Name: Blue Eyed Soul
Brand: Simply Red

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

A 37635

Colour

Purple

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: Yes

Format detail

Limited Edition

Format Music US

Limited edition

Release date

2019-11-08

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier US

WEA /­ ADA

Tax rate US

Sales:8.875

UPC / Barcode

4050538537635

Total Cap

Purple LP

Artist

Simply Red

Genre US

Rock-Pop

Label US

Simply Red is a British soul and pop band that was formed in Manchester in 1984. The band was founded by lead vocalist and songwriter Mick "Red" Hucknall, along with former members of the band Durutti Column - bassist Tony Bowers, drummer Chris Joyce, keyboardist/brass player Tim Kellett, guitarist Sylvan Richardson, and keyboardist Fritz McIntyre. They signed to Elektra Records and released their debut album "Picture Book" in October 1985.

Over the years, the band underwent lineup changes. By 1996, Mick Hucknall was the only original member remaining, and Simply Red had become synonymous with his name. After being dropped by their label EastWest in 2000, they established simplyred.com as their own label and released the album "Home" in 2003, along with all subsequent releases.

In 2010, Hucknall retired the name Simply Red after a farewell tour but reunited in 2015 for a tour commemorating the band's 30th anniversary. They also released the album "Big Love". Some of their biggest hits include "Money's Too Tight (To Mention)", "Holding Back The Years", "The Right Thing", "It's Only Love", "If You Don't Know Me By Now", "Something Got Me Started", "Stars", "Fairground", and "Sunrise".

Restored classics, rare finds, and sought-after releases. Whether you're a vinyl enthusiast or a tape collector, we have something for everyone.

Reissues

Newest Listed Items

Hucknall was a Manchester art student when he saw the Sex Pistols at the city’s Free Trade Hall in 1976, one of the few people who can legitimately claim to have been at the concert that gave birth to the Manchester punk rock scene. It was Hucknall’s own punk band, the Frantic Elevators, that recorded the original version of Holding Back The Years, but Hucknall was too much of a melody-loving soul to be a three-chord wonder for long, and in 1985 Simply Red were born.

“For me, music has to be instinctive,” says Hucknall, on the soulful direction his band took. “It’s why I rejected the academia of being an art student: I knew that I had to make something that gets to people without their knowing why. Above all I have an obsession with melody, which I inherited through my love of the Beatles. All I’ve ever really wanted to do is to create melodies that are simple but refined. I’m evangelical about it: music takes you to a place that nothing else can take you to and it’s my job to contribute to that.”It’s the reason why Simply Red, despite their longevity, despite a following that has seen them sell 60 million albums, have never fitted in or been defined by a trend or movement. It has helped give the music a timeless quality that has seen the band have top ten hits through the 80s, 90s and 2000s.

“We’ve never been part of a scene,” Hucknall confirms. “It’s a reason why we’ve been criticized: for being too successful. One in five homes in Britain have a Simply Red album. That’s not going to endear you to the average Radiohead fan.”The success of Simply Red lies in their soaking up the music closest to their heart — soul, funk and reggae — and making it sound like Simply Red. The band’s 1985 debut album Picture Book headed into a 60s R/B groove, 1987’s million-selling Men and Women went towards funk, and the vastly successful albums A New Flame (1989) and Stars (1991) found the balance between pop and soul, but they all shared the same spirit. When Simply Red veered into modern dance music with the number one hit Fairground and the 1995 album Life, they imbued it with their own, unique sound. Simply Red can even do a Bob Dylan cover — listen to their version of Positively Fourth Street, from 2003’s Home — and make it their own. “You can shut your eyes and listen to any of our recordings and you know who it is instantly,” says Hucknall. “That’s an aspect of our career I’m proud of.”Since their first tour in 1985, Simply Red have played over 1,200 shows to over 12 million people, notched up 60 million global sales, over 31 Top 40 UK singles, 3 BRIT Awards, 2 Ivor Novellos, 2 US No.1 Singles and a MOBO Special Achievement. It’s been an incredible journey.

Blue Eyed Soul

Music US