Win Simply Red’s 2xCD Greatest Hits

28/10/2008

Simply Red has been a big, big band for over 20 years now, with the Mancunian Mick Hucknall fronting a tight, soul-inspired sound that has generated hit after hit.

‘Money’s too tight to mention’ and ‘Holding back the years’ in 85 and 86 respectively were the first big singles, while Picture Book remains a classic album – and Hucknall genuinely staking a claim to be the best exponent of white soul.

The band – 10 albums on - has also achieved the rare feat of repeating their success in the States, and the forthcoming world tour expects to be seen by over a million fans.

So how do you capture the very essence of Simply Red? Easy – by acquiring their forthcoming double CD of Greatest Hits, released on their own simplyred.com label. The release comprises 25 of their very best tracks, including a brand new single, ‘Go Now’, a cover of The Moody Blues heart-rending classic, also to be released as a single on November 10th. A Limited Edition 3 disc set with a 25 track DVD will also be available.

Simply Red will preview their Greatest Hits live at a sold out London O2 Arena on December 3rd and their world tour takes in New Zealand, Chile, Brazil, Mexico and America (including a date New York’s Radio City Music Hall) before arriving in Cardiff March 26th. The full UK dates are as follows:

March
26th     CARDIFF, CIA                        02920 224488
27th     SHEFFIELD, Arena                 01142 565656
28th     BIRMINGHAM, NEC                08719 456000
30th     BOURNEMOUTH, BIC              08445 763000
31st     BRIGHTON, Brighton Centre    08448 471515

April
2nd     LONDON, O2 Arena                 08448 560202
5th     MANCHESTER, MEN Arena         08448 478000
6th     GLASGOW, SECC                      08700 404000
7th     NEWCASTLE, Metro Radio Arena  08444 936666
9th     NOTTINGHAM, Trent FM Arena     08444 124624

Tour hotline 0844 847 3401. www.ticketmaster.co.uk
For VIP and Hospitality packages go to www.simplyred.com

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 its name.

Mature Times has five copies of Simply Red’s double CD to be won. To be in with a chance of winning, we want you to tell us the name of the famous DJ, featured in our Personality Interviews section, famous for his championing of soul music over the years.

Competition ends 30 November 2008