New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84)
New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84) is the fifth studio album by Scottish band Simple Minds. The album was released in September 1982 by record label Virgin, and was a turning point for the band as they gained critical and commercial success in the UK and Europe.
New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84) | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 13 September 1982 | |||
Recorded | June–August 1982[1][2] | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 44:59 | |||
Label | Virgin | |||
Producer | Peter Walsh | |||
Simple Minds chronology | ||||
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Simple Minds studio albums chronology | ||||
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Origin
New Gold Dream originated in Simple Minds' unexpected popular and commercial success during an Australian tour with Icehouse, following the release of Sons and Fascination. The band was prompted by this experience to write "Promised You a Miracle" upon their return to Europe.[4]
In a 2012 interview, singer Jim Kerr recalled the production of the album as a wonderful time during the late spring and early summer of 1982 in which "everything we tried worked", adding: "There were no arguments. We were in love with what we were doing, playing it, listening to it. You don't get many periods in your life when it all goes your way."[4]
The album was recorded over a five-month period at Rockfield Studio, The Townhouse and Oxford Manor, with pre-production at The Old Mill in Fife. During a short tour rehearsal in January 1982, the band wrote what would become the songs "King Is White and In the Crowd", "Hunter and the Hunted" and "Promised You a Miracle". The latter song proved pivotal to the musical direction of the album. "Promised You a Miracle" was unveiled in a Kid Jensen session for Radio 1 and released as a single in April 1982.[5]
For the recording of the album producer Peter Walsh was recruited on the recommendation of guitarist Charlie Burchill, who had been impressed by Walsh's work on the remix of the band's previous single "Sweat in Bullet". During the recording sessions it became evident that the band's drummer Mike Ogletree didn't hit the mark. Walsh decided to recruit session drummer Mel Gaynor to play on the album and, following Ogletree's departure, Gaynor became a full-time member of the band.[5]
Jazz keyboardist Herbie Hancock guested on the album and plays a synthesizer solo on the song "Hunter and the Hunted".[5]
Release
Released in September 1982, the album made number 3 in the UK Albums Chart.[6] In the US, A&M issued some limited-edition translucent gold with maroon-colored marble vinyl pressings of the album.[7]
The record generated a handful of singles: "Promised You a Miracle" (released in April 1982), "Glittering Prize" (August 1982) and "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" (November 1982). The title track saw a limited release in Italy, when the band visited the country during their tour in March 1983.
Virgin Records reissued the album as a remastered edition in 2002 (cardboard vinyl replica edition) and early 2003 (jewel-case). On the 2002/2003 edition, the gaps between the tracks on the album are slightly shorter. Virgin also reissued the album on SACD in 2003.
2005 DVD-Audio version
In 2005, Virgin released a DVD-Audio version, which is completely remixed by Roland Prent. All the tracks except "Colours Fly and Catherine Wheel" and "Promised You a Miracle" (whose multitrack tapes had apparently been lost) were remixed in 5.1 surround sound, and additionally, a downmixed 2.0 stereo version was created for compatibility with non-surround DVD-Audio set-ups.
There is also a bonus track, "In Every Heaven". The song had previously been lost, as it was not labelled on the master tape properly. An instrumental of it called "Soundtrack for Every Heaven", had been the B-side of the "Someone, Somewhere (In Summertime)" 12-inch single and was also on the popular Methods Of Dance Volume 2 compilation on Virgin. An alternate version of "In Every Heaven" from the same sessions appeared on the version of New Gold Dream included in the X5 box set.
