Respect to the legends that are Simple Minds!

I went to see Simple Minds (a band who I have always loved) in Leeds last night and they were superb.

This was one of the highlights and although not one of their most famous tracks it is definitely one of their best. This is from 1981 and was totally ground-breaking at the time mixing synths and guitar. 

It was also huge in many UK clubs in the late 80's and was a big fave at Shoom and other quality acid house clubs and parties.

Simple Minds - Theme For Great Cities

Due to it being such a fantastic track it was also copied and sampled many times and many of these new remakes and remixes were also huge club tracks also worthy of PCC status.

Probably the best and the most widely played was the great version from Corporation of One from 1988, especially the Oppy mix which contains all the great Tony Montana samples from Scarface and elements from Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody.

Corporation Of One - Real Life 

(Oppy Mix)

The original mix of this track is also superb and doesn't contain all the samples and snippets and was probably the most widely played out in clubs.

Corporation Of One - Real Life 

(Original Mix)

Another credible version which was released in 2001 was the Joey Negro influenced Raven Maize version which provides a bit of a heavier club beat/feel, and is very much an updated copy of the original Simple Minds version with the Real Life Queen vocal sample added. Still a great track though.

Raven Maize - The Real Life 

(Club Mix)

Finally, to finish off the sequence their is also a very credible remix by Moby which is pretty much the Simple Minds version, but with a updated 2000s Depeche Mode-esque synth feel.

Simple Minds - Theme For Great Cities 2012 

(Moby Remix)

All in all. all are great tracks in their own right, but all must pay homage, respect and their dues to the original brilliance to Simple Minds who over 40 years ago (1981) created a true ground-breaking masterpiece that it is still revered and highly regarded to this day by the club scene.

Well and truly "Alive and Kicking"!!!

I've finally now got full access to my music collection and can't begin to tell you how relieved I am.

It feels like I've got part of my soul back!!

There was a moment back there when I thought I might have lost all the music I'd taken years to build up, but I'm pleased to report that all is "Alive and Kicking" and I now have full access to all my dance music collection.

This means that I can resume normal posting service to keep you all fully consumed with your regular dosage of PCCs (and also provide Adam with some support to keep the PCC blog rockin'!!)

Here's a really cheeky little number that I just couldn't resist.

I grew up loving Simple Minds, they were simply an awesome band and were right up there with U2 back in the 80's.

This track was one of there biggest hits (although just one of many classics they made). Here it's given a charming little remix, which contains the full power of the original version, but adds a little tinkly piano riff.

Ok it maybe have been a tad commercial for some of the nations more discerning dancefloors, but it's still a PCC in my mind.

Enjoy all the same!!!

East Side Beat - Alive And Kicking

(12" Mix)

http://www.mediafire.com/?969q19l4zchswr7

Badda, Da Da, Ba Badda, Da Da, Ba Badda Ho, Badda Ho!!!!

Well that's what I used to sing anyway.
Simple Minds were one of my favourite bands from the 80's.
At the time they were right up there with U2 on a par as probably the best rock band going!!
Then along came Patsy Kensit - that great marriage wrecker and destroyer of great bands.
She married Dan Donavan - Big Audio Dynamite soon split, up she married Jim Kerr (Simple Minds), they then split up, She married Liam Gallagher - Oasis split up. Spot the recurring theme!!
She them married Jeremy Healy and they have since split up.
It strikes me that Ms. Kensit must be bloody high maintenance!!!
Anyway enough of all that - about the track.
Well of course it is very much based on Simple Minds fantastic track Alive and Kicking - which was a massive Stadium Rock classic and one of my fave Simple Minds tracks.
This version uses the the riff very effectively with some great tinkly piano which helps to retain the power of the song and the emotion.
It then brings in that famous singalong "Badda, Da Da,  Ba Badda, Da Da, Ba Badda Ho, Badda Ho!!!!".
It also retains most of the vocals which makes it great to single to.
There's even some really nice cheesy synth thrown in for good measure.
All in all a great remix from Phil Kelsey.
I've never heard this in a club, but could imagine it going down a treat last track of the night, as the lights come on and everyone is singing along in ecstatic bliss. Nice!!!
All in all a really effective dance working of an all time rock classic.
Enjoy!!!

East Side Beat - Alive And Kicking
(Demo Remix)

http://www.mediafire.com/?g4tfqk23c2c2aon