Imho Michael MacNeil was the biggest loss in history of Simple Minds. He gave them the signature sound, full of brilliant ideas. Until he quit, they created the best and timeless songs. They never been better. If you listen to "Live in the City of Lights" you know what I mean. An absolut outstanding live record with lots of the very best songs they did.
In reality things changed after Brian McGee left. We would never have got NGD 81-84, but what happened after that seemed very predictable, maybe a few decent songs here and there but not long term.
Makes me laugh when they compared some of the later stuff to Empires and Dance. Nothing like it. They fell off a cliff in the late 90s and Jim knew that and had a bit of a breakdown at the time. There was the odd good tune on Black and White and Graffiti Soul and Big Music was definitely their best album since things started to decline. They never really recovered after Mick and Bruce left as unfortunately the musical alchemy was missing and times moved on. Jim and Charlie are forever troopers though and I totally admire their desire to always give the best show they can. Just a shame things couldn't have been different as when they were at their best, for me there were few better. Decent summary documentary for the causal listener if nothing particularly new.
Excellent concise documentary of the metamorphosis of SM. Has Sky Arts produced a longer version, including interviews with stars, past and present, and their entourage? If not, could they?
Sparkle in the Rain defined my teenage years. Wonderful album.
Imho Michael MacNeil was the biggest loss in history of Simple Minds. He gave them the signature sound, full of brilliant ideas. Until he quit, they created the best and timeless songs. They never been better. If you listen to "Live in the City of Lights" you know what I mean. An absolut outstanding live record with lots of the very best songs they did.
In reality things changed after Brian McGee left. We would never have got NGD 81-84, but what happened after that seemed very predictable, maybe a few decent songs here and there but not long term.
Fascinating...and an interesting observation of the first decade of Simple Minds and their rise to huge international acclaim, and beyond.
@@brucefindlay Hello Bruce Findlay. You would have been instrumental in helping that to happen.
@@Oh-Monkey aye, well for those first 12 years I was very involved. I loved it, especially those early years ( 1978 to 1982).
@@brucefindlayYou're a legend Bruce. Thank you 🙏
@ 09:40 If anything they were 'U1' 😊 Absolutely amazing band.
What a brilliant band the first 6 albums are fantastic truly brilliant
Nice documentary
Makes me laugh when they compared some of the later stuff to Empires and Dance. Nothing like it. They fell off a cliff in the late 90s and Jim knew that and had a bit of a breakdown at the time. There was the odd good tune on Black and White and Graffiti Soul and Big Music was definitely their best album since things started to decline. They never really recovered after Mick and Bruce left as unfortunately the musical alchemy was missing and times moved on. Jim and Charlie are forever troopers though and I totally admire their desire to always give the best show they can. Just a shame things couldn't have been different as when they were at their best, for me there were few better. Decent summary documentary for the causal listener if nothing particularly new.
Excellent concise documentary of the metamorphosis of SM. Has Sky Arts produced a longer version, including interviews with stars, past and present, and their entourage? If not, could they?
"Don't You" totally destroyed their music. Such a dull song. They lost their way and never became iconic again
Then came the album "Direction of the heart"
And Michael MacNeil photo's ?
Put on your glasses 😉
@@TR-nq5fm Sorry !!!🤣
@@eliosormani9401 😅👍