jk ii cm2 *k

SIM

PL

Y R

ED

HOLD ME THRILL ME

i STARS

J HOLDING BACK THE YEARS*

♦ IT'S ONLY LOVE

I IF YOU DON'T KNOW ME BY NOW

YOU'VE GOT IT

! FOR YOUR BABIES

; NEVER NEVER LOVE

I WE'RE IN THIS TOGETHER

; ANGEL (FEAT WYCLEF JEAN & LAURYN HILL)

NIGHT NURSE (WITH SLY & ROBBIE)

I SAY YOU LOVE ME

THE AIR THAT I BREATHE

EV'RY TIME WE SAY GOODBYE

MELLOW MY MIND

| 1 SOMEDAY IN MY LIFE

} < HEAVEN f LOVE FOR SALE t

! LADY GODIVA'S ROOM

MONEY'S TOO TIGHT (TO MENTION)

FAIRGROUND

SOMETHING GOT ME STARTED

A NEW FLAME

THE RIGHT THING*

INFIDELITY

I WON'T FEEL BAD

COME TO MY AID*

YOUR MIRROR

THRILL ME

REMEMBERING THE FIRST TIME

TO BE FREE

GHETTO GIRL

AIN'T THAT A LOT OF LOVE

JERICHO

THANK YOU

COME ON IN MY KITCHEN

I KNOW YOU GOT SOULt

25646 02562

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SIM

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SIMPLY RED Can it really be twenty years since a tousle haired lad from Denton,

Manchester, born Michael James Hucknall, 8 June 1960, but commonly

known as Red - due to his fiery hair, vivid temperament and penchant

for Man Utd - burst onto the Northern club scene with his soul pop and

punk Frantic Elevators? ‘Fraid so, but cast your mind back to the first

fruits of Mick Hucknall's next group - the immediately popular and soon

to be huge, Simply Red.

Emerging in 1983 in the midst of a Thatcherite Britain, Hucknall made his intentions clear with a superbly

infectious version of the Valentine Brothers' economic lament, 'Money's Too Tight (To Mention).' Releasing

a track like that during the so called Yuppie era signalled Hucknall's intent. While he was avowedly

socialist by birth, his own upwardly mobile career trajectory was based on his self-made talents, allied to

an ambitious vision. Abetted initially by original members, Ojo, Mog, Dave Fryman and Eddie Sherwood,

Simply Red was always really Mick's baby. A combative, some would say spiky character, he thrashed out

his first Elektra deal on the proviso that some choice players be drafted in. Enter bassist Tony Bowers, brass

man Tim Kellett, guitarist Sylvan Richardson and drummer Chris Joyce.

Impressing all comers with a memorable stage show and a slew of classic

songs, including the Elevators' staple, 'Holding Back The Years,' the

debut disc, 'Picture Book' (1985) was a brilliantly realised affair, high on

autobiography and with its big heart worn proudly on its sleeve. Given a

background that encompassed much family hardship, Hucknall gave songs like

'Come To My Aid' and the aforementioned 'Holding Back The Years' real tear

jerking soul values, as if to say 7 might be a white boy but my rhythm and blues

are a match for any sixties Motown stylist.'

The press were as fascinated by Mick as his fans adored him. Always prone to be something of a rough

diamond, Hucknall gave great interviews, indicating that he wouldn't suffer fools gladly. His driven,

committed approach lent him international appeal too, as 'Years' topped the American charts. Europe soon

surrendered to that Red devil magic as the main man's increasingly ambitious vocals and plush melodic

arrangements blew away audiences everywhere.

Aligning himself firmly in the top soul bracket, Hucknall enlisted the legendary

Motown figure Lamont Dozier (formerly of hit machine Holland/Dozier/Holland) and

upped his considerable ante with a second album, 'Men and Women1 (1987), for

Warners, that threw up yet more instant single hits - The Right Thing,' 'Infidelity'

and a super smart interpretation of Cole Porter's depression era gem, 'Ev'ry Time

We Say Goodbye.' The parent album zoomed to number 2 and sold millions.

