Memorable Tours?

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An interesting post on SMOG from a long-time fan, reminiscing about the Floating World tour of 2002.

It gives a little pang of envy. I know this person has been relatively close to the band in the past. They have stories to tell. Lovely memories. You know…it sounds like more than just “band and fan”. A thing that I had always dreamed of. A thing that I sometimes kidded myself I had, you know. Not overtly so! It’s just that yearning of reciprocation. You love the band, so you hope the band loves you too. “She is your friend, until the bitter end.” But it can only go so far. And I just want more than I can have. It’s that simple. But even that little bit I *did* feel I had is all but gone.

I’ll shut up about it!

Anyway, said fan asked what our favourite tour was. He had talked about this tour like the “gig hop” tours I’ve been on. Following the band around, seeing them all over the place. But again, his experiences were back in “halcyon days”. Soundchecks you didn’t have to pay for to experience. Time just hanging out with the band after shows and stuff. Like, not just a quick signing and a photo op, but a chat at a bar or restaurant. Talk that went into the wee hours. A number of fans have these stories.

Anyway, I think his gigging goes back to 1986? Or maybe ‘89. A long way back anyway. But the Floating World tour was his favourite, he said. Others chimed in with 5×5 Live…just to make me spit even MORE chips!

I gave it a second’s thought. Of my EXTENSIVE range of tours, Big Music (technically one gig, though I saw them twice in 2015, the second was a festival slot, so not strictly a Big Music tour gig, I guess), Acoustic and Walk Between Worlds…I dunno. I have to discount Big Music, it was just two gigs – but that first ever Simple Minds gig at Cambridge will always hold a special place. And of the other two, Acoustic and Walk Between Worlds – both were amazing for differing reasons. But I guess Acoustic just pips it because…just…meeting Jim and hearing him say my name at Bristol and…yeah. All that silly “falling in love” business. Lol. But for WBW there was the album signing, Barras and the meet and greet at Colchester.

But who knows what this year will hold? I am on a MASSIVE 12 show hop-a-long, seeing them in six different countries (seven, if you separate England and Scotland). Let’s see where the wind takes us…

Slow News Sunday Summary – April 28th

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Well, seeing as most days there is not much to report, I have decided to coin the SM “Slow News Sunday Summary”. A look at what morsels have been reported via SMO or other related avenues during the past seven days.

  • Cherisse on tour with Kelly Jones in June/July
  • Sir’s been to Sicily
  • Sarah’s Saturday night gig
  • Rejuvenation albums now available individually as singles

On Wednesday it was officially revealed by Cherisse on her social media that she will be playing with Kelly Jones (Stereophonics’ frontman) during his solo tour of the UK in June and July. A fan had heard an interview with Jones on radio saying that he was “interviewing” a drummer to tour with him and that SHE currently plays for Simple Minds. A rather large giveaway, but I was remaining nonplussed about it until word came from Cherisse herself.

I had a drumming lesson with her on Thursday and we talked about the news. She said some fans got into a panic, asking her whether it meant the end of her time with SM.

Have no fear, peeps! She’s just grabbing the opportunity for some gigging while there is SM downtime.

Also taking the opportunity to explore other musical avenues during the SM downtime is Sarah Brown, who was a guest of a group called Casca, playing a gig last night in Camden. I would have loved to have gone, but honestly, I cannot reiterate how skint I am right now. But I would have loved to have gone and shown some support.

Jim had a few days in Sicily earlier in the week. Some downtime for him from a busy schedule of writing, etc… all actually very elusive as to what else he’s doing other than him saying he’s “writing”.

Anyway…mustn’t dwell on how quiet it is, eh? And actually, I SHOULD be thankful because I have sod all money to do anything with … and that would be FAR worse! If they were touring around and I couldn’t do anything about it.

Speaking of things that cost money that I can’t really do anything about…
After now having released the Rejuvenation box sets and having had us all invest in those (well, those of us who could…), the albums and CDs are now available to purchase individually.

I am now in absolute dilemma mode. A huge part of me wants the box sets because of the packaging. Another part of me says it means I can invest in the vinyl that I was most interested in getting from the box set with a smaller outlay spread over time. The CD/DVD box set I definitely DO want to invest in. But it is going to have to wait.

