31st december
asylum, subway, covers, drum kit, hunter and the hunted, melkweg vs paradiso
Paul Statham is a familiar name. He was of the co-writers on
Lostboy!, and composer of
Kill Or Cure? on
Big Music. Jim also appeared
on three tracks of his Radioland album, which featured many different artists under the banner of The Dark Flowers.
(Which, incidentally, is excellent and you should check out if you haven't already).
"I have started my own small label Loki Records and have released
my first experimental music album Asylum. It features eight instrumental tracks that were originally used in the installation
"Days On End" at the Asylum Chapel in South East London with painter Jonathan McCree."
"New sound was then recorded over these tracks, adding more texture and instrumentation to create stand alone pieces that
were further recorded over, each time losing a little something of the original but gaining more in texture."
The title track can be viewed on YouTube below:
Asylum is available on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon,
Google Play etc. and is available
from bandcamp on CD as well.
Further good news: Paul has co-written another five tracks with
Jim and these will be appearing on the next The Dark Flowers
album.
German magazine Subway recently celebrated 30 years by a poster campaign featuring some of their covers.
Simple Minds were featured twice with front covers from 1989 (which showed a standard promo shot from Street Fighting Years)
and 1991 (with follow-up Real Life.)
Many thanks to Karsten for the picture.
File under "vaguely familiar" (at around the 2:35 mark):
Premier / Staccato Hybrid 'Simple Minds' drum kit, formerly played by
Mike Ogletree, consisting of a Premier bass drum, snare, floor tom, two radial toms, together
with two Staccato rack toms and a floor tom, Stagg drum stool and a collection of Pearl and Sonor cymbal stands. This distinctive hybrid
drum kit was formerly the property of Mike Ogletree and used extensively throughout 1982 during
Simple Minds' tours and recording. The kit was seen on the
Sons of Fascination and the
New Gold Tour. The drum sound you can hear on songs
Colours Fly And Catherine Wheel,
Somebody Up There Likes You and
New Gold Dream from the
Simple Minds' album
New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) were recorded using this kit. When the band performed
on BBC's Top of the Pops show in 1982 the kit can be clearly distinguished by the distinctive horn
shaped 'Staccato' drums. The kit can also be seen in action when Simple Minds performed on
The Old Grey Whistle Test. Mike Ogletree left
Simple Minds in November 1982 and joined the band Fiction Factory and used the kit
again for live shows an in the studio including the bands best known track Feels (Like Heaven). The hybrid drum kit
was left behind by Mike Ogletree when he moved to New York and from 1984/5 resided in
Jim Kerr's studio (front man of Simple Minds). It is during this period
that the kit lost a lot of the 'breakables' and is why no cymbals are present and other small parts are missing or replaced.
The kit was sold to Drum Vault Edinburgh who fully restored the kit and sold it to the present vendor.
After the final mixing of the album was completed in July 1982, Pete Walsh spent August in
Utopia Studios editing and assembling the album. His work during this period resulted in a series of master tapes which
featured the longer master mix (called the Full Duration Mix), the album version (which was physically snipped out and
pasted onto the master reel) and various left-overs.
The master tape concerned is Reel 13 of the New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) set.
(It has since been renumbered VU00013468 which is Virgin's tape catalogue number). The box lid suggests that
it features three mixes: namely the Full Duration, Short Fade and Fade Out (without Herbi). All
looks good, except box lid listings are sometimes incorrect (regardless of how neatly they've been filled in).
The listing of the tape in the Universal Tape Library was the same - in
many cases, the description of the tracks was just jotted down when the tapes were catalogued. There were also no track timings which
would've been useful.
This was one of the nineteen tapes I had transferred to CD for New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) Super Deluxe. It
was probably the first time it had been played since 1982.
Unfortunately the tempting Full Duration mix was missing. There were only two mixes on the CD. So what had happened to it?
The answer is that you've got it already. Pete Walsh simply removed the Full Duration
mix and pasted it into the New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) master reel. It was never edited for
the album.
So that left the two shorter mixes as potential candidates. Fade Out (without Herbi) was just half of the song, clocking
in at 2:09, and was therefore too incomplete. Short Fade was probably prepared as a potential for the album, and was slightly
different, so that was the version which was used as an added bonus for New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) Super Deluxe.
Those who collect the dubious bootleg recordings (particularly the gaudy vinyl and CD pressings) will have multiple copies of
Simple Minds at the Paradiso on the 23rd March 1980 in their collection. The concert was broadcast on
FM Radio, providing a top-class recording for fans to record, and for bootleggers to exploit. (Although clear recordings of that gig
have appeared, the source used by the bootleggers was less than perfect).
The date was correct. Simple Minds did perform live on the 23rd March 1980. However, it was not the Paradiso but
the Melkweg (Milky Way) instead. Doubts should've been raised when a live recording of the concert surfaced which included
Jim's final words to the audience: "See you at the Paradiso maybe?." This
apparent contradiction (because we still believed this recording was the Paradiso) was cleared up when tour posters surfaced for
the Paradisco on the 29th March.
So this appears to be cleared up. One of the best early recordings of Simple Minds was at the Melkweg, Amsterdam on
the 23rd March. Don't beleive what you read on the bootlegs.
My thanks to Timothy Barron for the background research.
20th december
magic, walk between worlds, walk between worlds tours, andy wright interview, promises?
The first single to be released from Walk Between Worlds will be
Magic. Therefore you can expect this song to appear soon; and in fact it has already
been played on RTL Radio in France on the 15th December.
It was also briefly available for download from their website. The links have been removed - suggesting that perhaps it
shouldn't have appeared so early and someone's broken an embargo - but that was enough for some fans to grab and save it.
So recordings are circulating now.
Magic gives a great taste of the sound and style of the rest of the album.
Cause now that I believe in magic
I believe in your lips, I believe things coming in waves
Now I believe in forces, I believe it’s all set,
Nothing here can make me sway.
And so what's this?
It's another version of the Deluxe LP package, pressed on pink vinyl. This is the "Indie" release which will only be available through
independent record retailers. Google "Simple Minds Walk Between Worlds Fuchsia Vinyl" and you'll find copies for pre-order.
It's limited to 3000 copies.
There are no other special limited editions expected to surface. So the tolly tally is: LP, Deluxe LP (blue), Deluxe LP (fuchsia), Picture LP, CD, Deluxe CD, 7" Single and Test Pressing LP.
2018 is shaping up nicely. Whilst all the tour dates for the
Walk Between Worlds Tour were quickly announced together, the
appearances for the
Summer Tour are coming thick and fast, and
Grandslam 2018 will see Simple Minds joining forces with
The Pretenders and support KT Tunstall for a series of appearances in the summer.
3rd december
walk between worlds, pop, derek forbes echos tour, mel gaynor fusion project, mike ogletree an acoustic mind, once upon a time dvd audio, samples, discography, spotted on german tv, world animal day
SIMPLE MINDS - WALK BETWEEN WORLDS
FIRST ALBUM OF NEW MATERIAL SINCE 2014'S HUGELY ACCLAIMED BIG MUSIC
On 2nd February, BMG will release Walk Between Worlds,
Simple Minds' first album of new material since 2014's
Big Music (which MOJO Magazine declared "their best album in 30 years").
Walk Between Worlds was produced by Simple Minds with
Andy Wright and Gavin Goldberg, both of whom worked on Big Music. With its
eight tracks rocketing past in 42 minutes, it is a relatively concise affair. It is also an album of two distinct sides, very
much the old-school album format that singer Jim Kerr and
Charlie Burchill grew up with as music fans. Side one tracks such as
Summer and
The Signal And The Noise revisit the glassy guitars and new wave
dance grooves of the post-punk era and the second half explores more cinematic sounds, with the
title track and
Barrowland Star
The album is bookended by two songs about faith, Magic and
Sense Of Discovery. The first is a reflection on the desire and hunger of youth – the
faith in their own abilities that Simple Minds possessed during their formative years.
Sense Of Discovery, which features a melodic refrain that alludes to 1985’s
Alive And Kicking, is centred on the voice of an older narrator passing on wisdom
and advice to a younger individual.
One of the album’s key tracks is Barrowland Star, named after the iconic ballroom
in the East End of Glasgow that has hosted many memorable Simple Minds shows. It’s a song that takes the
band away from their traditional comfort zone, layering strings and a spellbinding Charlie
guitar solo (one that reminds Jim of Mick Ronson) over some poignant
words. For Jim and Charlie playing the
Barrowland was always a big deal, a mixture of excitement – and fear – it felt as if they were about to engage
in a prize-fight rather than simply play a rock concert.
The album artwork is by Brazilian visual artist Heitor Magno, whose work is often a surreal montage of vivid
coloured imagery and black and white photography. The image he has created for
Walk Between Worlds is emblematic of Simple Minds' metamorphosis.
The central character on the front cover bearing an uncanny resemblance to a young Jim Kerr – the sleeve
could also be viewed as a telling throwback to the Sons And Fascination era.
Simple Minds were the standard bearers for a new kind of rock in the Eighties, when they took the art-rock invention
of post-punk and constructed a musical Colossus by adding rousing choruses and a touch of Celtic soul. As they contemplate
turning 40, their legacy is something to be proud of and with Walk Between Worlds their story continues to evolve.
With Jim and
Charlie now part of a theatrical gang of musicians that are, in
Jim's words, "more inspired by the likes Sly & The Family Stone than
a traditional male rock band",
the tour will feature the
Acoustic tour line up of:
Jim and
Charlie, percussionist
Cherisse Osei and backing vocalist
Catherine AD alongside band mainstays
Ged Grimes on bass, multi-instrumentalist
Gordy Goudie, and regular backing singer (and sometimes lead vocalist)
Sarah Brown. "The whole stage set-up is now more fluid," says
Charlie. "We’re working on fresh arrangements of some old songs, and there is
going to be more movement between the musicians onstage. There will be time for people to digest the songs and more space for
Jim to talk to the audience."
FORMATS:Walk Between Worlds will be available on standard
and deluxe CD, standard, deluxe and picture disc vinyl, digital download and stream.
Photographer Brian Griffin has released a limited edition book of selected works. His name hasn't been connected with
Simple Minds before, but this image should be familiar:
POP by Griffin is a limited edition release of 1000 and includes selected images from his career, including
the Celebrate sleeve. It's available from GOST Books
on a first-come first-served principle.
Many thanks to Stuart Holland for the information.
The good news is that I am touring Echoes, my solo album of reimagined
Simple Minds songs. It's a real celebration of the glory days of Simple Minds. I
have my band in place and I have my agents booking gigs for next year in UK, all over Europe and a possibility of Australia
and New Zealand where I enjoyed number one records and where we, Simple Minds, were awarded our first
gold discs. Who wants to see the Show? Let me know which countries would be interested. Thank you and goodnight.
Derek Forbes October 2017
You can contact Derek via his account on Facebook.
The following interview with Mel appeared on
the Mint Radio Website. Intended to promote
his album, The Fusion Project 2, the drummer also talked about Simple Minds.
A suite on the top floor of a large Brussels hotel. An air of jazz escapes from a digital radio posed on
the table and sets the tone of the meeting. Mel Gaynor welcomes the
MiNT team with a firm and secure handshake. He confides.
The metacarpal pain fades as the panorama of the capital unfolds. The musician impresses by his
build. By his CV, especially. The virtuoso started the drums at the age of 6 years. For the anecdote,
his mother had pity on the sofas that his son was whipping with wooden spoons. She bought him a real musical
instrument.
Mel Gaynor won his first professional contract when he was
only 14 years old. In 1982, he met Jim Kerr and
Charlie Burchill, the two founding members of Simple Minds. The
drummer joins them for the album New Gold Dream, which
has propelled the Scottish band to the top of the charts. Throughout his career,
Mel Gaynor has also played for
Elton John, Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel,
Brian May... "and Tina Turner," he adds!
The musician tells us that a 19th album of Simple Minds is
in preparation. "I recorded a dozen titles with them in London. The album should be released in a few months.
He tells us that a tour will follow in 2018, but he is not sure to participate. "I have other projects," he said.
The child of rock, the musician of the shadow, wanted to fly on his own. He discovered jazz about ten years
ago and has just released a second album The Fusion Project 2.
With great sincerity, Mel Gaynor tells us that
Simple Minds members are not his best friends in the world, but they keep in touch. At a distance.
The drummer has just left London to settle in the province of Liège! Four years ago, he fell in love with
a Belgian come to attend one of his concerts. His heart has moved to Belgium, but his stomach remains
hanging on to England. Among the few indiscretions slipped, he said prefer the toast and beans to the rabbit
sauce balls!
Mel is currently promoting and touring his new album
The Mel Gaynor Fusion Project. For information about the album, and his current tour schedule, then
take a look at his official website. There are currently three gigs scheduled
in Belgium.
"A couple of weeks ago I was walking on Second Avenue in downtown Manhattan when all of a sudden, a
man passing by yelled, "Hey, how ya' doin' Dave?" Well, just like the snail who was mugged by a turtle
replied to the cop: 'You see officer, it happened so quickly, I can't really give you a description!'"
"Ironically, a few days later I got an e-mail from Mike Ogletree
promoting his upcoming gig at an Irish bar in Times Square. It included a couple of MP3s and after giving them a
listening, I thought I might take in the gig and wrote Mike to ask if he remembered
me (we had met at a Four Good Men gig in New York ten years back)? Here was his reply:"
"Yes, I remember you. But I think you may not remember me. I bumped into you a couple of weeks ago on E14th street near my house on 2nd Ave a couple of weeks ago and said hi Dave. As I was in a bit of a hurry I couldn't stop but you looked like you were wondering who was this unknown person who just greeted you. Haha.
The concert is scheduled to start at 8pm New York time. Do try and get there, we'd love to see you (and see if you can recognize me this time)."
"So there you go... it was Mike! What a coincidence, huh?"
"I've attached a few photos from last night's gig. As you may know, Mike's band is
called "Anacousic Mind," which is a trio. He has a female singer/songwriter counterpart and an excellent drummer with the cool name
Swiss Chris." - Dave Parker
Mike regularly plays as An Anacoustic Mind in New York city. You can find out
about future gigs via his Facebook account.
It appears I have done the Once Upon A Time DVD-Audio mix a disservice.
When the New Gold Dream and
Once Upon A Time DVD-Audios were released in 2005,
without fanfare or promotion, it was initially thought it was just another repackaging exercise – another format
to experiment with and perhaps discard. Coming on the tails of
the remasters and
the SACD releases then little was
expected of them: the sound might be a little cleaned up but what would be new?
In order to assemble these 5:1 mixes, Virgin returned to the original multi-tracks. And rather than
give it to an engineer or producer, who would’ve done an excellent job in recreating the original mix in surround sound,
it was Charlie who stepped in and oversaw the project along with Ronald Prent.
And he took the opportunity to change the arrangements, mixes and edits, presenting albums which were significantly different
from their originals.
New Gold Dream went through the most surprising transformation.
