Spaceface Remix Single, Record Collector, Remasters
White-label and commercial 12" copies of the new Spaceface remix single are now starting to circulate.The white-label promo 12" couples the full length Stonebridge and Farfa remixes (Absolutely ABR 027).
These tracks are shared by the commercial 12". Not much else is known about this at the moment, except that copies will be available from Italian DJ store www.americandisco.net next week - you can preorder now.
Record Collector devoted a full page to the first set of reissues in their November issue (number 279).
Reviewer Daryl Easlea has come up with the goods, writing the first fair and balanced reapprasal of Simple Minds earliest offerings. He may not like Sparkle In The Rain ("the Minds are off to a stomping odyssey"), but he firmly reiterates the early promise of the group: "This reissue affords us the opportunity to revel in the hope and promise that Simple Minds once carried."
In fact, he elevates New Gold Dream to the position it deserves: "New Gold Dream is one of the greatest pop albums ever recorded. There can be no two ways about it."
Only the first six rematers are evaluated, with Easlea admitting that he would not be kind to their stadium-era material. I wonder what he would have written about Néapolis however.
It's a good write-up and puts it all in context. And the final words? "However, if you need a memory jog as to when Simple Minds were enjoying their illusive moment scaling the peaks of the pop-art interface, Empires And Dance, Sons And Fascination, and, of course, New Gold Dream are still beautiful, worthy albums.".
I missed another mistake with the Real To Real Cacophony remaster which has been pointed out to me - the inner bag has the same artwork on both sides. It's currently believed that every copy is bad. Of all the remasters, Real To Real Cacophony has been treated the worst in terms of packaging.
Which brings me onto the worst of the remasters in terms of audio: Once Upon A Time. It sounds more muffled and undefined with everything merging in a mushy mix. There are some pleasant surprises coming with the rest of the series, but the treatment of this album is very disappointing.
Album Once Upon A Time Catalogue Virgin SIMCDX 7 Tracks Once Upon A Time/All The Things She Said/Ghostdancing/Alive And Kicking/Oh Jungleland/I Wish You Were Here/Sanctify Yourself/Come A Long Way Remastering Highlights None Packaging Original cover, inner bag (including lyrics) and album labels reproduced in full.
25th Anniversary, New Single Released Yesterday, Remasters
The 25th anniversary of Simple Minds has been mentioned several times over the past couple of years - complete with puzzled looks from many fans who assumed the band came into existence in late 1977. These early anniversaries were associated with Jim and Charlies first band Biba-Rom! (in 1976), and also as gigs as Johnny And The Self Abusers (in 1977).
Well this month is the 25th anniversary of their first single, the infamous Saints And Sinners.
But, if you ask me when the 25th anniversary of Simple Minds is, then I can be pretty definite... TODAY.
On the 9th November, 1977, Johnny And The Self Abusers cut a 7-track demo tape at CaVa Studios, Glasgow. The name given to this band for those sessions was Simple Minds. The Abusers played their last gigs as Simple Minds. And Jim was on the phone to Ted Caroll at Chiswick trying (in vain) to get the name on the 7" changed to Simple Minds.
For me, this is the first recording by Simple Minds, the earliest item I have with Simple Minds written on it.
I don't know if Jim would necessarily agree with the above, but here's one fan who's content to say "Bloody fantastic and keep going guys." And with the Proms currently taking place, the new album being written in hotel rooms, the back catalogue being remastered and reissued and singles appearing almost monthly then it looks like things are going great! Happy 25th Anniversary Simple Minds
A new Simple Minds single was released yesterday.It is the commercial varient of the Spaceface 12" promo. Issued in Italy on the Carosello label, it features edits of the Stonebridge and Farfa remixes.
Spaceface - Remix CD
1. Spaceface [Stonebridge Radio Mix] (4:40)
2. Spaceface [Farfa Edit Mix] (3:50)
Carosello CARSH045-2
Issued in Italy only.A 12" featuring the full length versions of both mixes also exists - although it isn't known if this is a promo or commercial offering.
The Real To Real Cacophony remaster was hit with 'production delays', pushing its release into the second batch of remasters.
Whilst the quality of the music on the CD is the acid test (and is well worth purchasing for that alone), the remasters also boast their limited edition reproductions of the original artwork. Unfortunately Virgin decided not to reproduce the original textured sleeve - but most shocking is the album's title: REEL To Real Cacophony.
(If the reissues are being sold on the strength of the remastering and the full reproduction of the original artwork, then getting the album's title wrong is worthy of mention.)
Album Real To Real Cacophony Catalogue Virgin SIMCDX 2 Tracks Real To Real/Naked Eye/Citzen (Dance Of Youth)/Carnival (Shelter In A Suitcase)/Factory/Cacophony/Veldt/Premonition/Changeling/Film Theme/Calling Your Name/Scar Remastering Highlights A crystal clear Premonition and the clinical synths at the start of Calling Your Name. Packaging Original textured sleeve dumped in favour of smooth dark blue offering. Inner bag has the same artwork on both sides(!) and original Arista label ignored. And the album's title is incorrect.
Remasters, Sparkle Through The Years Fanclub
The rest of the remasters limited editions are released today: Real To Real Cacophony, Once Upon A Time, Live In The City Of Lights, Street Fighting Years, Real Life, Good News From The Next World and Néapolis.Some copies of New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) are missing their gold inner sleeves or have been dispatched with black ones. Amazon will send replacement copies - local high street shops should also exchange for complete copies.
Album Sparkle In The Rain Catalogue Virgin SIMCDX 6 Tracks Up On The Catwalk/Book Of Brilliant Things/Speed Your Love To Me/Waterfront/East At Easter/Street Hassle/White Hot Day/"C" Moon Cry Like A Baby/The Kick Inside Of Me/Shake Off The Ghosts Remastering Highlights Being able to hear Derek Forbes during Book Of Brilliant Things, crystal clear drumming in "C" Moon Cry Like A Baby. Packaging Full reproduction of the original LP with inner sleeve (featuring artwork and credits) and black-and-white geometrical artwork labels.
16 NOVEMBER 2002 - SPARKLING NEW GOLD DREAM '80's PARTY Write down Saturday November 16th 2002 in your diary and prepare those dancing shoes, because.... Simple Minds Belgian Fanclub Sparkle Through The Years presents A Sparkling NEW GOLD DREAM memories, burning GOLD memories....A smashing EIGHTIES Party.
You are most welcome from 21:00 CET in Paddy's Irish Pub, Stationsplein, Aalst http://www.ddl-hotels.be/index.swf
Admission is FREE
MUSIC by DJ CAPTAIN KIRK and maybe guest appearance of DJ MOON
Expect loads of Good EIGHTIES music (such as Simple Minds, U2, Echo And The Bunnymen, New Order, Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Bauhaus, Tom Tom Club, Pil, David Bowie, Flash And the Pan, Yello, Men Without Hats, Human League, Sisters Of Mercy, The Cure, Hall & Oates, ...... to name a few bands lol)
BE THERE and meet some other FELLOWMINDS!!! We are looking forward seeing you there and hope to dance into the eighties, together with you!!!
web: www.sparkle.be
mail: info@sparkle.be
Remasters, The Proms, Proms CD
Two general points about the New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) remaster:
- US fans should really consider purchasing this album. All the A&M pressings of New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) featured an edited version of the title track, clocking in at a good 45 seconds shorter than it should have done.
