The reason Ultravox songs are so memorable is scientific - Midge Ure knew what he was doing. We remember pictures and shapes much more easily than words, and Ultravox songs are cram-packed with imagery, you can almost feel them. Just think back to the first couple of lines in Vienna, and you are 'in' the song, it's like you're there, so it becomes an experience, not just a tune... 😌👍
Bob has as he comes from a crime family and was being investigated as to why his persona fortune of about $30 million British pounds suddenly increased in the following years to about nearly $300,000,000 when the Boomtown Rats only had one major hit.
Been re-listening to 80s music recently after many years and a long musical evolution, and how good they sounded... The production was a bit tinny at times but the music was great and it brings back such good memories. Its good to see these fellas still playing and making an honest living. I loved Simpleminds and Ultravox but also Classix Nouveaux, Duran Duran, Toyah, Kate Bush, Japan, Soft Cell, Bauhaus, Joy Division, Stranglers, Clash, U2, Siouxsie, and many other....
on what bands was some of the production tinny at times you mean in some songs they were? I mean simple minds,Duran Duran,U2, Big country, The cult,The smiths,Dire straits, The police, AC/DC,Bon Jovi, Areosmith, the Jam,Madness,Style council, all had no tinny sound in any parts of their songs I own all albums from these guys in the 80's
It's only tinny if you're listening on rubbish equipment. Get some decent speakers/headphones, tweak the EQ, and it'll sound way better than any modern remaster. Mastering engineers actually knew what they were doing back then. Also, because the music isn't compressed to the nuts, you can crank the volume as much as you want, and it'll never sound too loud.
I saw Midge Ure on a solo tour back in the 80s in a basement university bar in Canada. There were maybe 100 people in the audience, but it was an amazing show.
Ultravox could never be described as a ROCK band. Jim was quite insincere by hogging the limelight here. Midge was as ever a gent. When Jim starts singing his songs the way we remember them, ill go back and see them again. You wont have that air of arrogance with midge.Go see Ultravox-thats what you get. They are brilliant.
Saw Midge a couple of months ago when he was supporting Human League and have to say that if anything, he was better than Phil Oakley, but in fairness, Phil was great too. Jim and Simple Minds started losing credibility after New Gold Dream for me when they started to set their sights on America. Such a brilliant band prior to that.... sad.
Jim was very sincere he was answering each question put to him not adverting questions put to midge. Jim sings his songs as he always has in his truly remarkable way and having followed then since they played small pubs las I can say that honestly..midge is also fantastic a wonderful voice great to see them touring together two great bands coming out of our home town !
I'd say that Ultravox is definitely not just pop. They're by far the most unique band of that era. Rage in Eden is THE new wave album for me. If anything they were more rock than the dance bands like Human League and Duran Duran.
It was Americanised sold out pop, not the pioneering early stuff pre sparkle in the rain. Also, the band fell off the cliff when Derek Forbes left, probably one of the best Bass guitarists ever.
Used to be a Jim Kerr fan until i seen this he was extremely arrogant and ignorant to the wonderful Midge ure. Midge is such a gorgeous gent if I was the interviewers I would have pretended Jim wasn't there and focused on Midge just for his extreme arrogance.
Jim Kerr is not arrogant there in the slightest. He is engaging and humorous, unlike Midge who could never be accused of being particularly interesting. I saw Midge live with Ultravox which was a disappointing gig - he had no rapport with the audience. Jim Kerr on the other hand oozes charisma. I saw Simple Minds live too - they were incredible.
Good luck with that. With our proud history, and with the fact that fossil fuels have a limited shelf-life, it's a short term nationalistic band aid for jingoistic Scotsman. I think, as an Englishman, and with Irish heritage, that our people should unite, as we would do in a war, or in the face of adversity. I have nothing against independence, only I think it is short term. As a United Kingdom, as some may call it, we have a rich, and shared cultural heritage, whether it be at war or peace. The fact remains, we have more in common, than for example the Norwegians. They would never laugh at Rab. C. Nesbitt!
It was a great shame that didn't in the end that they did not perform together in the end. My only reasoning for this it must have been very difficult to do.
+charliechutney Yeah true. It suggests that while they both have respect for each other as singers, and both obviously respect the other's band, in terms of being proper mates......no, probably not............which explains the long pause both gave when asked this question. By this I don't mean that they can't stand each other, but they obviously have different musical tastes, and have different approaches to being lead singer. Kerr is the classic charismatic showman who loves to draw you (the audience) towards him, while Ure is more restrained and less likely to throw himself into the crowd or jump about on the stage. He's a singer, whereas Kerr is an entertainer aswell as a singer. Not saying this is better, but it's the difference between the two. Both have great voices but you can't really compare them. Kerr is more similar to Bono, or Freddie Mercury...or even Jarvis Cocker - theatrical, while Ure is more like Sting, or Paul Weller who let their voice do all the work without the need for additional theatricality.
I have just stood up after collapsing in disbelief that ROB put Jim Kerr in the same category as Freddie Mercury. I love Simple Minds, son, but clearly you are taking their name as your own.
Ultravox had been an adventurous, experimental band under John Foxx. They went pop when Midge Ure joined, understandable as they were desperate for commercial success. Unfortunately, it meant the band that gave us Hiroshima Mon Amour and Dislocation were then offering K-tel pop like Love's Great Adventure. But then, they were not really the same band.
Good for you, ferrers88. I used to wonder whether they should have changed their name when reforming with Midge Ure, as the remaining members of Joy Division had done post Ian Curtis. But the Ultravox name was just starting to gain momentum so I don't blame them for building on that. For the record, I do think Vienna is a very accomplished album, and made for a good "first" album, just was not keen on what followed.
@Barry McCann Jesus H. stepping Christ... Lament is one of the best albums from the 80s. Excellent production. It's back to back just great songs as the other albums had some good tracks but some pitfalls as well. Lament is what Joshua Tree was for U2. Well balanced, well engineered and great songs.
I really liked Rage in Eden, the John Foxx era was ever so slightly before my time although I like his solo stuff.... mostly. I agree about ultra ox Mk1 and Mk2 being different enough to warrant a different name though.
The bands I like most.but I can't understand when they talk English in Scottish accent it's terrible but when the sing it's different they sound like pure English
Perhaps educate yourself about Scotland and England the BBC corrupted accent is not how UK people sound, it's for the computer generation with English and Scottish regional accents wiped out😮
This is more embarrassing than Tom and Shirley having a pint in a valley's bar. Scots have sold out . Taff will die alone and poor before he does this but his memories will be warmer . I'll have a pint with the former , thanks .
Hi Martin,in my opinion U-VOX wt Foxx was a little bit underrated respect at when Midge come......in fact John Foxx after leave U-VOX make Album not very commercial and sometimes he go frequently in Sperimental Music.....im 60% agree wt u,no compares Midge to John anyway,so different😉👋👋👋🎤🎸
