Simple Minds – Live In The City Of Light

Simple Minds – Live In The City Of Light

Live In The City Of Light captures "Simple Minds" at the height of their mid-1980s success, documenting the band's huge Once Upon A Time world tour. Released in May 1987 as a double LP on Virgin Records, the album reached No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart and showcases the expansive, anthemic live sound that had made the Scottish group one of the biggest British rock acts of the decade.

Most of the album was recorded at Le Zénith in Paris on 12 and 13 August 1986, with the performances produced and mixed by Bruce Lampcov. The set draws heavily on material from Once Upon A Time and the preceding Sparkle In The Rain, including “Ghost Dancing”, “Waterfront”, “Promised You A Miracle”, “Alive And Kicking” and “Sanctify Yourself”.

The album also contains several of Simple Minds' defining songs of the period, including “Don't You (Forget About Me)”, “Once Upon A Time”, “New Gold Dream” and the extended “Love Song – Sun City – Dance To The Music” medley. “Someone Somewhere In Summertime” is the exception to the Paris recordings, having been captured live at the Sydney Entertainment Centre in October 1986.

The performances feature the classic 1986 touring line-up of Jim Kerr, Charlie Burchill, Michael MacNeil, John Giblin and Mel Gaynor, augmented by Robin Clark on vocals and Sue Hadjopoulos on percussion. The result is a powerful double live set combining Simple Minds' post-punk origins with the grand, atmospheric and highly melodic rock sound of their international breakthrough period.

Tracklist:

Disc 1 – Side A
A1. Ghost Dancing
A2. Big Sleep
A3. Waterfront
A4. Promised You A Miracle

Disc 1 – Side B
B1. Someone Somewhere In Summertime
B2. Oh Jungleland
B3. Alive And Kicking

Disc 2 – Side C
C1. Don't You Forget About Me
C2. Once Upon A Time
C3. Book Of Brilliant Things
C4. East At Easter

Disc 2 – Side D
D1. Sanctify Yourself
D2. Love Song - Sun City - Dance To The Music (Medley)
D3. New Gold Dream