Simple Minds – 19 Themes

Theme 1 : I Travel
Label: Virgin Records, 1990, Theme 1, PM 515 663 348-211
Track listing:
1. I Travel [ Extended - 6′15″ ]
2. Celebrate [ Album version - 5′03″ ]
3. Film Theme [ Album version - 2′18″ ]
Facts:
“I Travel”: Kerr’s daunting vision on Europe. The song links together a series of connected statements, building up to what was almost a travelogue: all the images come together in a frenzied rush, while underneath a furious backing the song irresistibly along propels. Kerr always felt that this song was only chaptering part of his thoughts; he promised a sequel #2, which finally arrived on “Once Upon A Time”: Ghostdancing. Both songs kick of with “Cities Buildings Falling Down”.
Our Opinion:
“I Travel” is a compelling, grade A, dance-style upsetting, top-notch tune, consolidated by Kerr’s Dante-esque lyrics. Just as Human League’s “Being Boiled”, the perfect example of the justified raison d’être of the 12″: it surpasses its coexistence with the original album track by its own brilliance. Intelligent choice of sleeve-picture puts the icing on the cake. Wonderful.
“Celebrate” embraces pop sensibility with a beat kept in time by hand-claps and melodic bass lines, with tinkling percussions and the occasional synth effect popping up. The music has its quirks, despite the fact that it seems more accessible than other tracks on “Empires”. The lyrics lay on the bleak imagery and pungency with precision. With thanks to John Bishop, Tempe, AZ, US. Quint-essential track.
“Film Theme” Instrumental maybe? Indeed, but not the best one.

Theme 2 : The American
Label: Virgin Records, 1990, Theme 2, PM515 663 349-211
Track listing:
1. The American [ Extended - 6′58″ ]
2. League of Nations [ Album version - 4′58″ ]
3. Sound in 70 Cities [ Album version - 5′01″ ]
Our Opinion:
Isn’t there anyone then who swears by “The American” the way we do? Hardly air-played these days (was it ever?), we fear the black swan disease. Masculine, imminent, menacing. Archetypally powerful. Once bitten, never forgotten. Superbus maximus extended version here. Even more drilling. Frightning. Kerr going nearly acapella at 4′09″, sublime fading out, gripping bonus recapitulation of the main synth-theme on 6′19″. Thank God we live to tell.
“League of Nations” (the album version here) is slightly disappointing, only because both its powerful 12″ & its menacing LIVE-version are available on other Theme-CDs.
The Jekyll & Hyde of instrumentals, the ultimate protagonists, heavenly beautiful and hellish revolting: “Theme for Great Cities” vs. “Sound in 70 Cities”, both apparent on Themes Boxset 1 and on (although different) individual CD-singles. Our silly theory is that Simple Minds knew they’d created two eternally defying forward slash important instrumentals, be it each pointing out in opposite direction. They could’ve baptized them “Theme for Great Cities” and “Theme for Not-Great Cities”, or “Theme from Heaven” & “Theme from Hell”. Entitling the latter “Sound in 70 Cities” was intelligently metaphorical, subtle. They could have named it “Theme for Richard”( Richard Wagner, genius but fascist). Anyway, one simply can not describe the magnificence of both tracks. “Theme” is beautiful, “Sound” is ugly. Both however are outstanding Pop-standards and should be treated that way. People may argue that “Sound” is just the word-less “70 Cities as Love brings the Fall”. To us, “Sound in 70 Cities” was created first. Never would have thought that “chicken” and “egg” would be mentioned in a Simple Minds context.

Theme 3 : Love Song
Label: Virgin Records, 1990, Theme 3, PM515 663 350-211
Track listing:
1. Love Song [ “Extended” version - 5′04″ ]
2. This earth that you walk upon [ Album version - 5′26″ ]
3. Life in a Day [ Album version - 4′07″ ]
Facts:
“This earth that you walk upon”: Here on Theme 3 in correct instrumental version, the way it appeared on the original 12″. The picture disc from the Boxset wrongly contains the album version, with lyrics.
Our Opinion:
The so-called ‘extended’ version of “LoveSong” is non-existing, the “Sons & Fascination” track seems untouched to us. This IS pure deception; luckily the original is already Nobel Prize-winning stuff.
“This earth that you walk upon” is, together with its twin “Seeing”, awesomely intriguing. They both deservedly got there instrumental on the Theme-cds. Perfect headphones-stuff.
“Life in A Day”, Simple Minds’ first single and title track of their first album, reminds us how different LP I was. Compared with the follow-up, “Life” can easily be seen as positively vibrant. Catchy tune, Joycean title and hop, Simple Minds out of the blocks for a conquering joyride. Now that’s the way we like it.