Pete Walsh originally prepared every track as an extended mix, editing and cutting
the songs down for their insertion onto the album. Some of these longer mixes saw the light of day on 12" singles,
but the rest were lost in the vault. That’s until Charlie discovered them and
used them as the guide for the DVD-Audio release; and I similarly figured it out ten years later when preparing
the track listing for
the Super Deluxe.
Therefore New Gold Dream was presented in an extended, remixed form, which
eclipsed the Once Upon A Time release. Only
the title track and
Come A Long Way appeared in extended versions, and the rest, given an
uncritical hearing, was considered to be the same as the album. But whilst preparing the
Super Deluxe edition, and listening to it again, it became apparent
that Charlie had worked his magic and the original mix wasn’t used as the guide. All of
the songs were different in subtle ways.
Both Iovine and
Clearmountain were meticulous with their tape logging. The library is full of tapes
which chart the gradual piecing together of the album; Alive And Kicking went
through around 33 mixes until the final was decided. So Charlie had ample scope and
sources to create something different for Once Upon A Time as well.
This was picked up by Xavier, who recently e-mailed me: "I have to say that all the songs have been
re-worked with some surprises. We can find things such as alternate vocals, alternate backings, new sounds and new guitar
tracks. For example, in Alive And Kicking, most of the parts sung by
Robin Clark are different takes and the choir part at the end is better as it starts
sooner. The outro of Ghostdancing includes new parts sung by
Jim, and maybe one or two extra guitar tracks. The result is a more powerful ending.”
Universal Records were appalled that fans were being charged three-figure sums to obtain these rare, and originally
under-promoted, DVD-Audio releases. This was one of the reasons to include them on the recent
Once Upon A Time and
New Gold Dream re-issues. So, if you haven’t picked up the
Once Upon A Time DVD-Audio release then do so; you will be pleasantly surprised.
The undisputed list of "Who Sampled Who" can be found at
www.whosampled.com. Yet some obscure samples have slipped
through the gaps and have escaped being compiled. For example, Sins Of The Flesh by Sister Machine Gun
features a very familiar arpeggio synth running through the background:
(Thanks to Dave Parker for the info.)
And then there's Come Alive by Orchestra JB which has a Alive And Kicking vibe - albeit in
a very slow early 1990s dance way:
The Raft discography originally appeared on The Raft (which was Virgin's
website in the early 2000s). I took a copy many years ago and I've now reformatted it and integrated it
with this website.
It was extremely useful as it included the release date of many of their Virgin releases
and reissues. It also included one or two surprises: the Street Fighting Years promo 7" box set
was finally given a catalogue number (Virgin SMBOX1) and it included the mysterious
Tracks For Chrysalis Single (Virgin SMDJ 98).
The source of this listing remains obscure. It's not taken from the tape archive as some of the releases
are unique to this listing. I believe it was taken from Virgin's own release database - which
I have yet to see.
There were also some errors. These have been corrected.
Further major updates to the discography include a
new reissues section which documents all the releases made by Virgin
in the 1980s and 1990s before the remasters were released.
Plus there are (short) sections devoted to the three main commerical format-flops of the early 1990s. Virgin
issued one different Simple Minds album on each to test the water. So, there are now sections devoted
to the blink-and-you-missed-it release history of Simple Minds on
DAT,
DCC and
MiniDisc.
This guy was spotted on a German quiz show back in June. Good to see such public support for the band!
Thanks to Karsten for the photo.
An acoustic cover of Don't You (Forget About Me) was used for this year's
World Animal Day. Their video can be viewed below:
30th july
trevor horn concert, acoustic in concert, gibson interview, ruth rowland design, discography, cherisse's tour diary, acoustic live roundup, she's a river johnson somerset remix
Jim made a brief appearance at the Rewind Festival at
Perth on the 22nd July where he joined The Trevor Horn Band for
Waterfront. Trevor said "I called
Jim and he said yeah. What do you want to do?
Belfast Child? " Jim decided to
guest on Waterfront instead (which was remixed whilst Trevor
was producing the band.)
"Thanks to Trevor Horn and all at Rewind Festival/Perth. Thanks most of all to the audience for
making me feel so welcome. You all did a great job with Waterfront and
it was a real pleasure. So thanks for the invite. Scone Palace looked like a wonderful site to host live music,
the organisation was also second to none." - Jim, 22nd July 2017
"Trevor Horn, is of course yet another who produced
Simple Minds. It is he (and Stephen Lipson) who deserve
the credit for our Street Fighting Years album which featured
Belfast Child,
Mandela Day and
This Is Your Land. They both put so much thought and time into
Simple Minds - in a period where in someways we were sadly in the process of coming apart at the seams.
Trevor also produced so many of my fave 80's defining records. Including
Grace Jones, Malcolm McLaren, Yes, ABC, and
Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Particularly Frankie - what a sound that debut album had!
In any case Trevor, who also plays bass and has his own touring band, is currently
adding our very own Waterfront to his live set which also features
much of the songs that he produced. Known more as "a studio beast" a recent article in Glasgow's Herald newspaper
detailed how Trevor, whose music somewhat defined the 1980s, says that now
playing live is therapeutic after the death of his wife Jill - who incidentally was also a great supporter of
Simple Minds, someone who we also admired very much." - Jim, 21st July 2017
Simple Minds Announce Multi-Format 'Acoustic In Concert'
Scottish modern rock figureheads Simple Minds will have
Acoustic In Concert released on DVD, Blu-Ray, DVD + CD and digital formats by
Eagle Rock Entertainment on 16 June. The releases capture the band's November 2016 performance
on the eve of their much-admired and highly successful
Acoustic album, at London's Hackney Empire for a BBC Radio 2 In Concert show.
Simple Minds prove one again that they are a class act, with hit after hit given a fresh twisst that allows them room
to breath and the melodies to shine through. Acoustic In Concert is a must for any fan of this remarkable band.
Cherisse has continued her tour diaries, which she posted throughout the
Acoustic Live tour. The final part includes KT Tunstall
talking about her experiences touring with the band:
"Alone! Who said I will be alone? Five more gigs to go and then suddenly this tour will be a distant memory. 24 hours
after the last gig, hopefully I will be in the Scottish countryside with fresh air and animals all around. A chance to hike/swim
in the lochs. Can't wait. But first things first and that means Brighton tonight!" - Jim, 3rd June 2017
"That sickening feeling is becoming too familiar. Kicking in once again as we came off stage in Brighton last night,
only to begin hearing news of horrific events as we headed towards London - hometown for some of us - and the final
destination of our UK tour.
We are not equipped with the appropriate words to try and convey our huge amount of empathy/sympathy for all affected.
We are songwriters and musicians. All we know, is how to play for an audience. We will do that with the fullest heart
later on tonight at Drury Lane, London." - Jim, 4th June 2017
"Was always going to be an emotional night for us, playing in the venue where
we made our London debut supporting Magazine in May 1979.
Never forget the disappointment of that night, when midway through our set, and just as we were winning the crowd over, the
electrical power went down on stage, ending our set in mid flow. Inexperienced then, we walked off to the sound of silence,
also a few jeers and boos.
Nothing of the sort will happen tonight, as we aim to give the greatest account of ourselves. I always wondered though
who did pull the plugs on Simple Minds that night? Was it the tour manager of Magazine, (a
bonafide creep, I recall) as was later rumoured? Or could it have been the ghosts that haunt the building?" - Jim, 4th June 2017
"Yes 2, not just 1! That makes it two amazing, uplifting nights, in London during this tour. The Palladium gig
already felt like it was "off the scale" in terms of band/audience reaction. Surely that feeling could not be repeated in
Drury Lane last night? Well, it was indeed!
A ton of thanks to all who came, giving us nights that will never be forgotten." - Jim, 5th June 2017
"Particularly delighted to have these dates announced. Both cities have supported us since our
very earliest days, given us some of the most enduring memories. Can't wait." - Jim, 9th December 2016
"We have been looking forward to these shows in particular ever since the tour was announced. Also looking forward
immensely to having KT Tunstall opening the shows again. So get there early - you would not want to
miss a second of her as she kicks up a storm!" - Jim, 6th June 2017
"Powered on by the very best kind of audience in Belfast, we now come to our final destination on this tour.
We'll set the night on fire tonight and tomorrow here in Dublin. See you later." - Jim, 7th June 2017
"Is Dublin ready for our deadly duo? Cannot express how much pleasure it's been to have these two on stage
during this acoustic tour.
One year ago, I asked colleague/remixer, Johnson Somerset, to recommend a percussionist, adding
One who'd bring visual impact?" Johnson suggested percussionist/drummer
Cherisse Osei. That is how we came to hook up with "The Little Magician."
As for singer, Sarah Brown? More than eight years since
she first toured with Simple Minds, bringing her
wonderful voice and amazing presence with her. No lie, that she is one my all time favourite singers, she continues
to startle every night, making us sound so much better than we ever did.
We have toured/worked with many great musicians/singers throughout our career. But when it comes to mixing talent,
consistency, and dedicated professionalism, these two women are unbeatable!" - Jim, 7th June 2017
"Charlie Burchill was thrilling fans on stage and off
in Dublin last night. Expect more of that tonight as we get set to play the last show of this acoustic tour. No
better place to end a tour, going out on the highest of highs etc.than in Ireland! See you later, thanks for coming." - Jim, 8th June 2017
"After 9 weeks of travelling including performing 48 dates, Simple Minds acoustic tour will
come to an end here in Dublin within the next few hours.
Charlie Burchill and I cannot express the amount of gratitude we feel towards all
who came to see us on this tour. We appreciate your encouragement (and loyalty to our music) immensely.
Equally we share the same level of gratitude towards all who helped us put on these performances. That not only includes
the musicians/singers, we are honoured to have with us on stage. It also includes all technicians working on sound and lights, as
well as management/backroom staff/ and our seemingly tireless caterers.
Our bus/truck drivers for getting us safely through these last months, covering thousands of miles in the process, deserve a
special acknowledgement. And Sara Battini is a Godsend!
As for the tour itself? Quite honestly it would be impossible to enjoy it any more than we have.
Every single show has had the feeling that some kind of magic was taking over, and nothing could seemingly get in the way
of it. Including the tragedies that encroached both in Manchester and London.
KT Tunstall and The Anchoress also brought their magic to the gigs, deserving full on
applause for doing so.
Exactly one year from this on coming week, we gathered in Gorbals Sound Studio in Glasgow. The intention was to spend some
weeks rehearsing/investigating the possibility of working some new acoustic arrangements for a possible
Simple MindsAcoustic album and tour.
We had no idea how we would approach things, or indeed what kind of results we might be looking for?
All we had was an instinct that told us that if we gave 100% of ourselves to the acoustic project, then surely
something of some real merit would emerge. As with the album, we gave 100% every single show.
But above all we thank all of you for letting us rise to the challenge of doing so.
Onwards and Upwards!" - Jim, 8th June 2017
"Time to return the chandelier back to where it came from in Zermatt, Switzerland.
And we are most definitely going to miss seeing it, and all it came to represent as a symbol of the Acoustic Tour.
Will we ever feel the need to bring it back? Will we ever feel the need to revisit the Acoustic format for that matter?
The answer is: who knows what the future will bring?
But given the amazing success of the gigs that took place throughout the last few months, and particular the reaction of
ecstatic audiences each and every night?
We would indeed consider a revisit at some future date, and already look forward to seeing the return of this quite
wonderful light. Meanwhile, once again we thank all who came to see the Simple Minds Acoustic Tour." - Jim, 9th June 2017
"When a successful tour comes to end, it is natural that the feelings of both relief and fulfillment take over.
Relief in the dutiful sense that all obligations were met, that we turned up on stage at the appointed time and venues. That
the stage lights shone just as they were meant to, and most importantly of all, that the music of Simple Minds
worked its magic, sounding vibrant and fresh every night.
It all sounds so simple I suppose? But if you pause to consider the amount of unforeseen obstacles that could occur over a
nine week stretch, involving around 50 gigs and travelling thousands of miles. Pulling that off - incident free - is no walk in
the park.
On the contrary, it is in its own way quite a feat, as it is indeed with every tour.
As for fulfillment? A sense builds throughout the tour that our audiences, at least judging by the nightly reaction are for
the most being thrilled by the shows. A show that we all (band and crew) worked hard to put together during weeks of up front
rehearsals, and then threw ourselves 100% into each and every night - with no exception. That's right. We put as much into
Bridlington, as we did those great culturally hip cities of Paris, London, Amsterdam etc. And why would we differentiate?
Ironically however, that overwhelming sense of fulfillment (you could call it achievement) lasts little more than 24 hours after
the tour ends. Because only a day or two later, far from feeling "full" of anything, I begin to feel very empty. Without any real
emotion.
That quick swing from one day, feeling on an absolute high.Then plummeting low so soon after, can be hard to fathom out. And I
know a lot of touring artists struggle to deal with making sense of their emotional life once again, whenever a tour grinds to a halt so suddenly.
Those who have read Bruce Springsteen's recent biography will know the kind of depression he suffered for example.
Due to decades of touring experience, I now know exactly what to do for myself, to recalibrate emotionally again, outside
the "touring bubble."
We are all different of course, but for me it means instantly diving into a world that feels like another planet entirely - from
the one that I have been on.
In my case that literally means heading for the trees!
Surrounded by the pulses of nature and submerged mostly in green spaces, is my way of rapidly putting it all behind me.
Alone with little more than the sound of water, birds, and my own breathing is how I attempt to empty myself out thoroughly.
Full of the freshest new air, I feel as though I am cleaning the page entirely.
It also puts my own rather little life, back in context.
In doing so I am already making the slowest start in preparing for a whole new chapter." - Jim, 13th June 2017
"Together. It is one of the most evocative words in our language. I'd agree with that. Because while achieving
something alone can be somewhat satisfying, to reach a goal by working together is where the real joy exists. Alone - there is
very little that any of us can really do. Together however – the possibilities are endless! As we found out on this recent
Simple Minds Acoustic Tour." - Jim, 16th June 2017
Let's face it - Johnson Somerset is now the king of the "classic" extended remix. That is, the art of extending
a track and bringing out and accentuating all the nuances and subtilties that you might have missed. Unlike modern remixers, who
just use a song to emphasize and add their ideas... which is often what no-one wants.
"This is brilliant!" claimed Dave Kelly posting right here [Facebook] 24 hours ago. At that point I had
yet to put time aside to listen through, but since Johnson Somerset has in the past undoubtedly created some of
the best ever Minds "extended remixes", it is fair to say that I was more than looking forward to hearing it.
And so I put it in amongst yesterday's designated playlist for the trip to the East coast of Scotland. On return and while crossing
over The River Forth Road Bridge - right where I used to live and wrote many of our lyrics - I decided to check out what
Mr Kelly was getting all excited about. And the result?"
"Well, between the views, and the sound of Johnson's work coming at me full volume, there is no other
way than to describe the rush that I felt other than a huge surge of joy! Never messing with the heart of the songs that he
chooses, by emptying out the verses this time, Jonhson Somerset has created the effect of slowing the tempo
fractionally. Taking care of the franticness of the original,
She's A River is both heavier and hypnotic in this form."