- All versions of the album included lyrics on the inner sleeve except the UK edition. Therefore the remaster packaging won't feature any lyrics.
Album New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) Catalogue Virgin SIMCDX 5 Tracks Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)/Colours Fly And Catherine Wheel/Promised You A Miracle/Big Sleep/Somebody Up There Likes You/New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)/Glittering Prize/Hunter And The Hunted/King Is White And In The Crowd Remastering Highlights Rediscovering Somebody Up There Likes You Packaging Original LP sleeve reproduced in all its glory (the previous UK CDs featured a different design), the minimal gold inner sleeve is reproduced in full, and the CD features gold titles and logos.
Pictures of Jim and Charlie can now be found on the official proms website here.
To get there directly, use this link.
Their set includes:
Alive And Kicking
Belfast Child and
Don't You (Forget About Me)
Limited edition Simple Minds compilations are now on sale in Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany, to tie in with their Proms appearances.
It's a repackaged Best Of, with new artwork, and The Real Life by Raven Maize being replaced by Cry and Spaceface.
The prices is around 20 Euros.
The full track listing is:
CD1
1. Don't You (Forget About Me)
2. Promised You A Miracle
3. Waterfront
4. Alive And Kicking
5. Glittering Prize
6. All The Things She Said
7. Sanctify Yourself
8. Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)
9. Ghostdancing
10. Up On The Catwalk
11. Speed Your Love To Me
12. Theme For Great Cities
13. Love Song
14. The American
15. Sweat In Bullet
16. Life In A Day
17. I TravelCD2
1. Let There Be Love
2. This Is Your Land
3. Kick It In
4. Let It All Come Down
5. See The Lights
6. Stand By Love
7. Real Life
8. She's A River
9. Hypnotised
10. Glitterball
11. War Babies
12. Mandela Day
13. Biko
14. Belfast Child
15. Cry
16. Spaceface
Remasters, The Proms, DVD, Sparkle Through The Years Fanclub
Album Sons And Fascination/Sister Feelings Call Catalogue Virgin SIMCDX 4 Tracks In Trance As Mission/Sweat In Bullet/70 Cities As Love Brings The Fall/Boys From Brazil/Love Song/This Earth That You Walk Upon/Sons And Fascination/Seeing Out The Angel/Theme For Great Cities/The American/20th Century Promised Land/League Of Nations/Careful In Career/Sound In 70 Cities Remastering Highlights The metallic echo of Sweat In Bullet, the crystal clear vocals of Seeing Out The Angel and the sheer exuberance of Wonderful In Young Life Packaging A gatefold sleeve is used to reproduce both the sleeves of Sons And Fascination (outer artwork) and Sister Feelings Call (inner artwork). Both feature one typo, namely 'Careful Career'. As the original album had no inner sleeve, the CD is housed in a black sleeve. The CD itself features artwork based on Malcolm Garrett's original label design. And the whole of both albums is now available on one CD.
The 2002 Night Of The Proms is now underway, with Jim and Charlie performing a twenty minute set and playing three songs.
All the tour dates can be found here.
Dutch Record label Disky (who should be familar to hardcore collectors, having reissued Real To Real Cacophony, Real Life, boxing them both up as Original Gold and also quietly reissuing Life In A Day, have released several DVDs of music and videos under the title of The Greatest DVD Music Collection.
Four of the titles feature Simple Minds videos.
These DVDs represent the first time that Simple Minds have been issued on that format (not including the bootleg I highlighted the other day).
The Greatest DVD Music Collection. Original hits and video clips - Pop Classics
Includes Simple Minds video Sanctify Yourself
DISKY DVD 927889The Greatest DVD Music Collection. Original hits and video clips - Mega Hits
Includes Simple Minds video Don't You (Forget About Me)
DISKY DVD 927839The Greatest DVD Music Collection. Original hits and video clips - Hit Explosion
Includes Simple Minds video Let There Be Love
DISKY DVD 927849The Greatest DVD Music Collection. Original hits and video clips - Super Hits
Includes Simple Minds video Kick It In
DISKY DVD 927879
13 NOVEMBER 2002 - NIGHT OF THE PROMS WITH Sparkle Through The Years SPARKLE THROUGH THE YEARS organises a fanclub gettogether on NOTP on Wednesday 13 November 2002. Which means we reserved some tickets for "the standing area before the stage" so we can have a big party while Simple Minds are on stage. (Don't forget to wear your Sparkle T-shirt). Simple Minds will perform 3 songs. We have tickets available at the price of 17.70 EUR instead of 19.36 EUR. If you want a ticket, send an e-mail to info@sparkle.be and pay 17.7 EUR per ticket on bankaccount 001-3784631-58 with reference your name and the number of tickets. We have only have a limited number of tickets. We will send you confirmation by e-mail and as soon as soon as you receive the confirmation you can pay for your tickets. Tickets who are not payed are considered as not reserved.
We hope to meet you at the Proms, in a good mood, wearing your sparkle T-shirt!!! Let's have a party..... Start rehearsing those la-la-la-la 's.....
Mark Van Mullem (C-Moon)
www.sparkle.be
Remasters, DVD Bootleg, Dubai
Album Empires And Dance Catalogue Virgin SIMCDX 3 Tracks I Travel/Today I Died Again/Celebrate/This Fear Of Gods/Capital City/Constantinople Line/Twist-Run-Repulsion/30 Frames A Second/Kant-Kino/Room Remastering Highlights McGee's drumming during Capital City and the analogue synth meltdown into feedback as 30 Frames A Second unwinds. Packaging Full reproduction of the outer sleeve. The lyric sheet included with the original album is now the inner sleeve. Blue Arista company labels not reproduced.
The first Simple Minds bootleg DVD has appeared on eBay. This version of Verona is strictly unofficial. It includes the original video, NTSC format, and no extras.
However some Simple Minds tracks have already appeared on some compilation DVDs. More news on those tomorrow.
Has anyone got a set-list for the Dubai gig? Please send it in if you do. Thanks.
Remasters, Best Of Repackage
The first five remastered albums have appeared in the shops in the UK. For some reason, Real To Real Cacophony has been delayed and won't be released until the 4th November.
The albums are housed in heavy duty cardboard sleeves which reproduce the original album's artwork (even down to the 'Side A' and 'Side B' titles). Inside these, the CD is further packaged in a paper sleeve, reproducing the original inner sleeves of the LP itself.
Another great touch is the reproduction of the original label design on the CD. Life In A Day , for instance, features Brian Hogg's original tambourine label design.
Album Life In A Day Catalogue Virgin SIMCDX 1 Tracks Someone/Life In A Day/Sad Affair/All For You/Pleasantly Disturbed/No Cure/Chelsea Girl/Wasteland/Destiny/Murder Story Remastering Highlights Pleasantly Disturbed and Wasteland - both crystal clear with no hiss. Packaging Accurate reproduction of the original outer sleeve. Oddly, a 'Zoom Records Production' has been added to the album's credits under the 'low temperature' comment, which isn't on the original. Great idea to use the original tambourine labels for the CD itself. I'll comment on the other CDs over the next few days.
