Simple Minds Once Upon A Time CD

Simple Minds: Mel Gaynor (vocals, drums); Jim Kerr (vocals); Charlie Burchill (guitar); Michael MacNeil (piano, keyboards); John Giblin (bass).
Additional personnel includes: Robin Clark (vocals).
Recorded at Right Track Studios, New York and Bearsville Studios, Bearsville, New York.
Riding the coat tails of the John Hughes flick The Breakfast Club, Simple Minds finally broke America with their theme song "Don't You Forget About Me," and their 1985 release Once Upon a Time captured the heart-wrenching excitement found in bands such as U2. They were now one of the biggest names in music and Jim Kerr's thirsting vocals became the band's signature. Once Upon a Time, featuring producer Jimmy Iovine (U2, Stevie Nicks, Bruce Springsteen), showcased more of a guitar-driven sound. The band's heavy synth-pop beats had relaxed a bit and Charlie Burchill's charming playing style was most noticeable. Also enlisting the choir-like beauty of Robin Clark, Simple Minds' popularity was expounded on songs such as Alive & Kicking" and "Sanctify Yourself." This album was one of their best, most likely leading the pack in the band's album roster, because it exuded raw energy and solid composition not entirely captured on previous albums. ~ MacKenzie Wilson
Simple Minds gained belated US chart success with "(Don't You) Forget About Me" and a distinctly transatlantic burr covered this, the ensuing album. Producers Jimmy Iovine and Bob Clearmountain sculpted an unambiguous sound where crowd-pleasing anthems invoked a genuine excitement. Loud, forthright and shorn of subtlety, ONCE UPON A TIME shows the group's core trio - Jim Kerr (vocals), Charlie Burchill (guitar) and Mick McNeil (keyboards) - working together with genuine empathy, while a revamped rhythm section underpins the material with sinewy precision. They combine to create what many consider to be Simple Minds' most exciting and exhilarating release.CMJ (1/5/04, p.18) - Ranked #8 in CMJ's "Top 20 Most-Played Albums of 1986"