Skip to content
Priptona's Simple Minds Space

Priptona's Simple Minds Space

May contain a heavy dose of Jim Kerr

  • Home
  • About me/this blog
  • Contact me
  • Search/history (archive)
  • Sons/Sister celebration
  • Vlog posts
  • Upcoming Gigs
  • Toggle search form

Review: Themes For Great Cities – A New History of Simple Minds by Graeme Thomson

Posted on December 28, 2021October 3, 2023 By Priptona 90 Comments on Review: Themes For Great Cities – A New History of Simple Minds by Graeme Thomson

“This is a fast story”, author Graeme Thomson says at the beginning of the book and keeps reminding us a few more times further in. 

It’s a story of the formative years of two pals from Toryglen, their school chum down the road, the keyboard player from the Chinese restaurant and the bass player that was meant to be a guitarist. 

The focus is as one would hope – primarily on the music and the band itself. The meeting of five incredibly creative and gifted men and how those quite different young men come together to produce the alchemy that results in the early music of Simple Minds. We learn most about their creative and working lives. There is little about their individual backgrounds, only vaugaries that are relevant to the telling of the overall story. 

Although the story is heavily focused on Jim Kerr, Charlie Burchill, Mick MacNeil, Derek Forbes and Brian McGee, we also hear from others deeply involved in the story (if not necessarily within the band itself or the creation of the music). Jaine and David Henderson, Bruce Findlay, John Leckie, Simon Draper, Steve Hillage and Pete Walsh get mentioned and/or spoken to at length. 

Graeme Thomson has been meticulous without dragging out the pace of the story. As he continues to reiterate through the book it is a fast story. Like the five men that feature most strongly within the story, there is not an ounce of fat on it. Nothing lags. Nothing is protracted. Succinct, yet never lacking in detail. If I had got around to writing a book about the band I love, then this is EXACTLY the book I hope I’d have written. 

Along with content from interviews conducted with the primary band members, there is also input in the form of small “bridge” chapters from Bobby Gillespie, James Dean Bradfield and Ian Cook. There is also a dedicated “Q and A” interview chapter with art designer Malcolm Garrett. 

Some never-before-seen (even by me!!) photos are contained within the two sections of photographic content within the book. A number of wonderful photos by Virginia Turbett are within. Rare gems from John Leckie and Carole Moss can also be found within. 

There are things that I have questioned or pondered within my time as a Simple Minds fan that are discussed in the book. For instance, was the Life In A Day album already too “old” by the time it was released? Was Jim Kerr’s pudding bowl haircut a work of genius? Is Real To Real Cacophony one of the best albums they ever made? Is there anything that you cannot like about Empires And Dance? Why didn’t Grace Jones ever record a Simple Minds song? (Love Song gets singled out as the prime pondering here.) Can I ever stop my mind from wandering off to the object of my sexual desire when discussing Jim Kerr’s “Archimedes moment”? I may be the only person who grapples with that notion to be honest, but I am happy to keep on pondering it. “Eureka!”

If you want the WHOLE story of Simple Minds then this isn’t the book you want. But actually it IS the book you want. It is exactly the book you want! Because without this beginning, then there would be no “whole story”. This book is about the building blocks. That sandpit on the Toryglen building site where Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill met as eight year old boys is such a fantastic serendipitous metaphor for the whole story of Simple Minds. Getting a gang of workers together. Gathering the materials required. Assembling the parts. Laying the foundations and by album number six, having a cathedral to wow yourself (and others) with. 

For the ardent Simple Minds fan, the book actually contains few new revelations. I don’t want that to be a disappointment to the ardent fan because Thomson tells the story so well you will find it utterly enthralling all the same. The retelling is compelling. 

For anyone who is newer to the Simple Minds fold, or came to Simple Minds from the point of Once Upon A Time and hasn’t really explored their back catalogue extensively, I implore you to read this book. 

For the diehards – YOU NEED THIS BOOK! It is a fast and exhilarating ride. The book jumps off around the time of the recording of Once Upon A Time. That’s a different tale to tell then. 

I honestly have not enjoyed a book like this since I read The Complete David Bowie by Nicholas Pegg. With Pegg’s book it was the telling of the Hunky Dory/Ziggy Stardust/Aladdin Sane years of the Bowie story that struck a chord most. The telling of Bowie’s meeting with Tony Defries and the MainMan years in particular. It made me “want in”. I wanted to be part of it. It fed the hunger of the dream to be in “the thick of it”. To be right in the cogs of that working machine. 

I am feeling the same with how Graeme Thomson tells the Simple Minds story here. He takes you right in. I can feel myself in the recording studio. At Rockfield, walking about those barns and inside the studio, at the mixing desk. Watching John Leckie orchestrate these young guys as they get to grips with how to write songs and produce music that confounds and mesmerises, enthrals and bewilders. 