Until next week, folks…keep it Simple x

Rejuvenation CD/DVD Box Set Review – Mojo Magazine

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A very favourable review of the Rejuvenation box set inside the latest edition of Mojo magazine.

Oh, and post New Gold Dream…Sparkle In The Rain (just as the first example) only went straight in at number one in the UK chart and spawned three hit singles…but “they seldom came anywhere near that masterpiece”. Okaaaaay…

It’s the only bit of the review that is questionable to me.

Rejuvenation Unboxing – And…Shortchanged?

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For those, like me, who can’t get it yet…but would just like to experience the feel of the unboxing…
(Actually didn’t take in that Big Music STILL doesn’t come as the deluxe format on vinyl…even though it is spread over 2 LPs. COME ON! I just assumed because the deluxe version is now back on Spotify, it was the deluxe version on vinyl. But from what  I saw in the unboxing…it’s still only the standard issue. If it’s about space for the grooves, well, by comparison WBW has four songs on each side of the first LP and then the three bonus “deluxe” songs on one side of the second LP on the blue (and Ltd Ed fuchsia) vinyl edition. Okay, there are SIX extra tracks on the Big Music deluxe CD – but Bittersweet and Liaison needed to be on the reissue. Seriously! If you could add Too Much Television to B&W 050505, why not have added those two to the Big Music vinyl? WTF?!)

Missing Oot

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Och, you know…I’m actually really wanting this now. It does look very pretty…you know…aesthetics and all that.

I’m so shallow!

But…there’s little point in me rushing to get it just now. It will just be more stuff to pack and shift to a new home…so I might as well put it off for now. I can’t even play vinyl at the moment either anyway. I’d literally just be unboxing it and fondling it for now. Lol

So…I have OTHER delights coming. A set of three photos that Virginia Turbett has of Jim changing shirts. Oh, Santa baby! THANK YOU! Think I may have to laminate these ones…protect them from potential water damage (hazardous drool pool!). They will definitely be getting framed and…erm…mounted, anyway.

I can’t rightly remember just HOW MUCH “tit action” takes place. I think he’s like half-way out of one shirt in the first, then topless in the second and then half-way into the new shirt in the third…I think. He’s definitely topless in one – that one is definitely getting laminated! I may even get a BIGGER version. Ahem!

ANYWAYS…this post was KINDA meant to be about the Rejuvenation box set, and why I was now feeling quite forlorn it wouldn’t be with me tomorrow for an unboxing.

In the meantime there’s always Spotify…not quite the same audio-visual experience, granted. I’ll console myself listening to Neon Lights and ogling Jim’s glorious nipples.

Anyone for eggnog?

Rejuvenation 2001-2014 Vinyl Box Set – Simple Minds

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Man! Absolute PISH it isn’t starting from Our Secrets Are The Same. Virgin – you are asshats! Come on!! You could have made some deal with Chrysalis, Sanctuary and Caroline Int.

So instead it starts with Neon Lights…meh…okay.

I still remain to be won over by Cry. I dunno why…I looooove Spaceface. And I like Disconnected and Sleeping Girl. I can’t rexplain why…some of the tracks just sit uneasy with me or just….I dunno… I gotta watch what I say.

Really happy to see Black And White 050505 on vinyl AT LAST! No Searching For The Lost Boys bonus for the Graffiti Soul version – which was a much superior “covers” piece than Neon Lights was (in my humble opinion anyway).

So, for me, apart from finally getting B&W on vinyl at long last…I don’t see much reason why I should invest. I suppose the completist in me might like Cry on vinyl too.

I don’t even play Neon Lights on CD…not sure I’d wear out the stylus with that. A box set means you have to commit to all or nothing. It’s a bugger! Perhaps they’ll come out individually afterwards? I believe that’s what happened with the Bowie box sets.

And, please…for the love of god – can we please have Our Secrets Are The Same on vinyl?!!! PLEASE?!!

Price: £75
Release date: 07/12/2018

For more info, click on the image…

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Shop Bargains

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I wasn’t going to buy from the SM shop because…you know, I am sooo bloody skint right now…but how could I pass up getting two SM shirts for £10?

I’d had my eye on this Koko “Themes” CD labels one for…well, years…and finally, some 2 years after the fact (and also rubbing in the fact that I didn’t get to go, because I was in Oz) I got a Big Music autumn tour dates shirt. It’s actually my FIRST and only Big Music shirt. Better late than never.