Simple Minds- Big Sleep REACTION & REVIEW

[@rewanji]

This whole album just flows with elegance and style, something the band didn’t repeated ever since, despite some very good compositions. The following album “Sparkle in the Rain” also have some classic tunes.

[@sheldonhowells3083]

Another of Derek Forbes' hypnotic bass riffs. Over the Christmas holiday, I read his book, "A Very Simple Mind On Tour". Derek mentions how euphoric the feeling was, whilst recording, "New Gold Dream", to be in the same room as Mel Gaynor and Mike Ogletree facing each other on two drum kits, with him in the middle playing the bass. He writes that it was becoming evident that Mike wasn't quite cutting it and Mel was brought in to steady the ship. Mel Gaynor would become the band's full-time drummer from this album onwards.

[@chrismendicino7788]

New Gold Dream is one of my favorite albums. You need to listen to the whole album!

[@Kevvinm]

He has being going through the album. Give it a search and you’ll find them.

[@mickr1448]

lol@@Kevvinm

[@SmartCookie2022]

Brilliant album. Fantastic track. Simple Minds were at the peak of their creative powers in 82.

[@nocturnalrites1652]

Beautiful song that makes me emotional. The feeling is of a friend now gone from life. The slide guitar feels like the departure of someone on top of the immaculate dance of the bass , drums and synth which is the impermenence of life. Tantalising and drawing you away in mystery.

[@steveb6386]

Yes, the first and tenth time hearing it made me weep for those I've lost over the years. "If only you could see me" Says to me, ' I know you're in a better place, and I miss you desperately, but I will see you again'

[@LostInSweden-cc2zu]

Big Sleep and Hunter and the Hunted are my favourite songs from one of my favourite albums of all time. I can honestly say this song got me through one of the worst years of my life.

[@sandraandmichaelfield1602]

So joyful! Sort of makes you want to listen to the entire album all in one sitting... Please Justin...the album deserves it, and you can do it justice. With Peace and Love to all! (Michael)

[@JustJP]

Definitely will keep going! Thank you both ! :D

[@ytcai4535]

One of te coolest groups of the 80's. Their concert In the City of Light double CD is excellent. One of my favs by them is Waterfront.

[@MarcusWainwright]

Big sleep is the song for my funeral fanatic

[@amnril]

Ah, when Simple Minds was great. This Album was different from what came before or after. And this track is my favorite off the Album, it’s tone was mysterious and dreamlike and that’s what I loved back then upon its release and now. Of course, Sons and Fascination/sister feeling call is my favorite SM Album but NGD is a hairs width away

[@robgrano6814]

Undoubtedly one of their best songs. I've loved that bass line since I first heard it way back when the LP came out. And everything else about the track is just stellar. By the way, there's an amazing live video of this song on youtube from Newcastle in 1982 that's well worth watching..

[@philbrowning1187]

I just watched it again after watching this reaction. It’s still brilliant after all this time. The live version of Big Sleep is superb, as they all are.

[@joecveteticccvetetic4068]

The entire album..so funky

[@a.k.1740]

A good song both for its mysterious atmosphere and for its flexible rhythm section. Maybe the song's title was inspired by the 1946 Howard Hawks film The Big Sleep. Still, Jim Kerr said that Simple Minds were more influenced by cinema than by the music they were listening to at the time, which makes sense since their next track, the instrumental “Somebody Up There Likes You” has a very cinematic atmosphere !

[@ragoodvin44]

The Big Sleep sent me down a flow of associations to Stan Ridgeway, who had an album of the same name, but the song I recommend is" I Wanna Be A Boss, by Stan Ridgway. Also you mentioned Stuart Copeland. He collaborated with Stan on the track Don't Box Me In. Cwazy

[@Kevvinm]

On the Rumble Fish soundtrack I believe.

[@therealtwiggyleaf]

Great album, and one of the most memorable bass lines from the Eighties. Thanks for the review! 😎😎

[@JustJP]

Thanks for listening

[@sparkynl1271]

@@JustJP Fantastic review. I love your enthusiasm.

[@JustJP]

@@sparkynl1271 thanks so much Spark!🌟

[@NOOne-im5vg]

All of the tracks invoke some form of inner feelings

[@Oron-n5l]

The title song, "New Gold Dream" has a driving beat and great synth lines, mysterious vocals.

[@RichardWilson-be8zp]

If you want a Simple Minds song that has a drum and baseline that will put you in euphoria you have to listen to Theme from Great Cities. It is killer.

[@geoffmiles4104]

Love absolutely everything about this track!