Theme 4 : Sweat in Bullet
Label: Virgin Records, 1990, Theme 4, PM 515 663 351-211
Track listing:
1. Sweat in Bullet [ Extended - 7′23″ ]
2. 20th Century Promised Land [ Album version - 4′51″ ]
3. League of Nations [ Live @ Hammersmith Odeon, 25th September 1981 - 6′14″ ]
4. In Trance As Mission [Live @ Hammersmith Odeon, 25th September 1981 - 7′18″ ]
Our Opinion:
The 1981 live-versions of “In Trance as Mission” and “League of Nations” are definitely doing the business. Excelling in their repetitive, menacing, ostinato-in-perpetuum bass & percussion framework, these two tracks reveal a worthy time-document of pre-chart-success-Simple Minds. Kerr’s voice by the way is on safe ground here. If you listen carefully to “In Trance”’s intro, you’ll hear someone in the audience (rightly) shouting for the upcoming track. He probably knew the set-list by heart and tried to impress his girl friend. He did impress us and actually still does.
The extended version of “Sweat in Bullet” (from to original 4′30″ leapfrogging to an impressive 7′23″) approximates the true raison d’être of a 12″. Good, solid maxi.

Theme 5 : Promised You A Miracle
Label: Virgin Records, 1990, Theme 5, PM 515 663 352-211
Track listing:
1. Promised You A Miracle [ Extended - 4′54″ ]
2. Theme For Great Cities [ Album version - 5′54″ ]
3. Seeing Out The Angel [ Instrumental - 6′31″ ]
Our Opinion:
“Promised You A Miracle” extended? Yeah sure and our domesticated koala plays Mahler. Don’t treat us like complete idiots, will ya.

“Theme For Great Cities” is, tout simple, the most important rock-instrumental ever. Nadia Comaneci-figures all over the line. Extremely beautiful. For its twin-ship with “Sound In 70 Cities”, please be referred to Theme 2.
Could be considered as an album-filler, but to us “Seeing Out The Angel”, the instrumental, is more than excused of being included in this compilation-series. Get your Yquem ‘67 out, light that Havana, jump into that hammock… This time the world has to wait for you…

Theme 6 : Glittering Prize
Label: Virgin Records, 1990, Theme 6, PM 515 663 352-211
Track listing:
1. Glittering Prize [ Club Mix - 4′58″ ]
2. New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) [ German 1983 Remix - 6′52″ ]
3. Glittering Prize [ Instrumental - 4′53″ ]
Fact:
The dates ‘81-82-83-84 were added at the last moment. After ‘Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call’, an album obsessed by fear, Simple Minds’d made an album looking to the future, in spite of everything. This explains the years to come (New Gold Dream 81-82-83-84 was created in 1982). also, ‘1984′ was taboo (Orwell,…), Simple Minds went against that.
Our Opinion:
Extending ‘New Gold Dream’? Sounds blasphemously unnecessary. This German remix however leaves the song-carcass intact. The intro is extended, the crescendo-building up repeated. The result is an even more menacing overture to an equally brilliant as culminating pièce de résistance.
‘Glittering Prize’, the Club Mix, is a joke. Although 25″ longer than the original, no added surplus to be found.
Track 3, ‘Glittering Prize – Theme’ is nice to add to your collection, though only underlines the magnificence of Minds’ real born & bred instrumentals.