Whatever the formula was, it was working big time. Alex Sadkin's sympathetic

production and nods towards reggae legend Bunny Wailer and the immortal Sly Stone were fleshed out

by new band members, guitarist Aziz Ibrahim, saxophonist Ian Kirkham, cellist Eleanor Morris and vocal

foil Janette Sewell.

World tours and de rigeur magazine covers propelled Hucknall into the superstar

bracket and ensured Simply Red were now one of the biggest bands extant, a fact

cemented by third album, 'A New Flame1, which scaled all charts, spawning the

syncopated 'It's Only Love' and a guaranteed show stopper in yet another inspired

cover of Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes' 'If You Don't Know Me By Now.'

Exploring his passion for soul and funk yet further, Hucknall also reconvened with

Dozier and penned material with Crusaders' classy pianist Joe Sample.

• Often characterised as a blue eyed soul group, Hucknall forced some

different stylistic issues with the new grooves and sky scraping scope of the

'Stars' (1991) for East West. By now our rough diamond was quitfe the suave

man about town, as keen to enthuse about his love for Milanese cookery as

Marvin Gaye. 'Stars' marked another quantum leap for Simply Red since it

, topped the charts for months, showing the door to such icons as Michael

Jackson, Dire Straits and U2. Formed on a bedrock of slinky hip-hop

rhythms, Hucknall's Grammy winning efforts had put him where he wanted

to be, on top of the world and in a class of one.

The new social whirl was reflected by 'Life' (1995), an even more lush and hyper

produced effort than its predecessors. Thinking it appropriate to take some time out,

to take stock and recharge his batteries - Simply Red having been in almost

SirrPptMLGreatest continual high profile motion for a decade - Hucknall

consented to a long overdue 'Hits' package (1996), which

^ | was a pretty staggering statement of commercial intent. His

Midas Touch was rewarded with appropriately mega sales,

prompting some sideswipes from the 'build 'em up, knock

'em down' factions in the media, more through jealousy

Simply Red

than anything else, since Hucknall's rise from working class roots to an almost cliched

jet set lifestyle looked pretty tempting to everyone else.

Still, old Red was always up for a verbal sparring

session, and while his attitude-and-then-

some pose rattled a few cages, his ability to

talk the talk and walk the walk was matched

by his peculiar passion and charm, enabling

him to disarm his critics for the most part.

Besides, no one could argue with his track record either, as 'Life'

(1995), the reflective 'Blue' (1998) and the broad strokes of 'Love and

the Russian Winter' (1999) were topped off by a full scale pelt into the

new millennium thanks to 'It's Only Love' (2000).

But these are the bare bones of Hucknall's incredible rise. A return to theatres and more intimate arenas,

leavened with the occasional surprise club date, kept the man on his toes and revealed a more

approachable, though hardly mellow fellow.

So, into the third decade you now have this 'Hits' set in your hand - reflecting a

soul life well lived. With its uptempo and ballads sides, these genuine hits stand

on their own, without any need for further hyperbole, although it's worth

pointing out a few surprises, like the Sly and Robbie collaboration on Gregory

Isaac's' lovers rock classic 'Night Nurse', the soaring 'Angel' (featuring Fugees'

Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill), a sterling take on Bill Withers 'Granma's Hands'

(live from Montreux) and some sumptuous 12” mixes.

This really is a Very Best of Simply Red.

The music speaks for itself, but then

Mick Hucknall always knew it would.

Liner notes by Max Bell

DISC ONE 01. G lAEG 4:07(M. Hucknall) So What Ltd - Worldwide / EMI Songs Ltd. - Worldwide >1991 Warner Music UK Ltd. Taken from the album “Stars"02. HOLDING

HACK THE \ EARS 0-‘ Oiioind E\WuoYo, Veisicn) 5:24 (M. Hucknall / Moss) So What Ltd - Worldwide / EMI Songs Ltd. - Worldwide ©1985 Warner

Music UK Ltd. Original version available on “Picture Book" 03. . GNLA LO\ E 4:58 (J. Cameron/V. Cameron)) Minder Music Ltd.-Worldwide ©1998 Warner