To experience the “coming of age” of these young men, from the evolution of Jim Kerr as songwriter and stage performer, to Mick MacNeil finding his feet as a musical architect and composer, working alongside Charlie Burchill, it makes you appreciate more than ever what actual musical juggernauts both Burchill and MacNeil are. Also just what a bedrock the rhythm section of McGee and Forbes were together. 

A tale told with utter distinction. I genuinely have not wanted to put this book down for a single moment since it arrived. Hide yourself away. Devour it at will. Gorge upon it! You won’t be disappointed. It is a feast. Then play those first six albums again with new ears and a newfound appreciation of the astonishing band Simple Minds are. 

I have two copies of the book to give away. If you would like to win yourself a copy of “Themes For Great Cities: A New History of Simple Minds” by Graeme Thomson, simply answer the following question: In the book Jim Kerr tells of his “Archimedes moment” when writing the lyrics for which song? (Hint – search this website to find the answer.) Leave your answer in the comments section of this blog post. You’ll find the comments section at the bottom of the post titled “leave a comment” (you may have to scroll past the existing comments to leave your own unique comment. Fresh comments will provide me with details to contact the winners). If you have trouble with the comments section, you can also enter via the “contact me” form found HERE. All successful entries will go into the draw to win one of two copies of the book. The competition closes on Sunday, January 23rd, 2022 at 23.59 GMT. Winners will be notified shortly after. The competition is open worldwide. Good luck!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon

Like this:

Like Loading...
book, glasgow, jim kerr, mick macneil, review, rock, simple minds Tags:1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, archimedes moment, arista, brian mcgee, bruce findlay, charlie burchill, competition, constable, derek forbes, emoires and dance, eureka, giveaway, graeme thomson, jim kerr, life in a day, little borwn books, malcolm garrett, new gold dream, real to real cacophony, simon draper, simple minds, simpleminds, sister feelings call, sons and fascination, themes for great cities, themes for great cities: a new history of simple minds, virgin, virginia turbett, zoom

Post navigation

Previous Post: Santa’s Christmas Day Delivery
Next Post: New Release: Sarah Brown – I’m On My Way

Related Posts

I’ve Got A (New) New Gold Dream jim kerr
Badges! I Has A Lot Of Them… jim kerr
Woe-gan House Freeze Off – “40” Tour Dates, 2020 glasgow
Simple Minds Acoustic Interview and Review – Classic Pop Dec/Jan 2017 review
The Narara Festival T-shirt glasgow
Kerr And Horn At Rewind jim kerr

Comments (90) on “Review: Themes For Great Cities – A New History of Simple Minds by Graeme Thomson”

Comments navigation

Older comments
  1. Maarten H. says:
    January 23, 2022 at 5:34 pm

    New Gold Dream

    Great review and great blog, all the best from Holland

    Loading...
    Reply
  2. Martyn Rice says:
    January 23, 2022 at 4:05 pm

    Another great review Larelle it?s New gold Dream

    Loading...
    Reply
  3. Giovanni says:
    January 23, 2022 at 1:17 pm

    New gold dream 81, 82, 83, 84

    Loading...
    Reply
  4. Niels says:
    January 23, 2022 at 12:57 pm

    Last minute entry? ready for this book! New Gold Dream 81,82,83,84

    Loading...
    Reply
  5. Peter Wynne says:
    January 21, 2022 at 7:17 pm

    Hi, it is New Gold Dream, 81, 82, 83, 84 thank you.

    Loading...
    Reply
  6. Mick Lang says:
    January 21, 2022 at 2:34 pm

    New Gold Dream

    Loading...
    Reply
  7. Kev says:
    January 20, 2022 at 9:36 pm

    The Answer is New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84)
    Cheers!

    Loading...
    Reply
    1. Priptona says:
      January 24, 2022 at 9:19 am

      Congratulations, Kev! You are a winner. I?ll be in touch with you shortly.

      Loading...
      Reply
  8. Stephen Slaybaugh says:
    January 20, 2022 at 7:01 pm

    New Gold Dream

    Loading...
    Reply
  9. Enrico Malvano says:
    January 20, 2022 at 6:09 pm

    New Gold Dream ?

    Loading...
    Reply
  10. Dot Kelly says:
    January 20, 2022 at 4:48 pm

    Great review. New Gold Dream.

    Loading...
    Reply
  11. Anne says:
    January 20, 2022 at 1:47 pm

    Great review, looking forward to getting a copy. Answer is New Gold Dream 81,82,83,84

    Loading...
    Reply
  12. Dave Kramer says:
    January 20, 2022 at 1:14 pm

    New Gold Dream

    Loading...
    Reply
  13. Ciaran Glancy . says:
    January 20, 2022 at 9:22 am

    Nice review of the book. I always find it interesting how most bands meet for the first time and the sandpit one is a cracker in the case of Jim and Charlie . The answer to your question is New Gold Dream 81,82,83,84.

