Love and the Russian Winter is the seventh studio album by British pop and soul group Simply Red, released on 1 November 1999. It marks a distinct change from the band's preceding albums, featuring a more computer-generated sound. The album was released mainly due to pressure from their record label to fulfil their contract. It features a cover version of "Ain't That a Lot of Love", written by Willia Dean Parker and Homer Banks.
Track listing All tracks written by Mick Hucknall, except where noted. All tracks produced by Andy Wright, Gota Yashiki and Mick Hucknall. Additional production on "Your Eyes" by Merv Pearson.
"The Spirit of Life" – 4:42 "Ain't That a Lot of Love" (Willia Dean Parker, Homer Banks) – 3:56 "Your Eyes" – 4:15 "The Sky Is a Gypsy" – 4:33 "Back into the Universe" – 3:48 "Words for Girlfriends" – 5:07 "Thank You" – 4:01 "Man Made the Gun" – 4:58 "Close to You" – 4:33 "More Than a Dream" – 3:52 "Wave the Old World Goodbye" – 3:46 Japan Edition "The Spirit of Life" – 4:42 "Ain't That a Lot of Love" – 3:56 "Your Eyes" – 4:15 "The Sky Is a Gypsy" – 4:33 "Back into the Universe" – 3:48 "Words for Girlfriends" – 5:07 "Thank You" – 4:01 "Man Made the Gun" – 4:58 "Close to You" – 4:33 "Come on in My Kitchen" (Bonus track) "More Than a Dream" – 3:52 "Wave the Old World Goodbye" – 3:46
2008 Special Edition bonus tracks "Ain't That a Lot of Love" (Phats & Small Mutant Disco Vocal Mix) – 6:08 "Ain't That a Lot of Love" (Club 69 Underground Dub Mx) – 6:36 "Your Eyes" (Mousse T Acoustic) – 3:54 "Your Eyes" (Ignorants Remix) – 4:41 "Your Eyes" (Jimmy Gomez Funky Mix) – 7:06
Personnel Simply Red Mick Hucknall – lead vocals, backing vocals, horn arrangements Tim Vine – keyboards, bass Andy Wright – keyboards, programming, bass Mark Jaimes – guitars Gota Yashiki – bass, drums, programming Ian Kirkham – saxophones John Johnson – trombone Kevin Robinson – trumpet Sarah Brown – backing vocals Dee Johnson – backing vocals
Additional musicians Dominic "Dom T." Thrup – keyboards Aiden Love – keyboards Phillipe Manjard – keyboards James Wiltshire – keyboards, programming Ned Douglas – programming Merv Pearson – programming (3) Greg Bone – guitars Kenji Suzuki – guitars Wayne Stobbart –bass Geoff Holroyde – drums Chris De Margary – saxophones, flute
Production AGM – producers Merv Pearson – additional production (3) Alistair Clay – recording Alan Douglas – recording John Lee – recording Mak Togashi – recording, assistant engineer Matt White – recording, assistant engineer James Wiltshire – recording Emily Cracknell – assistant engineer Andy Saunders – assistant engineer Matt Tait – assistant engineer Josh T – assistant engineer Kevin Metcalfe – mastering Peacock – artwork, photographic treatment Mick Hucknall – original artwork concept Rick Guest – band photography Idea – photographic treatment
Studios Recorded at Westpoint Recording Studios, Metropolis Studios and The Town House (London, UK). Mastered at The Soundmasters (London, UK).
Charts
Weekly charts +Weekly chart performance for Love and the Russian WinterChart (1999)PeakpositionItalian Albums (FIMI) 15
Year-end charts +1999 year-end chart performance for Love and the Russian WinterChart (1999)PositionGerman Albums (Offizielle Top 100)95UK Albums (OCC)62
Certifications
References