Music UK Ltd. Taken from the album “A New Flame"04. IF \ OU DONT KNOW KiE H\ NOW 3:24 (K. Gamble / L. Huff) Warner Chappell Music Ltd. - World¬

wide ©1989 Warner Music UK Ltd. Taken from the album “A New Flame"05. | OUT E O.OT IT 3:55 (M. Hucknall / Dozier) So What Ltd - Worldwide / EMI Songs

Ltd. - Worldwide ©1989 Warner Music UK Ltd. Taken from the album “A New Flame" 06. G A OUR BABIES 4:17 (M. Hucknall) So What Ltd - Worldwide /

EMI Songs Ltd - Worldwide ©1991 Warner Music UK Ltd. Taken from the album “Stars"07. NE\ EH NEV EH LG\ E 4:19 (M. Hucknall) So What Ltd - World¬

wide / EMI Songs Ltd - Worldwide ©1995 Warner Music UK Ltd. Taken from the album “Life”08. \ N THIS TQGETHl A 4:14 (M. Hucknall) EMI Songs

Ltd / So What Ltd - Worldwide ©1995 Warner Music UK Ltd. Taken from the album “Life” 09. \NGeL fEAT. WYCLEF JEAN 0 LAURA N HiLO 4:01 (C. Franklin

/ S. Saunders) Carlin Music Corp. - Worldwide / Carlin Music Ltd. - Worldwide ©1996 Warner Music UK Ltd. 10. \ G IT NURSE ^VvlTH SLA G ROBBli 3:58

(G..Isaacs / S. Weise) Charisma Music Pub. Co. Ltd. - Worldwide / Charisma Music Pub. Co. Ltd. - Worldwide / Emi Copyright Holdings Ltd. - Worldwide / EMI

Copyright. Holdings Ltd. - Worldwide ©1998 Warner Music UK Ltd. Taken from the album “Blue" 11. S \A A OL1 L0\ E K : 3:43 (M. Hucknall) So What Ltd. -

Worldwide / EMJ Songs Ltd.-Worldwide ©1998 Warner Music UK Ltd. Taken from the'album “Blue” 12. I it ah IaTI BREATHE 4:25 (Hammond / Hazlewood)

Rondor Music (London) Ltd - Worldwide / Rondor Music (London) Ltd. - Worldwide / Rondor Music (London) Ltd. - Worldwide ©1998 Warner Music UK Ltd.

Taken from the album “Blue” 13. \ HA TIKYUEGaA GOOD ?A F3:24 (C. Porter) Chappell Music Ltd.-Worldwide ©1987 Warner Music UK Ltd. Takenfrom

the album “Men And Women" 14. K OV v MA K \ 1 3:55 (N. Young) Warner Chappell Music Ltd. - Worldwide ©1998 Warner Music UK Ltd. Taken from the

album “Blue” 15. LG \ y 4:05 (M. Hucknall) So What Ltd. -Worldwide /EMI Songs Ltd. -Worldwide /So What Ltd. -Worldwide /EMI Songs

Ltd. - Worldwide ©1998 Warner Music UK Ltd. Taken from the album “Blue” 16. \ 4:32 (D Byrne / J Harrison) Warner Chappell Music Ltd. - Worldwide

1985 Warner Music UK Ltd. Taken from the album “Picture Book” 17. G\ 0 : G \ 4:55 (C. Porter) Chappell Music Ltd - United Kingdom ©1987 Warn¬

er Music UK Ltd. Taken from “The Montreux E.P (Live)" - released Nov’ 1992 18. \DA GODIV VG ROOK 2:53 (M. Hucknall) EMI Songs Ltd. - Worldwide /

EMI Songs Ltd. - Worldwide ©1987 Warner Music UK Ltd. Originally released as “B” Side to “Infidelity" single - released May 198719., 0 \ Y

4:02 (B. Withers) GEMA/ BIEM - United Kingdom ©1992 Warner Music UK Ltd. Taken from “The Montreux E.P (Live)" - released Nov’ 1992

DISC TWO Ol.lvOK x _ GO GHTO'OtviEN v \ 4:13 (J. Valentine'/ W. Valentine) Windswept Pacific Music Ltd. -Worldwide ©1985 Warner Music UK Ltd. Taken

from the album “Picture Book"02. v ;oi \ 5:33 (M. Hucknall) So What Ltd. - Worldwide / EMI Songs Ltd - Worldwide ©1995 Warner Music UK Ltd.