"The heroic intro - a feature of many Johnson Somerset mixes - is matched in inspiration by the
surprise of "Indian Sunset" feel that subtly drifts in at the end? By that time it feels that you've left the atmosphere
of original well behind, somehow ditched a world chaos (KALI YUGA) and entered a world of inner peace. And that is what I
like so much about Johnson Somerset's mixes. He takes you with him on a journey. Transcendental."
"Incidentally, while I don't ever recall talking to Johnson about the inspiration for the lyrics of
She's A River. It feels to me that he instinctively knows how much debt I
owe to Herman Hesse's novel of self discovery Siddaharta. As younger man I relied so much on the
this book (among many others) to guide me through my own chaos. That need continues, as does the need to have inspirational
music driving me on further still. Thanks for the remix Johnson!"
"Toward the end of his life, Govinda hears about an enlightened ferryman and travels to Siddhartha,
not initially recognizing him as his old childhood friend. Govinda asks the now-elderly
Siddhartha to relate his wisdom and Siddhartha replies that for every true statement there is
an opposite one that is also true; that language and the confines of time lead people to adhere to one fixed belief that
does not account for the fullness of the truth. Because nature works in a self-sustaining cycle, every entity carries in it
the potential for its opposite and so the world must always be considered complete. Siddhartha simply urges
people to identify and love the world in its completeness. Siddhartha then requests that
Govinda kiss his forehead and, when he does, Govinda experiences the visions of timelessness
that Siddhartha himself saw with Vasudeva by the river. Govinda bows to his
wise friend and Siddhartha smiles radiantly, having found enlightenment." - Jim, 30th July 2017
26th may
acoustic live, cherisse osei's tour diary, discography, acoustic live, cherisse osei's tour diary
Many thanks to Lionello for the scans and pictures.
"Kirsty McColl,
Robin Clark,
Sue Hadjopolous,
Lisa Germano,
Annie McCaig,
Neneh Cherry, Sinead O'Connor, Miriam Timmer,
Sarah Brown,
Catherine A.D.,
KT Tunstall, and last but not least drummer/percussionist
Cherisse Osei have all performed on stage with Simple Minds.
Behind the scenes,
Jaine Henderson,
Gemma Corfield,
Sandra Dods,
Debbie Caponetta,
Leslie Milthorpe,
Kay Melrose,
Elaine Gwyther and
Sara Battini add to the list of women who have contributed by helping/nuturing/guiding/organising
Simple Minds efforts over the many years. What am I saying?
I suppose I am pointing out that apart from those very early years - when we were yet to come into contact with many
women - and therefore lined up in the only way we knew - as a traditional 5 piece, male, rock band etc., Simple Minds
have otherwise, in so many ways, relied on superbly talented women to help us get our music/message across.
So much so, that currently the idea of going on stage as a male only rock band now seems very abstract altogether.
It’s not that any strategic planning has ever been involved, or as if we woke up one day and decided "Hey wouldn’t it be
novel to get some women on board?" Not at all! It is all about the individuals we come across, the people who have impressed us
enough, for us to want to tie our wagon to theirs. In doing so hoping that we’d all create good stuff, and all grow as a
result of that. Truly? Collaborating within a men only world, would not feel like an evolved Simple Minds.
Or reflect a progressive world - one that we have recognised as the norm for some decades now.
On that note full credit to Sly Stone, as way back in the 60's he had arguably the first multi-racial,
mixed gender band. Undoubtedly inviting Prince to take a leaf out of his book.
But it is all about evolving through the years. Or it is for Simple Minds.
Times change continuously. Not much really stays the same with us.
Except the desire to both keep things fresh, and somehow still get better." - Jim, 24th April 2017.
"I am never that moved or interested in flags or symbols of nationalism etc. Not against them either.
All institutions have their insignia, symbols, coats of arms, logo's etc. Sporting conglomerates and all commercial brands
also have them. So did/do all the classic rock bands. Simple Minds have ours, and having stuck with it on and
off in various forms for more than 30 years, we obviously like it very much.
But it is not really ours. We adopted and adapted the idea from the famous Galway Claddagh rings. Just like they in fact
adopted and adapted from "mani in fede" ("hands [joined] in faith") style rings - all of which in fact date from Roman
times, when the gesture of clasped hands was a symbol of pledging vows... love,loyalty and friendship.
I liked the idea of all of that stuff and suggested to art designer
Malcolm Garret that it would work well for our group, following on from the
style of symbols he used for our New Gold Dream /
Sparkle In The Rain albums.
He agreed, and used our heart/hand symbol on the cover of our next album
Live In The City Of Light. Three decades later and you can see
it positioned strategically on stage at these current Simple Minds Live Acoustic Concerts, as well as on the
inside artwork of the Acoustic album.
As for the Italian flag? I adore the emotion it creates in me, personal as it. Especially when the tricolour is flapping
away under those azure skies - a type that I only associate with this part of the world. In doing so the flag brings out
formative memories. Going back to when I was aged 13 and so luckily was part of a school trip - brought out from
Glasgow - to spend two weeks on the Adriatic Coast. Since then Italy has in many ways been in my life continually. And it
is no coincidence that my relationship with Italy continues right up until tonight when we go on stage in Florence.
I adore this country! Always did. Seems like I always will." - Jim, 26th April 2017.
"Happy Is The Man... and Charlie is!
We all are really, especially after a spectacular 24 hours.
Started with sunrise in Villa Borghese, Roma, before all the other tourists came flooding in.
Then on to Bologna...the best food (Charlie's fave) and best
audiences? Well, in those early days it was Bologna that first gave Simple Minds a taste of true success in Italy.
Last night, all those years later, they continues to make us feel very special.
And now we go on to Florence. People all over the world dream about visiting Firenze, spending hours looking around.
But we go to Florence and people come to see us. Uh? Am I dreaming this? If so, it is a beautiful dream.
One that has lasted for 40 years." - Jim, 26th April 2017.
"Our last concert in Italy tonight.....so let's make it a great one. See you later!" - Jim, 27th April 2017.
"Goodbye Italy - Hello France.
And so we wave goodbye to Italy - after last night's heart warming show in Milan.
Throughout this last week we have enjoyed every minute of every song, at every gig.
Torino, Ancona, Roma, Bologna, Firenze and Milano, all memorable surely for years to come.
For that we are so grateful to everybody who came to see and hear us play live in these wonderful Italian venues.
Until next time! And next up is France. We hope to see you in Toulouse (tomorrow) on Saturday night.
Can't wait to bring you this Simple Minds Acoustic Live Show." - Jim, 28th April 2017.
"Charlie and his Gibson Acoustic will fill the Halle aux Grains in
Toulouse tomorrow night with melody and intricate arrangements. The amount of energy on this Simple Minds Acoustic tour
continues to surprise and delight us all!" - Jim, 28th April 2017.
"Tonight we play in the Pink City (Toulouse) and of course look forward to it. We arrived yesterday and instantly felt
good walking in the lively, sunny streets. Tomorrow it is Barcelona, and I have yet to meet anyone who does not like to visit
Barcelona. Our visit is for work, as it was when we first visited both these cities back in 1980 -
playing support to Peter Gabriel.
Barely 21 years of age, that tour was a huge learning curve for us. Having the chance to observe the genius of
Peter Gabriel up close every night was a true dividend in terms of helping us
develop as a live act. We will always be grateful to Peter for the opportunity.
Unfortunately however, we had more than a few painful experiences from the audiences that had come to see
Peter Gabriel only - and very little interest in a then relatively unknown, new-wave band
from Glasgow.
Sometimes when looking back I wonder if my memories are exaggerated and that the reception to
Simple Minds was not quite as dramatic as I recall. It is then of course that I check to see if any
reviews exist from that tour, ones that are able to verify my recollections. Having done so, I sometimes find that
the reality was in fact worse than my recall. The following from Turin in 1980 is one example.
"Support act for Peter Gabriel were the very young Simple Minds, which
at the time - they had their third album out Empires And Dance - were in really
excellent shape. Unfortunately almost nobody knew who they were, and even less people had been informed of a support act at all: the
result were boohoos and whistles and bottles thrown towards the stage that still make me blush with shame remembering it. I was
one of the uninitiated, but Jim Kerr's magnetism and the hypnotic rhythm and cadence
of Capital City cast a spell and I was "in love" for at least a decade afterwards."
Ouch!!!! Ah, well! We survived and most definitely thrived and here we are 37 years later. See you tonight and tomorrow!" - Jim, 28th April 2017.
"Last night we experienced a phenomenal response from an unforgettable audience in Toulouse.
Tonight - 24 hours later - we will play in Barcelona, and in doing so we will bring our Acoustic Live tour to the home
of the six stringed acoustic guitar... Spain. That is right. Rock n' roll is an American invention, and how we love USA for that
fact in particular.
But there would be none of that rock n' roll stuff without guitars. And therefore as
Charlie Burchill tunes his collection of Gibson Guitars for tonight's show,
the point that we are in the very homeland of acoustic guitars will not be lost on us. After all, stringed instruments
called "guitars" were in use in Spain by 1200.
We of course used the symbol of an acoustic guitar to adorn the artwork of Simple MindsAcoustic album sleeve. A very scratched one at that. And within the accompanying
album sleeve notes, it is also detailed how the genesis of Simple Minds goes back to the day when
Ellen Burchill (Charlie's mother.) gifted 11 year old
Charlie a "Spanish Guitar," complete with 6 nylon strings.
In doing she changed the course of Charlie's life, and that in turn changed mine also.
And what a life it has been. Certainly beyond all of our dreams." - Jim, 30th April 2017
"People dream of visiting the cities that Simple Minds have played so regularly through our careers.
It's the historical and cultural impact that is the magnet for every new generation of traveller. But one thing is without
change always - it is the classic "hot spots" where these travelling tribes gather in huge numbers.
Las Ramblas in Barcelona is of course just one example. Located just beside the Gothic Quarter and Plaça Catalunya, La Ramblas
has come to define the city center of Barcelona and is one of the most popular tourist sights in the city. And even if, these days
the area has something of a questionable reputation owing to pick-pocketing that always follows mass-tourism, the boulevard
nevertheless has a long history as an important social and cultural hub.
Las Ramblas was far too busy for me to consider a stroll, when we arrived yesterday afternoon. Instead I planned to go for a walk
after our show, this is Spain after all, where midnight is not considered "that late". Well, that never happened either, as the
light rain made me think otherwise.
Eventually I found a quite magic spot, sat on the outside terrace of our hotel that in turn is situated on one of the corners
of Las Ramblas.
The rain had stopped, and the top floor level floor gave me an overall view of this city that people from all over the world
desire to visit.
Up there among the rooftops, there was a stillness and quiet that I have never previously experienced in the centre of Barcelona.
The air even seemed sweet, thanks to the light rain that had fallen earlier.
Such a contrast from only one hour earlier, when Simple Minds had been on stage at L'Auditori, finishing off
a concert that had gone so well - it had made me feel quite emotional.
We dream about those kind of nights, where the band and audience create an atmosphere that feels, no other word for it... ecstatic!
Last night in Barcelona was one of those nights.
Up on on the roof, staring down at Las Ramblas.
It suddenly felt very alone.
I was certainly drained.
But also blissfully happy." - Jim, 1st May 2017
"In with the crowd: Because of the nature/intimacy of many of the venues in which we are performing during
this Acoustic Tour, I have been able to "wander" in amongst the audience. Doing it at the start of the gig - as I do - allows me
to stand with the fans - facing the stage - but continue singing - arm in arm with those people who have supported us for decades.
Some people, use the opportunity of "my wander" to get selfies, handshakes, embraces, and a chance to say hello/welcome. The
accompanying picture from last night in Barcelona is an example.
No gimmick. Somehow it all feels very natural, precisely the right thing to do in terms of setting up the rest of the evening
where both band and audience feed off each other, the result being an amazing energy that then fills the venue for the next
couple of hours. That apart, it feels wonderful for me to be part of something that brings the kind of joy that is so obviously
written on the face of this lady in the photograph. As for my expression... if I am equally feeling that joy then how come no
smile from me? Well, it's because I still have to concentrate on the song I am performing even as we stand arm in arm amongst
the crowd." - Jim, 1st May 2017
"Day off in Barcelona: Streets are packed, museums closed for holiday, and weather is so-so!
So what to do? I sat on the terrace, did some writing, and decided to listen into BBC Radio Scotland's
documentary on one of the finest records to come out of Scotland... or anywhere I am of course talking about Raintown by
Deacon Bluewww.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08nrxbt.
I am glad I did!" - Jim, 1st May 2017
Teatro Circo Price, Madrid, Spain 2nd May, 2017 Support: KT Tunstall
"He's passionate about Spain. He is also passionate about getting things right.
Since his seven year involvement with Simple Minds began,
Ged Grimes has brought with him an attitude/culture that has influenced
how we now go about things in performance, and particularly in preparation for work.
Good as they might be, we wouldn't want to work with musicians who are content to only support us in what we do. On
the contrary, we feel the need to work with people who will add to what we do. Bringing an attitude, their attitude,
that in turn makes us want to raise our efforts, resultantly pushing on further together.
All of us are still hungry to learn, wherever and however possible.
That is something that is set to continue into the future.
So look out for Ged tonight, in Madrid.
Moreover look out for Simple Minds, and how we ourselves are looking out for how to improve." - Jim, 2nd May 2017
"Oh No! Somethings you can do nothing about, fate deals you the hand and you just have to get on with it!
For example, while out on tour, you would not really want to be performing in the same city, and at the exact same time
as brilliant Bruce Springsteen? Who just happens to be appearing in a venue 10 minutes away from the venue
that you are due to appear?
Such was the case a few months back when we played our only gig in the centre of Sydney. Although to be fair, it did not stop us
having one of our best gigs of the tour, in front of a packed audience at Hordern Pavillion. Then again, when Bruce
comes to town, and as far as media are concerned, there is only one story worth reporting... and it is Bruce, and
Bruce only! So suck it up and get on with it.
And if you think Bruce is a huge story? He is small potatoes compared to the fever that will take over Madrid
tomorrow night as both Madrid soccer teams face off in the semi final of the European Championship.
Meanwhile, as you have probably guessed? Just as the football begins, and seemingly the entire nation settles down to
take it in on television etc. A musical outfit from Glasgow will be simultaneously stepping on stage... also in Madrid.
Damned!
Well, we might be playing second fiddle to events elsewhere in the Spanish capital tomorrow night.
But for those who are coming to see us, and have been looking forward for sometime? It is guaranteed that we will play
with our very big hearts all the same. See you in Madrid!" - Jim, 1st May 2017
"Madrid last night, Lisbon tonight. Of course there was always more to our story than just the musicians on stage
and those who featured on the recordings. Our technical crews who tour with us through the years obviously played
a part in our story, as indeed did all those record company/publishing/promo people - many who put in hours way beyond
what they were being paid to do - all because they liked us and they loved the music we made.
How we still appreciate their efforts on our behalf.
