Customer Reviews

Love & The Russian Winter

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In the 1980s, when Britain had a much bigger hold on the world's pop charts than America did, Simply Red was one of the few British bands not to overdo their music with electronics. It was all about soul for them, and they did it so well (thanks no less to lead singer Mick Hucknall), even from the fickle American music-buying public's eyes. Songs like "Holding Back The Years" and their cover of Harold Melvin's "If You Don't Know Me By Now" topped the American charts, and today remain highlights of the decade. But after their 1991 album STARS (possibly their all-time best), Simply Red's success pretty much was contained to Europe, and also it moved from a group to more of a solo vehicle for Hucknall. That became official with 1998's BLUE, which seemed to show that ditching his bandmates may not have been wise for Mick. And while Simply Red's glory days may be long gone, Mick shows he can indeed continue the name with his latest LOVE & THE RUSSIAN WINTER. With BLUE, Mick seemed to take his retro soul influences a little too far. Perhaps realizing this by the low sales of BLUE, he knew he had to shake things up a bit, and WINTER (coming only about 18 months after BLUE) is Simply Red's greatest album since STARS. Finally succumbing to electronics, most of the songs on here would be at home in any dance club or rave party. The Sam & Dave cover "Ain't That A Lot Of Love", the joyous opener "The Spirit Of Life", the sociopolitical "Man Made The Gun", and the ethereal "Back Into The Universe" all contain the synthesized dance rhythms that Simply Red tried their best to stay away from at first. But surprisingly, they don't overpower the songs. In fact, it's Mick Hucknall who's the real star of the show, because he can sound as black as any soul singer and make you forget that he's a fair-skinned English boy, making the fact that Simply Red is now essentially just Mick quite acceptable. Love songs are always the benchmark of soul music, and like Simply Red's #1 hits, Mick proves he can croon with the best of them on songs like "Your Eyes", "Words For Girlfriends" (probably the best written song on here), and "Close To You". With today's R&B so mechanized it ain't funny, Mick reminds us of a time when natural singing talent was what mattered most, and like Stevie Wonder's early '70s stuff, electronics actually enhances the songs, not hinders them. But even with such highlights, some uninspired moments are still to be found. "Thank You" is as generic as its title, while the closing "Wave The Old World Goodbye" sounds a bit forced, even with this album being released at the tail end of the 1900s. But those bumps in the road are easily forgivable when you consider that with LOVE & THE RUSSIAN WINTER, Mick Hucknall sounds more into his music than he has in years. While Simply Red as a band may be sorely missed, it was Mick's songwriting and his vocals that always took center stage and WINTER almost makes the absence of a real group not all that important.

Okay, I have always felt "A New Flame" and "Blue" (in their infinite, classic Simply Red soulfulness) were Simply Red's best efforts to date. Well, then along came "Love and the Russian Winter." I was blown away when I listened to this album the first time through. This CD, I think, sums up best what Simply Red is about: soul, soul, and more soul in a blend that's uniquely theirs. As usual Mick Hucknall delivers the goods in the smooth tenor voice fans (and critics) have come to know so well. But this time around, it seems his voice has much more depth and emotion. Whether its from practice, slick production (courtesy of Mick, Gota Yashiki, and Andy Wright), or an emotional growth on Hucknall's part it suits the timbre of this album, a collection of mellow, upbeat/hopeful and some sad, tunes ("Your Eyes" & "More Than A Dream") with a couple of upbeat dance tunes ("Ain't That A Lot Of Love") and sweet ballads ("Thank You" & "Wave The Old World Goodbye") tossed in the mix. What touches me and sells me most on this album is its seeming "coming of age" quality. About coming to terms with the past and starting off in a new direction (as is the theme of the last track on the album "Wave The Old World Goodbye"). No matter what Mick Hucknall writes about (love, romance, politics, the state of the world, etc.), it always rings true wtih a sincerity that's hard to come by in a lot of today's music. That and it's nice to see an album of all-original material from Simply Red for a change.

