SUMMER'S GONE
In Northern Europe the signs of Autumn are already here.
The first few leaves are turning.
The kids are back at school.
And Celtic FC have just been dumped out of a major European football competition. So no change there!
Meanwhile, Simple Minds are well and truly back at work.
(Back after plenty of hill walking in the Trossachs in my case. See pic.)
Re specific news on some of the things that have kept us busy so far this year?
Keep your ear to the ground and you'll soon be hearing the first rumbles.
In the meantime thanks as always to all of you for the support.
JK
Now that I'm retired, you've inspired me to take daily walks that allow me to clear my head, as well as sorting out the variety of dilemmas that are always a part of the human condition. Oh yea, and always looking forward to my fave band making music.
Best way to start the day - walking along the edge of Lake Macquarie (Newcastle, Australia) with Simple Minds playing... ‘Here's to you my little loves with blessings from above Now let the day begin, let the day begin’
Hi Jim saw you in Boston, miss you already...much love❤❤💟💟
Thanks to you Jim and SM for your music and for everything you do for us 💛
One of my trips to England will take me to Scotland! My father fell in love with Dunoon when he was stationed there for the Navy when I was a baby. He’s passed away now and I want to see what he saw. But I am always loving new music from Simple Minds 💖💖
I feel so sad that Summer is almost gone. But my garden is producing so well this year! And here in New York, early September means French Picnic! When a group of friends all gather and buy a table for a yearly feast held at the Nursing Home for retired Culinary French who live in this area. It’s in New Paltz, NY.
I had to put my heating on for the first time. Autumn will soon be here and then xmas time. THEN!! NEXT YEAR. oooh i wonder what treats we have waiting for us. Waiting impatiently..xxx
Try supporting Airdrie JK.. 😀.. Anyway Jim, I just came back yesterday from Abisko in the far north of Sweden, 250km into the artic circle.. Leaves were starting to turn yellow, but the weather was beautiful 20c and sunny.. Take the walkway up.. Or ski lift and walk to aurora sky station.. The views are stunning.. And if you go in winter you are certainly going to See the lights!
Here in Ireland the autumn is knocking at the door aswell. Hopefully it will be a peaceful and warm time. Keep well, best wishes from Cork 🙋♀️
So I find myself at 60 being made redundant from my job and wondering what to do. That photo just inspired me to get out there walking. Thanks Jim.
Your inspiration never wanes Jim. Keep on doing what you do best and sharing the LOVE
I think that England has skipped autumn today and gone straight to mid-winter! But hopefully only for 1 day? Hoping that your post means more great new music on the way, or maybe another tour? Or both?! 😀
Still frying here in Seville! In the early stages of Scotland music blog of which SM are of course a part. Lots of music to listen to first as research (Deacon Blue, Love and Money, Big Dish etc etc).
Poor Jim ,, need to start supporting Man City ,, l love Scotland I went to place called loghcoilhead a few years ago went for walks around lochlomand just sitting there looking around the stunning views sipping the old oban 14 and listening to This is your land ,,, what more can I wish for " looking forward to more Simple minds material keep it going Boys, oh give Charlie and Chrissie my best wishes
Back in time.I doing my army time in 1983.On a day of that year they give me my first Simple Minds vinyl LP New Gold Dream...One moment that i always will remember.Thanks Jim and co
Figured you’ve been enjoying some time off since I haven’t seen any posts for a while. Hope its been great! Here in Texas it’s still 100° (37°C) every day as usual. We won’t see any hint of autumn for at least 4 more weeks when the temperatures cool down to the low 90s!
That god was a fine artist!!! Being out and about leads to an inner peace..and happiness
Jim get yerself up to Lochearn caravan park for a wee visit. Would love to meet one if my heroes x💚
Someone somewhere hanging on to summertime. Barrosa beach sunset looking out to the Atlantic. Ears full of your instrumentals + book of brilliant things (ahoy live version). Nowhere else I'd rather be.
I'm really sorry about what happened with Celtic; hopefully there'll be better and brighter days ahead for the club/team. In the meantime, you appear to be surrounded by true natural beauty. Hope you rest up and enjoy the heck out of it before moving onto the next great adventure with Simple Minds!