When Simple Minds first appeared at the Proms in 1997, Virgin released The Promised, an updated version of Glittering Prize (81/92), to sell at the Proms concerts and various record retailers throughout the countries where the Proms were taking place.
It looks like a similar package will be released for the 2002 season, using last years Best Of as a base, and adding Cry and Spaceface. The artwork will be changed, this limited edition double CD will be available in Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany, and it will be sold until the 31st December.
As everyone's probably chasing Cry releases and the remasters, it's probably one for the completists only.
Cry Remix Single, Remasters, Band For The Tribues Tour Diary
A new Cry remix single has been released in Italy by Eagle. It has turned up as an import in several European countries.
It features the Phunk Investigation radio edit and the full Tazz Glasgoal remix, which previously turned up on the Absolutely 12" singles. They're joined by the Charly Fath Classic 80s Mix, which is unique to this CD.
Both the Phunk Investigation and Tazz remixes rework the original song, whilst Charly Fath creates a loop around the chorus and underpins the mix with new keyboards (the effect is similar to Vince Clarke remix of Homosapien. Highly recommended.
For more information, check out its page in the discography.
There's also rumours that One Step Closer is going to get the single treatment. This news originated from Benelux - perhaps PIAS are considering something?
The remasters series from Virgin slipped its release date (well, it wouldn't be a Simple Minds release if it didn't slip), and the first set of remasters will be released on the 21st October.
The next phase, consisting of Once Upon A Time, Live In The City Of Light (still a double album), Street Fighting Years, Real Life, Good News From The Next World and Néapolis will be released on November 4th. Again, these are released as limited edition packages in sleeves reproducing the original album artwork. (The next small gripe is the use of the 'band' picture for Real Life and not the original 'logo' sleeve.)
Adverts have appeared in various publications in the UK. A quarter page ad has appeared in Q Magazine where the remasters were reviewed. Badly. Good on Virgin for buying up some space though - perhaps Eagle should take note?
And the future plans of Virgin are very exciting. They are still open to negotiation... but here's hoping.
Band For The Tribes recently played a series of gigs in England. Band member Simon Hayward kept a tour diary. With his permission, here's the behind-the-scenes view:
- Saturday 21st September
- Dave and Steve collect our German band members, Thorsten and Jacky from the airport. I'm delayed in traffic so we rendezvous at a service station on the M6. It was great to see the guys again and this was the first time I'd met our bass player, Jacky. I was immediately struck by the startling similarity between Jacky and Dr Evil!!!
- We drove to Steve's house - which is in the middle of no-where. There were no groupies, but lots of sheep (which is the same thing in Dave's book!). That evening we went to see a Bon Jovi tribute band. They dressed in wigs and stuff and it was very funny to watch - for all the wrong reasons.
- Sunday 22nd September
- First day of rehearsals! We rehearsed in a venue in Preston.(The same one Bon Jovi played in the previous night). I was very nervous as this was the first time I'd played in the band. The first track we played was Waterfront and it sounded really good and everyone was filled with confidence. We had a list of 27 songs to practice and we played about 20 on this day. All were pretty good, though we had some things to sort out with New Sunshine Morning, Theme For Great Cities and One Step Closer. That night we were treated to some wonderful home cooking by Steve's girlfriend and talked into the early hours.
- Monday 23rd September
- We are working through the list of reserve songs. War Babies sounds great and we decide to drop Hypnotised, which at 7 minutes was just too long (it sounded good though!). Then there was the East At Easter incident!!! East At Easter was included in the set at the last minute. I'd programmed a backing track with lots of choirs and stuff on - though we couldn't follow the arrangement. These were tense moments. After such a great rehearsal the previous day things were not sounding or feeling too good. Then Steve gets his bum out and everyone laughs again!!!
- Tuesday 24th September
- I'd stayed at Dave's house the previous night and we discussed East At Easter and the other reserve songs. It was decided that we would concentrate on getting the main set right and would not practice Room or Hello (which was sad as they were two of my favourites). Rehearsals were good and we decided to jam East At Easter - which worked well. That evening we had a nice Indian meal. We then introduced Jacky to the Austin Powers movies!
- Wednesday 25th September: Gig day!!!
- I had to get up really early to create some new sounds to play on East At Easter. We had another wonderful German breakfast then our convoy of cars are loaded to the hilt with our gear and we set off for sunny Crewe. We arrive and unload our gear at about midday. I'd made a large Claddagh backdrop which looked impressive though took ages to get to hang up. We then checked into our hotel and went into town for something to eat.
- The Limelight Club is run by ex-rock roadies!!! They were really funny. It has to be said the hospitality was excellent. The soundcheck went well - we did Love Song, New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) and finished on Waterfront. Everything sounded really good.
- We were able to chill out for a couple of hours and I was amazed by how many members of sm.com had travelled to see us. I was even more amazed that so many from around Europe had made the effort - I hoped we lived up to their expectations. It was fantastic to see so many familiar faces and filled me with confidence.
- Now it was show time!!!
- As the intro music starts we all have a huddle in the dressing room then off we go - my live debut with Band for the Tribes!
- The set list was:
- Soundtrack for Every Heaven
- Once Upon a Time Intro Music
- Waterfront
- The American
- She's a River
- Space
- Speed Your Love to Me
- Glittering Prize (The PYAM87 b-side version)
- Don't You Forget About Me
- Theme for Great Cities
- East At Easter (84 version)
- Ghostdancing
- War Babies
- Promised You a Miracle (LITCOL Version)
- New Sunshine Morning
- Stand by Love
- Big Sleep
- Belfast Child
- New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
- Sanctify Yourself (Mandela 88 version)
- = = = =
- One Step Closer
- Love Song
- = = = =
- Someone Somewhere in Summertime
- Alive and Kicking
- There were a few technical problems at the start. For some reason Steve's mike broke on Waterfront. I gave him my backing vocal mike and in the process Steve disconnected Dave's guitar amp mike (he's a clumsy git!). Though the vocals were sorted, The American and She's a River had no guitar coming out the front of house speakers. We were oblivious of this as we could hear Dave's guitar fine on stage. All the rest of the set went well and the crowd were amazing. At the end on Alive and Kicking seeing everyone waving their arms and singing sent tingles down my spine (or maybe I'd just wet myself!)
- We'd hoped that Mel Gaynor would join us on stage for a couple of songs. Unfortunately he couldn't make it, but sent Thorsten some drumsticks for good luck.
- After the gig we have a 'few' drinks before retiring to our hotel.
- Thursday 26th September
- I'm the only one who shows up for breakfast! (I wondered if the other guys had gone without me!) It turns out they're just lazy!
- We collect our stuff from the Limelight Club and I'm amazed that we drunk all the beer we were given in our dressing room - no wonder my head hurt.
- We have dinner with some fans and I have to repair the clutch on my car.
- We're back on the road again and head over to Blackburn. When we arrive we can't get access to the venue and have to wait for nearly two hours outside. When the owner finally turns up we don't get an apology or get offered a drink while the PA Company sets up. I'm NOT happy.
- The venue is VERY small and the PA takes until after 9pm to set up. There are already people in the venue when we finally soundcheck. We were so squashed on stage it was really uncomfortable. I lost my rag a bit with the whole thing (which is very out of character). We decided after soundchecking War Babies just to get on with the gig.
- The set was:
- Theme for Great Cities
- Waterfront
- The American
- King is White and in the Crowd (91 Version)
- Speed Your Love to Me
- Ghostdancing
- Glittering Prize
- Don't You Forget About Me
- Love Song
- Great Leap Forward
- Someone Somewhere in Summertime
- Stand by Love
- Belfast Child
- New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
- Sanctify Yourself
- Alive and Kicking
- Theme For Great Cities sounded fine - though after that I can honestly say I have no idea what I played or sang for the whole set. I couldn't hear anything apart from the drums. I was also disturbed that there was an electrical burning smell in my corner!
- The crowd were great and the feedback was that on their side of the stage everything sounded OK.
- After Crewe it has to be said that this was a bit of a come down. (Though it's amazing what a few bottles of Bud and 7 bars of chocolate can do to cheer you up!!!)
- Friday 27th September
- The last gig of our European tour (yeah, right!).
- We head off to Bradford. When we arrive I'm amazed at the size of the venue. We risk our lives putting up the claddagh backdrop (seriously) and start the soundcheck. Instrumentally we're sounding fine. However, there's a problem - where's Steve? I have to sing Love Song and Waterfront, which I secretly enjoyed!
- At this gig there is a support band called The Avalanche Movement who are really good and have a dancer like Bez from the Happy Mondays.
- Again it was great to see so many faces from sm.com at the gig.
- After the previous night we were determined to make this gig as good as it could be.
- The set was:
- Theme for Great Cities
- Waterfront
- The American
- She's a River
- Promised You a Miracle
- Speed Your Love to Me
- Space
- Don't You forget About Me
- Ghostdancing
- One Step Closer
- Love Song
- New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
- Sanctify Yourself
- Alive and Kicking
- = = = =
- Belfast Child
- East at Easter
- The crowd, the lights and the sound were really good (I felt really comfortable on stage).
- During She's a River I remembered I'd forgot to give the sound engineer a tape to record the gig. I asked my friend to go to the dressing room to get a blank to tape out my bag - he returned with a roll of selotape!!!!! (I was crying with laughter so much that I couldn't sing the backing on River.)
- During Ghostdancing, Steve Robinson joined us on stage and danced like a trooper - however, the award for best Jim Kerr high kick in the world EVER, goes to our singer Steve. He launched himself from the stage which was about 5 ft high, did a mid air twist and landed fifteen feet into the crowd. I thought he was going to die!!!
- Thorsten managed to bang a hole in his snare drum during Don't You - that guy hits hard!!!
- After the gig I saw the video and it looked and sounded amazing - I was most impressed. (The lights on Space were stunning). It was a great high to finish on.
- Saturday 28th September
- We get the equipment and say our goodbyes - Dave, Thorsten, Steve and Jacky are the most wonderful people - it was such a pleasure to be with them and play great Simple Minds music.
- Thanks to EVERYONE who came to see us - I hope we lived up to your expectations and you enjoyed our gigs as much as we did. We'd also like to say a special thanks to Stephanie and Anne Marie, who not only travelled such a long way to see all the gigs, but also helped so much with organisation and transportation.
- We'll be back again next year - with a new name (more details soon).
- We love you all.
- Simon, Dave, Steve, Thorsten and Jacky (aka Dr Evil).
Night Of The Proms, Cry Remix Single, Remasters
Night Of The Proms: The 2002 Edition After Roxette pulled out of the Night Of The Proms due to ill-health, it's been announced that Simple Minds will replace them at short notice.SIMPLE MINDS
THE POINTER SISTERS
JOHN MILES
DAVID GARRETT (violin)+ Foreigner in Germany and Belgium
+ Alphaville in Germany
+ Michael McDonald in Belgium
+ Marco Borsato, Bonnie Tyler and Petra Berger in Holland
This is Jim and Charlie's third appearance at the event, after extensively touring with the Proms in 1997, and making some guest appearances in 2001.
On-line ticket agents are already listing Simple Minds for the full proms season, although the band's involvement with every gig hasn't been confirmed yet. The full list of dates is given below.
Orchestral versions of Don't You (Forget About Me), Alive And Kicking, Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) and Belfast Child were played at previous events.
For more information check out the Night Of The Proms website.
Fri 25/10/02 Antwerp Belgium Sportpaleis Antwerpen Sat 26/10/02 Antwerp Belgium Sportpaleis Antwerpen Sun 27/10/02 Antwerp Belgium Sportpaleis Antwerpen Thu 31/10/02 Antwerp Belgium Sportpaleis Antwerpen Fri 01/11/02 Antwerp Belgium Sportpaleis Antwerpen Sat 02/11/02 Antwerp Belgium Sportpaleis Antwerpen Thu 07/11/02 Antwerp Belgium Sportpaleis Antwerpen Fri 08/11/02 Antwerp Belgium Sportpaleis Antwerpen Sat 09/11/02 Antwerp Belgium Sportpaleis Antwerpen Sun 10/11/02 Antwerp Belgium Sportpaleis Antwerpen Thu 14/11/02 Antwerp Belgium Sportpaleis Antwerpen Fri 15/11/02 Antwerp Belgium Sportpaleis Antwerpen Sat 16/11/02 Antwerp Belgium Sportpaleis Antwerpen Sun 17/11/02 Antwerp Belgium Sportpaleis Antwerpen Thu 21/11/02 Rotterdam Netherlands Ahoy Fri 22/11/02 Rotterdam Netherlands Ahoy Sat 23/11/02 Rotterdam Netherlands Ahoy Sun 24/11/02 Rotterdam Netherlands Ahoy Thu 27/11/02 Rotterdam Netherlands Ahoy Fri 28/11/02 Rotterdam Netherlands Ahoy Sat 29/11/02 Rotterdam Netherlands Ahoy Sun 30/11/02 Rotterdam Netherlands Ahoy Mon 02/12/02 Rotterdam Netherlands Ahoy Tue 03/12/02 Rotterdam Netherlands Ahoy Wed 04/12/02 Frankfurt Germany Festhalle Thu 05/12/02 Stuttgart Germany Schleyerhalle Fri 06/12/02 Munich Germany Olympiahalle Sat 07/12/02 Munich Germany Olympiahalle Sun 08/12/02 Munich Germany Olympiahalle Tue 12/12/02 Bremen Germany Stadthalle Bremen Thu 12/12/02 Antwerp Belgium Sportpaleis Antwerpen Fri 13/12/02 Antwerp Belgium Sportpaleis Antwerpen Sat 14/12/02 Antwerp Belgium Sportpaleis Antwerpen Sun 15/12/02 Oberhausen Germany Konig-Pilsener Arena Mon 16/12/02 Hannover Germany Preussag Arena Tue 17/12/02 Erfurt Germany Messehalle Wed 18/12/02 Dortmund Germany Westfalenhalle Thu 19/12/02 Dortmund Germany Westfalenhalle Fri 20/12/02 Cologne Germany Cologne Arena Sat 21/12/02 Cologne Germany Cologne Arena Sun 22/12/02 Hamburg Germany Colorline Arena
Eagle have just released another Simple Minds single, copies of which have turned up on-line (via music websites and eBay) and in local record stores.
It's their packaging of the Cry Remix single, which was originally released by Absolutely Records on two 12" singles last June.
