Sparkle in the Rain, an Album by Simple Minds. Released 6 February 1984 on Virgin (catalog no. V2300; Vinyl LP). Genres: New Wave, Pop Rock. Featured peformers: Jim Kerr (vocals), Charlie Burchill (electric guitar, acoustic guitar), Derek Forbes (bass, backing vocals), Mel Gaynor (drums, backing vocals), Michael MacNeil (keyboards), Steve Lillywhite (producer), Howard Gray (engineer), Gavin. Sparkle in the Rain, an Album by Simple Minds. Released 16 March 2015 on Universal (catalog no. Genres: New Wave, Pop Rock. As successful as it was, Sparkle in the Rain merely poised Simple Minds for their biggest year, 1985, when they followed up with '(Don't You) Forget About Me' and 'Alive and Kicking,' singles that hit the Top Ten in the U.K.

• Simple Minds Sparkle In The Rain Rarity
• Simple Minds Sparkle In The Rain Rarest

Simple Minds Sparkle In The Rain Rarity

The band recorded their last David 'Kid' Jensen session to support the album. It was recorded on the 11th September 1983 andbroadcast on the 3rd October 1983. Jim and Mel were in the studiowith Jensen when the session tracks were aired, and the broadcast also marked the first public play of thejust-finished studio version of Waterfront.

• Was there a New Gold Dream Part 2? 'It wasn't good enough to create 'New Gold Dream II', much as many of their new-foundsupporters might have wished for it. Several excellent new tracks were junked or comprehensively rewritten as the group felt their way withinstinctive certainly towards the fierce uncluttered dynamics of 'Sparkle In The Rain' - Adam Sweeting.
• Writing sessions began at The Chapel, a recording studio near South Thoresby, Lincolnshire in February 1983. (They would've preferredRockfield but the studios were fully booked.)
• 'Every January and February is the same to me. We always use January and February to work on new ideas. We neverreally get around to forming them, so they're always half-baked. - Jim.
• The entire band (Jim, Charlie,Mick, Derek and Mel)were there to simply jam and try and come up with new material.
• Some tracks were based around the rhythm patterns of the xxx synth with Charlie andMick MacNeil jamming over the top.
• At the end of the sessions, a six-track demo tape was produced.
• The one sided acetates were cut before the album was named; but by the time the one sided test pressings were pressed on the 2nd December 1983, the album was calledSparkle In The Rain.
• In February 1984, Sparkle In The Rain was the first Simple Minds' album to be released simultaneously on vinyl, cassette and CD. The vinylcopies included a glossy inner sleeve with heavily stylized graphics, whilst the CD booklet featured exclusive pictures of the band and someof the lyrics of Book Of Brilliant Things.
• A limited edition white vinyl pressing was also available, although the only difference (apart fromthe colour of the vinyl) was a sticker on the sleeve.
• No other collectable versions of the album appeared, except in Canada, where a limited edition run were pressed intransparent vinyl. This has become the most collectable of the various commercial releases of the album.
• Promotional issues were also lacking, with one exception. Whilst the gold stamped promo from the USwas worth looking out for, Virgin Canada issued a promotional Sparkle In The Rain notepad with the album's shield graphic on everypage.
• One of the rarest, and oddest, of the special pressings, was the test pressing from Virgin New Zealand.This one-sided test pressing features the A-side of the album, and on the blank vinyl on the flip, the record company staffhave etched 'Merry Xmas Love Virgin NZ' and signed their names.
• The album was released on Virgin's budget range in March 1991, anticipating increased demand after the releaseof Real Life. It was reissued on LP (Virgin OVED 346) and cassette (Virgin OVEDC 346).

  Released 36 years ago this week. Listen to Waterfront and you tell me ifthe record sounds dated? Although not for me to mark my own report card, I'd vouch that Steve Lillywhite's production makes it feel timeless. Much like the river thatour city was built on in fact. The same one that by chance, after a walk along its bank during a July sunset, inspired thechanted lyrics that gave an image to Derek Forbes' roadhouse tune. Despite our excitement on release, music critics were not universally receptive to Sparkle In The Rain. Only 40% werewelcoming of our new direction, and although I could not understand their grumbling then, I can do so a bit more now.Likewise a fair number of fans, entranced by our previous album New Gold Dream, hoping for more of the same, were to be disappointed.But Simple Minds are never keen on repeating, then and now.Change has been the lifeblood of our band, no matter how awkward or how painful it can sometimes be. Alternately a lot of people loved that album. And we had no problem in seeing it become our first UK No 1.Also featuring Up On The Catwalk,Book Of Brilliant Things, Speed Your Love To Me, East at Easter, among others.The energy of music is breathtaking throughout. Lyrics? Well I'd say that they are uniquely Simple Minds.And it's not that easy to be unique. Don't believe me? Try it for yourself and let me know how you get on? Any faults on the album? Of course.Going back to Steve's production? Great as it is, it could have donewith more light and shade. And we could have done with more rehearsals before recording began. If so, some ofthe songs on the second side would have had better arrangements, become better songs. No doubt it would also have helped if yours truly had written more lyrics upfront - as opposed to keeping everyonein the dark until the last minute. (Akin to asking everyone to run a marathon - without telling them where the finishing line is?) Fave song? One that I would want to listen to right now? Well, its early morning and the last thing I'd want to do is listen to my voice.Being so, I'd choose the charming instrumental that works as the album finale.It's called Shake Off The Ghosts.And I could listen to a whole album of that kind of stuff. Jim Kerr 7th February 2019

  
  
• The album was remastered in 2002 as part of an extensive Virgin campaign.It was released as a limited edition vinyl replica CD and standard edition CD. This version remains on catalogue.

Simple Minds Sparkle In The Rain Rarest