Summers gone - but winter is not in your eyes... I've been working in North America these last 10 days, and not a day has gone by without hearing Simple Minds in public places such as bars, hotel lobby's and Shopping Malls. I'm so looking forward to hearing the new stuff that keeps you busy and thats going to fire us all up! See you on the road soon. In the meantime, remember my offer re Manchester 😀
Spring is almost springing in my cold part of Australia. 20 degrees tomorrow here. Yippee😊😊. Then back to ten on Monday😣😣 And a new football season. Dont despair. It could be worse....Im a Spurs fan! Now that is frustrating😫
JK, lets hope the rumbles mean a live CD from recent tour, pretty please.
Welcome back my boy was gutted his beloved Celtic got beat my favourite song summers gone so what about you doing summer sessions in Glasgow next year 🎤🎤🎤🍀💚
Can't wait Jim !
THE MISSION
Ever heard of Stendhal syndrome? A condition involving rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and hallucinations. Allegedly it occurs when individuals become exposed to 'things of great beauty.'
Although plenty argue whether Stendhal's exists, the team at Florence's Santa Maria Nuova hospital are quite used to tourists suffering from dizzy spells or disorientation through being overwhelmed by their emotional response to seeing - before their very eyes - Michaelangelo's statue of David, and other world famous artworks/relics.
In fact, although as with Jerusalem syndrome and Paris syndrome, there is no real scientific evidence to define Stendhal's as a disorder. There is evidence that the area of our brain most affected when experiencing overwhelming emotional responses - is the same area activated during exposure to art. Including music of course.
Maybe that could that explain why in 1979, my then girlfriend fainted at an open - air Bob Dylan concert?
To her the songs of Dylan would probably have registered every bit as much as the works of Michelangelo, who's work to this day draws the hordes to Florence?
Impressive enough to me, for her however to be so near the stage where 'Nobel Prize Winning Bob' stood standing - in flesh and blood etc? Was that something like Stendhal Syndrome in action?
Or merely to do with the fact that it was rather hot, we were among a crowd of over 100,000 - and neither of us had eaten anything all day?
Despite having had the good fortune to witness many of the "wonders of the world." I have never been quite overwhelmed enough to keel over during my travels?
Although I almost did during one fantastically slow elevator ride all the way to the top floor of a hotel in Memphis. The only other person in the elevator apart from me on that occasion was "God -like" Chuck Berry. And already high as a kite on the fact that I had just had some coffee served in a room that had once served both Elvis Presley and Martin Luther King, I still cannot believe that one of Rock N' Roll's true inventors seemed to be staying in a suite directly across the hall from me.
No fainting then, I have nevertheless been reduced to solitary silence by a kind of beauty that has left me lost for words.
The sunrise on Uluru, (or Ayers Rock), the massive sandstone monolith in the heart of Australia Northern Territory’s arid "Red Centre" being one of those occasions.
Flying over the Himalayas with Everest poking its head above the clouds definitely another.
As was, seeing the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) work it's celestial magic, in the skies above Greenland.
Unable to stop, I have to mention the gardens of Alhambra Palace in Granada, and more recently a helicopter trip that went through Grand Canyon, with both Charlie Burchill and I on board.
On a much less panoramic scale.
Of course there has been moments of intimacy in my life that have left me overwhelmed.
Speechless at the time, my thoughts appearing much later within some of the songs we have created.
How about you?
