(April 12, 2023) Mick Hucknall has been dropping soul nuggets since the mid-eighties as the front man/songwriter of Simply Red. And longtime fans experienced plenty of goosebumps from the U.K. ensemble, proven by numerous international Billboard chart appearances and multi-platinum record sales. The long string of hits balancing pop with lots of soulful punches included “Money's Too Tight (To Mention)” and “Holding Back the Years,” alongside several compelling interpretations of gems like Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes’ “If You Don't Know Me by Now.”
When not cranking out those hits, Simply Red and Hucknall's gently textured voice flexed their versatility with swinging blues (“Sad Old Red”) and reggae club classics (Gregory Isaacs’ “Night Nurse” feat. Sly & Robbie). In the past few years, First Listen captured Simply Red in their soulful lane on "Thinking of You" and "Complete Love".
(April 12, 2023) Mick Hucknall has been dropping soul nuggets since the mid-eighties as the front man/songwriter of Simply Red. And longtime fans experienced plenty of goosebumps from the U.K. ensemble, proven by numerous international Billboard chart appearances and multi-platinum record sales. The long string of hits balancing pop with lots of soulful punches included “Money's Too Tight (To Mention)” and “Holding Back the Years,” alongside several compelling interpretations of gems like Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes’ “If You Don't Know Me by Now.”
When not cranking out those hits, Simply Red and Hucknall's gently textured voice flexed their versatility with swinging blues (“Sad Old Red”) and reggae club classics (Gregory Isaacs’ “Night Nurse” feat. Sly & Robbie). In the past few years, First Listen captured Simply Red in their soulful lane on "Thinking of You" and "Complete Love".
For our latest First Listen, Simply Red delivers a subtle soulful, yet glowing performance on the second single from their upcoming CD Time, entitled “Shades 22.” The intimate video finds Hucknall sitting on a stool surrounded by the band. This haunting arrangement is highlighted by a trumpet solo as Hucknall taps into his deepest thoughts: “Shades on a rainy day/I’m playing like the sun is shining/Shades on a rainy day/My game, my life is hiding.” Hucknall recruits longtime producer Andy Wright who pieces together the proper elements throughout “Shades 22” that have kept Simply Red in the worldwide limelight with all their soulful trimmings. Check it out!
By Peggy Oliver
Simply Red - "Shades 22"