I was incredibly excited to see another Simply Red album released, being a huge fan of the band! Let me tell you first of all, if you're looking for the "Holding Back the Years" or "Money's Too Tight to Mention" Mick Hucknall he's not to be found in "Love & The Russian Winter". On the other hand, if you are a fan of the "Blue" version of Mick, he's here in all his glory. This album has a similar feeling to the last. Some tracks have the definite dance/club style that SR has been expanding on since the "Life" album, others have that sincerity that we have come to expect from Simply Red. I would recommend this album highly for fans of Simply Red and the soul/pop sound that Mick Hucknall can belt out like no other man alive.

I am (was) a big Simply Red fan, far from the times when they were very successfull with their songs like "Holding back the years", "Money's too tight (to mention)" or, later on, "Stars", "Something got me started" etc. I own all their (six) studio-albums. Two years ago, I bought their "Blue" album, which was considerably different from previous ones, and it was not one of my favourite SR albums. Learning my lesson, I listened to "Love & the Russian winter" in a record-store and decided not to buy it. What really bothers me, it's such a drastic change in a music style of Simply Red... from jazz, soul, R&B band at the beginnings, they threw themselves into modern-dance styles, which is something completely different. When I listen to this, I am thinking all the time "My God, this is not Simply Red, is it?" But, maybe I am just a nostalgic fool who can't accept late 90's are so different from 80's. I truly believe, Simply Red WILL find new listeners among younger generations, because I still think their music is good. It's just not what I've expected to be (not anymore). By the way: I still don't get the meaning of the title... Russian winter (?).

Having been a long-term Simply Red fan for many years, "Love and the Russian Winter" is by far the best of anything they've ever produced, with their "Life" album next in line. Everyone that I have played this CD for at gatherings have inquired about it and love it. It's upbeat, light, intelligent, consistent, and danceable. "Ain't that a Lot of Love" is an incredible feel-good dance song with class and style like few dance tracks have these days. Makes ya wanna go out in a convertible on a sunny day reflecting on how great life is! "Words for Girlfriends" is a great slow song reflecting on past relationships. And finally, "Look into Your Eyes" makes me melt. You must buy the remixes of "Look into Your Eyes" (Club 69 didn't destruct this one). This is classic talent and style underappreciated in today's current market. This is not for posers, but for the real folks!

This CD is fantastic and rivals "A New Flame" in excellence. Disappointed with "Blue", I was thrilled to hear that Red is back in top form. Great driving music! Interesting mix of songs all upbeat and excellent. Buy this CD!

Quickie follow-up to the almost-awful "Blue" CD boasts much better material than that stinker, but vocalist Mick Hucknall still sounds like he's going through the motions with an almost sickening lack of energy. But the uptempo dance grooves of songs like "Spirit of Life" are pleasant enough, and "Words for Girlfriends" is an effective ballad. This album certainly won't win back the huge American audience Simply Red had in the 80's (this album failed to even chart in the U.S.), but at least it's an improvement over "Blue."

I have to agree with the earlier review by the "Princess." We love his voice. But this is simply not a CD with the musical or emotional range of other '90s SR efforts. I liked Mick's last three outings -- Stars, Life and Blue -- about equally well, for reasons too detailed for this late-night message. On this new CD, though, we can all enjoy "Ain't That..". But there are no other standouts, such as previous hits "Fairground," "Something Got Me Started," or the song "Stars" itself. "Russian Winter" songs just seem too abbreviated, too mid-tempo, not particularly heartfelt and in the end, not very memorable. Buy their earlier work and you will have some real keepers.

My wife and I love this album. A great mix of songs with lovely singing.
A great late night or driving Album
Superb effort!

I know others will disagree with me but I think that Blue and Stars were excellent.

Love in the Russian Winter really just does not do it for me. I've given it a fair try, liked the second track, but it really does not have the tracks that make me say, 'wow that's so true of life' or 'hey that's just how I feel today'.

The catchiness of tracks like "Fairground" are missing, so are the slushy numbers like "If you don't know me by now".

I'll keep listening and hope for that spark that warmness that Simply Red comes to me