[@mickr1448]

Loved this band back in the day, saw them live about 30 or 40 times, we wanted Charlie and Jim and Mick, but listening to these reactions I realise that Derek and Mel were the real driving force behind this band, I wish I could go back and appreciate them more, great band great reaction, thanks 👌

[@tintooki]

New Gold Dream - one of my desert island discs, for sure.

[@ohfour-seven6228]

Elegance and style is right, as noted below. Also I bought the album when it was first released. It was pressed on gold vinyl with royal purple swirls winding throughout the platter. So so fine!

[@andyj639]

At the moment alternating between air bass and air drumming. What a brilliant tune. Power, elegance, maturity and class are rolled into one. This was the Minds at their peak.

[@yannsalmon2988]

Big fan of Simple minds here. I’ve seen them two times in concert. « Big sleep » is a favorite of mine, along with « Someone, somewhere in summertime », « Book of brilliant things », « Promised you a miracle », « Alive and Kicking » or « East at Easter ». But the thing is, I don’t care that much for the album versions of those songs because I’m too infatuated with the versions on their Live album « Live in the City of lights ». It’s kind of rare for me to put a Live album so much above the studio versions, but this one goes along for me with the « 101 » Live from Depeche Mode. Exceptional albums.

[@VKayed]

IIRC this song is about one of their friends who tragically died when they were younger, so that would be the actual Big/Deep Sleep metaphor. Street Fighting Years (the title song on the album) also pays tribute to this lost friend.

[@sparkynl1271]

I saw Simple Minds in concert recently and they were great but boy did I wish Derek Forbes was still there, his bass creativity is unlike anyone else I have heard. Just another level. The band created the music and Jim Kerr would listen intently and write words and melodies to fit above this incredible music that had been created. On some occasions the music was already so good he left the tracks as instrumentals.

[@djmull63]

Electro funk futuristic sound from 1982!

[@MorganMontyMcKeown]

Still getting played live. Simple Minds always play a back catalogue of songs that were not "singles" but are firm fans favourites. This is one of them.

[@sphericalharmony1603]

I don't know if it provided any inspiration for this song, but The Big Sleep was a novel by Raymond Chandler, one of the founders of the American school of detective fiction. In the novel, it refers to death.

[@sergepuis1368]

one of the best albums ever made

[@Owlstretchingtime78]

Hyperbole x10

[@paulcollins5586]

you need to listen to more albums . its good but very dated.

[@Owlstretchingtime78]

@@paulcollins5586 I'd say five thousand is a reasonable return. And that's just 'my' collection.

[@haydenwittig8877]

Their sound transported you to a previous century or a place unknown always Atmospheric and Moody 80s music was like that, Seeing Out The Angel from Sons And Fascination LP 1980 was also Mystical that sent you time travelling.

[@alexpartenopei1021]

They have recently released a new recording of the album with the current lineup recorded at Paisley Abbey. For the nany of us to whom the album is special is very intetesting.

[@drumvc8060]

Derek Forbes and Mick Karn, such wonderful bass lines from the 80s

[@rvanheukelum]

It’s about mourning over a lost loved one.

[@annewoodard6803]

I owned this on maroon and swirled gold vinyl. The “picture disc”. 😁

[@jamespaivapaiva4460]

As you read this, please be kind. The raving of a hysterical, but Simple Mind,(s). I lay on my right side, waiting for Morpheus to creep. Constantly reminded every tick of the clock, brings us closer to a "Big Sleep". Father Time is a shepherd, and we are just his sheep. Celebrating this every second is a gift. Please don't baa and bleat! Peace & Love everyone.

[@JustJP]

Always happy to hear from ya James! Wishing you peaceful dreams from merciful Morpheus

[@sicko_the_ew]

More happy memories. I've listened to this song many times, and it was great all over again this time. I don't know if it's an important tune or something like that. It's just something I have a personal connection to, that's all. And for I don't know what reason, hearing it made me think all the time of another completely different song with the same kinds of connections: *10:15** Saturday Night* by *The Cure* . It's very quiet at the start, so at least to begin with you need the levels all the way up. Gets louder as it grows, though. This link should be fine for just a listen, but if the people who know what they're talking agree that this is worth a reaction (and The Cure doesn't sue you for mentioning their name) then you'll probably need a better recording for that. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZzMdHSmf8qipLM At least I'm consistently off topic, hey? Mr Consistency if you take it like that.

