12" picture sleeve
Live USA also features part of this gig.
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- Tracks
-
- Format
- Single white-label LP in picture sleeve
- Release Information
- Amnesty Internation AI-SM-Nelson-1106 88
- Concert Source
- Wembley Stadium, London, UK, 11th June, 1988
- Quality
- 9/10
- Additional Information
- The recording fades into the intro of Waterfront with Jim shouting "OK" to the crowd. "For
Nelson Mandela and the good people of South Africa, who only want a part of what is theirs. Sing it". The
song is trimmed, and more compact than it's Once Upon A Time guise: no big solos nor introductions.
- With Johnny Marr tuning up and starting the opening riff, Jim introduces him. "Please
welcome on guitar from Manchester, Johnny Marr. This is a protest song from 30 years ago written by a young American guy...
it's called... you know what it's called... well... you will in a minute." Despite Micks's keyboards being
absent from the mix at times, the band played a straight cover version, complete with a Johnny Marr solo. Jim
changes the lyrics to suit the event "I'm gonna take my problem to the United Nations, When I called my
Congressman, they said 'we'd like to help you son, but you're too black to vote'."
- "Of course, it's not going to be politians today. People from our country, people from your country: we
want to see an end to the murder, and the torture, and the tyranny, that's going on in South Africa." Jim goes on
to dedicate it to Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki, Oliver Tambo and Walter Sisulu. "This is song is dedicated to Nelson Mandela... It's called Mandela Day. For all
the people who've given up their lives for the struggle in South African." This gets the biggest cheer from
the crowd for a song that had never been played live before, and had only been previewed on Radio One two weeks
previously.
- The song hadn't changed much from the recording given to Radio One. Charlie got his guitar solo and
introduction but it hasn't gained the lengthy ending that appears during the Street Fighting Years
tour. A wonderful piano introduction from Mick announces Sancity Yourself: "Thank you for
coming here today... travelling all over... it's called Sanctify Yourself." Jim sings over this solo
(and sounds too fast) before the song reverts to it's Once Upon A Time style. Jim shouts "Let's
set this place on fire" and the song begins in earnest. Given the piano introduction, this is often
mentioned as the definitive version of this song.
- It's followed by another slow, solo piano introduction into East At Easter. After the
first verse, the note is held, and the song unexpectedly slips into Alive And Kicking. The absence
of Robin Clarke is felt, but this version is much like the previous
Once Upon A Time versions. The recording fades out, but is picked up on the other side.
- Jim continues the end of the song by prompting the audience to repeat the final phrases. Mel counts in a false
start (the band had originally planned to play Speed Your Love To Me but it was dropped to tie in
with the broadcast schedulding - and everyone's setlists had been updated except Mel's.)
- "We'd like to invite some.... first time I ever went to a rock concert.... he's a personal hero of mine and
still is - Mr Peter Gabriel." From the cheers in the crowd, Mick starts the song, and Mel joins with the
distinctive drum beat of Biko. Gabriel's opening remarks can't be heard, but he's quickly brought up
to volume. "This song was written 10 years ago...." Again, a standard cover version, and not unlike
the version that appears on Street Fighting Years. Gabriel sings lead vocals throughout the song,
and seems to come in too early with "The eyes of the world are watching you now." The ending
chant of the song includes dedications to Nelson Mandela, Steven Biko and others.
- "Please wlecome, a guy from America,.... and wrote one of the best rock-and-roll songs of all
time. Let's hear it for Little Steven, Steven ...."". Echos of Love Song can be heard at
the start of the song, as Simple Minds break into one of their Once Upon A Time
encore numbers: Sun City. Little Steven starts a long speech (at one point the
band appear to stop), before the song proper starts. It's the longest version of Sun City yet, with
multiple vocalists, and multiple sound, cue and microphone problems: a great jam to finish the
Simple Minds segment of the show.
- A great bootleg, featuring the whole of Simple Minds' part of the gig. It was recorded
from German FM radio, given away by an annoucement at the end of the record. Highly recommended - the only
downside is the loss of Jim's solo chorus at the end of Alive And Kicking which spills
onto the B-side.
- Forget the Amnesty International information in the catalogue number and on the sleeve - this is
strictly unofficial.
- Thanks to Ajay Mistry and Lee Hodgkinson for additional information.
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