|
Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZSIMPLY REDUK pop band formed '85 in Manchester by vocalist/songwriter Mick Hucknall (b 8 June '60), who had fronted punk band the Frantic Elevators, with three former members of Durutti Column plus Fritz McIntyre on keyboards, Sylvan Richardson on guitar. Signed to Elektra, supported James Brown on UK tour; debut album Picture Book '85 incl. UK hits 'Money's Too Tight To Mention', 'Holding Back The Years'; second Men And Women '87 with hit 'The Right Thing', two other songs co-written by Hucknall with Lamont Dozier. They became headliners '87, the live show good value; Hucknall had a good singing voice and used old standards in the act (Cole Porter's 'Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye', incl. in the second album), setting them apart from other bands, another sign that pop as we had known it since '60s was increasingly to be regarded as bubblegum. The first album had gone top 20 in the USA; A New Flame '89 almost did; the band broke up and Hucknall effectively became a solo with long-term associates. Stars '91 did not reach the top 75 USA while it sold 3.6m in the UK and was the best-selling album there for two years: Hucknall could be described as pop's most successful cabaret singer. Montreux '92 was an EP; by the time of Life '95 the lineup incl. McIntyre, Ian Markham (sax) and Heitor on guitar, engineered by Massive Attack's Andy Wright. So secure was their fanship that 'Fairground', a relatively subtle track, was released to promote Life; but next album Blue '98 was half covers, tired and lacking imagination. |