. Look at You Now [3:00]		play
04. Heaven [4:31]
05. Jericho [5:59]
06. Money's Too Tight [4:10]
07. Holding Back the Years [4:29]
08. Red Box [3:55]
09. No Direction [3:38]		play
10. Picture Book [5:45]

Personnel:
Tony Bowers - Bass
Ian Dickson - Sax (Tenor)
Francis Foster -	Conga
David Fryman -	Guitar, Vocals
Chris Joyce - Drums, Percussion
Tim Kellett - Trumpet
Fritz McIntyre -	Keyboards, Vocals
Ronnie Ross - Sax (Baritone)
Sylvan -	Guitar
Mick Hucknall -	Vocals

Has it really been over 30 years since the world was introduced to Mick "Red" Hucknall and his mates? Darn my math. This impressive debut LP of theirs took us all by surprise, somewhat of an overnight sensation for a band that had only existed for a year or so at the time of its release. It was, and still is, well-planned in its variety of tempo, well-executed in its playing and production, and alternately fun, funny, and moving.

Here in the states, our first notice was the massive hit single "Holding Back the Years." Coming from the long tradition of U.K. bands who were essentially Ameriphiles musically, this exquisite ballad with the jazzy touches and fiery, soulful vocal took everybody by surprise. The followup in America was the perfect changeup, the funky "Money$ Too Tight (To Mention)," one of two covers of U.S. numbers in the set. As the album began to fly off the shelves, those looking for more of the jazz couldn't have been disappointed with the Sinatra-esque "Sad Old Red," while the funk fans found another fave with the opening track, "Come to My Aid." Wisely leaving the fans wanting more, the hypnotic title track closes this terrific debut effort with gospel touches like a keyboard mimicking an angelic choir, following which the monk-like backing vocals chant "We beseech thee."

To the 21st century ear, there are of course the moments that smack of '80s synth excess, such as on the intro to "Come to My Aid," but these don't usually overwhelm, and performing the Talking Heads' tune "Heaven" as a bluesy kind of dirge will never make me forget the airy original, but by and large this was a stellar debut. While it's always difficult to predict where an opening salvo like this will lead career-wise, this is one band whose obvious promise was far from just another flash in the pan. ---Brian Hulett, allmusic.com

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Simply Red - Songs Of Love (2010)

2010-04-26T22:03:08Z

Simply Red - Songs Of Love (2010)


01 Say You Love Me
02 You Make Me Feel Brand New
03 Stars
04 Youâ€™ve Got It
05 For Your Babies
06 If You Donâ€™t Know Me By Now
07 Itâ€™s You
08 Beside You
09 Holding Back The Years
10 Smile
11 I Have The Love
12 Every Time We Say Goodbye

This 2010 collection from popular British-soul outfit Simply Red focuses on the group’s romantic side (which was evident most of the time). Released to coincide with their farewell world tour, Songs of Love features 12 amorous cuts, including the international smash “Holding Back the Years” as well as a brand new track, the appropriately titled “I Have the Love.” ---James Christopher Monger, AllMusic Review

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Simply Red – Life (1995)

2010-01-07T10:59:17Z

Simply Red – Life (1995)


01- You make me believe
02- So many people
03- Lives and loves
04- Fariground
05- Never never love
06- So beautiful
07- Hillside avenue
08- Rmembering the first time
09- Out on the rage
10- We´re yhis together

For Life, Simply Red retain the basic influences that fueled their earlier albums, especially American R&B of the early '70s, specifically the Marvin Gaye of What's Going On? and Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes-era Teddy Pendergrass. Mick Hucknall's singing has calmed down and smoothed out on such songs as "You Make Me Believe" and "So Many People," but that only makes them sound more like the product of Philadelphia International Records. On "Fairground," he opts for a Latin-tinged sound that ends up evoking Herb Alpert more than Milton Nascimento; reggae turns up on "Out on the Range," and the big-time closer, "We're in This Together," is a South African-style anthem, complete with Hugh Masekela's flugelhorn. Stripped of the international superstar trappings, Life is, of course, pretentious, but it does have a couple of promising songs, notably "So Beautiful" and "Remembering the First Time." ---William Ruhlmann, AllMusic Review

