Whenever I check the music section in the library Themes For Great Cities - A New History of Simple Minds by Graeme Thomson is usually there.
Whereas I am not a huge fan of the band I eventually got round to taking it out. It is well written and a good read with contributions by four out of five of the band's original members - Brian McGee being the non-participant.
Somehow I have acquired five of their albums over the years. Their music can essentially be split into two parts - the first five albums from 1977 to 1981, which are all worth having, and from 1982 onwards when they effectively became a stadium band along the lines of U2. Having said that I found myself singing along to the songs on Glittering Prize 81/92 the other day.
It seems like a version of the band led by Jim Kerr and Charlie Birchill is still tootling away without setting the heather on fire.
If you were allowed only one album by them the 1982 compilation Celebration featuring sings from their first three albums would be the one to have.
Talking of Great Cities it should be acknowledged that they come from the greatest of them all!
You are wrong, of course. New Gold Dream and Sparkle In The Rain are both excellent albums
ReplyDeleteThe only Simple Minds album I owned during the 80s & 90s was the CD ‘chop up’ of Sons & Fascination/Sister Feelings Call. I got the x5 box set cheap many years back, which had the complete versions of both and they remain my favourite SM albums.
ReplyDeleteI can’t comment on their newer material, but I have seen them perform live on TV a few times. The drummer is pretty spectacular.