Theme 7 : Someone Somewhere (in Summertime)
Label: Virgin Records, 1990, Theme 7, PM 515 663 353-211
Track listing:
1. Someone Somewhere (in Summertime) [ Extended - 6′07″ ]
2. King Is White And In The Crowd [ BBC Session - 5′18″ ]
3. Soundtrack For Every Heaven [ Instrumental - 4′55″ ]
Facts:
Someone Somewhere (in Summertime):
Theme 7 on the Boxset Volume 2 was meant to have contained this extended version of “Someone Somewhere” (they are after all a compilation of the existing vinyl 12″’s). Instead, the album version was put on. Here, on the individually sold official Theme 7, the REAL maxi-version appears.
King Is White And In The Crowd:
Produced by John Williams, this version was recorded at the BBC-studios (1982). The BBC Radio 1 sessions allowed bands to showcase their abilities over the airwaves by playing a live selection of tracks in the studio. In the early ‘80ies, Simple Minds were often showcased and many exclusive performances of the band playing their earliest material were broadcast. “Room” for example, from the “Empires and Dance” album, was written exclusively for a Radio 1 session. Simple Minds have only released 1 session recording; they refused permission for releasing their session recordings on the specialist labels. That 1 exception is this “King is and in the Crowd”, which was the B-side for Someone Somewhere. A compilation “1 And Only: 25 years of Radio 1″ from 1992, collecting artists who didn’t release their sessions, finally contained “New Gold Dream”.
Soundtrack For Every Heaven:
Unreleased instrumental, B-side Someone Somewhere. A straightforward must-have.
Our Opinion:
The extended version of “Someone Somewhere” is exceptional. Every early Minds-fan swears by Charlie Burchill’s intro, which became so quintessentially part of the song. Here it is, finally, officially.
The BBC-”King Is” is different than the album finale. Better? No. Worse? No. Just different.
“Soundtrack For Every Heaven” is familiar Simple Minds-B-side stuff. Quality. Not in the same league though as ”Theme for Great Cities”, “Somebody Up There” or “Shake off ”. But… unreleased stuff , bonus we would say.

Theme 8 : Waterfront
Label: Virgin Records, 1990, Theme 8, PM 515 663 354-211
Track listing:
1. Waterfront [ Extended - 5′53″ ]
2. Hunter And The Hunted [ Live Newcastle City Hall 20/11/83 - 5′58″ ]
3. C Moon Cry Like A Baby [ Album version - 4′20″ ]
Fact:
“Waterfront”: The “Brixton” in the line “Get out of Bombay, go up to Brixton” had originally been “Britain”. Steve Lillywhite hadn’t heard it properly and Kerr, preferring the producer’s version, kept it as “Brixton”.
Our Opinion:
Written with the river Clyde in mind, “Waterfront” is a classic. Q-Magazine ignoring/denying it or not. Wake up world, what more do you want? Being very daring (gone is one of the most recognizable synth-bass-intros), this 12″-version does nevertheless surprise pleasantly. A superb 1′10″ crescendo drum-intro and an -although slightly predictable- repeated outro catapults this piece of producer-ship, together with its delightful built up finale, straight into our heart. Love hurts.
“Hunter And The Hunted”, the live one from NewKey ‘83, is a personal favourite. The album version left behind, this is (easy) cruising-speed. Remembers us what a great lyricist Kerr is. Put Kyoto on our map.
“C Moon Cry Like A Baby” still shines. Guess there’s a child in everyone of us.

Theme 9 : Speed Your Love To Me
Label: Virgin Records, 1990, Theme 9, PM 515 663 355-211
Track listing:
1. Speed Your Love To Me [ Extended - 7′24″ ]
2. Speed Your Love To Me [ Album version - 4′06″ ]
3. Bass Line [ Instrumental - 4′41″ ]
Fact:
Although ready by December 1983, the release of the album, “Sparkle In The Rain”, was delayed until early 1984 to make a simultaneous worldwide availability possible. Original working title? “Quiet Night Of The White Hot Day”.
Our Opinion:
The crème de la crème. Ab-so-lu-te-ly majestic. Staining vocals, stinging guitars. If the album version already turns you on, be ready for this one: the Intro deserves at least a couple of capital I’s. ”Speed Your Love To Me” (the maxi is an increase of 55+% compared to the “Sparkle” edit!) is BIG. All but subtle, yet – placed in Simple Minds’ oeuvre – we’d like to believe SPYTM really came from the heart; Chrissie and Patsy thought the same. For a while.
“Bass Line”, the instrumental of Sparkle’s “White Hot Day” (1st of July…), is collector’s B-list stuff. Unless your name is Stereophonics or Co. They’d kill for such a track.

