Simply Red roll back the years in Birmingham
Something got them started, eventually, as a lack-lustre Simply Red took to the stage at Birmingham's NIA last night.
Simply Red Farewell, NIA, Birmingham
Concert review by John Hackney
Something got them started, eventually, as a lack-lustre Simply Red took to the stage at Birmingham's NIA last night.
Mick Hucknall's enduring success for over 25 years, has seen him receive 130 gold and platinum discs for worldwide sales of over 50 million albums, and this show was a celebration of an astonishing back catalogue.
It is Simply Red's Farewell tour and, as it reaches its conclusion at London's O2 Arena on Sunday, the opening numbers had a tired, almost low-key feel.
In fact it wasn't until after half a dozen songs that Mick's energy started to get through to the packed arena.
But Hucknall's voice remains as gloriously soulful as ever, covering hit after hit with consumate ease.
By the time he got to Stars the entire NIA was on its collective feet, singing along as one.
Such is the familiarity of Simply Red's songs - For Your Babies, If You Don't Know Me By Now and Thrill Me, one of the night's highlights, followed.
By now Mick was prowling around the stage like a big ginger tom cat. By the time Money's Too Tight (To Mention)' and Fairground came round the show was living up to expectations.
The encore of Something Got Me Started, continued the upbeat theme until Mick stood, alone in a single spotlightwith his acoustic guitar, to sing the poignant Holding Back The Years.
As he put it: "To end with the beginning."