Taken from the album “Life" 03. SOMETHING GOT luL- ST a 1 4:01 (Mcintyre / M. Hucknall) EMI Songs Ltd. - Worldwide / So What Ltd - Worldwide

©1991 Warner Music UK Ltd. Taken from the album “Stars”04. \K 3:57 (M. Hucknall) EMI Songs Ltd / So What Ltd - Worldwide ©1996 Warner

,, Music UK Ltd. Taken from thealbum “A NewFlame"05. . \G v O o a .. wv Wa . 5:55(M. Hucknall) EMI Songs Ltd/So What

Ltd - Worldwide ©1987 Warner Music UK Ltd. Original version available on “Men And Women" 06. x 4:05 (M. Hucknall / Dozier) So What Ltd-World¬

wide / SBK Songs - Worldwide / Warner Bros Music Ltd. - Worldwide ©1987 Warner Music UK Ltd. Taken from the album “Men And Women”07. \ o \

4:12 (M. Hucknall/Simply Red) SBK Songs/So What Ltd-Worldwide ©1987 Warner Music UK Ltd. Taken from the album “Men And Women” 08.

0 Y a a 0 c - :\ic Vv\; \ v. e c ' 5:04 (M. Hucknall) So What Ltd - Worldwide / SBK Songs - Worldwide ©1985 Warner Music UK Ltd. Original

version available on “Picture Book”09. 0 t 4:00 (M. Hucknall) So What Ltd - Worldwide / EMI Songs Ltd - Worldwide ©1991 Warner Music UK

Ltd. Taken from the album “Stars" 10. 5:03 (M. Hucknall / Mcintyre) So What Ltd - Worldwide / EMI Songs Ltd - Worldwide ©1991 Warner Music

UK Ltd. Taken from the album “Stars” 11. 4:43 (M. Hucknall) EMI Songs Ltd. - Worldwide / So What Ltd - Worldwide

©1995 Warner Music UK Ltd. Taken from the album “Life" 12. 0 4:03 (M. Hucknall) So What Ltd. - Worldwide / EMI Songs Ltd. - Worldwide / So

What Ltd.-Worldwide/EMI Songs Ltd.-Worldwide ©1998 Warner Music UK Ltd. Taken from the album “Blue" 13. v O G 3:29 (D. Brown) Basement

Music Ltd. - Worldwide ©1998 Warner Music UK Ltd. Taken from the album “Blue" 14. 0 0 " . G\ E 5:55 (H. Banks / WD. Parker) Rondor

Music (London) Ltd. - Worldwide / Rondor Music Publishing - Worldwide ©1999 Warner Music UK Ltd. Taken from the album “Love And The Russian Winter”

15. o : v 6:03 (M. Hucknall) SBK Songs / So What Ltd - Worldwide ©1985 Warner Music UK Ltd. Original version available on “Picture

Book" 16. o _ 4:00 (M. Hucknall) EMI Songs Ltd. - Worldwide / EMI Songs Ltd. - Worldwide ©1999 Warner Music UK Ltd. Taken from the album

“Love And The Russian Winter" 17. G o G\ \i\A \ 'G \ 2:52 (R. Johnson) Copyright Control - Worldwide ©1999 Warner Music UK Ltd. Originally

released as “B" Side to “Something Got Me Started” single-released Sept’ 199118. o YY GOT SOU 4:05 (B. Byrd/C. Bobbit/J. Brown) Intersong

Music Ltd - United Kingdom ©1989 Warner Music Uk Ltd. Takenfrom “The Montreux E.P (Live)” - released Nov’ 1992

•dnojg aisniM wan^.

THE VERY BEST OF 2564 60256-2