Customer Reviews

Simplfied

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It's as simple as that: following the recording of acoustic versions of his STARS-album classics for the DVD Classic Albums, Mick Hucknall decided to record other Simply Red classics in an acoustic way to make a whole new album. And he was right to do so because it's truly a great album. His last album, HOME, was already a success and instead of making a new album with new songs, he decides to make a stop in his discography and takes a look at his past albums.
The new versions of FAIRGROUND and FOR YOUR BABIES (already in the Classic albums Stars DVD) are really the best tracks here but it's quite relaxing to hear all this acoustic music in a musical environment where everything you hear is rap music or loud guitars.
Mick Hucknall truly shows (although it wasn't necessary) his talent here and in a very beautiful and pure way.
Maybe in America, Simply Red is not as popular as in Europe (where the group still reaches the top spot each time) but simply listen to the beauty of the melodies and the lyrics and you'll understand why Mick is still here more than 20 years after the Simply Red adventure began.

Simply Red's new album is a fantastic blend of their older hits reinterpreted and including a new song (Perfect Love) in two versions. While the album title suggests that the songs have been "simplified", it might be true for the arrangements but the vocal performance of Mick Hucknall shines as on the original recordings (all of the songs were recorded in 2005). A great album for next year would be an "amplified" remix album, maybe it will happen! My favorite song is the stripped down version of Your Mirror and the Latin-flavored "Something Got Me Started".

I've been a huge fan of Mick Hucknall's and Simply Red's since "Picture Book" debuted in 1985, so I rushed out and picked up "Simplified" the day it was released (as I have for each CD they've released in the past 20 years).
The first track, the high-energy, rhythm-infused "Perfect Love," is a new song on an album made up mostly of favorite SR songs revisited. The song inclues some spectacular guitar work and additional vocals from Cuba's Danae and the SR girls, Sarah Brown and Dee Johnson. It is absolutely brilliant. So is, in my opinion, "A Song for You" (not a new song, but new to SR) which is goosebump-inspiring and just the perfect song for Mick to sing at this point in his career and his life.
The other new song on the album is "Smile," which fans know was inspired by Mick's new love, and is indeed, sung with tremendous passion. Not a favorite song of mine, but there's no disputing the quality of Mick's voice. Like the finest of wines, it has aged very, very well.
The revisits, including the classic "Holding Back the Years," along with other favorites like "Sad Old Red," are a mixed bag. Some fare well in the new recordings and others, like "Fairground," disappoint fans who loved the original, more rhythmic and fast-paced versions. But Mick did remind us all that this is how he chooses to sings these songs today...not as a young, inexperienced artist, but as an older, wiser and more thoughtful singer. They are honest and heartfelt recordings. "Simplified" truly is Mick's gift to Simply Red's true-blue fans. It may not be on par with 2003's "Home" or the acclaimed and utterly stunning "Stars," but here's a word of advice (which I've taken myself)...don't spend too much time comparing the old with the new, the slower versions with the fast. Instead, listen to these with a fresh ear, pour yourself a nice glass of red and enjoy.

I can't believe I'm the first to review this wonderful new CD by the incredible Simply Red! Only in my dreams can I sing as good as Mick. This is a great new album of some new, some old. Everything sounds clean and refreshed and better the second time around. This guy has survived the 80's, the 90's and is doing better than ever before. His voice is brilliant and sounds deeper and richer and is just plain "FIERCE", and I mean that in the best possible way too. If you are a fan of Simply Red than this is a must have. If you've never tried Simply Red before than this is the one to get you started. Then go and try the beautiful "Home" CD, one of their best, you won't be sorry.

Simply Red goes easy listening on this album. Every track is either a re-recording or the original master minus percussion. We hear a piano plus a string ensemble on many of these tracks. This is an ideal album for easy listening music fans,especially senior citizens who can't stand the sound of hard rock or heavy metal. Marty Balin clone Mick Hucknall,the band's frontman gives fans a nice collection of hit songs in subtle form.

Stripped down jazzy slower versions of old songs from The SImply Red catalog. Fans LOVE things like this, I LOVE this album, perfect for a rainy day alone with some songs that are like old friends. But older, wiser, mature, just wonderful. I Simply LOVE the stripped and simplified version of "Fairground", I love the orginial dearly...the sad slow melody over the Goodmen's drumming. But here it is sung as a ballad. This could have been an old standard that someone like Ella Fitzgerlad would have sung. can't say enough good things aabout this album, it is called "Simplified", but should be called "Timeless". This is the Greatest Hits for the fans, hits ethought. Again, rain falling outside makes this even better. Then again, we are all SR fans here, give it a try.

Simplified brings some new along with old favorites. Simply Red "smoothed" out old classics. The new material is just as good as the 20 year old tunes. A must for any Simply Red fan. And a cd that new listeners will enjoy.

NOTE: This is coming from a 19-year fan and avid collector--have a whole lot of back catalog to compare this to. :)

'Simplified' is as much proof as you can ask for that Simply Red are indeed a BAND and not just a MAN; the quality of the musicianship shines through in every track. This is the best lineup Mick Hucknall has had behind him, without a doubt. For new fans to the music, it is a great album from start to finish, and a great springboard for exploring the other albums. For returning fans...the remade tracks may not be everyone's cup of tea, particularly if this version varies drastically from the original, and you're a big fan of the first run. Personally speaking, the new versions of "Something Got Me Started", "More", and "Sad Old Red" are forces to be reckoned with; the new "Your Mirror" and "Fairground", however, just don't trip my trigger. But it's all a matter of personal taste. There's something here for everyone, as there is on every Simply Red album; still worth the money. Use this as inspiration to pick up 'Home', 'Picture Book', 'Stars', and 'Life' if they're not already a part of your collection.

I've been a huge fan of Simply Red since the beginning, and it seems that with every album they just get better and better, and Mick Hucknall is truly imcomparable, and totally underrated in the U.S. This album is just lovely...his vocals and reworking of songs like "For Your Babies" and "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye" are nothing short of perfect. This CD is everything I expect from Simply Red and "more."

If you enjoy the sound of the Simply Red you will like this CD. I like it and listen often to it often.