Theme 10 : Don’t You (Forget About Me)
Label: Virgin Records, 1990, Theme 10, PM 515 662 271-211
Track listing:
1. Don’t You (Forget About Me) [ Extended - 6′35″ ]
2. Up On The Catwalk [ Extended - 7′36″ ]
3. A Brass Band In African Chimes [ Instrumental - 9′23″ ]
Facts:
Don’t You (Forget About Me):
Nothing much to add. All is said about this career-defying pop-song. Originally turned down by Bryan Ferry and Billy Idol (who actually released it later – without being rude: horrible! William, what is all that?).
Up On The Catwalk:
For the summing of names (towards the end of the song), someone suggested to add Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet). Thank God things turned out differently… The Natasha Kinski link probably came from the poster, which one of the band members had hung up in the recording studio.
A Brass Band In African Chimes:
Up until then, this athmospheric, multi-layered triplet, the 3 parts divided by the fading out-trick, was Minds’ most expensive recording.
Our Opinion:
As far away from the 30 Frames A Second’s as possible, “Don’t You” still is a great song. No discussions about that, please. And at least it opened the Minds’ bank-account in the US.
Mesmerizing 12″-outlet of “Up On The Catwalk”; a must-have for your SM-collection. Should be a regular on the Drive Time’s in this world.
ABBIAC has “class” written all over it. Nearing the 10 minutes-border, this hard to find instrumental makes the Theme 10-CD one of the longest un-repetitive official CD-singles around (23+’).

Theme 11 : Alive & Kicking
Label: Virgin Records, 1990, Theme 11, PM 515 663 356-211
Track listing:
1. Alive And Kicking [ Album version - 5′28″ ]
2. Alive And Kicking [ Instrumental, extended - 6′08″ ]
3. Up On The Catwalk [ live - Glasgow Barrowlands 05/01/85 - 5′49″ ]
Fact:
Barrowlands, situated in Glasgow’s old market district the Barras, once hosted the pop-package shows of the ‘60ies, but had lain derelict for years. It was still tainted locally by memories of the notorious rapist and strangler Bible John (he picked up his victims at the dancehall and recited from the Bible while murdering them). Simple Minds’s appearance in 1985 inaugurated a new era for Barrowlands as a regular venue for touring bands.
Our opinion:
“Alive” still impresses with the magnificent, ultra-recognizable intro. This Elvis name-borrowing, celebrating its 20th anniversary next year!, was without doubt a justifiable single-choice after and a great following-up to the commercially bonus eventus maximus “Don’t You”. Forget the horrible video with blown-up-faced Kerr (too much charlie?) and stick with the aural beauty.
The extended instrumental gets an acapella-intro, while the live-version of “Catwalk” is pretty impressive: well recorded, well sung, well done.

Theme 12 : Sanctify Yourself
Label: Virgin Records, 1990, Theme 12, PM 515 663 359-211
Track listing:
1. Sanctify Yourself [ Extended - 7′15″ ]
2. Sanctify Yourself [ Dub - 6′12″ ]
3. Love Song [ Live - Rotterdam Ahoy 03/12/85 - 5′42″ ]
4. Street Hassle [ Live - Rotterdam Ahoy 03/12/85 - 7′24″ ]
Fact:
Lou Reed’s 1978 Street Hassle (and certainly the eponomously called track) gave him an artistic renaissance. The title track was singled out for particular praise: its simple melody was hammered home through mesmerizing repetition, Reed solemnly intoning 3 stories over it (the 1st focused in on two strangers meeting in a bar; in the 2nd they make love; in the 3rd, the girl overdoses at a party). Reed’s treatment of these scenario’s is a masterpiece of spoken irony and disdain: he calls up love and then despatches it as violently as he ever did with the VU.
Simple Minds only partially cover the song, mainly emphasizing the love story.
Our opinion:
“Sanctify Yourself” cried out for an extended release and here it is. Burchill still subtle, Kerr in top-form. Very good end-result. 40% more song than the original. To be played very loud. Sounds 80ies for “them”, sounds bene-Simple Minds to us. Again, play it loud. Discover the different layers. Yes, there’s indeed work to be done. Pleasure doesn’t always come by itself.
We nearly made it to the live-video-recording of “Sanctify” by the way (Brussels, 1985). We cued for 3 hours, thought it was not going to happen, left the scene for a drink and missed out completely. Our claim for fame up in smoke (& drinks).
Don’t forget: LOUD.
“Sanctify”, the instru-dub, emphasizes the bass & drum power of the song. More a lets-play-with-those-buttons thing. Will not stand for ever. For the collector only.
Straight to Holland anno 1985 then. We all know enough live-versions of “Love Song” to keep us busy till 2129. This one again is different. Growing into the direction of the “Live in the City of Light” track. Lou Reed’s “Street Hassle” brings back all those memories again. Very rare to find an official live-version of this classic. And the verdict? Bo Derek-figures, Sir. An ab-so-lu-te winner. 2 minutes 44″ building. One smash from Gaynor. Kerr shouts. Whatever people say about this Minds’s cover. They don’t cover to score. There’re not Westlife after all. They built up their own back-catalogue. They are excused. Only, for us there’s no need for excuses here. They paid tribute to the song. They didn’t rape. 7 minutes and a half in total. We happy.. .

