Track Listing

1. Mellow My Mind
2. Blue
3. Say You Love Me
4. To Be Free
5. Air That I Breathe
6. Some Day In My Life
7. Air That I Breathe (2)
8. Night Nurse
9. Broken Man
10. Come Get Me Angel
11. Ghetto Girl
12. Love Has Said Goodbye Again
13. High Fives

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #39065 in Music
• Released on: 1998-05-18
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import

Amazon.co.uk Review
As the title suggests, Simply Red's sixth studio album finds Mick Hucknall in reflective mode--pondering the vagaries of fame, love and friendship. On "Say You Love Me" he likens himself to a grain of sand, being blown all around the world. "What I think of it?" he asks himself, "Oh it's so-so." Such ambivalence towards the day-job may have something to do with the failed relationship that had preceded the recording of Blue. The strains of touring, said Hucknall, made it impossible to find a suitable life-partner. Such domestic unrest, though, acts as a fine creative lubricant, and ballads such as "Love Has Said Goodbye Again" and the Gerschwin-tinged "Someday In My Life" rank as two of Mick's finest vocal performances. In fact, only the soaring funk of "To Be Free" truly evokes the carefree stridency of the band's earlier albums. Blue is the sound of man approaching 40 and pondering his options. --Peter Paphides

CD Description
Inventing his own brand of blue-eyed soul with hits like the ubiquitous Adult Radio classic "Holding Back The Years", Mick Hucknall has produced a body of work which is both a testament to his natural musical gift and an homage to the R&B classics which inspired him. Along with the ever shifting personnel of Simply Red, the sound Hucknall has created defiescategorisation. Shamelessly catchy, emotionally intense andalways inventive, Simply Red possesses that elusive gift ofbeing able to create instant classics. Hucknall adds another hue to an already rich palette with BLUE, which mixes originals with more than a few covers of some of his favourite songs.
Hucknall's voice is as smooth and expressive as ever, a disciplined yet flexible instrument which is perfectly suited to this introspective, deeply personal collection. The title track mixes a shuffling groove and emotive vocalisation, while "Say You Love Me" opts for a slower, more casual feel, rich with the sweet, honest charm of vintage R&B. The Hollies' "The Air That I Breathe" is not only covered, but reworked by Puff Daddy cohort Stevie J who re-casts the song's groove against John Cougar Mellencamp's "Jack & Diane" foran unlikely marriage.

Customer Reviews

Simply Red is a throw back to soul music in the 70's!
Simply Red is one of the best bands of today in the U.S. and abroad. Their music is constantly changing but continuously fantastic. I always have to listen to their new songs more than once and try to remember not to expect the same old thing but open myself to new sounds in their music. Blue is a good example of totally different but totally terrific music. Mick writes songs about what he is feeling and I think it takes alot of strength to be sooo real. I hope they consider touring in the states because I would love to see them (Mick)in person!

I learned about a whole new Simply Red - more than I knew!
I'm lost for words truly. This is a definitive mood expression for Simply Red. That voice, wow, that voice and emotion, sounds of that band....can just reach out and touch your heart. You will identify with the words...love both takes on "air". Wonderful, wonderful! Lovin' it in the USA!