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Simply Red – Stars (1991)

2009-10-13T21:31:34Z

Simply Red – Stars (1991)

CD1
01. Something Got Me Started (4:01) 
02. Stars (4:08)
03. Thrill Me (5:04) 
04. Your Mirror (3:59)
05. She's Got It Bad (3:34) 
06 .For Your Babies (4:17)
07. Model (3:46) 
08. How Could I Fall (3:52) 
09. Freedom (3:50) 
10. Wonderland (4:45) 
11. Come On In My Kitchen (Robert Johnson Sessions) (1:33)
12. Ramblin' On My Mind (Robert Johnson Sessions) (2:11)
13. Me And The Devil Blues (Robert Johnson Sessions) (2:03)
14. When You've Got A Good Friend (1:59)
15. Sad Old Red (Live In Hamburg 1992) (5:56)
16. More (Live In Hamburg 1992) (4:14)
17. Something Got Me Started (Live In Hamburg 1992) (4:12)
18. Thrill Me (Live In Hamburg 1992) (5:09)
19. Your Mirror (Live In Hamburg 1992) (3:57)
20. She's Got It Bad (Live In Hamburg 1992) (3:45) 

CD2
1. Stars (Pm-ized Mix) (4:11)
2. For Your Babies (Edition Francais) (4:06)
3. Something Got Me Started (E-Smoove's Late Night Mix) (8:01)
4. Thrill Me (Steppin' Razor Mix) (6:37)
5. Freedom (Perfecto Mix) (6:26)
6. Stars (Comprende Mix) (6:37)
7. Something Got Me Started (Hurley's 7" Mix) (3:56)
8. Thrill Me (Connoisseurs Mix) (5:56)
9. Freedom (How Long Mix) (4:10)
10. Something Got Me Started (Perfecto Mix) (5:09)
11. Thrill Me (Nellee Hooper's Dub Mix) (4:27)

By the turn of the decade Simply Red were without doubt one of the UK’s best known soul/R&B groups, with a string of top selling singles and three original long players that faithfully recreated black music from the 1960s and early 70s. Lead singer and front man Mick Hucknall had grown concerned that the band’s sound was trapped in this era, and for the fourth album looked for something fresh and original that still maintained the vital link with the past. Having been impressed by Soul II Soul’s “Club Classics Volume 1” album, particularly the snappy and highly influential rhythms, Hucknall contacted producer/DJ Nellee Hooper who suggested Japanese drummer/programmer Gota Yashiki . Gota’s mix of organic and computer generated rhythms proved to be a masterstroke, making for a greater dance orientation and a more contemporary imprint on the recording. The indelibly positive results can be found on the superb opener, “Something Got Me Started”, which combines the white hot rhythm with Fritz McIntyre’s astutely rolling piano accompaniment.

Hucknall’s other major decision was to ensure that every song was an original composition, further illustrating his wish to relinquish ties with the past. Stewart Levine’s production effort is as ever polished, punchy on the dance numbers, smooth and considered when the tempo drops, never instrumentally confusing or upstaging the central feature which is of course Mick Hucknall’s iconic vocal performance.

As Stuart Levine would say, “Great records are easy to make if you’ve got great songs to work with”, and on the whole the simplicity in the sentiment is justified in much of the material on “Stars”. This can be borne out by sales, as the album went on to be the biggest seller in the UK for 1991 and ’92. The title track is a sparkling soul/pop single, with a beautifully harmonic multi tracked chorus. “Thrill Me” contains more of the intentional modern beats, and “For Your Babies” is a delicious ballad, partly inspired by the birth of a first child to manager Elliot Rashman. There are awkward missteps, particularly the tiresome dalliance with reggae (“Model”), and Hucknall’s continued political rants aimed at the Government of the day (“Your Mirror” and “Wonderland”). It’s hard to take seriously the opinions of a celebrity who spent much of his life not far from a cat walk in Milan, Paris or New York chasing young waifs.

Ultimately though, it’s Hucknall’s voice that stands out as an instrument of genuine warmth, sweet passion and perfect pitch. “Stars” combines this huge musical asset to the best set of songs he’s ever delivered. ---Hackskeptic, hackskeptic.com

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