All these years later it is still a pleasure to see them when they turn up at our concerts throughout the world.
We "grew up " with these people after all, most definitely we were all kids very excited to be starting out in the music together.
We depended on them entirely to help us build a career.
Likewise with some of the professional photographers who you will often notice surrounding our stage, during the first three
songs at almost all live concerts. Many of them we are on first name terms with, happy to greet them as old friends, especially
when some of them have been photographing Simple Minds from our earliest days.
Such was the case last night. Indeed it was and always is a pleasure to see these faces that I know so well. We are very
flattered when they themselves hang around at the end of the night, wanting to have a picture together, share some laughs and
memories from many years ago. Cheers Domingo!
And what a great night we had in Madrid. Thanks to all in the audience for making us feel so good!" - Jim, 3rd May 2017
"Lisbon last night, always a favourite place to play. Thanks to all of you for making us feel so good. Likewise Porto tonight.
Love this venue and the city, see you later!" - Jim, 4th May 2017
"Porto, but hopefully before tonight, depending on the schedule, we might have a couple of hours to look around.
Simple Minds have only played in centre of Porto once before. It was a most memorable gig and I loved the city,
using the entire Sunday afternoon to walk around.
A highlight was a visit to Majestic Cafe in Porto, very much appealing to my passion for old world tearooms/cafe's, bookshops,
galleries etc.
In Rome just last week I went to Babbington's adjacent to the Spanish steps. Today I might get the chance to again step
into the world of Art Nouveau - complete with striking marble facade, beautiful floral arrangements, large mirrors and shiny
eather seats, replacing the original ones which were made of red velvet.
But that is not all..."There is a leafy and luminous outside conservatory, currently used in the summer for music
concerts. It may be hard to choose between hanging there, or the grand piano area inside the café, or taking in
the art exhibitions that take place in the ground floor, itself previously occupied by the pool tables."
One of the disappointments (for me) of travelling in these current times, is the rapid homogenisation that has gone on in
cities the world over. With so many of the exact same international shops, brands etc that adorn high streets the world
over, the obvious loss is the sense of local culture. I just miss the feeling of being in a foreign land, which is
somewhat inevitable if you travel the entire world only to experience the same sensations have in your local shopping
centre/mall? I don't want to go to Sicily for example and on arrival pass the exact same IKEA building that I just
passed that morning on route to Glasgow airport. Am I selfishly alone in my thinking? Or 3 Irish pubs in just one
street in the centre of Milan?
I realise the hypocrisy in my outlook, after all we also hope that our music travels around the world and is able to
found throughout the globe. Anyway! Whether it is Melbourne, Buenos Aires or Porto. It is places like the Majestic
that I head towards." - Jim, 4th May 2017
"Considering the amount of time we have spent touring far and wide throughout the globe, it will be no surprise
to discover that nothing makes us happier than to be out performing, making audiences happy night after night.
That does not mean that we don't also at least spend some minutes missing our lives back home.
Especially so on days like today, a free day with no show, occasionally leads you to think
"What would I like to be doing if I was home right now?"
In my case, being a Friday afternoon, I would be planning on getting out amongst the countryside not so far from my house.
Out amongst the scenery, in amongst the wildlife.
May is surely one of the best months to see Scotland, including the Highlands and Islands.
If you ever get the chance to do so, do not miss out.
I am very much missing it all today." - Jim, 5th May 2017
"With Burgos (tonight) followed by Pamplona tomorrow, the Iberian part of our tour comes to an end. That is
regrettable, since we have enjoyed our days here throughout this last week very much.
And as for the concerts? The reaction from the audiences and reviews of the shows have been remarkable.
Sure, we've worked hard! We work hard every night we go on stage. Simple Minds live by an attitude
that wherever we are in the world "This is the only night". In doing so we somehow mentally manage to block all other
shows that came before or are set to come after during the tour.
After all, as far as an audience is concerned, it is natural that the night you play in their town, is
"the only night" that in anyway concerns them. And that is exactly how we should come to think about it also as we get
set to perform for them.
To be consistent is everything when it comes to touring. (Likewise in life.)
But in some ways it is also the most difficult practice to learn. Especially so considering the amount of
variables that come our way throughout a tour.
Different cultures, venues, audiences, definitely have a sometimes confusing effect. Then there is your own human
emotions/moods that can vary from day to day depending on how/what is going on in your life.
All of these things come in to play psychologically, and all have to be dealt with. The last thing you'd want
to do as performer is to carry your problems on stage with you.
Oppositely, what you really want to do is look forward to every single show. Realise the sacrifice each and
every audience has made to be there, and together try to create something that might live on in memory
for years to come." - Jim, 6th May 2017
"All of us adored our time spent in Burgos. An unknown treasure previously to us - we'll be back for sure.
It was indeed a memorable evening, highlight for me was Sarah Bown's rendition of
Let The Day Begin.
It is a song she has been hankering to perform for a long time, and what a job
Sarah does with it it.
The American also made its debut within the live set. One of my favourites
from the Acoustic album, it is amazing to see an audience in northern Spain
sing with us on a song that was written in the back of a van while driving through the East Coast of America way back in 1980.
And so on to Pamplona for the last concert in Spain, and to a city made famous worldwide by one of the great American novelists - Ernest Hemingway.
See you there tonight!" - Jim, 6th May 2017
"To be honest - everywhere in the world we go - Simple Minds are met with sensational warmth
and overwhelmingly positive reactions. How fortunate we are! But we have to give a special mention to our
experiences throughout this last week in Spain. It seems that everywhere we went including Barcelona, Madrid, Burgos
and Pamplona, we somehow met the most courteous, friendliest, and respectful people. Unforgettable really.
Thanks to all of you - from all of us!" - Jim, 7th May 2017
"Sunday gigs in Europe are quite often scheduled earlier in the evening, as was the case last night in Pamplona.
So what to do afterwards when still pretty much wide-awake, not that late, but in a town that has already seemingly
closed up for the night? On returning to our hotel, I checked the news to see how the French elections had gone?
Most appropriate since we are due to arrive in Bordeaux, France later today. And already very much looking forward to tonight's show, followed by Nantes (Tuesday) and finally Paris. (Thursday night)
Having satisfied my curiosity, and watched a man who had become the youngest head of state on the planet, giving out his
message of hope. I then decided to check out a whole list of films/documentaries that I have until now not had the chance to see.
Doing so, I came across a fim/documentary called 'Gary Numan: Android in La La Land.' Having enjoyed it as much, I am very
glad that I did. Simple Minds opened for Gary Numan on
a handful of German dates, during his European tour around Spring 1980.
We admired his music and his level of success, I recall that he had a very good band. A real friendly bunch also.
For whatever reason - we have never crossed paths since.
But no two artists are the same and I am often curious about other artists? Particularly those with lengthy careers. I
am interested in their stories, whatever radical experiences they met with etc., as they coped with the highs and lows
that have inevitably come their way throughout.
'Android in La La Land' certainly wears its heart on its sleeve. It is a really good looking and very honest portrayal
of the struggle Numan (Webb) has endured as he tries to reconnect with making music once again.
A process that had been lost to him over many years while he dealt with all manner of personal/health/business issues.
The stars of the piece? His fantastically supportive wife, and adorable kids - gave the narrative a ton of
humility. Meanwhile Gary Numan's determination to make a success of the challenges in front of him were indeed inspirational.
A real artist, no doubt about that. And still one who has made some of the best electronic pop tunes ever.
Bravo to all involved!" - Jim, 8th May 2017
"Last chance so don't miss KT: Heading into the last week of our European Tour with 6 shows
over the next 7 days. Not many artists of our "vintage" can sustain that kind of work rate! However, when you are
enjoying it all much as we do, plus feeding off the energy of the audiences etc, you are not that aware of any fatigue
thankfully. Or at least you are not aware until you go home when the tour eventually ends. For it is then that you might
feel unable to get out of bed for an entire week or so. Talking of energy... What amazing energy KT Tunstall has!
We will certainly miss having her around when the European dates come to an end next week.
Not only has she played a big part of so many magical nights over this last month, she has also become a defacto member of our
"travelling family." Which is how we pretty much feel when we are out on tour together, including artists and crew.
We are really delighted that our fans have appreciated KT every bit as much as we do. The standing ovation that
meets her at the end of most shows is a genuine testament to that. Being so, and addressing everyone who is coming to see
Simple Minds during our final shows in France, Belgium and Holland.
Do make sure that you get to the venue early as you would really not want to miss out on a minute of her opening set.
And if you do, make sure you glance over to the side stage during her performance, as you are almost certain to see various
members of Simple Minds singing along to her fabulous songs.
It has been an honour to tour with KT Tunstall. The greatest fun too!" - Jim, 8th May 2017
"If you were to follow these two around on tour you'd maybe think they are out having a right lark? Nothing
wrong with that! Until they hit the stage that is. It is then you are bowled over by the overwhelming talent and total
professionalism of singer, Sarah Brown and drummer-percussionist
Cherisse Osei.
When Simple Minds started out it was rare to see women on stage, and certainly rare to see them command
the spotlight. Great artists like Sly Stone, followed by Prince, are owed a lot in
changing the mentality. These days women are much more commonly at the forefront.
Then again, there is little common about the natural skills that both Cherisse and
Sarah display.
Quite frankly, they are extraordinary! Come see for yourself. Thanks to all who came to see us in Bordeaux.
See you tonight in Nantes." - Jim, 9th May 2017.
"Thanks to all for the reception in Nantes. Always a welcoming place for Simple Minds, so good to
see that continue. What a splendid venue, and thanks to the very young boy in front of me at the centre of stage, you
looked like you were having great time. And now we drive through the night to Paris - the next destination on our
Acoustic Tour. Due to arrive around 7 am, guaranteed we will be a little dozy on arrival at our hotel.
Thankfully we have a day off (Wednesday) to rest and enjoy a city that still excites Simple Minds
all these years later after our first concert
in "The City Of Light" way back in 1979.
Always special, even more so for me as I have family who live in Paris, including a young nephew. Looking forward to
having lunch with him. Hopefully 'The little French Kerr' remembers to bring his wallet!" - Jim, 9th May 2017
"I thought the quote was: 'When a man is tired of Paris he is tired of life.'
But upon closer inspection it appears that the line (attributed to Samuel Johnson) was 'When a man is
tired of London he is tired of life.' However, it still could apply to Paris because the quote continues with, 'for
there is in London all that life can afford.'
And I believe we definitely can say much the same about Paris … with some emphasis!
In truth, there might well have been a period in my life when I believed I had tired of big cities? To which I later
discovered the problem was much more fundamental, and that I had just grown tired in general.
That however was many years ago I am happy to say. Also well before some sort of re-energising spirit seemingly
took over me. It resides still.
Sure, I might prefer to spend much of my time in the wild countryside, somewhat off the beaten tracks.
But a 45 minute walk around Paris this morning confirmed that I could never completely tire of the world's great cities... ever!
See you at The Grand Rex! And thanks for coming to see Simple Minds." - Jim, 11th May 2017
Many thanks to Martin for all the photographs, set-list and ticket scan.
"Last time we played in Carre Theatre was in Spring 1983
and I still recall how beautiful the venue was that night. It really seemed magical, as indeed have many of the exquisite
venues we have played on this unique tour of Europe.
Tonight, some 34 later, we will be attempting to fill the place with our brand of magic, developed over four decades.
And if that magic works as well tonight as it seemingly has over the last few nights, then I guess we will have
made quite a few people happy." - Jim, 14th May 2017
"The Carre is such a classy venue, it was an honour to once again play there - the previous being our
New Gold Dream Tour in 1983.
With only one show in Holland during this tour, we were desperate to make it a good one.
I hope we managed to succeed with that, because the audience encouraged us immensely
throughout the entire set." - Jim, 14th May 2017
"Shhhhhshh! Whisper it: 'Was This Meant To Be That Good?'
Last year, after many years of prevaricating, and when we finally decided to work on a
Simple Minds "acoustic project", in truth we still had no fixed idea how
we would tackle the challenge of doing so.
We also had no clear idea about why we really wanted to do so? Or, for that matter how we'd
judge whether it had would have been a successful gambit or not?
That's right!
And you in turn could then be forgiven on reading this and thinking to yourself
'Surely a group like Simple Minds does not work without a clear vision and defined goals? Why
would they risk putting themselves in a situation where confusion could easily take over, ending up with some
embarrassing muddled results?"
And it is very rare that we set sail on new ventures without some sort of clear route map of where we want to go with our creativity, and how we intend to get there?
But there is sometimes an exception to the rule.
A situation very occasionally arises where we are seemingly being driven by little more that "a haunch." Or, as
some others would call it, "a gut instinct."
One that seems to be communicating from some other dimension. Telling you to ignore logic for the moment, and loudly
declaring "Be damned with what any others might say. You have to do this. And you have to do it now. It might be little
scary, and others will be supremely sceptical. Doubtful etc. But in the long run it'll be good for you. So just do it
and accept the consequences!"
All of which describes our slightly confused mentality last year when we turned up at Gorbals Sound studios in Glasgow,
to begin work on Simple MindsAcoustic.
And so, here we are. Six months since the release of our Acoustic album, and more
than half-way through an intensive tour that sees Simple Minds set up live in a way that we have never done so
previously in our 40 year history etc.
And finally the dust has started to settle, clarity has come to the front, and we ourselves are able to really express how we
feel this entire experience has evolved. And more importantly how we feel about the result of it all to date?
Well, in all honestly. We never imagined that it would be so fulfilling, and it has been. Wonderfully so.
I won't tell you how much pleasure the audiences have taken from the shows every night, or how overwhelming the reactions have been.
Instead I will leave that for others to do so, as they have already been doing in huge numbers, with their comments on-line etc.
But I can firmly tell you that we are thrilled, and delighted to out on the road right now with this show, including the
lights and sound, classy production etc.
We are also pinching ourselves every night when we come off stage.
Staring at ourselves and whispering unbelievably. 'Was this really meant to be that good?'" - Jim, 15th May 2017
"Simple Minds in Brussels is always a highlight of any tour for us, so many amazing gigs throughout
the years have made it so.
Tonight feels different as it is the culmination of a tour of continental Europe, one that we think has seen the shows
grow in stature (and effect) over these last five weeks or so.
We of course want to thank all who have come to see us during these weeks. Sincere thanks!
But huge thanks also to our hard working road crews/staff for their efforts in making this. And for band and audiences, one
of our most pleasurable tours to date. Thanks to all of you! See you soon in the UK." - Jim, 15th May 2017
"Within our long lasting career, we have never enjoyed touring so much with any artist as much as we have with
KT Tunstall. One of the greats! We miss her already! And look forward to Belfast and Dublin when she
will join us once again. In the meantime we are all touched by her words" from last night." - Jim, 16th May 2017
"Life throws you unexpected joy bombs now and then. This picture means a great deal to me. Tonight was the last night
of the European tour, I took my pack off and felt such a huge amount of pride, affection, and gratitude seeing my name under
that deeply-loved logo. They say never meet your idols; it doesn't apply to
Jim Kerr and
Charlie Burchill. They are all the things I aspire to: nomads, listeners, learners,
jokers, voracious readers, film buffs, still absolutely crazed with a thirst for making something NEW. And they do,
again and again. I've never met more generous souls. Thank you guys. See you in Ireland.
