When Simply Red hit the states with Holding Back The Years you knew they were something special. He is one of the absolute best singers of his generation.
My current favorite song, I loved it when I was younger too, but still didn't appreciate him or it enough, now my eyes and ears heart and mind are opened up more and I can see it as some of the best there is!
Mr Hucknell,in my opinion ,,is one of the greatest vocalists of all time!always knew that but I have never heard him do this song and it is magical.!! I was ,mildly surprised ,and thoroughly energized by this performance. you sir are Simply the best!!
Mick Hucknall is one of the very few vocalists who has the ability to sound better when singing live. Simply Red as a group are pure class and absolutely timeless. Real talent at its finest.
I was so chuffed to see an appreciation video for Simply Red come up on my recommendations, they never get any credit and I can't understand why. Apart from Mick having one of the best blue-eyed soul voices ever, the band is so skilled and so tight live. Thank you!
The original song had 2 different singers. Mick is super human. The best uk soul singer in the past 40 years. He got better and better. What a national treasure.
Saw him live just a few months ago. Superb performance. Superb vocal ability. We noticed how he moved the microphone around all the time adjusting the volume beautifully. . The quality of his voice is remarkable after nearly 40 years. Been a fan since the 80s. It's great to see and hear your appreciation of his abilities. It's easy to see why his favourite vocalist is Smokey Robinson.
I grew up in the era of the Stylistics and other soul music, and this song was always one of my favorites. I'd never heard this version before, and I literally got chills listening. Thanks for this!
What a great singer. The older he gets, the better he is. I always watch the Simply red concert from the Montreux Jazz Festival 1992. Absolute master class what Mick and the band show there. I love it.
Thanks for the tip, I am going to check it out. I am always looking for quality comments like yours. Any other live gigs from Montreux you can recommend for vocal excellence? Cheers.
Never having heard this before, when he started out I could not imagine his reaching those higher notes! Listening to him work all the way up to "thin," I actually worried and was waiting for a crack! that never came! It is truly an amazing performance!!! I never appreciated Mick Hucknall's voice so much before this! Thanks for another wonderful analysis, Fil!
Agreed! Never heard this version before. Wow. Hanging on every note. Always interesting to me what songs bands chose to cover, great exposing people/ fans to 'new to you' songs while sharing a love for all kinds of genres. Fantastic. Cheers to Fil for sharing this with us 💚💚💚
Great new episode Fil! Mick Hucknall is a brilliant voice, but perhaps even more importantly, I've always loved his tongue-in-cheek approach to songwriting - and life in general. Legend.
When Mick reaches for those intense notes I imagine myself trying to do that and squeezing my abdomen, bursting a lot of blood vessels, getting light headed and simply passing out. I love his lower register, there is such a wonderful expressive soulfulness to it. Speaking of which Fil is rather expressive as well in this analysis.
Damn Red! Mick's voice sounds just as wonderful as it did 35 years ago. What a talent! Incredible performance! Love Mick and Simply Red, one of my favourite bands.
AWESOME !!!!!! Both , Mick's performance and your analysis . I've been listening to all kinds of music for as long as I can remember ( I'm 82 ) I always, always learn things from you !!
That's one powerful chest voice indeed. As someone who avoids falsetto and head voice ,the lowering of the mic is key to creating a dynamic balance and allowing a seamless chest connection to sustain and not sound too overbearing. His tone is killer as well. Golden throat tones!
I absolutely love his vocals and this song. It was my husband and mine. Sadly he's passed .😢. I've missed this ...haven't been around for a while. Three surgeries later ..I'm back. 🎉❤. As always your analysis is always spot on and professional. Missed y'all. ✌❤
Hi Fil…..What a gorgeous voice! Glad you find the best songs for us to enjoy! You did great with this rendition! Loved The Stylistics doing it too, but this is phenomenal! ✌️
Mick has a combination of not only a great voice and technique but longevity. His ability to really up the volume but never sound like he's really exerting himself is incredible, There's elements of the techniques discussed in the analysis videos of Cilla and Karen Carpenter in here plus others as well, smoothness, power, accuracy and more besides. Mick just has talent that goes way beyond what many can appreciate, there's no need for lights, fireworks and dancers, great vocals and great musicians doing what great vocalists and great musicians do.
I must add I went to see Mick in concert when he came to Melbourne about 5-6 years ago. Just he and the band on stage for two hours or so. No gimmicks of any sort and the audience stayed captivated throughout. Pure artistry. Simply Red turned into Simply Not Enough!
I was never a Simply Red fan but I saw Mick Hucknall fronting the Small Faces at Goodwood and was so impressed with him. Not just the way he fitted in so well but the way he stepped back and let the rest of the band take the limelight at the end of each song. Such humility from one so talented, he played it like he was their session guy and not a star in his own right!
Wow, I have always loved this song, it is so breathtakingly beautiful! Mick has such a lovely and strong voice that when he was singing this song, it almost brought me to tears. Thank you Fil for another great analysis!
Fil thank you for this video. I loved the original by the Stylistics but Mick did so much justice to it. You are right, he's brought so much sensitivity to this song.
