On April 25, 2025, Scottish band Simple Minds released their
latest album, “Live From the Diamond City.” It was recorded at the Ziggo Dome
in Amsterdam. The show was sold out and had an audience of 17,000 people. This
album completes the triptych “Live in the City” series that dates back to 1987.
It is really cool to hear the audience interactions on this
album. Many times, these brief interactions are left out of live albums. With
recent technology, “live” albums tend to get rid of the sound of the audience. Simple
Minds does a great job of balancing the sound of the audience with the band’s
music and speaking. It is rare for this balance to be as well done as it is on
this live album.
The band’s sound on this album is incredible. At times, the
band sounds like U2, and on other songs, the vocalist resembles David Bowie. It
is fascinating to hear how James Kerr’s voice changes to match the style of
each song. Even though each song has a different subject, the songs still hold
true to the voice that Simple Minds have honed throughout their career.
There is something special about this album that allows the
listener to be transported to the live concert where the recording was taken,
which is difficult to do with the album recording alone. Many times, artists
will record video footage of live shows, but the audio alone is enough to allow
listeners to feel like they are part of the experience.
Though there were thousands of people there for the show,
not everyone is able to make it to a Simple Minds concert, but this album can be
the next best thing. For those who have been to one of their concerts but were
not able to be at this concert, the essence of the live show was captured in a
way that you will vividly remember being at the show you went to.
“Let There Be Love” was an exceptionally powerful song on
the album. With everything going on in the world, both when the recording was
done and now, these lyrics ring true. Another cool song was “Don’t You (Forget
About Me),” especially hearing the audience singing along. Imagine 17,000 fans
singing a song of yours. It is wild to think about, but it is so powerful and
awesome.
Overall, this album is one of the best live albums out
there. The balance between the sound of the audience and the band playing music
is impeccable. Listeners are transported to the concert, and they can feel like
they are at the show, interacting with the band and being surrounded by the
band. After 40 years, the band is still going strong, and nothing can prove
this more than an epic live album such as this one.
Band:
Vocals: Jim Kerr
Guitar: Charlie Burchill
Bass Guitar: Ged Grimes
Background Vocals: Sarah Brown
Drums: Cherisse Osei
Background Vocals, Acoustic Guitar: Gordy Goudie
Keyboards: Erik Ljunggren
Track List:
1. Someone Somewhere In Summertime - Live From Paisley Abbey
2. Colours Fly and Catherine Wheel - Live From Paisley Abbey
3. Promised You A Miracle - Live From Paisley Abbey
4. Big Sleep - Live From Paisley Abbey
5. Somebody Up There Likes You - Live From Paisley Abbey
6. New Gold Dream (81- 82- 83- 84) - Live From Paisley Abbey
7. Glittering Prize - Live From Paisley Abbey
8. Hunter and the Hunted - Live From Paisley Abbey
9. King Is White and In the Crowd - Live From Paisley Abbey
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