All my love xxx" - KT Tunstall, 16th May 2017
"Simple Minds live in Scotland will always be special. And in choosing to kick off our UK dates
in the country of our birth, or in Ged Grimes' case - since he is from Dundee - the
city of his birth. Well, that means we are guaranteed another kind of emotion entirely when we play at The Caird Hall, Dundee,
tomorrow evening. Certainly we will be giving everything, while performing in a city that has given great support to
Simple Minds since our very early days. You can also be assured that we will want to make
Ged's return to his hometown as memorable as can be. That is the least we
can do for someone who has given so much to our band over the last years. He is a real class act." - Jim, 16th May 2017
Caird Hall, Dundee, UK 17th May, 2017 Support: The Anchoress
"Tonight will see the first show of our UK Tour take place in Dundee, with Glasgow to follow tomorrow,
then zig-zagging North to South, East to West etc over the next 3 weeks. We are always excited about visiting
cities/towns/places that have given so much to Simple Minds throughout our touring years - supporting
us from the early days, leading right up to the present. Guaranteed that when it comes time for the shows to start, we
will connect with a kind of childish enthusiasm that thankfully we have never grown out of. And it is a kind of childish
innocence that fuels us because all we want to do is make the people who come to see us happy. Nothing more than that.
As for what goes down on stage? Well, it is not referred to as "playing music" for nothing. It involves real playfulness
after all, just as we all did to amuse ourselves when we were kids.
Singing? Most of our earliest memories involve nursery ryhmes. Taking delight in learning them, enjoying the
connection made when joining in singing them with others. Ever witnessed the joy in the audience at our shows during
those big "la la la" chorus songs? When people are smiling the biggest smiles. All feeling like kids again!
...From the earliest age I contented myself with words and stories. Imagination - was my best friend, it still is.
Especially when combined with plentiful energy, enough to bring those dreams and imaginings to life. Making them real, making
our very lives out of them!" - Jim, 17th May 2017
"Loving The Coincidence. 44 years ago today David Bowie brought his Aladdin Sane to
Dundee Caird Hall. It was 24 hours later when we saw him play in Glasgow at the Green's Playhouse Glasgow.
I was 14 years old at that time but effect of those Bowie shows lives on still.
And a whole 44 years later we will make sure that Bowie's music rings out loud and clear when we
perform at Dundee Caird Hall tonight. Look out for
Gordy Goudie's version of
The Man Who Sold The World" - Jim, 17th May 2017
"We had a blast in Dundee last night. Particularly pleased for local boy
Ged Grimes that it all went well in his hometown. Thanks to all for
making us feel so good." - Jim, 18th May 2017
"Only a few hours to go, but Cherisse says she "Cannae wait!" Just about all artists/musicians we meet tell us
that Glasgow/Scotland is among their all time favourite places to play. Imagine then what it is like for
Simple Minds to play in the country/city that "made us." Still on a high from last night, check out
Cherisse Osei'slatest tour diary.
And her thoughts on touring with Simple Minds: 'Yes Dundee!! We had such a wicked time playing for you
so thank you. I feel so privileged to be playing with Simple Minds - they are not only incredible musicians
but some of the most kind and generous people I've ever met. It's a true honour to be sharing the same stage.
NOW I CANNY WAIT FOR TONIGHT at The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall!! Who's a coming?!"'" - Jim, 18th May 2017
"It was a night that we will never forget. Thanks to everyone who came to the Concert Hall last night.
Including the truly legendary Steve Harley!" - Jim, 19th May 2017
"Superlatives from Glasgow. Thanks to all!
On our way to Tyne And Wear and I'll be looking out for that Angel Of The North tonight." - Jim, 19th May 2017
"As you can imagine, we had the greatest time playing in our hometown, compounded by the fact that we had
the chance to meet up with Duncan Barnwell who has returned to Scotland after decades
in Australia. Always a class act, Charlie and I were delighted to chat with him before
we went on! And if you are wondering who Duncan is I posted the following a few months ago.
'Despite his little lasting involvement, there is no doubt about it, Duncan Barnwell is
an original Simple Mind. A little bit older than us, back in '77 he already carried himself like a
professional, and both he and his gold Les Paul guitar were with us almost every day in those fledgeling first 12 months
as our initial songs and attitude were coming together. In fact Barnwell, perhaps more
than any of us, felt certain that Simple Minds were headed for big stuff. His quiet conviction bordered on a
neat kind of arrogance in my view, and I looked up to him for that. He was no less than 100% genuine in his belief in
Simple Minds, that in turn helped us all believe. When for example considering all other local bands at
that time, or any competition for that matter, he expressed a kind of attitude best summed up as "F*ck them. Who cares? They
don't count!" To this day I am both ashamed and happy to say that a little of
Duncan's philosophy lives on in our camp." - Jim, 21st May 2017
" Loved the venue last night, happy to hear from a local that he had never witnessed the audience as impassioned
as they were for Simple Minds." - Jim, 20th May 2017
"We never get tired of making people feel good.Best moment? The climax of the show, smiles on faces of
those who have overwhelmingly appreciated Simple Minds live." - A HREF="../../../sm/people/jk1.htm">Jim, 20th May 2017
Symphony Hall, Birmingham, UK 21st May, 2017 Support: The Anchoress
"Yesterday was a rare day off. I hope our hard working crew made the most of the opportunity to get the rest and
recuperation they deserve. Cannot say it enough, thanks again to all who work so intensely on our behalf. Our audiences deserve
the best show we can possibly give, they in turn appreciate the efforts from all of us.
And so we look forward to Birmingham Symphony Hall tonight. Another stunningly beautiful venue, one of many that this
Acoustic Tour has had the honour to perform in. Speaking of this tour, and the set of songs that has evolved beyond
recognition since we first gambled on the idea of playing classic Minds songs in Zermatt last year.
Do I have a favourite song? One that I look forward to playing the most each night?
No! I don't really.
But while I have a handful, that to me feel like highlights.
I am particularly delighted with the reaction to Chelsea Girl.
The song means a lot to both Charlie and myself, least so in a true sentimental way.
Very much still kids when we wrote it. I recall with absolute clarity the feeling in my my mother's living room, that
afternoon in May 1978 when the song came together. We were convinced right there and then that we had something special on our
hands. That notion was confirmed when we
recorded it as a demo, that then went on to attract much attention
from "record company scouts." Chelsea Girl really stood out during
our live gigs as we played/toured throughout 1978 - 1980. Mick MacNeil's
harpsichord sound made it so. Sadly however, it never did become the "big hit single" that many predicted it would, and by
1981 we had stopped playing it entirely. Destined to be a footnote, a relic of Simple Minds
(amateurish pastimes) I certainly never imagined it would ever be resurrected.
But nothing is predictable within the story of Simple Minds, and I also never imagined that one day we
would be touring Europe/UK/Ireland, playing an Acoustic Tour and having some of the best shows of our lives. While also
witnessing (beautiful little) Chelsea Girl, emerge again as the
"killer song" it always was - and going down a real storm, night after night." - Jim, 21st May 2017
"More than a great night in such a great venue. Birmingham has been generous to Simple Minds
from our earliest days. Nevertheless, we were not expecting the red hot reaction that we met with tonight. Thanks to all of you.
Highlight for us? Waterfront felt extra special last night!" - Jim, 22nd May 2017
Royal Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, UK 22nd May, 2017 Support: The Anchoress
"With the sound of the crowd in Birmingham, and their generous words of praise still ringing in our ears, we
now make our way to Liverpool. Can't wait for it!" - Jim, 22nd May 2017
"Tonight and tomorrow, we look forward to giving our very best in both these great cities. See you there!" - Jim, 22nd May 2017
"Currently opening the shows for Simple Minds, ever wondered how someone as otherworldly as
The Anchoress travels from show to show? Well, you can check out
her little film explaining just that. And
then make sure you get to the Minds shows early. You would not want to miss her live set." - Jim, 22nd May 2017
Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, UK 23rd May, 2017 Support: The Anchoress
12 hours after the initial news came through from Manchester last night,
the shock and numbness of it all is still as strong. Perhaps even more
so this morning.
Our profound sympathy goes out to all touched by this horrific event.
In situations like this it is more than difficult to find appropriate words
and actions. It all comes down to a feeling.
And speaking as we did this morning, to all involved with Simple Minds.
Including band, crew, management etc. the feeling in our group was
entirely unanimous.
More than ever, we all want to go out tonight and play our music.
Tonight's show will go ahead. Official statement from the venue: "After the tragic events at Manchester Arena last night,
the team at The Bridgewater Hall are aware of the heightened level of threat against venues across the country. This
evening’s performance featuring Simple Minds will proceed as planned. Please continue to consult the
Bridgwater Hall Website for additional updates as they become available. Patrons should plan for addition travel time
to attend the performance and to allow for additional security checks. Management are in communication with Police and
relevant authorities and are continually reviewing our security and safety procedures.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of anyone associated with the Manchester Arena incident."
The Spa, Bridlington, UK 25th May, 2017 Support: The Anchoress
"Seven weeks in - with two more weeks to go - we are definitely heading into the last lap of the tour. Every
night feels like a highlight, but still plenty more still to come. London Palladium on Saturday is one that we have all
been looking forward to, but first we have the pleasure of Nottingham (tomorrow) and Little old Bridlington tonight.
See you there!" - Jim, 25th May 2017
"Beautiful evening. Enjoyed the stroll along the beachfront before the gig. Enjoyed the warmth of the audience
so much more. Thanks to all for the kind comments throughout these last days." - Jim, 25th May 2017
Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, UK 26th May, 2017 Support: The Anchoress
"At the end of the show - wherever and whenever we play... All we want to do is make you happy.
See you later tonight!" - Jim, 25th May 2017
"Played to some incredible audiences. Nottingham - good as any. Thanks to all of you!" - Jim, 27th May 2017
26th april
so far so distant and so long ago book, simple minds book, cherisse osei's tour diary, acoustic tour, the cross, essen review
From August to October 1980, Simple Minds were supporting Peter Gabriel on
his European tour. They had a day off in Berlin on September 3rd and Virgin Records executive Ronnie Gurr
joined the band and took photos whilst they explored East and West Berlin and the Berlin Wall.
These unpublished photographs have now been published in So Far,So Distant And So Long Ago: Simple Minds In Berlin 1980.
Hanging Around Books' first release (HA001) "So Far, So Distant and So Long Ago" features photographs
of Simple Mindstaken in September 1980 by
Ronnie Gurr in the then East and West Berlin and by the Berlin Wall on the
band's day off supporting Peter Gabriel on his European tour.
Only 250 copies have been printed, of which 25 have been signed by Jim and
Charlie. Copies are available (until stocks run out) from
www.hangingaroundbooks.com.
On the subject of books, another Simple Minds biography has been added to the
bibliography. Simple Minds by
Sir Richard Francis Bourbon is an updating of A Visual Documentary which takes
the story to Good News From The Next World. This Spanish book,
which was published in 1995, is also the only hardcover to be published so far.
Cherisse Osei has been compiling a tour diary and has uploaded two installments
so far. Her diary concentrates on the day-to-day running of the tour, and all the behind-the-scenes work that goes on.
Rockhal, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg 18th April, 2017 Support: KT Tunstall
"After 7 memorable shows in Germany and 1 in Denmark, we now pull out of Baden-Baden and gradually
make our way to Italy via Luxembourg (tonight) and Lucerne, Switzerland, tomorrow night.
These first 8 shows made us feel that we were off to a great start, coming face to face with very encouraging
audiences as well as some really wonderful concert halls.
After essentially a week of "bedding in" a solid setlist, one that befits the concept of this acoustic tour. We are
now looking to add/chop change a different song or two each week to the setlist.
(Honest Town slotted in as first encore last night)
Other than that, not much else to report. Except to say that we are enjoying every moment of the tour." - Jim, 18th April 2017.
KKL Luzern, Luzern, Switzerland 19th April, 2017 Support: KT Tunstall
"So what is the story here with our inspired bassist, Ged Grimes?
Could it be that he has just remembered that he left the bath running in his hotel room an hour earlier? I've done that before!
Or maybe he is desperately dealing with his frustration as "the lead singer" screws up once again?
I'd say there is a good chance of that also, judging by the slightly bemused look on guitarist
Gordy Goudie's face, as he in turn glances over to the centre of the
stage and is possibly thinking "WTF???" Most likely however, Ged is purely
lost in the music. And yet simultaneously making sure that we all keep the right kind of discipline that many of these
classic Minds songs require.
Particularly if they are to excel while being performed acoustically? I'm talking about creating and maintaining those
dramatic/goosebump moments we feel we need for this touring show in particular.
That task is so much easier said than done though.
Because after working with one "live attitude" for so many years, it really is different for us this time. And that is
where Ged rather solidly determines not only if, and when, we are "hitting the mark". But
once achieved... how we must keep doing so?
I guess within that role, he is the taskmaster. Very much the one who decides the levels of intensity, going as far as
addressing what kind of energy we should be looking to use with every individual song. And he also does a great job in
articulating why something is not working, and how we could think differently in order to make it do so.
Being so, it is fair to say that so much of the attitude behind these current performances is down to
Ged's outlook.
And as for the audiences who seem to revel in our current live set each night?
Well, they deserve maximum effort.
Yet another effect, coming from the mentality that is so much a part of Ged Grimes." - Jim, 19th April 2017.
"I got more than a little sentimental yesterday while talking to our friend/promoter Andy Bechir
backstage in Luzern. So taken by the KKL - a wonderful classical venue that sits on the lake front - I was asking about
previous shows that he had seen there? Not too many it seems. In any case, in the middle of our conversation, and suddenly
with a sad look in his eyes, he informed me that Prince had been booked to do two shows there last year. Leading
us both to dwell on how stunning it would have been to hear the music of Prince played live inside
that amazing concert venue. The passing of Prince, exactly a year ago tomorrow, meant that never got
to happen. But it also left me thinking and feeling, with minutes to go before Simple Minds went on stage,
that perhaps we should make sure that the music of such a great artist, and of whom we admired so much, should still get to
resonate within the walls of that prestigious, elegant venue. At that point, and with rush of blood etc. I made my way down
the hall to enquire if the rest of our band would be up for playing Prince'sThe Cross during our set,
performing our own tribute? What else can I tell you? I can tell you it felt absolutely the right thing to do, and I can
also tell you that I reckon Prince would more than have approved of
Charlie Burchill's inspired arrangement of a song that manages to feel like
a prayer. Last in night in Luzern, amid show topped hills, and with the cool water of the lake lapping the shore front
concert hall. The music of Prince lived on!" - Jim, 20th April 2017.
Prince'sThe Cross was recorded during the soundcheck.
Following Jim's post yesterday and to coincide with the first anniversary of
Prince's passing Simple Minds will play their version of The Cross during this
week's Acoustic Live dates.
