Simply Red Live Review @ Evening News Arena [MEN] (Manchester) - 30 Oct 2005

Simply Red Live Review @ Evening News Arena [MEN] (Manchester) - 30 Oct 2005Simply Red Live Review @ Evening News Arena [MEN] (Manchester) - 30 Oct 2005Simply Red Live Review @ Evening News Arena [MEN] (Manchester) - 30 Oct 2005Simply Red Live Review @ Evening News Arena [MEN] (Manchester) - 30 Oct 2005

Photos:Elly Roberts

Live Review

Twenty years on and Manchester's love affair with Simply Red continues to grow. A couple of years ago, the band failed to sell out the arena. This night, it was packed to the rafters once again. Manchester's favourite son, Mick Hucknall and co returned in triumphant fashion.

Looking decidedly podgy, Hucknall remains an enigmatic and unlikely pop star, but his amazing voice and sophisticated songwriting are as appealing as ever. He was given a heroes welcome as the ecstatic crowd gave him a standing ovation when he casually sauntered on stage.

Flanked by a 12 piece string section, ( otherwise known as the Simply Red Orchestra ) and nine piece backing band, which is loosely named Simply Red: it's actually made up of superb session musicians. Hucknall marshalled his troops through 90 minutes of hits and bits with proverbial style and class.

Starting at a slow romantic pace with Home, For Your Babies... it took until song seven It's Only Love to raise the atmosphere as the crowd went into party mode - Hucknall was really glowing as the urban -jazzy classic unfolded. Dropping into a Latino fuelled re-working of Holding Back The Years( featured on latest album Simplified ) he drew a huge chorus of approval as the string section threw lashings of sways to the crowds singing - a truly beautiful moment. Soon after, another crowd pleaser, Sad Old Red brought out the hand clappers as it always does, when the jazzy bass and brushes set a sensual tone. Reggae featured heavily at mid-set as he let rip on More, Night Nurse and Fire Fire, revealing Cuban motifs and images on the simple but stylish backdrop.

After melodic ballad Sunshine In My Soul it was lift-off: he launched into a rousing Stars, sending everybody delirious. Swaying arms could be seen everywhere around the huge arena. That's where they stayed as new single Perfect Love showcased his hottest band to date including Santana -style lead guitar by Kenji Suzuki and divine backing by singers Dee Johnson and Sarah Brown. Hits, chunky New Flame and Right Thing sent the band and fans into overdrive. Hall and Oates sampler Sunrise capped a magnificent main set.

An encore brought yet another vocal stunner: the Stylistics cover - You Make Me Feel Brand New, bringing the best out of Hucknall's incredible larynx with the strings re-emerging. Topping a momentous night, two Latino 'Simplified' re-workings of Fairground and high-octane Something Got Me Started sent everyone home happy.

Mick Hucknall makes his peers and contemporaries sound ridiculous- he's still the best singer on the planet.

Simply awesome.

You can order live CDs of each UK show by visiting www.instantlive-europe.com

Elly Roberts

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