Real Life (Simple Minds album)
Encyclopedia
Real Life is the ninth studio album
by Simple Minds
, released in April 1991
. The first album without Michael MacNeil, the album reached #2 in the UK, but failed to chart in the United States, despite hitting the Top 40 with "See the Lights", which also reached #1 on the US Modern Rock Tracks
chart.
This was the first album recorded without Mick MacNeil, founder member of the band, who left after the previous tour. The core band on this album might be considered to comprise only Jim Kerr, Charlie Burchill, and Mel Gaynor, as only the three appear on the cover. The remaining personnel are hired hands.
reissued the CD as part of the Simple Minds remasters in late 2002 (mini-LP replica; Virgin SIMCDX10) and early 2003 (standard jewel-case; SIMCD10). On the remastered version, a couple of differences are apparent when compared to the first edition (Virgin CDV 2660). The 2002/2003 remaster features an extended mix of "Let There Be Love", not the one used on the first edition of the album, although it is not mentioned on the cover or in the booklet. The segues between tracks have also been re-edited, so that the running time of individual tracks may differ slightly between the editions. Also, the CD version of the first edition had "Banging on the Door" split into two track in the disc's table of contents (running time was 1:16 + 4:22), but the music as such did not indicate any break between the parts. On the 2002/2003 reissue, the track is indexed as one.
Additional musicians
Studio personnel\
Singles - Billboard (North America)
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by Simple Minds
Simple Minds
Simple Minds are a Scottish rock band who achieved worldwide popularity from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. The band produced a handful of critically acclaimed albums in the early 1980s and best known for their #1 US, Canada and Netherlands hit single "Don't You ", from the soundtrack of the...
, released in April 1991
1991 in music
See also:* 1991 in music Record labels established in 1991-Summary:The year 1991 is the year that grunge music made its popular breakthrough. Nirvana's Nevermind, led by the surprise hit single "Smells Like Teen Spirit", becomes the most popular U.S. album of the year...
. The first album without Michael MacNeil, the album reached #2 in the UK, but failed to chart in the United States, despite hitting the Top 40 with "See the Lights", which also reached #1 on the US Modern Rock Tracks
Modern Rock Tracks
Alternative Songs is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in Billboard magazine since September 10, 1988. It lists the 40 most-played songs on modern rock radio stations, most of which are alternative rock songs...
chart.
This was the first album recorded without Mick MacNeil, founder member of the band, who left after the previous tour. The core band on this album might be considered to comprise only Jim Kerr, Charlie Burchill, and Mel Gaynor, as only the three appear on the cover. The remaining personnel are hired hands.
Track listing
Singles
The following tracks from the album were released in the UK as singles:- "Let There Be Love"
- "See the Lights"
- "Stand by Love"
- "Real Life"
2002/2003 remastered edition
Virgin RecordsVirgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
reissued the CD as part of the Simple Minds remasters in late 2002 (mini-LP replica; Virgin SIMCDX10) and early 2003 (standard jewel-case; SIMCD10). On the remastered version, a couple of differences are apparent when compared to the first edition (Virgin CDV 2660). The 2002/2003 remaster features an extended mix of "Let There Be Love", not the one used on the first edition of the album, although it is not mentioned on the cover or in the booklet. The segues between tracks have also been re-edited, so that the running time of individual tracks may differ slightly between the editions. Also, the CD version of the first edition had "Banging on the Door" split into two track in the disc's table of contents (running time was 1:16 + 4:22), but the music as such did not indicate any break between the parts. On the 2002/2003 reissue, the track is indexed as one.
Personnel
- Jim KerrJim KerrJames "Jim" Kerr is a Scottish musician and singer-songwriter, best known for his work with the band Simple Minds who achieved five UK #1 albums and a #1 single "Ballad of the Streets EP". He released his first solo album, Lostboy! AKA Jim Kerr, on the 27 May 2010.- Simple Minds :Kerr attended...
- Vocals - Charlie BurchillCharlie BurchillCharles "Charlie" Burchill is a Scottish musician and composer. He was one of the founders of Scottish rock group Simple Minds. He plays guitar, keyboard, saxophone, drums and violin.-Style:...
- Guitar, Keyboards - Mel GaynorMel GaynorMel George Gaynor is a British musician. He is best known as the long time drummer for the rock band, Simple Minds...
- Drums
Additional musicians
- Alfred Bos - Shaft Guitar on African Skies
- Andy Duncan - Percussion
- Malcolm Foster - Bass
- Lisa GermanoLisa GermanoLisa Germano is an American singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has released seven albums featuring her often-hushed vocal style, confessional lyrics, and distinctive violin. Her 1994 album Geek the Girl received widespread critical acclaim, including being featured as a top album of...
- Violin - Carol KenyonCarol KenyonCarol Kenyon , is a British singer. She was born c. 1959.Although primarily known as a session vocalist on many albums and singles by a variety of prominent artists, as well as in many concerts, Kenyon has also released several singles as a solo artist...
- Backing Vocals - Steve Lipson - Producer, Bass, Keyboards, Odaiko
- Will MaloneWill MaloneWill Malone is a British music producer, who has worked with artists including Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Todd Rundgren, The Verve, Massive Attack and Italian rocker Gianna Nannini. In 1976, Malone & Lou Reizner covered a Beatles song, "You Never Give Me Your Money", for the evanescent musical...
- Orchestral Arrangements - Sonia Morgan Jones - Backing Vocals
- Peter-John VettesePeter-John VettesePeter-John Vettese , also known as Peter Vettese, is a British keyboardist, songwriter, arranger and record producer....
- Keyboards - Gavyn WrightGavyn WrightGavyn Wright is a British violinist and orchestra leader with the London Session Orchestra and Penguin Cafe Orchestra, best known for his orchestral arrangements on pop productions as well as numerous TV and movie soundtracks Gavyn Wright is a British violinist and orchestra leader with the London...
- String Conductor, String Section Leader
Studio personnel\
- Dougie Cowan - Technical Master
- Giles Cowley - Mixing, Mixing Assistant
- Tony Donald - Equipment Coordinator, Equipment Technician
- Simon Fowler - Art Direction, Design, Photography, Stylist
- Efren Herrera - Engineer
- Simon Heyworth - Mastering
- Ted Jensen - Mastering
- Paul Kerr - Logistics
- Will Malone - Orchestration, Orchestral Arrangements
- Heff Moraes - Engineer, MIDI Engineer, MIDI Manager
- StylorougeStylorougeStylorouge is a graphic design studio currently based in Shoreditch, London. Formed by creative director Rob O'Connor in 1981, it is notable for creating record sleeve designs for bands such as Blur, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Stereophonics, Killing Joke, Sandie Shaw, Adam Ant, Catatonia, Jesus...
- Art Direction, Design - Gary Thomas - Engineer
- Au Yeung, Ying Ho - Catering
- Jane Ventom - A&R
Charts
Album - Billboard (North America)| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | The Billboard 200 | 74 |
Singles - Billboard (North America)
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | "See the Lights" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 10 |
| Modern Rock Tracks | 1 | ||
| The Billboard Hot 100 | 40 | ||
| "Stand By Love" | Modern Rock Tracks | 4 |
External links
- Simple Minds Official Website – Real Life}}