Teatro Colosseo, Turin, Italy 21st April, 2017 Support: KT Tunstall
"After a drive through the snowy mountains we arrived in sunny Torino. As you can see both "The Double G's" i.e.
Ged Grimes (bass) and
Gordy Goudie (guitar) already look very relaxed + happy to be here. In fact we are
all happy to be here as Italy is always a highlight of any touring schedule.
Looking forward very much to playing Turin (tomorrow) followed by Ancona, Rome, Bologna, Firenze, and finally Milano.
A great week ahead of us, we are sure of it!" - Jim, 20th April 2017.
"A big weekend ahead for Simple Minds Acoustic.
Turin tonight, followed by Ancona and finally Rome on Sunday.
The sun is shining, my 3 day cold has cleared, and many of us look forward to catching up with friends and family
who are coming out to see the shows. Above all we are looking forward to giving our best on stage.
Thanks to all who are coming to these next three shows in Italy!" - Jim, 21st April 2017.
"Great to finally begin our series of Italian concerts last night in Torino. We then travelled through
the night to the port city of Ancona, arriving to early morning blue skies and very nice views of the equally blue
Adriatic sea. Looking forward to tonight's show. Before will go out for a walk with
Charlie, good to have a bit of a look around.
No doubt he'll want to find the best place for his fave - spaghetti alle vongole. - Jim, 21st April 2017.
Teatro delle Muse, Ancona, Italy 22nd April, 2017 Support: KT Tunstall
"Thanks to all for a special night in Ancona - we really enjoyed our time there! So sorry that I forgot to introduce
drummer/percussionist Cherisse Osei. I am sure you will agree that she played
truly great! Today we will finally get to Rome...and as always we can't wait to play for you.
I can sense it is going to be another wonderful night - on this Acoustic Live Tour. See you later!" - Jim, 22nd April 2017.
Auditorium Conciliazione, Rome, Italy 23rd April, 2017 Support: KT Tunstall
"Although I cannot justify why, I am somehow naturally superstitious. 13 of course is often referred
to as the unlucky number and for that reason I was a mite anxious about last night's show in Rome - it being our 13th gig
of the tour. Thankfully there was seemingly nothing negative about last night's show, some reviews even calling it our best
ever show in the capital city. We are having a ball out here, and we feel that with every passing gig, the show somehow grows
in quality. Thumbs up all around then!" - Jim, 24th April 2017.
"After a splendid show in Rome, including one of the most generous audiences we have experienced so far. Today is
free - to rest and recuperate. We are very happy about that too. Less so for ourselves, more so for our travelling crew, who
as usual are putting in great mental and physical effort throughout this tour. We appreciate them immensely for doing so.
Although fair to say that we all, band and crew, relish our chosen professional lives. It is never without some "daily struggle".
But again, everybody has some kind of struggle going on in their lives. Some experience them as normal problems, others have some
profound problems that they need to overcome. My heart goes out to them. Actually this photo of the local crew in Ancona struggling
to fit our beautiful chandelier inside the impossibly narrow theatre doors made me smile. Of course they succeeded, but I fear
the man on the left of the photo might be literally "working his ass off". In any case the rewards for all our struggles become
apparent every night as soon as we begin the show. The smiles on the faces from those who have come to see
Simple Minds being the ultimate reward. We share in knowing when a great show has taken place, and everyone
involved takes great satisfaction in that. I'm looking forward to switching off today. Coming back fresh for tomorrow's show
in Bologna. Above all I hope our crew have a great day, with plenty of rest. They really deserve it!" - Jim, 24th April 2017.
Teatro Auditorium Manzoni, Bologna, Italy 25th April, 2017 Support: KT Tunstall
"Kirsty McColl,
Robin Clark,
Sue Hadjopolous,
Lisa Germano,
Annie McCaig,
Neneh Cherry, Sinead O'Connor, Miriam Timmer,
Sarah Brown,
Catherine A.D.,
KT Tunstall, and last but not least drummer/percussionist
Cherisse Osei have all performed on stage with Simple Minds.
Behind the scenes,
Jaine Henderson,
Gemma Corfield,
Sandra Dods,
Debbie Caponetta,
Leslie Milthorpe,
Kay Melrose,
Elaine Gwyther and
Sara Battini add to the list of women who have contributed by helping/nuturing/guiding/organising
Simple Minds efforts over the many years. What am I saying?
I suppose I am pointing out that apart from those very early years - when we were yet to come into contact with many
women - and therefore lined up in the only way we knew - as a traditional 5 piece, male, rock band etc., Simple Minds
have otherwise, in so many ways, relied on superbly talented women to help us get our music/message across.
So much so, that currently the idea of going on stage as a male only rock band now seems very abstract altogether.
It’s not that any strategic planning has ever been involved, or as if we woke up one day and decided "Hey wouldn’t it be
novel to get some women on board?" Not at all! It is all about the individuals we come across, the people who have impressed us
enough, for us to want to tie our wagon to theirs. In doing so hoping that we’d all create good stuff, and all grow as a
result of that. Truly? Collaborating within a men only world, would not feel like an evolved Simple Minds.
Or reflect a progressive world - one that we have recognised as the norm for some decades now.
On that note full credit to Sly Stone, as way back in the 60's he had arguably the first multi-racial,
mixed gender band. Undoubtedly inviting Prince to take a leaf out of his book.
But it is all about evolving through the years. Or it is for Simple Minds.
Times change continuously. Not much really stays the same with us.
Except the desire to both keep things fresh, and somehow still get better." - Jim, 24th April 2017.
Since the release of the Acoustic Album, and the tracks I heard on clips on
YouTube, I was very keen to see the band performing live. My great friend Martin Poschinger and
I made rendezvous in Essen at the Colosseum Theatre. It is a nice industrial building and the inside has interesting architecture.
We hurried up to our seats and waited for the gig to kick off.
All lights went out and there came Jim to personally introduce
KT Tunstall to the audience as support. KT performed some seven songs. I have to admit I'm
not quiet aware of her discography, but at the very first second I had this good feeling. Amazingly to me,
KT used only her acoustic guitar and a “pedal loop-station”, to use for her songs. Tapping on her acoustic guitar
and using voice-sounds, these sounds fitted in wonderfully well into the songs she sang. Smoothly, one song melted into
the other, by telling little stories in-between. What a voice! She appeared in glittering yellow pants, and as
Jim announced her later on by joining in to sing
Promised You A Miracle, he welcomed her with the words “New Gold Pants”. I
just love this way of humor.
The audience just loved her and when she brought "Black Horse", she turned it into a medley with "7 Nation Army" by
The White Stripes... byt acoustic!! People began to sing along and cheering.
Certainly an artist who deserved the applause she got that night and remembering the words of Jim
she is multi-talented!
Within a few moments, the stage was completely darkened and only the imposing chandelier high in the ceiling was
illuminated by white beams of light. What a nice view!
Suddenly Cherisse’s silhouette came on and she started hitting her kit to start
New Gold Dream and everybody who was seated, just stood up to welcome the band
and stayed on foot. What a powerful performance to start the show. It’s such a refreshing sight to see
Cherisse "hitting them drums" and noticing she is really living the moment on
stage. As for Sarah Brown, "The Voice", I can only bow and take my hat of. What
a voice this lady has and tons of charm. I won’t talk about every song apart, but my feeling/impression of this
Acoustic Show is genuinely amazing. Yet there were loads of different opinions to be read on FaceBook etc. about
this acoustic tour.
As for me, this acoustic show isn’t just a faint decoction of what the Minds are, it just shows how vulnerable
they are by re-arranging the songs into an acoustic form. If you’re coming to the show with expectations you have when visiting
a concert, you’d better not go. This is more intimate and basic and fits very well indeed. It’s another approach of some
very good songs that leave impressions. I won’t argue the classic ones are amidst the setlist, but it certainly worked for me.
Chelsea Girl and
Speed Your Love To Me just gave me the thrills and songs like
See The Lights,
Big Sleep,
Someone Somewhere In Summertime,
Long Black Train,
For What it’s Worth were excellent. What splendid versions they made of it all!
As a real gentleman, Jim introduced us to
Gordy Goudie to bring
Andy Warhol as tribute to David Bowie. Now this is rock ’n roll !!
Gordy has a real genuine rock ’n roll stage presence and played this track
in a most powerful way. Thank you for that!
We saw Charlie and
Ged, playing their acoustic guitars in a most sensual way, together with
Gordy on second guitar. Gordy even handled the
mouth harp and the melodica - talk about musical talents!
Undeniably Jim sang in a most intimate way for the songs, which were sang along with
almost all of the crowd. A real standing ovation from the audience took place when the show was over. The band members all
stood in front of the stage, with a happy smile on their faces. They had a good night performing, and we, the audience too!
Can’t wait for the Belgian shows!
Johnny B Good
Many thanks to JohnnyBGood for the review and pictures.
17th april
simple minds #17, acoustic tour #1, acoustic in concert, acoustic tour #2, my holidays, acoustic tour #3, discography
All recording for Simple Minds'17th studio album has now finished.
The album is now being mixed and mastered for release.
"The snow is falling in Glasgow as I write. And although it might be hard to imagine while looking out the window,
officially yesterday was the first day of Spring. Time marches indeed. Today is Charlie's
last day of recording on what is destined to be our new album - Simple Minds 17th to date. In a few hours he will pick out the
last few beautiful notes, and most probably blast out some last minute ideas. The guitars will then go back in the cases, to be
packed away until next week when rehearsals for the Acoustic Live tour begin.
With the exception of the odd backing vocals to be added at a later date, I have also finished with my involvement in the recording.
And so that is that! Another chapter in our story written, another effort complete.
I like this current momentum in particular. Two and a half years since the release of our last album
Big Music, and only 4 months since the release of
Acoustic. In between we have toured extensively, while trying to also have some
semblance of lives outside of the music. One that involves family and all that other crucial stuff.
We've certainly had one or two "slow motion" career periods, but our own "march of time" has thankfully never really
stopped since we started writing songs 40 years ago. It shows no sign of doing so either.
So what will we do tomorrow, the day after an entire album recording has been concluded?
We will get up early and start thinking about our next album - our 18th.
This is how we live, it is the rhythm of our lives." - Jim, 21st March 2017.
"The European leg of the Simple Minds Acoustic tour is due to start this coming
Saturday in Essen, Germany."
"Following on a few weeks later, with dates throughout UK and Ireland."
"We really want to "hit the ground" running, from the first show and continuing all the way through
to the last In Dublin fair city."
"In doing so hopefully giving our best in making these gigs as enjoyable and as memorable as possible
for all who come to see us throughout these next couple of months."
"I am confident we will achieve that. If not, it won't be for a lack of trying."
"I certainly cannot recall ever putting so much into rehearsing as we have done at various intervals over
the last year, all in a build - up preparation for this tour."
"That was necessary, given that we have never previously toured with an acoustic show. Plus, the chances
are that this may indeed be the one and only time that we do so."
"If so, it genuinely will be a unique experience both for us and the audience."
"And even more pressure then, to make it beyond good!" - Jim, 3rd April 2017
Colosseum Theater, Essen, Germany 8th April, 2017 Support: KT Tunstall
Many thanks to Paul Van Haeff for the ticket scan and picture.
"Exactly a year ago today we played an acoustic set
for the first time in our long career. In fact, we first considered accepting the chance to play an acoustic show
for MTV Unplugged some 30 years ago. But y'know, somethings take a while to get round to, and more
than often it is as much about "the timing" as it is the idea."
"Anyway, 12 months ago, we made our way up a snowy mountain in Zermatt, Switzerland. Not knowing at all how we
would feel 24 hours later? And with no idea if our first ever acoustic set to be played later on than night would
fail miserably?"
"In that case we would have sloped off the mountain next day, and little more would be said of Simple Minds performing acoustically ever again."
"Thankfully that was not the case."
"Instead, within a minute or two of the opening song that night,
See The Lights we knew that with a lot more effort, and a dose of
ingenuity, Simple Minds music could easily work its magic being performed acoustically. And
so we rolled up our sleeves and decided to spend the summer continuing to work on the new Simple Minds
album - the follow up to Big Music - plus, put added energy into
recording an acoustic album featuring a list of Minds classics."
"Around 6 months later, the release of the
Acoustic album, and our
UK acoustic showcase gig,
broadcast live by BBC from Hackney Empire London, hopefully
demonstrated the effort we put into the acoustic project. We were delighted by the results, and we were
certainly enthused enough by the public reaction to then announce an extensive tour of Europe, UK and Ireland."
"Tomorrow night in Germany we begin that tour, and my intention is to savour every minute of every show.
Who knows if we will ever tour in this fashion again after all? My own sense is that this will be the "one and only.""
"Thanks to all who are coming to see us. Thanks to all who have supported us throughout
the Simple Minds Acoustic project. See you out there. Somewhere?" - Jim, 7th April 2017
The show comprises acoustic versions of some of their greatest hits and best-loved tracks along with cover
versions of some of the songs that shaped them. Watch out for a very special guest on the finale!.
Jahrhunderthalle, Frankfurt, Germany 10th April, 2017 Support: KT Tunstall
"Our acoustic tour finally got underway last night in Essen and I don't think we have had a better
opening night to any tour?"
"Exciting as "opening nights"are, understandably there is usually something a little nervous about them. And
as things are tried out for the first time, of course some errors and gremlins are normally encountered."
"In fact things could not have run smoother last night."
"Very nice venue, wonderful audience, the perfect acoustic set list, and a group of musicians who love doing
what they do."
"KT Tunstall's involvement also raised the level greatly. We are so fortunate to have her
as special guest and then join us later on during our own set."
"What else to say? Our crew did a splendid job with light and sound, and we look forward to more of the same
tonight for the 2nd Essen show."
"After that, we will be more than prepared for tomorrow night (Monday 10th) in Frankfurt."
"Thanks to all for coming to see Simple Minds Acoustic." - Jim, 9th April 2017
Meistersingerhalle, Nuremberg, Germany 11th April, 2017 Support: KT Tunstall
"Our Long Black Train will pull in to Nuremberg, tonight for the 4th Simple Minds acoustic concert.
Thank you to all in Frankfurt. We are loving these venues, and the special atmosphere that is both present and
unique to this tour. Looking forward to seeing everyone who plans on coming to see Simple Minds" - Jim, 11th April 2017
MY HOLIDAYS - JIM KERR
The singer has stayed in luxury all over the world, but his most profound experiences took place on tour
in the back of a Transit.
"Travel has been important to me since I started hitchhiking as a teenager with
Charlie Burchill, my partner in Simple Minds, to see bands such as the
Sex Pistols. We still feel we’re on that hitchhiking trip — I’ve had some of my most exhilarating
thoughts in the back of a van. The greatest feeling was learning our trade,
driving through the snow in Holland or Sweden to get to a place
where the audience was two men and a dog. But those two men and a dog went crazy when we played. It was the oxygen we needed."
