Simply Red - Love & The Russian Winter
List Price:
Our Price: $7.98
You Save: $5.98 (43%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: Music CD
See more CD details
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
CD Details
Artist: Simply RedEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 1999-11-02
Music Label: East/West Records
Soundtracks:
- The Spirit Of Love
- Ain't That A Lot Of Love
- Your Eyes
- The Sky Is A Gypsy
- Back Into The Universe
- Words For Girlfriends
- Thank You
- Man Made The Gun
- Close To You
- More Than A Dream
- Wave The Old World Goodbye
Music reviews of Love & The Russian Winter
Music Review: It may be down to one, but wasn't it all about Mick anyway?
Rating: 4 Stars
In the 1980s, when Britain had a much bigger hold on the world's pop charts than America did, Simply Red was one of the few British bands not to overdo their music with electronics. It was all about soul for them, and they did it so well (thanks no less to lead singer Mick Hucknall), even from the fickle American music-buying public's eyes. Songs like "Holding Back The Years" and their cover of Harold Melvin's "If You Don't Know Me By Now" topped the American charts, and today remain highlights of the decade. But after their 1991 album STARS (possibly their all-time best), Simply Red's success pretty much was contained to Europe, and also it moved from a group to more of a solo vehicle for Hucknall. That became official with 1998's BLUE, which seemed to show that ditching his bandmates may not have been wise for Mick. And while Simply Red's glory days may be long gone, Mick shows he can indeed continue the name with his latest LOVE & THE RUSSIAN WINTER. With BLUE, Mick seemed to take his retro soul influences a little too far. Perhaps realizing this by the low sales of BLUE, he knew he had to shake things up a bit, and WINTER (coming only about 18 months after BLUE) is Simply Red's greatest album since STARS. Finally succumbing to electronics, most of the songs on here would be at home in any dance club or rave party. The Sam & Dave cover "Ain't That A Lot Of Love", the joyous opener "The Spirit Of Life", the sociopolitical "Man Made The Gun", and the ethereal "Back Into The Universe" all contain the synthesized dance rhythms that Simply Red tried their best to stay away from at first. But surprisingly, they don't overpower the songs. In fact, it's Mick Hucknall who's the real star of the show, because he can sound as black as any soul singer and make you forget that he's a fair-skinned English boy, making the fact that Simply Red is now essentially just Mick quite acceptable. Love songs are always the benchmark of soul music, and like Simply Red's #1 hits, Mick proves he can croon with the best of them on songs like "Your Eyes", "Words For Girlfriends" (probably the best written song on here), and "Close To You". With today's R&B so mechanized it ain't funny, Mick reminds us of a time when natural singing talent was what mattered most, and like Stevie Wonder's early '70s stuff, electronics actually enhances the songs, not hinders them. But even with such highlights, some uninspired moments are still to be found. "Thank You" is as generic as its title, while the closing "Wave The Old World Goodbye" sounds a bit forced, even with this album being released at the tail end of the 1900s. But those bumps in the road are easily forgivable when you consider that with LOVE & THE RUSSIAN WINTER, Mick Hucknall sounds more into his music than he has in years. While Simply Red as a band may be sorely missed, it was Mick's songwriting and his vocals that always took center stage and WINTER almost makes the absence of a real group not all that important.
Description of Love & The Russian Winter
A classic album for any collection.Blues CDs
Music Genres
Bestsellers in Blues CDs
Southern String BandsRelease date: 1997-05-07; Music CD
Price in other shops:
Lightnin Hopkins - Texas BluesRelease date: 1993-11-30; Music CD
Price in other shops:
15 Regional Mexican Music ClassicsRelease date: 1997-02-25; Music CD
Best price: $3.99
Price in other shops:
Etta James - Love's Been Rough on MeRelease date: 1997-04-29; Music CD
Best price: $8.97
Price in other shops:
Etta James - Mystery LadyRelease date: 1994-03-15; Music CD
Best price: $8.96
Price in other shops:
Taj Mahal - Dancing the BluesRelease date: 1993-09-28; Music CD
Best price: $7.99
Price in other shops:
![Moments to Remember [VHS] Image](/images/Moments-to-Remember-VHS-6304199058-X.jpg){kind=small}
Bill Gaither & Gloria - Moments to Remember [VHS]Chordant; Release date: 1996-09-03; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $3.00
Price in other shops:
![Sing Your Blues Away [VHS] Image](/images/Sing-Your-Blues-Away-VHS-630419904X-X.jpg){kind=small}
Sing Your Blues Away [VHS]Chordant Distribution; Release date: 1996-09-03; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $6.18
Price in other shops:
![Rhythm Country & Blues [VHS] Image](/images/Rhythm-Country-Blues-VHS-630303831X-X.jpg){kind=small}
Rhythm Country & Blues [VHS]Mca; Release date: 1994-03-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $99.75
Robert Cray - Smoking GunPublished: 1988; Music CD
Similar CDs
Simply Red - StarsRelease date: 2009-10-27; Music CD
Best price: $5.49
Mick Hucknall - Tribute to BobbyRelease date: 2008-06-17; Music CD
Best price: $6.59
Price in other shops:
Simply Red - Picture BookRelease date: 1990-10-25; Published: 1985; Music CD
Best price: $5.57
Price in other shops:
Simply Red - A New FlameRelease date: 2012-02-28; Published: 1989; Music CD
Best price: $2.05
Price in other shops:
Simply Red - StayRelease date: 2007-04-24; Music CD
Best price: $8.49
Price in other shops:
Simply Red - SimplfiedRelease date: 2005-10-18; Music CD
Best price: $8.98
Price in other shops:
Simply Red - Men & Women (Spec)Release date: 2008-10-28; Music CD
Best price: $6.24
Price in other shops:
SIMPLY RED - LifeRelease date: 2010-03-18; Music CD
Best price: $3.34
Price in other shops:
Simply Red - HomeRelease date: 2003-08-26; Music CD
Best price: $16.73
Price in other shops:
Simply Red - BlueRelease date: 1998-05-19; Music CD
Best price: $3.39
Price in other shops: