Scotland’s Simple Minds are perhaps one of the most significant bands from the new Pop movement of the 1980s. In fact, their 1982 album New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84) was an artistic inspiration to many, including U2! All this said, Simple Minds contributes go far and deep; extending well past the international mainstream success of hits like 1985’s “Don’t You (Forget About Me).”
So, while to the more casual listener Simple Minds is something they associate with 1985’s The Breakfast Club, in truth they have transcended decades, releasing nineteen studio albums, up through to their most recent, 2022’s Direction of the Heart.
Truly the story of a legendary act, beyond the bounty of studio material, Simple Minds has also been proactive in finding new, unique ways to present their catalog of songs. Case and point, in 2012 they released 5X5 Live (a double live album features five songs from each of the band’s first five albums), in 2017 they released Acoustic in Concert (capturing some of their most memorable tracks in an acoustic setting with an exceptional set from Jim Kerr & company), leading to most recently in 2023 when they New Gold Dream – Live From Paisley Abbey (where they recorded New Gold Dream within the confines of the historic Paisley Abbey church). All quite different, backtracking to 2017, Acoustic in Concert was initially offered as a stand-alone live album, as well as a DVD capturing the visual of the performances. Both worthy additions to any collection, on December 1, 2023 Mercury Studios opted to re-issue Acoustic In Concert… but this time as a combined Blu-ray and CD set.
A great option for those who might have missed the initial CD or DVD release from six years earlier, it is also important to note this is the first time ever Acoustic In Concert is being offered to Blu-ray, let alone as a package with the CD. So, are we saying you should repurchase the performance in this format? No, but it certainly satisfies two urges at once; because you get to watch the live performance with persistent picture and sound quality, but also get the CD if you want to just listen to the audio. Compounding it all, the set is in a neatly packed digipak, which minimizes storage, but still gives you a tangible piece of the music opposed to the empty world of streaming.
All in all, Mercy Studios did well by reissuing Acoustic In Concert. Something you will want to get your hands on if you are someone who appreciates Simple Minds and the restructured acoustic arrangements of their songs, Cryptic Rock gives this Blu-ray and CD set 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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