Simply Red’s shimmering pop soul and elegantly heartworn balladry have provided a glistening, emotional soundtrack to our turbulent times. Their phenomenal career has spanned three decades; they’ve released 10 studio albums racking up over fifty million global sales, notched up over 30 top 40 UK singles, won countless awards including 3 Brits, 2 Ivor Novellos and a Mobo Special Achievement.
They gained the rarest prize for a British artist with not just one, but TWO number one hits in the USA; the album ‘Stars’ was the biggest selling album in the UK for two consecutive years and they have played over 1000 live shows to over 10 million people.
November 17th, 2008 sees the ultimate album release by Simply Red; their definitive ‘Greatest Hits‘ on their own simplyred.com label.
The release comprises 25 tracks on a double CD including a brand new single, “Go Now”, a cover of The Moody Blues heart-rending classic, also to be released as a single this November. A Limited Edition 3 disc set with a 25 track DVD will also be available.
Early in 2009 they embark on a massive Greatest Hits World tour, coinciding with the 25th Anniversary of the band forming. They will play to over a million people by the end of the tour in 2010, starting out in Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Brazil, Chile and the USA before heading back to the UK and Europe. Details will be announced very soon, including 10 UK Arena shows April 2009. The tour will be previewed at the O2 Arena December 3rd, 2008 which is already SOLD OUT.
It’s been a long, strange and sometimes stormy ride for flame haired, politically outspoken, Simply Red founder, songwriter and frontman Mick Hucknall. With his Celtic rasp and easy flowing croon control that effortlessly ebbs and flows with the music, rarely has a British vocalist touched the blend of impeccable technique and emotional resonance that characterises the legendary American soul stars.
As this definitive hits collection proves, Hucknall is no slouch when it comes to songwriting. From the careworn introspection of his undisputed classic “Holding Back The Years”, the righteous strut of “The Right Thing”, the exuberant infatuation of “A New Flame”, the tender admiration of “You’ve Got It”, the amorous flight of “Stars”, these are songs that get under your skin and stay there.
A music fan through and through, Hucknall has also proved an excellent judge of a cover version. Simply Red announced themselves with the gritty reworking of The Valentine Brothers blue collar attack on the economic injustices of Reagonomics, ‘Money’s Too Tight To Mention’ and have crafted hits from songs as diverse as Harold Melvin’s beautiful ballad “If You Don’t Know Me By Now”, reggae legend Gregory Isaac’s lilting “Night Nurse”, the Hollies’ pop epic “The Air That I Breathe” and The Stylistics sweetly sentimental “You Make Me Feel Brand New.” Like any great singer, Hucknall always makes the song his own and his brand new version of The Moody Blues heart-rending farewell ballad “Go Now” is no exception.
Quite simply, this is one greatest hits collection that lives up to it’s name.
Simply Red 2008/2009 Tour Dates:
(Dates and information subject to change.)
3 Dec 2008 The O2 Arena London (SOLD OUT)
5 Feb 2009 Kings Park & Botanic Garden Perth, Australia
7 Feb 2009 Peter Lehmann’s Winery Barossa Valley, Australia
8 Feb 2009 Rochford Winery Yarra Valley, Australia
10 Feb 2009 Palais Theater Melbourne, Australia
14 Feb 2009 Church Road Vineyard Napier, New Zealand
15 Feb 2009 Mud House Winery Christchurch, New Zealand
17 Feb 2009 Royal Theatre Canberra, Australia
18 Feb 2009 Sydney Opera House Sydney, Australia
21 Feb 2009 Bimbadgen Estate Hunter Valley, Australia
22 Feb 2009 Sirromet Winery, Mount Cotton Brisbane, Australia
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