I’ve been toiling away writing and recording songs for years. I’ve only got 79 followers on Soundcloud, but I still persevere. People say why don’t I just give it up; even my nearest and dearest. As if fame and fortune are the only goals music making are worthy of. But I feel compelled to write and create. Occasionally I’ll get mail about how one of my tracks helped someone through a tough time. That’s awesome. I’ll never give it up.

Tear down the walls of Troy

Hang on a minute, Jim, are you implying that Mick MacNeil was there with you? Just this week I was researching all the synthesisers that Mick has used over the years with Simple Minds. Telepathy? You have no idea how much the thought of Mick playing keyboards again with SM excites me.

Brilliant Life is so precious Jim as we all know but having you and your wonderful music and live performances makes life so much better Thankyou ⭐️❤️⭐️

Mick MacNeil back in the studio? Wow that’s fantastic. From Sparkle to Street Fighting Years Mick did a great job of bringing piano into rock - it worked so well and paved the way for bands like Coldplay and Keane to pick it up. The guys a legend.

I knew it,if mick is truly back in the studio, then this is fantastic news.seeing mick at the recent music award when Jim and Charlie had a photo together and hearing that mick was attending some recent shows.

Does this mean Mick might join SM again, hopefully in the near future? 😉 And please keep us posted on tour dates for the USA. Thank you.

Great post, never too late to be creative, love it

Mick back for a bit all we need is Big Mel back Derek Forbes Job Complete.

Great to hear that Mick is involved again. The keyboards on the “Sparkle In The Rain” tour are still a real highlight for me. Wonderful vibrant colours in the picture of Glasgow.

Goodness me. Never a dull moment with you, Jim! Looking forward to hearing any collaborative outcome with Mick. Once an artist, always an artist. Creativity is not necessarily a permanent ongoing rush. It ebbs and flows. During the ebb, it doesn't die away completely. It just morphs into something slightly different. That is probably why some artists, after doing things the same way over and over again, can become stale, whatever their forté. Change, however small, is key. So yesterday, whilst waiting for your Grandslam tour to start, I took a photo of a giant pineapple made from enormous yellow pipes instead.....! 🙂

Positive words as ever Jim, looking forward to hearing your creativeness very soon! Great news ⭐️❤️⭐️

Working with Mick again? Wow just wow! Also Eddi Reader sang on NGD? That's a new thing learnt today! 🙂

Felice Domenica Jim.. cool to know about this kind of reunion 😊 and cool to know you got many positive vibes it's a kind of encouragement for tomorrow morning many thank dear 😂.. my week wasn't as much creative and cool as yours instead but it ended perfectly yesterday night with a gig of my Italian idol... I wish I remember to find creativity and fantasy me too I'm sure it will help. A silent kiss... Adri

All sounding intriguing, mysterious and exciting all in equal measure! What are we to make of all this, Sir? Are we going to hear the fruits of all this at some point? And...I’ll *try* to “keep on keeping on” and believe it isn’t too late to express myself artistically...it’s the making a living bit of it that feels too late. We’ll see. What else is there to do?

Sounds like great and enjoyable times, Jim, it must be so great to be able to write/record music with so many great people over the years as well as recently (last week) too. Love the Simple Minds sounds, it's my happy/smiley music and gives me great vibes, so Thank you Simple Minds xx. Keep the fab sounds coming old and very much the new. 😊

Would be nice,if mick is permitted to rifle through the archives to perhaps reignite some passed gems, some that didn't quite make previous albums. There's one in particular that in my opinion should have made it on street fighting years.

Wow! That will get us all talking Jim. The quiet genius with the Minds even in the studio for a day!

Really pleased that MM’s had an opportunity to collaborate in some way. I heard there was a bit of a reunion meal 10 years ago that didn’t quite result in anything melodic. MM & DF contributed so much to forge SM’s reputation and success. As a long term fan, not knowing (no doubt not needing to know) the intricate reasons why they left, it’s fantastic news that they’ve been given opportunities over the years to get involved in some way or another!!

Ahh Mick and Trevor. That will be Street Fighting Years period. My favourite album...just, and definitely my favourite live period. Another hint from me Jim of that album getting the super deluxe treatment please. 😉

♥♥♥Absolutely love your account of your à go-go days in Glasgow Jim !! Totally agree on how years, even decades can go back but the same affinity remains with some people. Like if you had seen them only yesterday. Though the personality evolves and our traits of character may change, like you say our true essence remains 🙂 I absolutely love the art work you put up ! Very lively 🙂 You re totally right about créativité ! There s no tome limit ! I can t wait to get finally going with my own creative projects... I could feel you were writing when you wrote.. but have mobile issues sigh.. especially keyboard... it s taken me that long to be able to write.... it s driving me up the wall ! I really need to change my mobile !! I m going to get an iPhone I think. . More reliable. I had to rush out too. Am going to see Hubert Reeves 🙂 Have a lovely day !! 🙂

You were brilliant at Arcade Fire gig on Monday night! Although I had already guessed that they might have you as they're surprise guest. My 14 year old daughter was especially excited as she's now crediting herself with seeing Simple Minds live now as well. She will definitely be with me when we next see you live.

🤩 Now I really have my hopes up high 🤩 Wonderful news that you are working with Mick and Trevor, and I hope Eddi and Paul contributed their talents too 😎

Good morning. In my opinion, creativity is born within a person, he must know how to pull it out in the right way. This is true in music, as well as in commerce for example. Good Job .. a greeting

Morning Jim... It’s really never too late to begin, and I would add sometimes in life you are at that point you can’t really give up thinking to job, family, friends, places.. So, “everything is possible” are the best words to say..even in Music Hugs🙌🏼