Eagle have also commissioned their own remix of the track - although there's been no feedback about the Charly Fath '80s' Remix yet.
The full listing is:
1. Cry [Phunk Investigation Radio Edit Remix]
2. Cry [Tazz Glasgoal Remix]
3. Cry [Charly Fath '80s' Remix]
Eagle EAGX235
With picture sleeve in slim-line jewelcase.
The first issues of the Simple Minds remaster series are being released today. Life In A Day, Real To Real Cacophony, Empires And Dance, Sons And Fascination (including the whole of Sister Feelings Call), New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) and Sparkle In The Rain are being issued in limited edition sleeves reproducing the original artwork.
A set of CDR acetates for the release is shown right. The remastering is the same as The Best Of - a slightly warmer mix with many subtle elements being revealed for the first time. (For example, Pleasantly Disturbed sounds great as it's lost the slight hiss heard on the original CD issue.)
Slightly worrying, and considering they're using the original artwork, slightly inexcusable, are Virgin's two mistakes on the Real To Real Cacophony release. Hopefully this is limited to the acetate only.
Namely the album isn't called Reel To Real Cacophony and the first song is called Real To Real.
Simple Minds Live, Band For The Tribes Live, Tribute Album
Just when you thought it was safe to start saving up for the tour next year, Simple Minds will be playing several times before the end of this year.
The first date to surface is in Dubai where Simple Minds are playing at the Lifestyle Music Festival on the 18th Oct. Other bands at the gig are Beverley Knight and Wonderstuff.
For more information, click here.
Simple Minds are also expected to be playing in Arabia.
If that's a little too expensive, then you could check out Band For The Tribes who are playing at several venues this week in the UK. Their 'mini-tour' is:
25th Sept: Limelight Club, Crewe, UK
Free entry, band on stage at around 9-10 PM
Late bar until 12:30 AM26th Sept: North Cafe Bar, Blackburn, UK
Price around £5 on the door, band on stage at 9 PM
Late bar until 01:30 AM27th Sept: Bradford Rio, Bradford, UK
£5 on the door, band on stage at around 10 PM.
Swimming Towards The Sun, the tribute album, has landed. I received my copy on Friday, and reviews and comments are already starting to circulate on the mailing list.
The packaging and presentation is 100% professional - a pack shot of the CD and the inner digipak sleeve is shown on the right. This is not a CDR with dodgy ink-jet printing.
If you want to hear some Simple Minds songs in new (sometimes startling) arrangements then I thoroughly recommend this disc. It's a limited edition of 900, so put your order in soon (if you haven't). You will not be disappointed.
www.mindstribue.com The final track-listing is:
In the words of Jim Kerr, "it is impressive on many fronts."
1. Scar by Simon Hayward
2. New Gold Dream by The Echoing Green
3. Seeing Out The Angel by Piston Picnique
4. Oh Jungleland by The Enflamed
5. Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) by Blow Up
6. Alive And Kicking by Band For The Tribes
7. Soul Crying Out by Go Deep
8. She's A River by Flash Cube
9. Hynotised by Youringa
10. Life In A Day by Basic Idea
11. The American by Meatboy
12. Hunter And The Hunter by Sjoblom
13. Waterfront by The Dissidents
14. Don't You (Forget About Me) by Thrust
15. 70 Cities As Love Brings The Fall by Fronzek vs. Hayward"Since Live365.com started charging from streaming radio stations, it's been impossible for people to access the tribute album sample tracks. I hope to find the time to put up some more samples for download or streaming soon. But in the meantime, you can check out Thrust's version of Don't You Forget About Me at their mp3.com site:
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/37/thrust.html
You can't download it, but you can stream it either at dial-up or broadband speed. A lot of people are telling me this is one of their favorites from the album. So, I encourage everyone who has not heard it to give it a listen."
Mike Simpson
Spaceface remix, Tribute Album, Remasters, Remasters Competition, Band For The Tribes
The Stonebridge remix of Spaceface has finally appeared.
Sneaked out to various DJ outlets, this single sided 12" from Absolutely Records features the Stonebridge remix of the song. And only the remix - nothing else. Unfortunately no other information about this release has come to light yet, so it's uncertain whether this is an advance promo for something else, or just a limited release for the DJs.
More information can be found here.
Those despairing that these releases are rarer than hens' teeth should check out www.americandisco.net. They are stocking the Cry Remixes as well as this new one.
"May it never be said that I didn't stoop really low and use gimmicks to sell copies of the tribute album.....(read on!).....
OK, the tribute album has been born. I actually don't have the CDs in my hands, but I checked the status of my order, and the replication stage is now complete. So, THEY LIVE! :-) They just need to be packaged and mailed to me. So, I expect to have them in about a week. I'm amazed at the sense of giddiness I am feeling now. Believe me, I've been looking forward to this more than anyone out there, and I've actually heard all of the tracks. It's sort of like having a first born child. Anyway, enough about me!
Anyway, here is what I am offering. Many of you have probably seen the photos that I shot of the band in Chicago on July 1st:
http://homepage.mac.com/sminds/PhotoAlbum6.html.
I took the 25 best of these (definitely not including any shots with me in them!) and have ordered 3 sets of Kodak prints (4 inches x 6 inches). I already have a few of the pictures as prints, and they really turned out great. They don't look like digital photographs printed out on ink jet paper. They look like the real thing. To the point, I am going to give these 3 sets away to 3 randomly selected people who have ordered the tribute album by the time that it gets to my house. That includes everyone who have already ordered it, of course. So, if you're thinking of buying a copy of the album. Now is a very good time. Delivery time is expected to be about 2 weeks, and if you order in the next few days you're eligible to be in the drawing for the Chicago prints. The album can be ordered at:
Credit card orders will be recognized right away. But if you want to send a check or money order, please let me know so I can enter your name in the drawing.
I'll be happy to answer any questions about the tribute album, ordering, or even the photos.
Mike Simpson
Update: Mike now has the albums. They are being distributed now.
Simple Re-issues Selling over 25 million albums since their formation in Glasgow Simple Minds have established themselves as one the great Rock 'n' Roll bands of our time. At their peak they were arguably the biggest band in the world selling out stadiums and topping the album charts. However, the foundations for the highs the band reached were firmly laid in their early period, when they built a loyal fanbase releasing post punk classics of unquestionable credibility.In these early albums the evangelical baritone of Jim Kerr and spine tingling guitar of Charlie Burchill struck a chord with the music world and it is in these albums that many feel the real sound of Simple Minds lies - intelligent, challenging and powerful in equal measure. As the NME described New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84), Simple Minds were "majestic and triumphant".
These fantastic sounding mini vinyl reissues are re-mastered from the original master tapes by Simon Heyworth using 24 bit technology and are packaged in heavy card with original outer and inner bag artwork.
This first batch of 6 album re-issues will be followed on 28th October by the release of the next 6 albums also as special edition mini-vinyl formats (released 30th September 2002). All 12 albums will be released as re-mastered standard editions towards the end of the year.
The above blurb from Virgin shows that the remastering work has been greater than expected.
On the 30th September, Life In A Day, Real To Real Cacophony, Empires And Dance, Sons And Fascination, New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) and Sparkle In The Rain will be released in remastered form with limited edition card sleeves reproducing the original album's artwork. Promos for this set have also started to circulate as CD-acetates, confirming that we're going to be getting straight reissues of the albums.