Theme 13 : All The Things She Said
Label: Virgin Records, 1990, Theme 13, PM 515 663 357-211
Track listing:
1. All The Things She Said [ Extended - 5′14″ ]
2. Promised You A Miracle [ US Remix - 6′03″ ]
3. Don’t You (Forget About Me) [ Live - Rotterdam Ahoy 03/12/85 - 9′03″ ]
Our opinion:
The extended mix of “All The Things She Said” is alright (meaning: we actually didn’t need this). Leaves the original, already with that extra chunk of percussion (Sue Hadjopoulos), thankfully pretty intact. Not the most inventive producer’s job ever (some echoes, some repetitiveness, so what!?). Still with Robin Clark on backing vocals. And yes, the all-saying crescendo (”Stars will fall out for you…”) is still apparent. The lesson should be: take “Once Upon A Time” (the album) from the shelves, put it on. This “All The Things” accompanied by “Come A Long Way”, “Once Upon” (the song), “Oh Jungleland”: if you loved it then, you’ll love it again.
The real beauty of this CD-single lies in track 2, the US Remix of “Promised You A Miracle”. Strange to see “Simple Minds” “Successful” and “US” in one sentence without “Don’t You” added. Don’t shoot us, but we always considered “Promised” as “NGD”’s weakest track. Sure, it is a great piece of music, something really different, but besides the nail-biting synth-theme, it just never gripped us. And guess what? This US Remix kicks off with that theme: naked, straight upfront. Top job, Steve Thompson. Totally new. While the English “extended” 12″ (cfr. Theme 5) is a joke, this US Remix transforms the whole song. And for the good. No, for the best! Finally we can appreciate “Promised” as a masterpiece too.
The 9-minutes + live bite of “Don’t You” finishes this CD-single off. Typical stuff. Good recording. Dare we say Kerr sounds a bit exhausted? Yep.

Theme 14 : Ghostdancing
Label: Virgin Records, 1990, Theme 14, PM 515 663 358-211
Track listing:
1. Ghostdancing [ Extended - 6′59″ ]
2. Ghostdancing [ Instrumental - 4′55″ ]
3. Jungleland [ Extended - 7′00″ ]
4. Jungleland [ Instrumental - 6′07″ ]
Fact:
After finishing “I Travel”, Kerr stated that his story about Europe’s political/structural/demographic issues wasn’t finished. He promised a follow-up on one of the future tracks. He kept word and 6 years later he wrote “Ghostdancing”. They both kick off with the line “Cities Buildings Falling Down”.
We still don’t know whether Kerr contacted Springsteen about using the “Jungleland”. The “Oh” in the title is here by the way nicely omitted.
Our opinion:
“Ghostdancing” has written “preferably to be played live in outdoor-arena’s” all over it. Adjectively branded ‘garish’ & ‘over-done’ by many, we have to once again disagree. ‘Ghost’ is well-structured chaos, phenomenally executed wildness. This CD-version contains both unavailable instrumental as a terrific extended edit. The latter’s 1′59″ intro only is on its own worth the purchase of this collectable. But there’s even better news…
“Oh Jungleland” remains a favourite and gets a powerful Zeus B. Held remix-washing. 3′45″ gone and the vintage supercharged Simple Minds kicks in – Zeus manages cleverly to double the fading out- time span..

Theme 15 : Promised You A Miracle
Label: Virgin Records, 1990, Theme 15, PM 515 663 363-211
Track listing:
1. Promised You A Miracle [ Live - Glasgow Barrowlands Jan 85 - 4′54″ ]
2. Book Of Brilliant Things [ Live - Glasgow Barrowlands Jan 85 - 4′23″ ]
3. Glittering Prize [ Live - Glasgow Barrowlands Jan 85 - 4′28″ ]
4. Celebrate [ Live - Glasgow Barrowlands Jan 85 - 5′43″ ]
Our opinion:
All tracks were recorded at Glasgow’s Barrowlands in January 1985.
“Promised” is fresh, crowd-pleasing. “Book” gets its new-look here (as on “In the City”). Kerr blamed Lillywhit once for not getting the full potential out of “Book” on “Sparkle In The Rain”. Not entirely fair, we think. “BOBT” is just a different song here. Talking about a bonus! We simply adore this orchestral remake. Very convincing stuff. “Glittering Prize” is a winner, while “Celebrate” reminds us of their earlier peaks. Although we prefer “Celebrate” live anno 1981-1982. Wave instead of stadium. But that’s maybe not fair either.
Overall: Yes! Yep! Jawul! Mais oui!

