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MUSIC: Mick Hucknall, Manchester Apollo, Thursday
25/ 6/2008
Splitting up a successful band to start a solo career might be considered a risky thing to do. But in the case of Mick Hucknall, it’s not as though he’s any stranger to criticism.
The flame-haired Manchester soul crooner has been something of a target for as long as he’s been famous – continually mocked by the tabloid media for his successful career, beautiful girlfriends and, most cruelly, for simply having ginger hair.
Not that the criticism has harmed Hucknall’s professional judgement. For over 25 years, the Denton-born singer has steered Simply Red from the pubs and clubs of Manchester to eventually becoming one of Britain’s biggest ever stadium pop bands, selling more than 50 million records. But from next year, after one final swansong arena tour, Hucknall will put Simply Red to bed for good.
Far from an act of egotism, Hucknall’s decision to go solo seems more about stretching his creative wings. His debut solo album is a collection of cover versions by Bobby Bland, a largely unknown 78-year-old American blues and soul veteran who Hucknall cites as one of his earliest musical influences. But despite the strange, somewhat esoteric choice of material, it’s Hucknall’s incredible vocal strengths which carry things through; rich, resonant, and still arguably one of the greatest white soul voices of his generation.
Simply Red may be more simply dead after next year, but it’d be silly to doubt Hucknall’s judgement just yet – like always, he’ll probably have the last laugh.
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