The good news is that the two 'missing' tracks have been added to Sons And Fascination, so the new disc represents the full album with Sister Feelings Call.
The first mistake goes to Real To Real Cacophony which is titled Reel To Real Cacophony on the acetate sleeve. Virgin have always been confused about the album's title, releasing it under ever possible permutation of title. It's sloppy that with the original album's artwork being restored, we're still getting the wrong title.
There's also been much conjecture about the next six albums, released as limited editions on the 28th October. My guess at this time is: Once Upon A Time, Live In The City Of Light, Street Fighting Years, Real Life, Good News From The Next World and Néapolis. The last album presents a few problems as it's owned by EMI as was technology in 1998 so bad that Néapolis needs remastering already?
All twelve albums will appear in standard jewelcased form in time for Christmas.
Expect a repackaging of the singles from Virgin next year.
Virgin have set up a compeition to win the remasters - which may, or may not, be signed by Jim. You'll find all the details at: http://www.the-raft.com/news600.
Band For The Tribes (who can be heard on the tribute album performing Alive And Kicking) have uploaded some of their covers to the www.hypnotised.de. There you will find East At Easter, New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84), Pleasantly Disturbed and Ghostdancing.
DJ T, Swimming Towards The Sun, Frankie Miller, Sparkle Through The Years, Tour Update
The New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) remix by DJ T called Gold Dreamer has finally appeared as two 12" promos. Both can be ordered from Pure Groove Records. (Just do a search on DJ T).
Gold Dreamer is written by Simple Minds and produced by DJ T.
I would advise getting the first 12" which features the more ambient original and Phunk Investigation mixes. These include the new vocals recorded by Jim especially for this release (including the "zero one, zero two, zero thee, zero four" lyric.)
The second 12" definitely lives up to its title as hard house. These are more energetic remixes and move away from the original song. The Voltswagen Mix is very recognizable as hard-core New Gold Dream whilst Grinder's mix gives recognition to earlier unauthorised remixes, and slips in the female groans from Usura's Open Your Mind.
It's released on Y2K House records, a label is owned by Pure Groove. This should ring a few bells as Remote Recordings, who issued Malcolm Duffy's remix of Homosapien, are also owned by Pure Groove. Perhaps a commercial offering from Y2K House/Mindmoods is on the cards?
Watch this space.
Gold Dreamer: DJ T
A1. "Gold Dreamer" [Original Mix]
B1. "Gold Dreamer" [Phunk Investigation Mix]
Y2K House Y2K032
Promotional 12" in picture sleeve.Gold Dreamer: DJ T
A1. "Gold Dreamer" [Voltswagen Mix]
B1. "Gold Dreamer" [Grinder Mix]
Y2K House Y2K032r
Promotional 12" in picture sleeve.
So, people will be getting their CDs through the post in September.
There are still copies up for grabs. Check out www.mindstribute.com for more information on how to order.
Jim will be appearing on the Tribute To Frankie Miller: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed but Most Definitely Blues! out on the 7th September. Frankie Miller is/was a blues singer from Scotland. Jim is apparently covering the song Ghost.
NEW Belgian SIMPLE MINDS FANCLUB "SPARKLE THROUGH THE YEARS" A couple of months ago a few belgian Simple Minds fans were chatting away on the Net and were loudly thinking about what a pitty it was that there wasn't such thing as a belgian or even european SIMPLE MINDS fanclub... Very soon the conclusion rised "why don't we do it ourselves?". And not much later, the 22nd of June 2002, we met up in Mechelen (Belgium), and had our very first meeting. The foundations for the brand new Simple Minds Fanclub were made...
A name for the newborn had to be found, and a few names popped up, and Sparkle Through The Years was the one that made it through a difficult selection process :-).
This seemed us the most approriate title to choose. Simple Minds ARE still Sparkle Through The Years. Fortunately they are not thinking about quiting yet. Sparkle Through The Years is also the name of a promo copy for the Sparkle in the Rain album, containing a few Sparkle selection ons side A (Speed Your Love To Me, Book Of Brilliant Things, C'Moon Cry Like A Baby, The Kick Inside of Me and Waterfront) and a compilation of older tracks on side B (Love Song, Someone Somewhere in Summertime, Promised You A Miracle, Celebrate and Permonition).
So here we are, coming on strong and at your service, the brand new Simpe Minds fanclub: Sparkling Through The Years. For more information on subscribing and activities (and there'll be a lot), please check out www.sparkle.be, or send an e-mail to info@sparkle.be.
Mark Van Mullem
Chairman of Sparkle Through The Years
Webmaster of www.sparkle.be
WEDNESDAY 14/08/2002 - SIMPLE MINDS @ MARKTROCK + Fanclub Day in De ColffDuring Marktrock, Leuven, where SIMPLE MINDS will play at 22h50, Sparkle Through The Years organises a Fanclub meeting in Taverne De Colff (www.colff.com) upstairs in Local "C4" situated on the "Oude Markt". Before and after the gig Simple Minds fans can get together there. But you'll need to be early on the Oude Markt, During that day you can off course subscribe to our fanclub or have a chat with one of the Fanclub Staffmembers.
After the Kosheen gig there'll be a Fanclub Afterparty with DJ River and DJ Moon.
p r o g r a m m e:
Simple Minds music all day - Simple Minds fanclub subscriptions possibilities - Simple Minds After Party: Please send email to info@sparkle.be if you want to enter the afterparty which is private. Only 100 persons will be allowed (for security reasons). First come, first serve. Your name will be checked at the entrance. More info: info@sparkle.be.
Set-lists continue to be added to the tour section. There hasn't been any surprises recently, although Cry has reappeared in the set-lists.
Tribue Album, DVD, Todd Richards Interview, Remaster Series, Monster, Cathay Radio, Tour, London ICA, Futurama, Sex Appeal
Sugar On The Brain: The Floating World Show Comes to Washington DC "We will not do one less than great show on this tour. I guarantee you this. I feel it and I promise... Over my dead body, you will not witness us falling nor fading like a Death Star. Truly, and once again... Already my heart is beating like the wheels of a fast train, coming your way and then taking you with us."
Jim Kerr
Walk With Me In The Garden After a great Indian dinner outside on a terrace in the trendy hip Adams-Morgan neighborhood, the four of us walked down U Street to the venue. I had never been to the 9:30 Club, a small venue that attracts lots of recognizable names. Garbage, for example, sold out two shows there this summer. What my friends warned me was that it was located in a questionable neighborhood. They were right. The place gets accolades from a local newspaper, but it's still not the place to linger or get stupid in public. I do wonder why the band's current booking agency sticks them in such wanting places. But I get ahead of myself. I have been a fan for two decades and this was my first Simple Minds concert, ever. Here's what happened.
It's An Easy Show We took our places in the line formed at the door. Our two friends from Annapolis, Depeche Mode aficionados both, appeared after parking the car, said hi, and got in line too. I was curious about everybody else in line, but there wasn't much chance to talk or mingle. Everybody looked pretty dour, likely due to the damp heat and the locale. While we waited, talking, joking, excited, a man appeared at the tour bus whose door was right next to us. He knocked, and a roadie greeted him and let him in, closing the door behind him. Though I only saw him from the back, there was no mistake. "Sunil," I said, turning to my cousin and pointing at the door, "that was Mel Gaynor." Sunil beamed. Not for the last time that night.