2016 box set
In 2016, Virgin Records issued a six-disc deluxe box set including the original album, single versions, alternative takes and demos, b-sides, 1982 radio sessions and a DVD with the 2005 5.1 mix of the album and performances on Top of the Pops. Virgin also reissued the album as a digital download, a two-CD set, a single CD and a vinyl LP.[5]
Critical reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [8] |
Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [9] |
The Great Rock Discography | 8/10[10] |
Mojo | [11] |
Q | [12] |
Record Collector | [13] |
Rolling Stone | [14] |
Smash Hits | 8/10[15] |
Uncut | [16] |
The Village Voice | C+[17] |
The album received several positive reviews. In NME, Paul Morley wrote: "My loyalty towards Simple Minds is known to be considerable, yet even I am jarred by the constant beauty of this music. New Gold Dream robs me of my breath." Record Mirror's Mark Cooper wrote: "They have stunned and impressed me but they have rarely moved me. Suddenly, in New Gold Dream, they’ve conquered their fear of feeling and come out shining.”[5]
Retrospectively, journalist David Stubbs has placed New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84) alongside ABC's The Lexicon of Love and The Associates' Sulk, a group of albums he has described as the "zenith" of pop music.[4] In a 2016 review in Record Collector, journalist Tom Byford wrote: "New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) stands shining and singular in the Simple Minds canon... Now it not only takes its place among the greatest future-pop albums of the 80s (Dare, The Lexicon Of Love), it sits comfortably among the greatest pop albums of all time."[13]
The album was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.[18]
When creating their 1984 album The Unforgettable Fire, the Irish rock band U2 saw New Gold Dream as an influence.[19]
"Every band or artist with a history has an album that's their holy grail", said Jim Kerr. "I suppose New Gold Dream was ours. It was a special time because we were really beginning to break through with that record, both commercially and critically. The people that liked that record connected with it in a special way. There was a depth to it: it created its own mythology. It stood out. It was our most successful record to date and, critically, the Paul Morleys of this world were writing very nice things about it."[20]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Simple Minds (Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Michael MacNeil); except where noted.
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" | 4:36 |
2. | "Colours Fly and Catherine Wheel" | 3:49 |
3. | "Promised You a Miracle" | 4:28 |
4. | "Big Sleep" | 5:00 |
5. | "Somebody Up There Likes You" | 5:02 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
6. | "New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84)" | 5:39 |
7. | "Glittering Prize" | 4:33 |
8. | "Hunter and the Hunted" | 5:55 |
9. | "King is White and in the Crowd" | 7:00 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
10. | "In Every Heaven" | 4:50 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" | 4:36 |
2. | "Colours Fly and Catherine Wheel" | 3:49 |
3. | "Promised You a Miracle" | 4:28 |
4. | "Big Sleep" | 5:00 |
5. | "Somebody Up There Likes You" | 5:02 |
6. | "New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84)" | 5:39 |
7. | "Glittering Prize" | 4:33 |
8. | "Hunter and the Hunted" | 5:55 |
9. | "King is White and in the Crowd" | 7:00 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Promised You a Miracle" (Extended) | 4:51 | |
2. | "Seeing Out the Angel" (Instrumental Remix) | Brian McGee, Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Michael MacNeil | 6:32 |
3. | "Promised You a Miracle" (US Remix) | 6:00 | |
4. | "Promised You a Miracle" (US Dub) | 5:28 | |