"If you can’t have fun in a band, I don’t know what you can have fun with. I remember
touring Australia and New Zealand with Talking Heads, Eurythmics and The Pretenders. Every
night we were in someone’s room. Debauchery, no... but I did end up getting married as a result
[to Chrissie Hynde]. The music was louder than it should be, and there were exotic smells wafting up
the corridors, but no TVs flying out of windows."
"I loved Italy from my first school trip there, aged 13. The history, the culture, the colours, the climate,
the food... I went to Taormina, in Sicily, to lick my wounds after my marriage ended, and I’ve been going back
for 20 years. I do almost the same walk every day and find it as exhilarating now as I did the first time: you
see Mount Etna and the sea, Arab forts and gothic architecture. Eventually, I started a hotel business
there. I’ve stayed in incredibly plush hotels — we were spoilt rotten — but sometimes they have an empty
feeling. You can’t relax. Our hotel is about the view, and feeling welcome as soon as you enter."
"I also have a holiday home in the Trossachs, with a spectacular view. The countryside is an antidote to the
hustle of working. If you go up those hills, you could be in Tibet. I love the scale of the landscape — you feel
the world is a very old place. And I like walking. It’s good for the health, I hope, and clears the head."
"My most memorable hiking trip was to Petra, in Jordan. At night, it was stunning to lie out and see the stars,
but it wasn’t all Lawrence of Arabia. Sometimes it was slogging over stones, head down."
"I’ve been to Bali a gazillion times, usually in January to make amends for the previous month’s excess. I do a
few days at the beach, then I go into Ubud to take advantage of the whole massage thing."
"Las Vegas is a place that holds no interest for me, so I took a helicopter trip to the Grand Canyon. That was
mind-blowing. The helicopter lands in the canyon, they pull out bread rolls and you have breakfast."
"My partner is Japanese, and it’s magic to go to Kyoto when the cherry blossom is coming. There are people
under trees having picnics, tea ceremonies in the temples. In Nishinomiya, where the river is lined with
blossom, it’s all graceful when everyone sets up at 6pm; three hours later, they’re steaming drunk. But it’s
magical. I miss that sense of foreignness as the world becomes smaller."
Jim Kerr, 57, the lead singer of Simple Minds, grew up in Glasgow. He has been divorced twice and now lives
with his partner, Yumi, in Sicily, where he owns a hotel.
Simple Minds Acoustic is out now, and they will
tour the UK from May 17.
Caroline Rees The Times April 2017
Admiralspalast, Berlin, Germany 13th April, 2017 Support: KT Tunstall
"Arriving in Berlin as we have this morning, inevitably brings back many memories of our first trips
to this most unique city."
"Whilst touring between 1979 and 1982, Simple Minds probably made that famous "Berlin corridor"
drive - from Hamburg to what is now the capital city, at least 6 times. In doing so we travelled through part of what
was then known as East Germany, and at that time it of course belonged inextricably to the so called Soviet Bloc of
countries, all umbilically tied to Moscow."
"The experience of that was nothing short of fascinating. As we, fuelled on Graham Greene novels and an endless
amount of spy movies, set out on our very own Cold War appointment, feeling entirely like we were travelling into a
parallel world. One that is, that we in the West were mostly taught to both abhor and fear. Such was the bi-polar clash
of philosophies that dominated world politics in those days."
"Placid enough. The images we saw along the way were mostly ones of country landscapes and little, nondescript
villages. Undoubtedly though the surrounding atmosphere felt undeniably stark, and strangely as though we had entered
into the dimensions of another time all together. Time gone backward, I suppose."
"However as we approached West Berlin itself, we gradually came into contact with army vehicles, scary looking
watch towers, barbed wire fences and finally camouflaged tanks set off from the side of the road. All of course
induced a great sense of imminent warning, I assume that was the overall purpose? If so, it had maximum effect."
"We were never advised to stop or get out our mini bus. We were however definitely advised not to go nosing around
as we would elsewhere in the world. In fact the only occasions we did stop was for random security checks by the military
guards. All unforgettably dressed in uniforms bearing the single Soviet red star. Ominously they were there to keep a
fixed eye on all that was going on, in turn leaving us more than a little paranoid."
"Young men themselves, their roles within a world of stern officialdom could not have been in more contrast to
our own laid back and somewhat decadent artistic lifestyles. Recalling it all now, it is very difficult to describe
the quiet that came over all of us, as we seemed metaphorically to be holding our breath, while sealed in our 9 seater
bus throughout the 3 to 4 hour drive, leading us finally to what we and countless others worldwide then regarded as
a haven - better known as West Berlin."
"On arrival it seemed that we could fully breathe again. Free to return to ourselves somehow. Amongst the bright
lights and energy of West Berlin, we were certainly free to re-connect with a world of which we were much more familiar."
"And as the horseplay and chutzpah, common to most 20 year old lads flooded back, we headed first for the infamous
"Checkpoint Charlie" border crossing, and then finally to stand against that iconic light grey, linear monument.
It's brutal purpose known globally as a tragedy for humanity. It was however simply referred to as the Berlin Wall."
"I fully admit that looking back on things so long ago is not always an easy task. The essence of what happened
always remains, but sometimes it gets a bit blurred between the stone cold reality of events as they genuinely occurred.
And a more fuzzy, exaggerated, picture of sorts."
"That is probably to be expected, as in some cases we are often talking about countless experiences, some
of which happened a whole 4 decades ago."
"Hard to believe it, but almost no one had video cameras or even photo cameras amongst us back then. That
again sometimes leaves me either fully forgetting events, or wondering about how likely the details I recall are
in relation to the truths of those innocent years when it was all brand new to us. Plus, when you move around like
we do, flirting from one tour to the next etc. It is normal that it all gets a bit tricky to distinguish certain tour
memories from the other."
"Thankfully the journalist Ronnie Gurr was there with us on one of those initial trips to Berlin.
Recently available, the snaps he took of Simple Minds larking around in the shadow of the wall, were
genuinely a joy for both Charlie and I to see."
"I myself, so taken, have ordered prints that will adorn the walls in one of the rooms in my house.
Memories never to be forgotten, images of early Simple Minds feature brilliantly in
"So Far, so Distant And So Long Ago: Simple Minds in Berlin 1980""
"I commented recently that between travelling, resting and hanging around waiting for showtime,
which is where all the time is actually "eaten up". It means that we actually don't play that much music
when go on tour?"
"Including that is, even when there is a crazy schedule, as is the case this week where we will play
6 shows in 7 days. Well again, most of the time is spent setting the concerts up, and in comparison so little
is spent performing. That is just the irony of going on tour to play live music."
"But it also explains why we massively appreciate the efforts of our road crew/technicians who do work
almost non-stop to facilitate us as we aim to put on the kind of events that we can feel proud of, and of
which we feel our audience deserve. They have been particularly impressive this week, ensuring that
Simple Minds Acoustic Live has had an excellent opening run of gigs."
"As this recently taken photo suggests, a lot of time on tour is however spent laughing. Yes, even on stage,
where the banter between us continues!"
"I have no idea what Sarah and
Charlie are laughing at in this pic, and who knows what I am looking at? But
the image made me both laugh and reflect on the fact that being on tour with Simple Minds at
this stage in our career, is much more fun than it was at any other previously."
"Don't get me wrong. It was always a pleasure, always plenty of good times. Somehow though, we are in general
much more relaxed about just about everything these days. See you tonight in Berlin I hope." - Jim, 13th April 2017
"As in the picture, we will be on the front foot tonight while putting out as much energy and
effort for Hamburg. The day off in Berlin prior to the Berlin show definitely revitalised all of us, and
I personally felt better on stage last night as a result. Thanks to all who welcomed us in Berlin, making us
feel so good. Thanks to all who are coming to see us in Hamburg tonight, we will make it worthwhile. Guaranteed!" - Jim, 13th April 2017
"Thanks to everybody in Hamburg for a wonderful night in the beautiful Laeiszhalle!
"Now to Copenhagen where we will see you later tonight!"
"Denmark has always been generous to Simple Minds, particularly recalling
our first ever visit back in 1979 and so many times since."
"But our "acoustic show" is something different, and truly a reward to see the reaction to the music that these
great musicians are performing at each and every show."
"Thanks to all who are travelling from near and far to see our acoustic concerts, it is truly appreciated." - Jim, 15th April 2017
"Easter Sunday and we have one of those rare things... a day off from work!"
"Luckily we will spend the day in Baden Baden, (playing there tomorrow night) a beautiful little spa town
that lies in a valley of the Northern Black Forest in southwestern Germany."
"It was the Romans (of course) who first settled there, going all the way back to the Emperor
Hadrian, already using the natural spring waters to relieve all manner of "arthritic aches.""
"I suppose that since Simple Minds have played 6 shows in the last 7 days, we might
also benefit in helping out with our own arthritic aches!"
"Only joking of course. Because despite the full on schedule, we are having a ball each and every
night, being energised in the process."
"That is entirely due to the reaction from the audiences at each of these Simple Minds Acoustic
Live Shows. Thanks to all of you for that!" - Jim, 16th April 2017
"Simple Minds has forever been in motion, with virtually nothing about what we do
remaining fixed."
"The exception being the relationship that both Charlie and I have
with each other, and our shared determination to see that our band has continued to grow creatively whether out
there on a live stage, or within the hub of rehearsal and recording studios."
"Hopefully we mostly make it all look/seem easy? That is the aim. After all, when anyone buys a
ticket or listens to our music, they don't really need to know the trials and tribulations that occurred along
the way. And they certainly are not required to share in any of the pain that perhaps came our way as we
struggled to make sense of what we do and why we do it - through good times - and some measure of bad also."
"To be fair, not much of our "angsty stuff" is that interesting, or unique? Not been that much of it
either. Not recently. Sure, a very long time ago, way in the distant past, we went through some of the usual
"run of the mill stuff" that is bound to happen when young males group together within an initial shared ideal.
One that then inevitably untangles as power struggles and petty jealousies naturally kick in. And that right
there - is the story of just about all rock bands. Even if some are reluctant to admit."
"The thing is, we might work in a realm that seems exotic compared to the so called everyday work scenarios.
But our story has been shaped by the same kind of forces/happenings that I'd venture we all experience in our own
individual ways as we try to eek out successful experiences and relationships within our work and personal lives."
"Admittedly we have had great fortune in achieving things beyond any comprehension imaginable from when we set
out on this adventure almost 40 years ago. But like everyone else, we have also known what it is like to feel desperate;
remorseful even."
"We also know the feeling of dread on realising that even with people you know and have loved being with
for years, that somehow you have now arrived at an intersection - that in turn leads you to take separate paths.
Moving apart - in endlessly complex ways. Sad of course. But that is also all part of growing and evolving. At least
as we have come to know it."
"And what else do we know as a result of doing what we have been doing for so long?"
"Well, we know a unique talent whenever it walks in the room? And we also know the difference between good,
really good.....and world class!"
"I'm now talking about percussionist/drummer Cherisse Osei. And those who
have seen our Simple Minds Live Acoustic will surely understand my breathless enthusiasm for rare
individuals like her. I mean those who are willing to work beyond the norm in order to achieve a level of excellence
beyond what most others settle for."
"Still very new to working with the music of Simple Minds, there is a lot more to tell about
Cherisse, and in time she will do a better job of that than me. But I can
nevertheless tell you how inspired I was by listening to her extraordinary story, told to me as we travelled
through Germany together last week."
"Let's face it, not many 11 year old girls beg for the keys of the school? So that they can go in at 7:30 am
every morning, and then bang the hell out of all manner of percussion prior to the daily school lessons. Likewise,
not many young women were invited to do a quasi solo spot, playing drums at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games
in Beijing."
"If details like that don't impress you, then I don't know what to say?"
"Except, don't take my word for it. Come witness Cherisse Osei doing her
thing - for yourself."
"And know that as far as Simple Minds are concerned, if we are going to continue to sweat
blood and tears, then as always - we will want to do it within the company of the very best. And those with best
attitude only!" - Jim, 16th April 2017
Kurhaus, Baden-Baden, Germany 17th April, 2017 Support: KT Tunstall
"Easter Sunday got to off to a great start on arrival at our hotel in this quaint spa town. We are
usually spoiled, but the room I had been allocated is particularly stunning, breathtaking in fact. So good, and
big enough, that it took me a few minutes to take it it all in. The thrill of it all lasted up until I drew
back the curtains, only to find a floor to ceiling view... of a full - on construction site!"
"Well, you can't have it all I suppose. Or maybe you can, if you are bothered enough to kick up
enough fuss. But that is rarely my style, and in any case having spent years working on construction sites
prior to "working in show business", it did not take me long to remind myself how lucky I am to have found
the career that I have."
"The air here is particular fresh, and the town looked stunning to both Charlie
and I as we pottered around in the afternoon drizzle."
"The clearest of water streams that run through town are loaded with flower petals from the various trees/plants
that are now full approaching full bloom. The only other time I have witnessed that to such a degree was in Kyoto, Japan,
also during springtime."
"Baden-Baden coincidentally, is where we first met KT Tunstall. I think that was
in the summer of 2003 - 4 maybe? She had newly broken through with her debut album and was picking up an
award at a ceremony that was also acknowledging the music of Simple Minds."
"We did not have the chance to talk much that night, but we were certainly taken by her engaging and
spirited personality, which was every bit as impressive as the music she was releasing to the world."
"From then on we listened and enjoyed each subsequent release, recognising that KT was
really rather special as a singer, songwriter, guitarist and live performer. And if I had a pound for every time
I have listened to her singing Bob Dylan's "Tangled Up In Blue" as she did on
Later - with Jools Holland, I would probably be able to afford one of those great looking period houses that give so
much character to this town that sits on the edge of the Black Forest."
"It was in fact not until last year, while at yet another award show this time in Glasgow, that we once again
met up with KT. And within a heartbeat, from listening to her soundcheck only, we knew instictively
that she would be perfect to feature on the version of
Promised You A Miracle that we had planned for
our acoustic album."The rest is now Simple Minds history. It was absolutely rewarding to spend the day with
KT in our London studio, but it is truly an honour to have an artist with her talent out touring
with us throughout our European dates - as our special guest."
"The emphasis being on "special" is genuinely merited this time. So get there early and take the opportunity
to see and listen to KT. We know that you will be as impressed as we are." - Jim, 17th April 2017
4th march
zermatt unlugged, yarra valley, discography, acoustic press release, canberra 1981, hunter valley, lefsetz
Here's some exta information and pictures from the band's second Zermatt Unplugged concert. This was the first
to feature the new acoustic live-up (and the chandelier... although it appears to be a different
Chandelier to the one they had at Hackney - perhaps Elton's bathroom had more than one?)
"Rehearsals are finished. We now look forward to Saturday night when we will get to perform for the
first time many of these new acoustic arrangements that feature on the soon to be released Acoustic album.
After Zurich we have a few days off (the last for this year) and I have been thinking about trying to get back to
Scotland asap as it will be my last chance this year to get some hiking/hillwalking done. Then the thought occurred to me.
