signature blend of alternative rock , new wave , synthpop , and arena anthems are represented by a dozen of the band ’ s bestloved original songs drawn from five of their most enduring albums . However , the electronics are stripped away , leaving the band armed with acoustic guitar , acoustic bass , percussion , and voices . The focus rests on Jim Kerr ’ s unmistakable singing and the songwriting partnership between Kerr and guitarist Charlie Burchill . Burchill renders the glistening keyboard hook of the opening number “ New Gold Dream ( 81-82-83-84 )” on his acoustic guitar . Kerr shuns the typical restraint associated with unplugged performances and dives straight into an arena-sized performance replete with throaty crescendos . This is no sedate affair . Kerr prowls the stage , does more knee drops than a doctor would recommend for a frontman of his vintage , and works up a sweat under the lights . He also keeps the tone upbeat with goodnatured banter and rakish humor . “ When you say we ’ re doing an acoustic tour , some people imagine Charlie and I on the beach with bongos ,” says Kerr while taking in the grand surroundings at Hackney Empire . He threatens to take the chandelier home afterward , claiming to have purchased it from Elton John ’ s bathroom . Ged Grimes leads the 1991 Real Life track “ See the Lights ” with a gliding bass riff while Burchill plays slide guitar . Kerr then leads the London audience in an ecstatic singalong to “ Glittering Prize .” “ We haven ’ t played this in gazillions of years ,” says Kerr when introducing the gospel-infused anthem “ Stand by Love .” “ The last time we played it , Charlie had a mullet .” The set list includes a few influential covers , beginning with David Bowie ’ s “ Andy Warhol .” Background vocalist Catherine Davies steps forward to sing lead , supported by Kerr on the choruses . “ Chelsea Girl ” appears from 1979 debut album Life in a Day . Kerr reminds the crowd that it ’ s the second song he and Burchill ever completed , distinguished from the hundreds they began but scrapped more than 40 years ago . Landmark 1982 album New Gold Dream ( 81-82-83-84 ) is represented by four tracks including “ Promised You a Miracle .” The song is recast with Cherisse Osei ’ s intoxicating rhythm and revamped guitar riffs beneath the familiar melody of Simple Minds ’ first major hit . Burchill ’ s glistening melody leaps from “ Someone Somewhere in Summertime .” Sparkle in the
Rain song “ Waterfront ” remains muscular and propulsive even in acoustic format . Gordy Goudie ’ s steady guitar supports Burchill ’ s chiming arpeggios , as Sarah Brown ’ s rich voice supports Kerr ’ s melody . “ Stop stealing my stage ,” says Kerr in jest to Brown as the song winds down . “ She ’ s dynamite ,” he adds to the crowd . The song is dedicated to the band ’ s hometown of Glasgow , “ the city that made us ,” as Kerr says . Brown leads an emotive cover of Patti Smith ’ s “ Dancing Barefoot ,” supported by Burchill and Goudie ’ s dramatic guitars and Grimes ’ propulsive bass . “ It ’ s not easy to follow that ,” says Kerr , praising Brown again before leading into a delicate “ Speed Your Love to Me .” The band naturally includes generation-andgenre-defining US # 1 single “ Don ’ t You ( Forget About Me )” and US # 3 follow-up “ Alive and Kicking ” from breakthrough 1985 album Once Upon a Time . The crowd immediately sings the “ la la la ” hook to the galloping intro of “ Don ’ t You ( Forget About Me )” and continues with Kerr ’ s call-and-response throughout the song . “ Sanctify Yourself ” is full of drama and energy . Goudie follows Burchill ’ s wahwah solo with Dylanesque harmonica . The band encores with a reverent version of Richard Hawley ’ s meditative song about mortality , “ Long Black Train ,” the lone cover included on the Acoustic album . Band hero Steve Harley of Cockney Rebel joins Simple Minds onstage as the set concludes with a spirited run through his effervescent 1975 single “ Make Me Smile ( Come Up and See Me ).” Respected former bandmates , including bassist Derek Forbes , drummer Mel Gaynor , and keyboardist Mick MacNeil , may be long gone from the lineup , but Burchill and Kerr have surrounded themselves with bandmates who are committed to the vision of Simple Minds . The players have carried the group to new critical acclaim onstage and on recent albums , including Walk Between Worlds . The show captured for Acoustic In Concert is the second Simple Minds performance of the band ’ s excellent and unconventional percussionist / drummer , Osei , who makes a powerful and confident display from the first notes of the evening . “ We get great people to make us look and sound good ,” says Kerr during the show .
There ’ s no escaping the band ’ s history in any case , and no one seems interested in trying to do so . Acoustic In Concert shows a band embracing its past while presenting the players powering its future .
– Jeff Elbel
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