Is there a particular song or piece of music that leaves you so overwhelmed that you are made speechless, or even able to cry?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gonKhSIBP54
When I took the mountain lift in Zermatt up to the foot of Matterhorn. It was both incredibly beautiful and a little scary so I almost forgot to breathe. It caused almost the same feeling when I visited Königsee. It was also an amazing experience when I saw dolphins and whales from a catamaran boat on the Azores. Regarding songs I have several that touches me in different ways: Hynotised, Speed Your Love To Me, New Gold Dream, Belfast Child, Biko (and many more)- Simple Minds Beyond The Laughing Sky, Wishful Thinking, Mysteries Of Love, I Die For You Today - Alphaville Soothe My Soul - Depeche Mode Geordie - Junkyard Drive For Evigt (Forever) - Volbeat Kast Flaget I Ringen - Rasmus Walter A Winters Tale, These Are The Days Of Our Lives - Queen Best Years Of Our Lives - OMD Lothlórien - Enya
Great stories, Jim. Here's mine...I'd been living in Spain and returned to Chicago in October of 1989 to go back to college when, having arrived to my parent's house after a long day of travel, found an unmarked cassette tape on my pillow with a note from my younger brother saying he hoped I enjoyed the tape. As I listened to the first song (deliberately moved by my brother from the third position on the album) I was overcome with emotion that brought me to tears. Strangely enough--after listening to the song again and subsequently to the entire album before going to sleep--I couldn't figure out who the artist was (despite being what I considered a huge fan of this band, possessing both of their previous records!). When I woke up the following morning, my brother came into my room and asked me what I thought of the album, to which I replied it may have been the best album--and collection of songs--I'd ever heard. The album..."The Seeds of Love," by Tears For Fears.
I was reduced to tears when I saw The Pieta in person. Always loved the piece, but never expected to have that reaction to it. It’s an utterly beautiful sculpture. As far as songs- a few always get me: Five for Fighting- 100 Years, Frank Sinatra- It was a Very Good Year, and any version of Ave Maria. Love your stories, Jim.💜
Hi Jim, Thanks for the post. Love looking through the window into your mind ... On the songs question, three come to mind. The first is my favourite Simple Minds track, Belfast Child. It hits several times: when you begin with "When my love says to me ..."; when Charlie's electric guitar solo begins; and with Mick's closing keyboards. The second is my favourite song full stop (and, my apologies, it's not a Simple Minds track), Telegraph Road by Dire Straits. The first notes of Mark's outro solo get me every time. But the strongest physical reaction I have ever had to a song is the Live in Verona version of East At Easter. Your voice, Mick's keyboards and Charlie's guitar solos - acoustic, then electric - leave my spine tingling. Thanks for the music is all I can say.
All this talk of syndromes...Anybody need a nurse? Let me know! 😂. No, I totally get it.. almost passed out a few concerts in the past from excitement! ( Tried not to pass out meeting you last year..) ”Spirited Away” is one that always gets me, but going farther back, Tori Amos “Winter” and Lorena McKinnitt “Mummers Dance” and the big one, “Don’t” by Elvis. 💜
I must say i really love your version of Speed Your Love from the accoustic tour someone posted it the other day. Big Sleep when played in the caron my way to work each day usually brings a tear as I start to think of my big brother who went to bed and never woke up. Bag Pipes usually get me a everytime. I usually end up a blubbering mess.
Ohhhh...yes!! Years ago when I sneaked in at a soundcheck, of yours truly, in Brussels. Goosebumps allover when Belfast Child were played and I was standing there on my own. (And afraid to be kicked out 😅) Felt overwhelmed...but stayed (just) with my feet on planet earth. Other soundchecks were special too, but that one I had to control myself....🎶😉 Non SM related and played at home Kate Bush- This woman's work....makes my cry for personal reasons; https://youtu.be/UXzx--YefD8
The intro to Waterfront at the SM gig at the Hydro in Glasgow, November 2013. Simply outstanding.
I agree with you Jim about your former GF...she was likely suffering from a bad case of heat exhaustion and hypoglycemia...but honestly, the most amazing sounds I've ever heard was that of my newborn son's first cry's when they first laid him in my arms...we had a very difficult delivery process, and some very scary things happen to him during his birth. I'm so blessed to have been able to have him, to be his Mom and to listen to the "music" of his life. Nothing on Earth can compare to that, when all accounts show he should have not survived. Nothing brings me to tears more than his birth "song."
Hunter & the hunted gives me shivers...& takes me back to a barrack block room in Germany 30+ years ago I shared with my wee Glaswegian pal.... we would play the NGD album to go to sleep 💤 so relaxing..... 🥰
This happened to me when i was 18 and i first heard "Belfast Child"!
When I met you Jim in Taormina last April, I was speechless last time. (But not for long ✌️) Emotional roller coaster I have had every time at the life concerts of Simple Minds of course. 13 times like a little boy😏. Belfast Child has often brought tears to my eyes. Also many film music titles. The favourite is clearly: James Horner Songs of the Movie-A Beautiful mind and the songs of John Berry: Dance with Wolves. And of course the old songs that my dad heard. ( but no one wants to hear them🙁 ) I put my headphones on, listen to the music of Simple Minds and walk up the Madonna della Rocca. what could be more beautiful😎.