    Loading...
    Reply
  14. John Fedigan says:
    January 16, 2022 at 4:29 pm

    New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)

    Loading...
    Reply
  15. Ian Milne says:
    January 16, 2022 at 12:44 pm

    New gold dream

    Loading...
    Reply
  16. Colin Watt says:
    January 16, 2022 at 12:01 pm

    So looking forward to this book. The answer is New Gold Dream 81,82,83,84

    Loading...
    Reply
  17. Pingback: Themes For Great Cities – Other Reviews | Priptona's Simple Minds Space
  18. Clive Johnson says:
    January 13, 2022 at 6:35 pm

    Answer;New Gold`dream (81, 82, 83, 84)

    Loading...
    Reply
  19. Simon McQueenie says:
    January 9, 2022 at 3:47 pm

    Great review, Larelle!
    Answer…. New Gold Dream 81 82 83 84.

    Loading...
    Reply
    1. Priptona says:
      January 9, 2022 at 4:09 pm

      Thanks, Simon. Good luck in the draw. ????

      Loading...
      Reply
  20. Neil Fletcher says:
    January 7, 2022 at 9:58 pm

    Awesome review. New Gold Dream ?

    Loading...
    Reply
  21. Mark Whittle says:
    January 7, 2022 at 7:47 pm

    Nice review. The answer is New Gold Dream.

    Loading...
    Reply
  22. Brian Paterson says:
    January 7, 2022 at 11:08 am

    Great review – I’ll definitely be buying this book now.
    Answer is New gold Dream 81,82,83,84

    Loading...
    Reply
  23. Shelly Reider says:
    January 7, 2022 at 1:00 am

    New Gold Dream. Lovely review. Your words and excitement, make me really want to read and embrace this book. New Gold Dream to me is a song about the music, it?s all about the music. Taking the music out into the world. And the beat is still crashing!

    Loading...
    Reply
    1. Priptona says:
      January 7, 2022 at 8:57 am

      ?All along the way?. Thanks for the feedback, Shelly, and kind words. And good luck in the comp! ????

      Loading...
      Reply
  24. Alex Vandool says:
    January 6, 2022 at 11:47 pm

    Great review – sounds like a brilliant look into some of their most golden years 😉

    Is the Archimedes song New Gold Dream?

    Loading...
    Reply
  25. Simon Lawson says:
    January 6, 2022 at 9:58 pm

    New Gold Dream

    Loading...
    Reply

Comments navigation

Older comments

Leave a commentCancel reply

SEARCH THE BLOG

Blog Archive

Upcoming Gigs

Current Month

Other Posts

  • A Six Six (with a missing six) – Birthday FB Memories July 9, 2025
  • The Bellahouston Breakdown – A Long Vlog Post (Sorry!) June 30, 2025
  • The Word(y) Girl June 24, 2025
  • UPDATE: (New Additions) Selling Some Stuff From My Collection June 22, 2025
  • Release Date for Kerr/Burchill Memoir Our Secrets Are The Same June 18, 2025
  • Monday Is 1981 Day – New Weekly Theme: First up – In The Garden: Eurythmics June 16, 2025
  • Young Stud In Berlin 1982 (Jim Kerr Interviewed on Countdown – July 1982) June 13, 2025
  • X Doesn’t Always Mark The Spot… June 9, 2025

Recent Comments

  • Priptona on Night One – Santiago, Chile
  • hardbrisklycbd43a72c6 on Night One – Santiago, Chile
  • hardbrisklycbd43a72c6 on Night One – Santiago, Chile
  • Priptona on The Bellahouston Breakdown – A Long Vlog Post (Sorry!)
  • simple minder on The Bellahouston Breakdown – A Long Vlog Post (Sorry!)
  • Scott on Young Stud In Berlin 1982 (Jim Kerr Interviewed on Countdown – July 1982)
  • Scott on X Doesn’t Always Mark The Spot…
  • Priptona on X Doesn’t Always Mark The Spot…
  • Scott on X Doesn’t Always Mark The Spot…
  • Scott on True Grit and Rocket Science

Tags

1979 1980 1981 1982 1984 2017 2018 2019 2020 2022 acoustic tour australia bbc beautiful brian mcgee catherine anne davies charlie burchill cherisse osei derek forbes facebook fan art ged grimes gif gif bomb gigs interview jim kerr live london lyric of the day mel gaynor mmm new gold dream sarah brown shrine art simple minds simpleminds sons and fascination stats the anchoress thoughts tweekly fm virginia turbett walk between worlds? YouTube

Copyright © 2024 Priptona Weird - Simple Minds Space.

Powered by PressBook Masonry Dark

 

Loading Comments...
 

    X
    %d