5. | "Promised You a Miracle" (US Special Extended Remix) | 6:11 | |
6. | "Glittering Prize" (Club Mix) | 4:57 | |
7. | "Glittering Prize" (Extended Theme) | 4:57 | |
8. | "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" (Extended) | 6:06 | |
9. | "New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84)" (German 12" Mix) | 6:53 | |
10. | "King is White and in the Crowd" (Instrumental) | 8:46 | |
11. | "New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84)" (German 12" Remix with Drums) | 6:56 | |
12. | "In Every Heaven" | 4:24 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Promised You a Miracle" (Edit) | 3:59 | |
2. | "Theme for Great Cities" | Brian McGee, Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Michael MacNeil | 5:42 |
3. | "Glittering Prize" (Edit) | 3:58 | |
4. | "Glittering Prize" (Theme) | 4:06 | |
5. | "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" (Edit) | 3:55 | |
6. | "Soundtrack for Every Heaven" | 4:56 | |
7. | "New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84)" (7" Mix) | 4:46 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Promised You a Miracle" (David Jensen Session: 11 February 1982) | 4:27 | |
2. | "In Trance as Mission" (David Jensen Session: 11 February 1982) | Brian McGee, Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Michael MacNeil | 4:30 |
3. | "King Is White and in the Crowd" (David Jensen Session: 11 February 1982) | 5:18 | |
4. | "Promised You a Miracle" (John Peel Session: 15 February 1982) | 4:38 | |
5. | "Love Song" (John Peel Session: 15 February 1982) | Brian McGee, Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Michael MacNeil | 5:48 |
6. | "Sons And Fascination" (John Peel Session: 15 February 1982) | Brian McGee, Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Michael MacNeil | 6:42 |
7. | "King is White and in the Crowd" (John Peel Session: 15 February 1982) | 6:05 | |
8. | "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" (David Jensen Session: 13 August 1982) | 5:09 | |
9. | "Glittering Prize" (David Jensen Session: 13 August 1982) | 4:19 | |
10. | "Hunter and the Hunted" (David Jensen Session: 13 August 1982) | 5:55 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" (Full Duration) | 5:43 |
2. | "Colours Fly and Catherine Wheel" (Full Duration Instrumental) | 4:37 |
3. | "Promised You a Miracle" (Remix For Album: Long) | 4:50 |
4. | "Big Sleep" (Instrumental) | 5:09 |
5. | "In Every Heaven" (Full Duration) | 5:37 |
6. | "Somebody Up There Likes You" (Full Duration Instrumental) | 5:11 |
7. | "New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84)" (Full Duration) | 7:01 |
8. | "Hunter and the Hunted" (Alternative Take) | 5:14 |
9. | "King is White and in the Crowd" (Monitor Mix) | 7:13 |
10. | "In Every Heaven" (Early Version) | 4:35 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" (5.1 Mix) | 5:22 |
2. | "Colours Fly and Catherine Wheel" (5.1 Mix) | 3:49 |
3. | "Promised You a Miracle" (5.1 Mix) | 4:28 |
4. | "Big Sleep" (5.1 Mix) | 5:27 |
5. | "Somebody Up There Likes You" (5.1 Mix) | 5:45 |
6. | "New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84)" (5.1 Mix) | 6:08 |
7. | "Glittering Prize" (5.1 Mix) | 4:40 |
8. | "Hunter and the Hunted" (5.1 Mix) | 6:09 |
9. | "King is White and in the Crowd" (5.1 Mix) | 7:31 |
10. | "In Every Heaven" (5.1 Mix) | 4:46 |
11. | "Promised You a Miracle" (Promo Video) | 4:03 |
12. | "Glittering Prize" (Promo Video) | 4:03 |
13. | "Promised You a Miracle" (Top Of The Pops Performance 17 April 1982) | 3:33 |
14. | "Glittering Prize" (Top Of The Pops Performance 2 September 1982) | 3:39 |
- Note
- The 'deluxe edition' of New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84) comprises disc 1 (The Original Album) and disc 2 (Extended Versions).
- The 'super deluxe edition' of New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84) comprises all 6 discs.