Up On The Mezzanine After getting in and wandering around letting our eyes adjust to the darkness and buying drinks from the bemulleted woman at the floor-level bar, we took our perch on the stage-left mezzanine, where we waited for an hour and a half while recorded music played. I was surprised to find myself nervous with a painful sympathy for the band. I felt a little sick sitting there with the other five guys. Look at how sparsely the floor is filled. Look at how small is the lighting rig. I have heard stories of disappointment with other American dates. Will this be one more? What if the sound is awful, or the mics start feeding back? Or worse, what if the band are unhappy, or the audience reacts poorly? And why aren't they coming on until 10:30? That's not so promising now is it. I discarded the half-full tumbler of Coke and heaved a sigh. Oh why did I drag the guys out here?
Stand Back. Get Back At 10:32 EDT all my fears evaporated in a flash. The 'headlights' on the audience went off, some colored lights doused the yet unmanned stage, and there was that thrumming, throbbing introduction music that gives you the feeling a mighty locomotive will shortly arrive at the station. I stood up and moved to the rail. My friends followed. I did not know how the set would list but I knew the opener was a 20-year-old anthem you may have heard, called New Gold Dream. The crowd below on the floor was giving off let's call it a vibe.Off in a dark corner I spotted a stagehand's flashlight go on, pointing at the steps leading to the stage. The audience began to cheer. My own eyes, ears, and mouth opened wide and I joined in the collective grin. And then suddenly as though by magic there were Simple Minds, looking as rugged and confident and handsome as rocks that hang over the sea. It was no act. There before us was the fast train, steaming at the station, doors wide open. Standing up happy and healthy in the capitol of America for the first time in a long time. Simply unbelievable. At least one of us must have rubbed his eyes in disbelief. All five of the band were grinning broadly. And as we would see, they would continue to do so for the next two hours.
Promises Kept. Miracles Delivered The thrumming intro faded and after a dramatic silence, Andy Gillespie's first joyous hymnal chords launched that celestial bullet train, the first of 20 sonic blasts. Though it follows the release of the new studio album Cry, the Floating World setlist deliberately reacquaints the band with this audience, whose long waits and diminishing hopes had lately become a singular ache. On the brunt end of the bleak fickle indifferent tasteless current popular music scene's cruel derision, the same one, ironically, in which U2 can do no wrong, we American and Canadian fans are often relegated to ordering the band's work through Internet merchants. It included many of their most popular songs, and avoided explanations by omitting anything from Neapolis and of course Secrets. This was an American audience. As expected, Jim introduced the band during an interval of Ghostdancing. This tour's lovely, sparse rendition of Belfast Child draws a few frowns for its brevity, but consider the poignancy of having just one song performed only by the nucleus of Burchill & Kerr. Jim didn't get chatty with the audience, but remained visibly in high spirits with the rest of the band, mentioning after one setpiece that they had not played Washington DC in seven years. Don't we know it. He shared his hope that it would not be so long next time, which was met with cheers. What the set list represents is reassurance and hope, and the guys' confident ownership of the catalog, to the elemental fun of rock music. We shared in joy as a flame that nearly died in the grungy 1990s took oxygen once again.
Sound In 16 Cities As you did, I think we helped it. Every song was a gift unwrapped, and there were three pieces of Cry: Spaceface, One Step Closer, and in the encore, New Sunshine Morning. While I had never experienced the band live, I have heard their recordings, and I think you will agree that on this tour, the performances were much tighter than they had been in the 1990s. If I have any disappointments, they are sparse and minuscule. The lighting rig could have been greater, but it was a small venue after all and whomever was working the lights did a fine job. Charlie's guitar could often have been higher in the mix, so we could at least hear him during say Theme for Great Cities or his extended solo in Sanctify Yourself.Yet there is nothing to forgive. This could be the windup for the next tour, for which I have some hopes. I hope they are as happy as they seemed. I hope the same lineup returns. I hope they open with Sugar, their instantly recognizable radio hit. There was no trepidation in the way the band delivered each song during this show. It was all confidence and pleasure, which was wonderful to see, fists aloft and bootheels kicking, ears and eyes wide open. My cousin and I concurred that in addition to the lightman, whomever was producing the live sound did a great job. Can't be easy, with consecutive venues so diverse. I'm a fan and here's my editorial: I want this band to go into a studio and produce a record with this very sound. Each song was, intelligently, a clean, direct, compact version with sharp edges. While the guys may hopefully shift the focus to more recent music on future tours, this is exactly what the songs, what the fans, and what Simple Minds needed, right now.
This Is Your Band Remarkable is the effect on my two Depeche Mode friends. They were stunned, and later remarked to me on the way home at what friendly gents seem Simple Minds. I'm gratified to hear this kind of thing, especially after such initial nervousness, which now feels ridiculous, that they would somehow come up short. I always hear this praise from journalists too, and I believe it. I have it on good authority that Mel's drumsticks and Charlie's pick were given to Karen, a grateful percussionist fan at floor level. Artifacts and a gesture she will surely not soon forget.My two friends were drawn to the show out of sheer curiosity at my enjoyment of the band, which they know has spanned years. Decades. With the rest of us, they watched in delight as the band came stage front, took a bow, shook hands, and gave away their drum sticks, guitar picks, and sweaty towels. Now that's charm. One friend proposed the nearby Eddie Duffy sign our ticket stubs. He acquiesced. Eddie surely seems, as many fans have observed, a darned nice guy, and a very accessible one.
"Eddie!" I yelled down to him, and got his attention, "You did a great job! Thank you! Come back soon!" He put his hands together at me, nodded his thanks, and gave me a thumbs up. My friend took my pen, hooked it to the ticket stub, and let it fall down to him from the mezzanine. I laughed in delight but also at the flashback to a place I had never been. The story goes, in order to get their friends into a club in Glasgow on one ticket, one of the fellows would put it into a cigarette packet and drop it out the window to the waiting future Mindster.
Star Light, Star Bright Scotland always meant melancholy, pointed out Charlie during the recent magazine interview, and if the music of Simple Minds has always been ethereal, hymnal, and colored in muted hues, then what I did not expect to find was the band's sense of humor. Evidently the high spirits didn't start with the show. On a piece of Mel's equipment was what looks like a page from a magazine, the movie poster for Spinal Tap. Off one of Andy's keyboards hung the Irish flag. We have seen the photo of Eddie performing in a Glasgow Celtic sweater. In addition to cracking wise about the complexity of the sing-along bit of Don't You, Jim propsed near the end of the set, "Ok, let's start again from the beginning... Uh, no!" And I was afraid the band would be uncomfortable? Simply ridiculous.The consensus is no secret. We want this band to come back and play across the United States, to play more dates across Canada, and to play better venues everywhere. Someone in the Community said it first. Forgive me for losing his name, but he nailed it. Popular musical culture encourages you to feel angry, unhappy, and paranoid. Its stultifying effect keeps you from thinking too deeply and all too often from feeling. Against this background maybe it is no surprise why the Minds have such a hard time getting record companies, who sell the stuff, to take them seriously. Truly, this pained world needs the warmth, joy, strength, and hope of Simple Minds far more than Simple Minds need us.