"Don't they have a few hills/ mountains in Switzerland? Is that not what the country is famous for after all?" Anyway,
we will see what pans out. In the meantime just the other day someone asked if there is particular music I like to listen
to while hiking? No, is the answer. I like to listen to the sounds of the landscape. However quite often certain songs come
into my head. The Silencers' version of Wild Mountain Thyme is one of them. - Jim, 29th October 2016.
"Featuring a new acoustic band line up. Playing songs from
throughout our career, plus at least a couple that we have never played live previously. That is quite a few
"firsts" right there. See you tonight!" - Jim, 29th October 2016.
"Thanks to all for the reception in Zurich last night. We appreciate all the support that we are getting
for the acoustic shows. It is obviously a new format for Simple Minds - and one that we intend to
master - in our own sweet way. We really enjoyed ourselves last night. We learned some things. And it looked like
we made a lot of people happy. What can be better that that? All that is left to say is thanks to the Zermatt Unplugged team.
After all it was their invite to Simple Minds, back at the start of the year, that subsequently led to
this new acoustic album from
Simple Minds - soon to be released. They were the catalyst.. so thanks to all of them!" - Jim, 30th October 2016
"Great memories from last time, beautiful countryside and a red hot gig. We will be looking to make it even better this time.
Thanks to all who are coming to listen to our big music. See you later tonight... after the wonderful B-52's." - Jim, 3rd Feb 2017.
"A lot of of energy came our way from the audience in Yarra Valley. We enjoyed it very much last time -
5 years ago. But tonight we "felt it" so much more.
Beautiful evening, among some pretty countryside. It feels great to be touring in Australia - an energising experience.
Thanks to all for coming to see the show, we appreciate it. Next up, heading towards Adelaide, expect us to give 100%." - Jim, 4th February 2017.
The Acoustic International Promo also includes a slightly different
press release. It's printed across the inside of the gatefold of the release itself, which is a very nice touch, and
much more presentable than a sticker or insert.
SIMPLE MINDS - ACOUSTIC
Simple Minds have taken their time in coming up with first acoustic album. But given
that they made their biggest commercial impact with towering singles like
Promised You A Miracle and
Don't You (Forget About Me), that's not surprising. The band became the
standard bearers for a new kind of rock music in the Eighties when they added big chorus and widescreen atmospherics to
the art-rock invention of the post-punk era. So, even in the 'unplugged' upswing that followed, when practically every
major rock band stripped down their songs and played then acoustically, Simple Minds shied away.
But now, on Simple Minds Acoustic, they have found a way of doing the acoustic
thing without losing their essence, and a dozen Simple Minds songs loved by millions now sound softer,
more organic and even more likely to leave a lasting imprint. The synths are no more - but the Celtic soul remains.
The fact that the album sessions entailed a sentimental return ot their Glasgow roots for Jim and
guitarist Charlie Burchill helped, with some songs recorded in Gorbals Studio,
a former railway workers' social club located a stone's throw from the high-rise estates of the city's South Side
where the pair took their first musical steps. It was in this building that Jim
and Charlie played their first gig, as teenagers in a school glam-rock band,
and emotions were understandably high on their return. "The memories came flooding back the moment we were in," says
Jim. "Our parents used to drink there. An old school friend turned it into a
recording studio, but he kept the original room with its little stage."
With so much music to choose from, picking a running order wasn't easy. But there were still some numbers that had to
feature. A quartet of songs from 1982's New Gold Dream album,
all still performed live, were among them. For Promised You A Miracle,
the band are joined by fellow Scot K T Tunstall, whose distinctive vocals, acoustic strumming and
rolling bass groove transform a piece of music that was the band's first 'pure pop song' when it arrived in 1982.
"KT was great," says Jim of their duet. "We sent her an outline
of the song based on an arrangement I'd done with Martha Wainwright, but KT turned it
on its head. She really set about it!" With regular backing singer
Sarah Brown soulfully to the fore, there is also a powerful feminine presence on
Glittering Prize, another New Gold Dream
song. "The female musicians are very prominent," continues Jim.
"Sarah's singing is beautiful, and
Cherisse's percussion is important too." The two remaining
New Gold Dream tracks,
Someone Somewhere In Summertime and the title track, add deeper, darker
textures while retaining the panoramic ambience of old.
Simple Minds Acoustic goes back further, too, with
Charlie adding Spanish guitar to Chelsea Girl
(from 1979 debut album Life In A Day). He also supplies acoustic lines
with the feel of Led Zeppelin III on
The American, the swaggering song that was the band's first single for
Virgin in 1981. There are later highlights, too, with 1984's
Waterfront joined by two songs from 1985's
Once Upon A Time - Alive And Kicking
and a soulful take on Sanctify Yourself. From the following decade,
1991's See The Lights shows just what can be done when an acoustic guitar is
treated with special effects.
The album concludes with Don't You (Forget About Me), the enduring
Breakfast Club closing song that gave Simple Minds a number one single in America, plus a
yearning cover of Richard Hawley'sLong Black Train.
Jim Kerr discovered the wonderfully moving lament, from the Sheffield
singer-songwriter's 2001 album Late Night Final, when it cropped up on an Alan Yentob BBC
documentary about Man Brooker Prize winner Richard Flanagan, whose brutal novel
The Narrow Road To The Deep North chronicled the experiences of Allied POWs working on the Thailand-Burma
railway in WWII. "Long Black Train came on at the end of the documentary and
I could feel the tears welling up," says Jim. "The song is a reflective
ballad about the passing of time, and it meant a lot to Charlie and I, as we've
both lost close family members in recent years. We love doing covers, so it was good to come up with a great song that
is relatively unknown. There is a touch of Lou Reed's Perfect Day about it, and it's a nice
bonus to finish the album."
As a group who formed in the punk era and found their mojo through a shared love of Bowie,
Kraftwerk and electronic dance, Simple Minds are not natural acoustic adventurers, but they
have done a remarkable job here, adding fresh nuance to brilliant songs without trampling on sacred memories. "Our
songs mean a lot to people, so we had to be careful," says Jim. "It wasn't a
case of just knocking up some acoustic riffs. We had to show respect to the songs and retain everything that made them
good in the first place."
"'Heat records smashed as Sydney temperatures hit 47°C, desperate residents flock to the beach and
firefighters battling 53 blazes across New South Wales raise bushfire warnings to CATASTROPHIC level' scream the local headlines!
And all true enough and with record breaking temperatures all round, that means it was considered dangerous enough
for the authorities to cancel major outdoor sporting events etc. Nevertheless the show at Hunter Valley goes ahead, and
with plenty of people there waiting for the B-52's and Simple Minds, of course it is
relevant to ask how we will cope performing in that condition? Well, two things are going through my mind. Firstly, I
am glad that the show is going ahead and disappointment is avoided. Anyway, can you imagine us going home and telling
people that we had to cancel playing a gig to thousands of people - because... er... "It was too sunny outside." Jeez... that
would be a first! The other thing I am thinking is that we will cope with it, because we always cope, no matter?
After all, as dramatic and serious as some of the warnings have been. Let's remember that we are going on stage to play
music for an hour and a half. And it is not like we are doing eight hour shifts, day in day out, year in and year out, at
the furnace of a steel mill. Like so many from the communities around us did when we were growing up in Scotland. Now
those people could really tell you about HEAT. Looking forward to seeing you all in a couple of hours. Thanks so much
for coming and enduring! Huge thanks also to our crew and all associated with the event, it cannot have been fun
spending an entire day out there at the site. Well done all of you!" - Jim, 11th February 2017
"We loved every minute. Great venue, beautiful moonlight, and an audience of brave souls putting up with today's
heatwave etc. Thanks to all of you for listening to our music - and making us feel so good. An Apology: When I was larking
about I said a couple of things - off the cuff - using one or two expletives. I then noticed a few young kids in the
audience. I feel bad about that. Really sorry. Classier behaviour in future." - Jim, 11th February 2017
Many thanks to Otto for the set-list.
Belfast Child
I know they’re Scottish, but the song that kept playing in my head in Ireland was
Simple Minds'Belfast Child.
There’s this place in the city called the Oh Yeah Music Centre. Kinda like that song by
Roxy Music? I don’t think so, but you should check that one out, it’s the best song on 1980’s
Flesh And Blood, after the band decided to reunite, if you were never infected by
Bryan Ferry’s voice, you’ll get it after listening to this.
How can we drive to a movie show
When the music is here in my car
There’s a band playing on the radio
With a rhythm of rhyming guitars
That’s what it used to be like, sitting, parked, you and your honey, listening to the radio, revealing your truth
as a prelude to physical interaction.
And, be sure to listen to the end, for Phil Manzanera’s subtle guitar solo. Oh Yeah
is understated, yet majestic, from back when music was supposed to touch your soul as opposed to assault you.
Anyway, the Oh Yeah in Belfast was started by a bunch of locals, including Gary Lightbody of
Snow Patrol, at the end of the last decade, as a place for acts to get started, and there’s rehearsal
space and offices and a mastering studio and a club and in the antechamber, painted on the walls, is a timeline of all
the Belfast hits, some known and some unknown, at least to me, but if there was a denizen of Belfast involved the
track is up there.
And I’d forgotten that Henry McCullough was from Belfast, but what stunned me was the endless number of
hits by native son Gary Moore.
Most Americans know him from his work in Thin Lizzy.
And Still Got The Blues from his 1990 Virgin album of the same name. Do you know it?
Phil Quartararo made it a hit when he took over the newly resuscitated Charisma in
the U.S. Amazing what one person on a mission can do.
And then Mr. Moore was promptly forgotten over here, but when he succumbed to a heart attack induced
by a night of drinking six years ago it was Still Got The Blues that played in my head, remember when
guitarists were all infected by the Delta roots and returned there, back when guitars still mattered?
And U2 wasn’t from Belfast, and neither were the Simple Minds, but it was their
songs that were playing in my brain so...
I pulled them up on Spotify.
And that’s when I found Simple Minds’Acoustic album.
Actually, to be honest, which writers rarely are, because oftentimes the truth is messy and it doesn’t square with the
story, I discovered the album a couple of months back but I did not give it as good a listen as I did last night in
my hotel room in Belfast when it suddenly resonated, took me away, I couldn’t turn it off, I was afraid of breaking the mood.
MOST DEFINITELY! Even though the original was cut back in ’86, but like it says you’ve got to open your eyes
(and your ears!) and if I didn’t tell you this was an acoustic recording you wouldn’t know, it’s nearly electrified,
and it’s not slowed-down and sotto voce searching for meaning, it’s got just about the same energy as the original.
And I knew it way back then, but I got hooked when Virgin put out a double CD package
The Best of Simple Minds, in 2001, I played it again and again
for days, one of the cuts that resonated so much was Sanctify Yourself.
And Waterfront. Which is on Acoustic too.
But it starts out more mellow, although it does build, but the original incarnation is a TEAR! It starts out with a
bass bleating which sounds more like a Kraftwerk record than something organic but then the whole thing
explodes, like fireworks at Disneyland, or an SSRI in your brain not long after you’ve taken it, and that bass continues
to beat and Jim Kerr rides the track like a jockey, imploring the band to victory,
it sounds nothing quite like anything else, it enraptures you, COME IN, COME OUT OF THE RAIN!!
Something they had to do yesterday in Southern California.
But my favorite track from that two CD compilation is Let There Be Love.
I missed it the first time around, even though I bought New Gold Dream back
in ’82, on gold vinyl no less, I didn’t buy another LP thereafter, this was back when I was paying for music, before I
started getting it for free, but someone sent me this Iva Davies CD and his cover of
Let There Be Love resonates and it’s not on Spotify and you can hear it on
YouTube here:
and I love it, but as magnificent as it is, it’s still shy of the original. Which is not quite as good as the
less in-your-face positively stellar extended mix where you can luxuriate in the sound, bask in the orchestral
greatness filling up not only your head but the entire damn space.
Now where was I?
No, that’s a joke, I know exactly where I am, making a parallel to Gary Moore, you see
Simple Minds keep making music but without a champion in the States no one’s aware of it.
It’s like Acoustic never came out, and if you’re a fan you want to hear it,
I found Glittering Prize fascinating, the same song yet different from the original.
And at this point Jim Kerr is famous for marrying Chrissie Hynde
and recording Don’t You Forget About Me, the hit from The Breakfast Club
which made the band a household name, however briefly, and pissed Jim and
the rest off, that’s right, let’s not forget Charlie Burchill, who architected
the sound, funny how these guys spearhead one band and never cross-pollinate, you’d think so many people would want
to work with him and get some of that magic and...
I became a dyed-in-the-wool Simple Minds addict with 1995’s
Good News From The Next World, an aural assault from back in
’95 it was the last release in America for so long, the last one to make a dent, but it starts off on a tear and
stays there, but the track you’ve positively got to hear, that encapsulates the genius of this LP, has all the magic, is
7 Deadly Sins, not that I expect you to check it out, either
you’re young and listening to hip-hop or old and need no more new music, but back then, when music was still scarce,
we’d go to somebody’s house and they’d play a track for us that we couldn’t get out of our head and then we’d have
to end up owning it ourselves. 7 Deadly Sins jerks you by the wrist
and pulls you away, it squeezes out everyday life and when you crank it up you think music is the greatest thing in the
world and with it riding shotgun you can win, even if the game is rigged, because you know it’s simply about how you
feel and listening to it you feel GREAT!
It went to number one in the U.K. back in ’89, it’s meaningless over here, but one listen will tell you otherwise.
It’s based upon the old Irish folk song She Moved Through The Fair, but it’s got
Kerr’s lyrics and that Simple Minds melding of majesty and
melody, this is music that’s subtle yet can change the world, Oh Yeah is intimate, playing to you and me,
Belfast Child is playing to everybody!
And the song starts off a cappella, all quiet. And then the strings add support and gravitas but the sound that
grabs you is the penny whistle, like on a Paul Brady record.
And if you think this is a wimpy number that belongs to the sands of time just wait until the drum starts
to pound and the guitar starts to wail and the song starts to march through the streets and you cannot help but
fall in behind.
Come back Billy, won’t you come on home
Come back Mary, you’ve been away so long
There was a brain drain, the Troubles sent the youth away, there was no opportunity, but with the ceasefire the
emigrant sons and daughters began to return.
The streets are no longer empty, and life goes on.
And I won’t say that you can attribute this to music, but we all need strength to put one foot in front of another, get
up every day and keep on keepin’ on, and there’s no fuel like music.
One day we’ll return here
When the Belfast Child sings again
He’s singing, I heard him, I can’t wait to return.
Those who collect the dubious bootleg recordings (particularly the gaudy vinyl and CD pressings) will have multiple copies of
Simple Minds at the Paradiso on the 23rd March 1980 in their collection. The concert was broadcast on
FM Radio, providing a top-class recording for fans to record, and for bootleggers to exploit. (Although clear recordings of that gig
have appeared, the source used by the bootleggers was less than perfect).
Producer 
You can contact Derek via his account 
It appears I have done the 
From August to October 1980, Simple Minds were supporting Peter Gabriel on
On the subject of books, another Simple Minds biography has been added to the
All recording for Simple Minds' 
