This live version with XSM just blows me away - like he's not working hard at it at all:
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Simple Minds....underrated bass brilliance?
- Thread starter StudioGC
- Start date
This live version with XSM just blows me away - like he's not working hard at it at all:
Fantastic group!
"Speed Your Love" gets me amped every time I hear it.
And I actually woke up with this song in my head this morning:
LOVE Simple Minds and they are most certainly a band that doesn't get the attention they truly deserve, IMO.
Oh, this one, too:
"Speed Your Love" gets me amped every time I hear it.
And I actually woke up with this song in my head this morning:
LOVE Simple Minds and they are most certainly a band that doesn't get the attention they truly deserve, IMO.
Oh, this one, too:
I picked this one up several years ago, knowing only a handful of Simple Minds songs ("Don't You Forget About Me", "Alive and Kicking", "Sanctify Yourself"):
...and I was then blown away by some amazing songs. I mean, killer tracks. The bass is very prominent in many of them, too.
...and I was then blown away by some amazing songs. I mean, killer tracks. The bass is very prominent in many of them, too.
Great grooves and tone! 80s players really inspired me when I first starting playing and still do. John Taylor, Andy Rourke, Peter Hook, Tina Weymouth, Paul Denman, the list goes on and on. Here for the love of modern playing and tones.
Mel Gaynor was also a member of New Wave Of British Heavy Metal band Samson. Along with future Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson.
Samson - Riding With The Angels (Reading 1981)
Bruce Dickinson - vocals
Paul Samson - guitar
Chris Aylmer - bass guitar
Mel Gaynor - drums
Last edited:
Interesting. What do you know about that - did he record it near the same time Simple Minds did, or later? I'm not sure whether I think it sounds like another artist's interpretation of the original source material or him covering Simple Minds playing it. Probably the latter.
Exactly. And he was a fan of the Simple Minds. That's how their iconic song became part of the soundtrack, which in turn became their breakthrough hit in the US.
Billy Idol recorded his version in 2001. It was offered to him after the Simple Minds initially declined it, and he didn't want to record it either in the 80s.
I agree that Simple Minds is a very underrated and often overlooked band. Some of their early stuff like "Life in a Day" and "Empires and Dance" are too outside for me, but what I like, I REALLY like. Here's one off of "Sparkle in the Rain" that I really like ...
Good news from the nex world
This album is by far the one I`ve listened to the most in my entire life.
To me it`s just one long story covering all emotions you can go through,
and an album on which there (to me) isn`t one bad song.
Believe I listen to it once a week as its always with me in my car.
There are numerous good bass players on it as well.
This album is by far the one I`ve listened to the most in my entire life.
To me it`s just one long story covering all emotions you can go through,
and an album on which there (to me) isn`t one bad song.
Believe I listen to it once a week as its always with me in my car.
There are numerous good bass players on it as well.
In case you don’t remember much of 1985, David Foster worked on “The Breakfast Club” soundtrack, which “Don’t You Forget About Me” was on.
BTW, look up the movie scripts John Hughes wrote in addition to “The Breakfast Club”:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hughes_(filmmaker)
Even in a town as small as Hollywood, he pulled more than his weight.
Oh yeah, I'm 51 and grew up watching John Hughes movies. I don't need to click that link, I could probably quote lines from ten or twelve.
Some favourites:
Simple Minds - Sweat In Bullet - YouTube
SIMPLE MINDS SONS AND FASCINATION - YouTube
Colours Fly And Catherine Wheel (Remastered 2002) - YouTube
Derek Forbes had a knack for coming up with very rhythm guitar-like bass lines, as on this one: Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) - YouTube
A more melodic approach: Glittering Prize (Remastered 2002) - YouTube
Simple Minds - Sweat In Bullet - YouTube
SIMPLE MINDS SONS AND FASCINATION - YouTube
Colours Fly And Catherine Wheel (Remastered 2002) - YouTube
Derek Forbes had a knack for coming up with very rhythm guitar-like bass lines, as on this one: Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) - YouTube
A more melodic approach: Glittering Prize (Remastered 2002) - YouTube
Last edited:
A lot of you saying that they didn’t get the recognition they deserve. I’m guessing that you’re either too young or in the USA? Simple Minds were already well known in the UK and Europe long before The Breakfast Club in 1985. They’d had hits since ’82. Don’t you Forget About me was the song that really helped them break America, which is always tough for British bands without years of extensive touring. When we think of the early 80s Simple Minds are as much part of the pop music landscape as Duran Duran, The Police, U2 or Human League.
I've always loved the bass work on New Gold Dream. This reminds me that I should buy a new chorus pedal! 
Colours Fly and Catherine Wheel, Promised You a Miracle, Glittering Prize, New Gold Dream...danceable, ethereal, love that album!
Freekmagnet
Commercial User
New Gold Dream is, for me, one of the defining albums of the '80s, alongside albums such as Songs From The Big Chair and A Secret Wish. It's about as close to perfection as an album can get.
Growing up in the Los Angeles area there was more exposure to Simple Minds' earlier works. "Don't You" got my attention as a teenager so I listened to the earlier "hits" on the local radio station, bought the albums and 12" extended mixes. Great stuff.