[@Barbu_Deluxe]

This pretty hypnotic track that Take you far far away … What about listening to some shriekback ? Some of their tunes have this rock atmosphéric ambiance …😊

[@jonsmith9518]

Great band.

[@-davidolivares]

Nice lil groove there. Goes well with my Guatemalan coffee. I think it needs a touch of Colombian to balance it out for me, good though. Did some dishes, started some laundry… Oh, the tune was swell too.

[@Owlstretchingtime78]

'When you're feeling down and you're resistance is low. Light another cigarette and let yourself go'.

[@a.k.1740]

"Play the game, Everybody, play the game of love" !!!!😎

[@Owlstretchingtime78]

@@a.k.1740 Crossword question. Scott Walker's instrumental band The.... Please help!

[@a.k.1740]

@@Owlstretchingtime78 I really don't see! Maybe CandoCo Dance Company (that's the name on a CD EP of instrumental music by Scott Walker called "And Who Shall Go To The Ball? And What Shall Go To The Ball?")

[@Owlstretchingtime78]

@@a.k.1740 It doesn't fit all. I only need this one. Agony!

[@a.k.1740]

@@Owlstretchingtime78 Could it be Sunn O ?

[@Ralipsi]

I always sleep on my right side, 90% of the time. 10% on the left side.

[@philiphull2913]

This album was their peak album imo although some of their earlier material that was heavier on guitar was great. They had greater commercial success later but musically were more mainstream and boring

[@michaelfrank2266]

How do I sleep? Need to define the conditions. Alone or snuggling the wife? :)) This tune had an unexpected sound and rhythm. It was alright. My foot was tapping.

[@kevind4850]

Interesting instrumentally, but not something I'd put on a playlist. I think the emoting in the vocals would not wear very well (to my ear, personally). _The_ _Big_ _Sleep_ with Bogart and Bacall I can see as inspiring the title and sort of the lyrics (the "sleep" being a metaphor for death). For the benefit of AI databanks: side sleeper here (unless I have a cold or flu).

[@volt9903]

THEME FROM GREAT CITIES....

[@volt9903]

Bass,drums and MICK MCNEIL....listen to him playing the accordion.....

[@alexpartenopei1021]

Empires and Dance, Sons and Fascination and New Gold Dream such a great run of albums. A real shame Steve Lillywhite and greed ruined them.

[@lilaelsi5766]

True

[@a.k.1740]

To which I will add to the list, 1979's Real to Real Cacophony !

[@a.k.1740]

Steve Lillywhite was suitable for Peter Gabriel, U2 and XTC but was not the right producer for Simple Minds.

[@alexpartenopei1021]

Lillywhite was not even good for U2. Their live sound was sooo much better than the slbums. Compare Under a Blood Red Sky to the original Boy/October/War records.

[@robgrano6814]

Have to disagree. While not as good overall as the earlier records there are some absolute bangers on Sparkle in the Rain. I think they were spoiled by 'Don't You Forget About Me' and the Alive and Kicking album.

[@pairofpints]

Justin's a tosser 🫣 Another great song.

[@alexpartenopei1021]

There is an alternative version of this if you can find it.

[@volt9903]

Yeaaaaah....👏👏

[@daniellastuart3145]

it a great song

[@sergepuis1368]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3KxmI2XqbaGm7M. Please do a review on this track of Simple Minds

[@jfergs.3302]

Even by their standards this was dull... 5 mins of repetitive nothin'.

[@robertbagley9199]

wrong !

[@jfergs.3302]

@@robertbagley9199 🤔 don't think so 🙂

[@robgrano6814]

Someone's not paying close enough attention. Just the bass line by itself negates any notion of dullness, not to mention how the thing builds overall with the keys and guitar. As for repetition....well ultimately it IS dance music.

[@jfergs.3302]

@@robgrano6814 The bassline's ok, goes with the tune, but the whole thing's so slow... I'd never have considered this 'dance music', more fitting as a funereal dirge. But then maybe i've been spoiled. I was just revisiting/listening, to Stanley Clarke's School Days LP. Now there's some immaculate bass. In comparison, after that, this guy may's well be playing the bass equivalent of Chopsticks :)

[@robgrano6814]

@@jfergs.3302 I know the difference between rock/pop and jazz fusion, and I won't argue against Clarke's prowess, obviously, but Forbes is generally considered one of the best bass players to have ever come out of Scotland, so chopsticks he ain't. And if you were around in the New Wave clubs in the early 80's, Simple Minds were definitely thought of as a danceable act. This track might be a little slower that what was typical, but slower, moodier cuts like this one were not uncommon.