Thank you, Eddie, Andy, Mel, Charlie, and Jim. Here's to seeing you over here again soon.
Lawrence Devadason
Tribute Album Update
The final track listing of the tribute album is :
1. Scar by Simon Hayward
2. New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) by The Echoing Green
3. Seeing Out the Angel by Piston Picnique
4. Oh Jungleland by The Enflamed
5. Someone Somewhere In Summertime by Blow Up
6. Alive and Kicking by Band for the Tribes
7. She's A River by Flash Cube
8. Hypnotised by Youringa
9. Life In A Day by Basic Idea
10. The American by Meatboy
11. Hunter And The Hunted by Sjoblom
12. Waterfront by The Dissidents
13. Don't You (Forget About Me) by Thrust
14. 70 Cities as Love Brings the Fall by Hayward vs. FronzekIt has been featured on Billy Sloan's and Todd Richards' radio shows, and received positive feedback from Jim.
A freebie version of The American can be found here The album will be released in August.
More information and ordering details can be found at:
www.mindstribute.comOr e-mail:
Mike SimpsonBilly Sloan recently played two tracks from the tribute album on the 7th July. New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) and Seeing Out The Angel were both aired.
He also played Sly Silver Sly's version of Face In The Sun (which is called OK Lonely?).
It seems that the production company responsible for filming the band in Sicily weren't sufficiently organised in time, and the band felt that they weren't prepared, so the shoot was cancelled.Other venues have been partially filmed, and this footage may be used in the future.
Therefore the release of a DVD has been postponed.
The next part of Todd Richards' chat with Jim have been uploaded. 
In this part of the interview, they discussed the DVD (now postponed), touring the USA, how INXS were doing and the death of John Entwistle.
Jim also mentioned that Virgin had reissued the entire back catalogue, and that the singles were going to be reissued in a new format. The first news of the remastering has already filtered out.
Todd's interview with Jim can be found here.
Virgin are reissuing remastered editions of the band's first studio albums on the 30th September.Each album will be released in two formats. The first is a straight reissue of the remastered album on CD. The second, which is a limited edition, will also be packaged in a miniature reproduction of the original album artwork.
Unfortunately it doesn't seem that extra tracks, sleeve notes, or additional artwork will be included.
An it will be interesting to see the limited editions of New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) and Sparkle In The Rain as they had unique artwork - a miniature reproduction of the album sleeve would be a step backwards.
Further Virgin have again lost the opportunity to issue Sister Feelings Call as a separate CD.
Here's the release details from an on-line site. Note that the prices are in US dollars:
Life In A Day REMASTERED, CD $17.99 
Country: UK. Release Date: 30-Sep-02Life In A Day MINI SLEEVE, CD $19.99
Limited edition, remastered and packaged in a miniature reproduction of the original album art.
Country: UK. Release Date: 30-Sep-02
Real To Real Cacophony REMASTERED, CD $17.99 
Country: UK. Release Date: 30-Sep-02Real To Real Cacophony MINI SLEEVE, CD $19.99
Limited edition, remastered and packaged in a miniature reproduction of the original album art.
Country: UK. Release Date: 30-Sep-02
Empires And Dance REMASTERED, CD $17.99 
Country: UK. Release Date: 30-Sep-02Empires And Dance MINI SLEEVE, CD $19.99
Limited edition, remastered and packaged in a miniature reproduction of the original album art.
Country: UK. Release Date: 30-Sep-02
Sons And Fascination REMASTERED, CD $17.99 
Country: UK. Release Date: 30-Sep-02Sons And Fascination MINI SLEEVE, CD $19.99
Limited edition, remastered and packaged in a miniature reproduction of the original album art.
Country: UK. Release Date: 30-Sep-02
New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) REMASTERED, CD $17.99 
Country: UK. Release Date: 30-Sep-02New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) MINI SLEEVE, CD $19.99
Limited edition, remastered and packaged in a miniature reproduction of the original album art.
Country: UK. Release Date: 30-Sep-02
Sparkle In The Rain REMASTERED, CD $17.99 
Country: UK. Release Date: 30-Sep-02Sparkle In The Rain MINI SLEEVE, CD $19.99
Limited edition, remastered and packaged in a miniature reproduction of the original album art.
Country: UK. Release Date: 30-Sep-02
Monster reached #67 in the UK charts. It could've achieved a better showing if the CD had appeared - apparently it was cancelled for some reason. (A picture of it appeared in an NME review). This makes the CD promos more collectable. See the archives for more information on those.
And more remixes are available on the 2x12" promotional pack:
1. Club mix
2. S.Leger's Monster remix
3. C.Castelli remix
4. Liquid People vs Mckendrick
5. Kidstuff Take The Helm
6. S.Leger's Monster dub
7. Liquid Metal Mix
Defected Records DFECT49DJ
2x12" promo in custom sleeve.
Among those who run house music, half and idea is often hailed as a stunning sonic revolution - as opposed to rock music, where a quarter of an idea reheated from 20 years ago usually does the trick. Hence this 'buzz chart' smash. What is this life-changing masterpiece? A little dinky synth sampled from Changeling by 80s stadium electroclashers Simple Minds, looped around a walloping four-four beat. Bosh bosh, lovely job, an inoffensive toe-tapper and just about dull enough to be a huge hit. NME
.
Those flying on Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong back to London can hear an interview with Jim Kerr and Paul Sexton plus a selection of five tracks - all from Cry except for Waterfront.
Viejle, Denmark, Hornstrup Kirkeby (Green Concert) (19/07/02) was cancelled. Heavy rain turned the venue into a mud bath.On the plus side, Simple Minds will be playing a free concert on the 17th August in Bilbao, Spain (a substitution for Bryan Adams). This is part of the City Festival Concert celebrations and will kick of at 12:00PM.
Last month at London's ICA, New York's DJ Spinbad and Shoreditch bootleg boys Crackin' Skullz brought tacky action flicks and turntablism together in a tribute to original tough guy Chuck Norris. Here Spinbad explains how they matched kickin' club cuts with highlights from Chuck's kicking oeuvre. Chuck Norris Reassessed
Breaker! Breaker! (1977)
Texan track driver-cum-karate ace Chuck kicks corrupt cop butt. In a corral. Yee-hah!Tune: Simple Minds Don't You (Forget About Me).
Spinbad says:: "Revenge, denim, drunken bad guy, a horse and a slow-mo punch up - this scene's got it all. It's so badly shot and acted, Simple Minds just seemed right. The audience loved it, which doesn't say much for them.
The Face
A Simple Minds reference was spotted at the end of Futurama on Sky One last Sunday. In the episode The Luck Of The Fryish, Fry's brother found a copy of The Breakfast Club soundtrack and Simple Minds' Don't You (Forget About Me) played out the show.
One reader has a copy of Phunk Investigation's Sex Appeal. He wrote that if they had used a Simple Minds sample then it's difficult to recognise in the club or dub mix.However the label reads:
"Special thanks to D. Maggiorana, N. Nicita,S. Maggiorana, D. Tignino & Pat Legato from Lovebyte, Jim Kerr (Simple Minds) and S. Maiolino."Interesting - can anyone shed any further light on this?