Personnel
Simple Minds
- Jim Kerr – lead vocals
- Charlie Burchill – guitars and effects
- Michael MacNeil – keyboards and effects
- Derek Forbes – bass guitar
- Mel Gaynor – drums (tracks: 1, 4, 6–9)
- Mike Ogletree – drums (tracks: 2, 5)
- Kenny Hyslop – drums (track: 3)
Additional musicians
- Sharon Campbell – girl's voice (tracks: 1, 7)
- Herbie Hancock – guest keyboardist (track: 8)
Charts
Chart (1982) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (Kent Music Report)[21] | 8 |
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[22] | 31 |
New Zealand (RIANZ)[23] | 2 |
UK (OCC)[24] | 3 |
Chart (2016) | Peak position |
---|---|
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[25] | 40 |
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[26] | 21 |
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[27] | 65 |
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[28] | 47 |
New Zealand Heatseekers Albums (RMNZ)[29] | 10 |
Scottish Albums (OCC)[30] | 10 |
UK Albums (OCC)[31] | 47 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Canada (Music Canada)[32] | Gold | 50,000^ |
France (SNEP)[33] | Gold | 100,000* |
Netherlands (NVPI)[34] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[35] | Platinum | 15,000^ |
Sweden (GLF)[36] | Gold | 50,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[37] | Platinum | 300,000^ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
References
- http://www.simpleminds.org/sm/songs/demos/ngd/tape3.htm
- http://www.simpleminds.org/sm/tours/t1982-1/index.htm
- Kellman, Andy. "Real to Real Cacophony – Simple Minds". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
- Stubbs, David (21 February 2012). "A Glittering Prize – Jim Kerr Of Simple Minds Interviewed". The Quietus. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
- New Gold Dream Box Set Simple Minds.com
- "Simple Minds". Biography. Music Scotland. Retrieved 19 August 2007.
- "Simple Minds – New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)".
- Wilson, MacKenzie. "New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84) – Simple Minds". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
- Larkin, Colin (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th concise ed.). Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.
- Strong, Martin C. (2006). The Essential Rock Discography (1st ed.). Edinburgh: Canongate Books. p. 970. ISBN 1-84195-985-5.
- Eccleston, Danny (September 2016). "Precious mettle". Mojo (274): 105.
- "Simple Minds: New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84)". Q (211): 117. February 2004.
- Byford, Tom (September 2016). "Simple Minds – New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84)". Record Collector (457). Retrieved 6 January 2017.
- Fricke, David (14 April 1983). "Simple Minds: New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)". Rolling Stone (393). ISSN 0035-791X. Archived from the original on 17 November 2007.
- Hepworth, David (30 September – 13 October 1982). "Albums". Smash Hits: 25.
- "Simple Minds: New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84)". Uncut (66): 139. November 2002.
- Christgau, Robert (26 July 1983). "Christgau's Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
- Dimery, Robert (2006). 1001 Albums You Must Hear before You Die. New York: Universe. ISBN 978-0-7893-1371-3.
- "Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois Remember the Making of U2's Unforgettable Fire – Pitchfork".
- Q March 1998
- Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book Ltd. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. Note: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1974 until Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) created their own charts in mid-1988. In 1992, Kent back calculated chart positions for 1970–1974.
- "Simple Minds - New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84)". Retrieved 10 August 2017.
- "SIMPLE MINDS - NEW GOLD DREAM (81/82/83/84) (ALBUM)". Retrieved 9 August 2017.
- "Official Charts > Simple Minds". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
- "Ultratop.be – Simple Minds – New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84) – Remastered 2016" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- "Ultratop.be – Simple Minds – New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84) – Remastered 2016" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- "Dutchcharts.nl – Simple Minds – New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84) – Remastered 2016" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- "Offiziellecharts.de – Simple Minds – New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84)" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
- "NZ Heatseekers Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 15 August 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
- "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
- "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- "Canadian album certifications – Simple Minds – New Gold Dream". Music Canada. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
- "Les Certifications depuis 1973: Albums". Infodisc.fr. Retrieved 26 May 2019. (select "Simple Minds" from drop-down list)
- "Dutch album certifications – Simple Minds – New Gold Dream" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 26 May 2019. Enter New Gold Dream in the "Artiest of titel" box.
- "New Zealand album certifications – Simple Minds – New Gold Dream". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
- "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
- "British album certifications – Simple Minds – New Gold Dream". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 26 May 2019. Select albums in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type New Gold Dream in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
Further reading
- Sweeting, Adam (1999). Simple Minds (first ed.). Sidgwick & Jackson. ISBN 0-283-99581-5.
External links
- New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84) at Discogs (list of releases)
- New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84) (Adobe Flash) at Radio3Net (streamed copy where licensed)
- Recording New Gold Dream: An Interview with Peter Walsh YouTube