Theme 16 : Ballad Of The Streets
Label: Virgin Records, 1990, Theme 16, PM 515 663 357-211
Track listing:
1. Belfast Child [ Full length version - 6′42″ ]
2. Mandela Day [Album version - 5′43″ ]
3. Biko [ Album version - 7′32″ ]
Fact:
Belfast Child is based on a traditional (Northern) Irish folk song, “She Moved Through The Fair”.
Its original author is unknown. The song, a folk staple, has been performed by many artistes, and its haunting tune and lyrics will be familiar to many.
The song was first collected in 1909 in Donegal, though some claim it dates back to medieval times. The modern words are from a reworking by Padraic Colum and the tune was written down by Herbert Hughes. Most modern arrangements of the song can be traced to the recording by Fairport Convention in 1968, who adopted the style of the song from the travelling singer Margaret Barry.
Besides the Simple Minds’ one, other cover-versions existing are done by Shane McGowan, Van Morrison, Sinead O’Connor and…euh Charlotte Church. Hmm. Not blown away by thàt one.
Most of these modern versions omit the third verse.
Our opinion:
According to some reviews “Belfast” is, and we quote, “terribly overblown for a single, being nearly seven minutes long”.
Yes, and my aunt lives on Mars.
Listen. Belfast Child is a monumental piece of music.
Maybe not the obvious single-choice, but then again not everyone judges by Eurovision-isch time-limited criteria.
“Mandela Day” was the highlight of the FNM-concert: subtle, glorious, celebratively super-correct. Simple but beautiful.
“Biko”. Only good for the statistics. And for PG’s bank account. Should have been left alone.. .

Theme 17 : This Is Your Land
Label: Virgin Records, 1990, Theme 17, PM 515 662 240-211
Track listing:
1. This Is Your Land [ Album version - 6′22″ ]
2. Saturday Girl [Previously unreleased - 6′09″ ]
3. Year Of The Dragon [ Previously unreleased - 3′06″ ]
Our opinion:
“This Is Your Land” is, without trying to equal Guthrie’s all-time classic, good. Fits well with “Belfast Child”. Reed’s cameo-participation is more interesting than important. Gives “Street Hassle” that extra credibility, we suppose.
“Saturday Girl” is new and in two words: GR – EAT! Atmospheric brilliance. Easily survives its 6 minutes life span.
“Year of the Dragon”. Unreleased instrumental. Strange. Short visit abroad. Bollywood-isch? Professional. Will not become our ringtone. Yet.
All the tracks produced by mighty Horn, with help from Steef Lipson. No amateur-work.

Theme 18 : Kick It In
Label: Virgin Records, 1990, Theme 18, PM 515 662 495-211
Track listing:
1. Kick It In [ Album version - 6′10″ ]
2. Waterfront [’89 Remix - 5′24″ ]
3. Big Sleep [ Live - 6′39″ ]
4. Kick It In [ Unauthorized Mix - 7′04″ ]
Our opinion:
The live-version of “Big Sleep” is (for us) the reason why we play this CD-single. More “studio-live”. There are many live-versions of “Sleep” around. This one is very clear, well performed. Kerr vocally in control, in top-form.
We will not mention the rest. Not our cup of smush. Opinions differ..

Theme 19 : The Amsterdam EP
Label: Virgin Records, 1990, Theme 19, PM 515 663 360-211
Track listing:
1. Sign O’ The Times [ Album version - 5′39″ ]
2. Let It All Come Down [ Album version - 4′52″ ]
3. Sign O’ The Times [ C.J.Mackintosh mix - 6′14″ ]
4. Jerusalem [ Previously unreleased - 2′58″ ]
Our opinion:
Music-wise this CD-single doesn’t even make our parrot move. The Roger Nelson’s own version is the definite one anyway.
Exceptions make the rule however, being track quatro. “Jerusalem” (music by Hubert Parry, English composer 1848-1918) is nice, different, one for the collection.
The importance however lies in the sheer un-availability of this official THEME 19-CD-single. It took us 2 years to find one. Dozens of enquiring emails. Half a dozen blind tries and still SMXX-6. Where is it? Who has got one? Who wants to part with it?