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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
The title of this compilation tells the truth--almost. Although one is moved to question the validity of including the Raven Maize club hit "Real Life"--selected on account of it sampling the tonal poetry of "Theme From Great Cities"(a prime slice of the early Minds' funked-up Eurosynth futurism) and slapped on the end as if to convince a jaded public that Simple Minds really are "contemporary" and have a profound relevance to today's dance scene--this really contains the best of Simple Minds. Which is a very good thing indeed--but where's "Changeling"? These trifling grievances aside, this compilation does Simple Minds' chart-history justice. Sometimes unduly castigated for blustery over-expression and much ado about nothing, re-familiarisation with much of the post-Sparkle In The Rain material reveals a band at ease with an astute musical economy--the grand gesturing of "Mandela Day", for example, may well sound monumentally sincere and overwrought but it consists of a measly three chords, while the trotting-horse bass-line to "Waterfront" is one note repeated for over four minutes (and that note was "D" if you're interested). Some great pop singles aside--"She's A River", "Alive And Kicking", "Up On The Catwalk" and "Promised You A Miracle", a song cut from the same tartan cloth as early Spandau Ballet--the most interesting thing about Simple Mind's evolution is how they started to get more successful once they'd stopped impersonating Roxy Music only to hit pay dirt with a song which Bryan Ferry didn't have enough time to record, namely Keith Forsey's "Don't You Forget About Me". --Kevin Maidment
Product Description
titolo-the best of simple mindsartista-simple minds etichetta-emin. dischi2data-2 novembre 2001supportocd audiogenerepop e rock internazionale----branidisco 11.don't you (forget about me)ascolta2.promised you a miracleascolta3.waterfrontascolta4.alive and
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Simple Minds were one of the best bands to emerge from Britain in the post-punk era. Their late 70s and early 80s material was a clever fusion of rock and European electronica (think Kraftwerk, Berlin-era Bowie). Then in 1985 the Minds became a major international stadium-filling act and whilst they still made some great music from the late 80s onwards it wasn't as good as the early material and the band lost their way somewhat in the 1990s.
Listening to this CD was the first time I'd played a Simple Minds disc for quite some time now and this reaffirmed my belief that the group were top class. This is a very good compilation CD, no doubt about that, but it loses a star for failing to include New Gold Dream - one of the bands' best songs and from what was arguably their seminal LP of the same name. One good thing is that this is a more comprehensive collection of material than the Glittering Prize album from 1992. At last we get two CD's worth of some of the bands' best music.
It's good to see some of the very early songs on here (Life In A Day, Theme For Great Cities, I Travel) but I do feel that too much of this compilation is given over to the post-1989 Street Fighting Years era. In fact the first CD concentrates on the early-mid 80s material, the second CD from 1989 onwards.
As an introduction to Simple Minds it's pretty good but unfortunately not very definitive. I would like to have seen Book Of Brilliant Things included, along with the aforementioned New Gold Dream. If you have at least a passing interest in the band, it's worth the money. If you want to explore the band's best material go check out their early 80s albums such as Sons & Fascination, New Gold Dream and Sparkle In The Rain
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
A timely compilation of Simple Minds songs which covers practically everything they've done. Glance down the track listing (Promised You A Miracle, Waterfront, Alive & Kicking, Belfast Child, Let There Be Love, She's a River) and you realise that Simple Minds were perfect pop pioneers.
For those who are only familiar with their heydey, there's plenty of less 'popular' tracks to get your teeth into. There's stuff from the early days (Life in A Day, I Travel) and the more recent albums are also represented (Glitterball, Hypnotised).
To say every one is a winner wouldn't be entirely true (War Babies was a failure both commercially and critically) but the scope shows the dramatic changes the band have gone through over the years (from electro based glam, through to stadium rock and back again).
One small problem - the recent cover of Theme for Great Cities by Raven Maize is included (Real Life). Wouldn't it have been better to have included New Gold Dream (an album track certainly, but very influential nontheless)?
That apart, this is a superb package which should make some new fans for The Minds.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have liked Simple Minds since I was a kid,(they are now one of my favourite bands, Def Leppard being the other). I wasn't even born until 1985,so by the time i knew about them and started to like them, their stuff was not as good as their earlier stuff.
I was given this CD a few years ago, and it is one of the best presents i have been given. It was wonderful to hear all of their best songs from their career, especially the really early stuff like Love Song, Promised You a Miracle and Glittering Prize and Theme For Great Cities, all on one album. Although their later stuff is not as good as the earlier, they still have some brilliant songs like She's A River and See The Lights.
Like other people have mentioned it is a disappointment that New Gold Dream is not on the album, but the Best Of is a definate must have.
I was given this CD a few years ago, and it is one of the best presents i have been given. It was wonderful to hear all of their best songs from their career, especially the really early stuff like Love Song, Promised You a Miracle and Glittering Prize and Theme For Great Cities, all on one album. Although their later stuff is not as good as the earlier, they still have some brilliant songs like She's A River and See The Lights.
Like other people have mentioned it is a disappointment that New Gold Dream is not on the album, but the Best Of is a definate must have.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
cd
bought this cd for my husband for a christmas present it arrived quick and he was pleased when i gave it to him
Published 1 month ago by tanya
Simple Minds
A disappointing purchase. Only the first few tracks are worth listening to. Why make a double CD? Pull the best together into one.
Published 1 month ago by Martha
So good
I've not seen or heard much of these guys for years, stumbled across a Hard Rock opening concert in Florence, bought this when i got home, arrived within days, a great snapshot of... Read more
Published 9 months ago by DRT
All you could ask for
I recently went to see simple minds and realised how many best sellers they have had and also realised the shortage of their work i had on cd as most of the things i had was early... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mr. B. H. Thomas
All the hits in one place, great selection
A Great Album by a great band, loads of nostalgia. I have the older albums on tape and wanted all the greats on one CD.
Also comes in a Jewel case too, not a cardboard folder. Read more
Also comes in a Jewel case too, not a cardboard folder. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Damo
Plenty of quality music
When I was a lad back in the 80s I didn't take much notice of Simple Minds whereas my mates did. Well they were right. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Jon
Who Chose The Track List?
Simple Minds developed a sound that could basically be carved into two eras: Pre-New Gold Dream and New Gold Dream and beyond. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Lucioperca
Simply almost fantatstic
Excellent compilation featuring all the hits and more - only let down by the 2001 version of I travel etc.
Published 18 months ago by M. Browning
Best of Simple Minds
Excellent compilation of all the best simple mind songs. CD produces excellent sound reproduction. Superb value for money
Published 21 months ago by steve jones
Review of Best of Simple Minds
Product arrived in good condition and on time. Considering it was a used product i was very happy with its condition.
Published 21 months ago by Mr. P. Tompkins
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