Bowie looking me in the eye SECC last time I saw him felt all giddy/dizzy ❤❤❤Legend ❤❤❤Sorely missed xx
Sarah Brown performing 'Book of Brilliant Things' at Beacon theater, Oct 2108, followed by total Stendhal syndrome at the meet and greet with you all in New Orleans, 2018. As far as my travels the Val D'Orcia in Tuscany (you must go), the landing beaches at Normandy for many obvious reasons, sunset on the Ganges in Varanasi...I can go on and on!
It was this night, 6 October 2018 in Washington DC at the 930 Club. I was so overwhelmed meeting you guys for the first time I could barely speak. I think I only managed to ask, "Can I hug you?" Ha ha. I think my daughter was able to speak to you guys much more than me. It was only afterwards that I remembered all the things I wanted to say. Well, it was the best concert experience I've ever had despite my being tongue-tied. Ha ha. About 16 years ago, my family and I went to Italy. Venice, Florence, and Rome. When I walked into the Roman Colosseum for the first time, I teared up. It was incredible being there. I would love to go back to Italy someday.
The sight of England below me as we finally got to fly into Heathrow, something I never thought I would be lucky enough to do. Also any time I unexpectedly hear Simple Minds, Bryan Ferry or Kate Bush played - it's like the universe is in tune with me! 🤩
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7dn2fm. Father singing ave Maria to his daughter. At Disneyland foyer.
ciao Stendhal 😆che bel post <3 ! special overwhelming landscapes like the ones you named I have not seen, alas, while staying into the arts I have seen Van gogh and Mirò in Madrid in Barcelona in Paris and I remained speechless for hours ha ha and I will never forget the eyes of Monnalisa in the Louvre. well among your songs that keep on making me cry after so many years, Belfast child (only one to mention ... in Much at NOTP during your performance. I realized where the perfection stands and one reason more the subscribed what you are for me..mamma mia cos'eri sopra quel palco ..un Dio! ..) . but See the lights always makes me cry sorry ... it's too much!. I have never seen the Queen live but Bohemian Rhapsody would have been a fork in the belly each time possibly.... ciao Jim take care and one big kiss. ^_^
NGD at the end of live in the city of lights. 😍
Danny Boy
"Overwhelmed" ? Stendhal, Florence, Paris, emotional places, emotional person (from my city..). Nature is for me what leaves me speechless, including places you mentioned, the Grand Canyon which I have flown over, the others I have seen on tv or pics (the Alhambra I got overwhelmed through your words actually), and many more world marvels leaves me from bewildered to speechless ! I must include as part of nature but through an art form, the movies of my friend Yann Artus-Bertrand which leave me speechless always. It's funny you chose an Ennio Morricone music.., about every Ennio Morricone's piece of music leaves me from wow to overwhelmed. As for other music, I'm not quite able to think as I am actually overwhelmed by too many things these days. ps : your post is stunning, write that fuc*ing book !
Saturday Girl, rivers of ice ...fantastic songs . Rivers I got married to, Saturday girl reminds me of my late great nanny brown..what a great woman she was❤️😢
Watching Highlander, when his beloved Heather dies, Who wants to live forever by Queen. Gets me every time, love the ending that I turn up the music. Several years ago I went to Eilean Donan and fulfilled a heart stopping moment x
Your amazing song Let There Be Love, always brings me to tears, hearing it live left me sobbing xxxx
It has to be Dolphins, for it helped healing some wounds in a tough time of my life. As a Florentine myself, I happened to feel a bit dizzy climbing the top of the palazzo Vecchio tower. An amazing view awaited after ca 400 steep steps
Live Shows
Dec
31
Thu
2020
Always keep an eye on the tour page as confirmed tour dates are added there first! Visit the tour archive to see where the band played last.
“We would like to remind all of our fans and members that despite hearing announcements elsewhere regarding possible concert performances etc, it is only when the date is announced here at simpleminds.com that you can be sure the information is 100% official and that contracts have been agreed”
Simple Minds