Great analysis, as always. I knew of Simply Red’s music during the 80s.. but didn’t really pay too much attention. Have definitely appreciated Mick’s talent more in recent years after really listening to his music. He’s still touring, and last I saw, still hitting these notes while continuing his live performances. An amazing talent, thanks for sharing your perspective!
Fantastic video and analysis. I can still remember the first time I heard Simply Red back in the 80’s and how blown away I was. What an incredibly talented vocalist. Chills..
I saw Simply Red at The Odeon New Street Birmingham decades ago .Nobody had really heard of them including me and I got a free ticket . There was probably only 300 people in the venue, lucky me being 1 of them . Mick blew my mind … it was so obvious back then he was destined to be a megastar .
One of our greatest voices....often effortless. I love the way he hold notes and doesn't fill it with endless vibrato, sweet tone as well. I recall seeing him live when at Wembley Arena back in the day fantastic performer too real stage presence too
What a great performance of the classic song originally done by the Stylistics. It is one of my favorites. I enjoyed this version as well and think the vocals are amazing! Great analysis Fil!
A boyfriend used to sing this to me...he has since passed..oh, the tears and memories. Mick has sung this beautifully...thanks for the analysis Fil...Happy Easter.💜
A great example of when you reach a point where your technique is an afterthought, you can put all your emotion and focus on the most important thing of all. The lyrics. The words. Sadly it's too often the opposite. That's what first drew me to Sinatra .
Thanks Fil - I always loved Mick Hucknall's interpretation of Cole Porter's "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye" and of the Talking Heads' song "Heaven" (which completely transforms it). Simply Red was one of the best live bands of the 1990s - I saw them a few times.
I've never been a great Mick Hucknell fan, but I must admit he has a tremendous voice. Perhaps as I've got older he has more appeal. I recall the original by the Stylistics, back in 1974, which I liked. Great to hear a human voice so very appreciative of this good analysis, thanks Fil. 🤟
Perfection Mick! To sing the whole song in chest voice with pressure on the diaphragm; he is vocally fit!! Love his tone and emotion too. Great acoustics at the SOH. Thanks for heads up, heading over to that link. Can't listen to this just once.👍
Fil, I'm so glad that you did a range / technique analysis of Mick's voice. I've been waiting for this for a long time. Really great choice of song, and really well analysed. Fascinatingly interesting. Thanks a mil, Fil.
Micks performance is especially good when you consider that the original of this song came from the Stylistics who were also highly acclaimed fortheir excellent vocal performances , and yet they used 2 lead singers one for the bottom range and the other for the top on their performances.
I don’t think that I’ve seen Simply Red since Holding Back The Years! Such a strong voice, powerfully singing through that tenor portion without a waver. Thanks, Fil, for a wonderful analysis, especially love your examples (you’ve got quite the range yourself). Thanks to your TH-cam friends for the variety of performer suggestions. It’s quite fun hopping through the decades.🤩🌸
Wow haven't heard this Stylistics song in many moons. What a heavenly performance of an all time classic!!!! Fil, thank you so much!!!!! I love Simply Red❤❤❤
Great performance and great analysis, always love how you break it down for those of us who aren’t trained in music. I’d love to see you do this for Steve Perry sometime.
By far, Mick has one of the most beautiful male voices of all time, in my opinion. Thank you for this fascinating, in-depth analysis of his incredible vocal talent! ✨
I was practically giddy watching the vocal pitch monitor screen while he sang...incredible accuracy!!! This is a wonderful cover of the original song...beautifully done! Thank you for sharing it with us! 🎶❤
Wow, what range and consistent tone! I especially enjoyed hearing his lower tones. Thanks for all the details and showing the pitch-monitoring software. He is super accurate. Your point is Interesting about other singers sometimes being made to push to hit notes for recordings, causing them to struggle in a live setting if left in the higher key.
Hi Fil...What an effortless performance. I noticed immediately the mic placement. Excellent choice for analysis AND as an added bonus, I now know Simply Red's actual real name! TY 🎶💜☔️
I've never heard this cover before. I like it much more than the original version. I'm not a fan of falsetto. I've always really liked Simply Red. Thanks for your great analysis.
Hi Fil, This is one phenomenal performance! Extraordinary vocal control and mic technique and just one of the most beautiful songs ever. I love all your analysis videos but this one is surely one of your best! Love how you so poignantly guide us through Mick’s vocal Range, power, and incredible vocal pitch accuracy. As a singer, putting all of those things together and doing it live, is an incredible feat in itself! The song literally pours out of him, it is really amazing! Thank You for doing this analysis and sharing your knowledge and love of all musical genres… You Are The Best… Love and appreciate You for doing this! … Debbie☮️
I'm a huge Stylistics' fan but Mick sings a wonderful cover. Thanks Fil for, again, bringing us real music. PS now that I've seen your entire clip I thought you generous in your use of the word 'shouting' as I've at times called it screeching, often by modern female singers.
You are clearly impressed, as you should be … I was lucky enough to catch them live a couple of times. Great singer with a very tight talented band … probably under appreciated.
Wonderful singer. I've often said he's one of the best voices this country has produced and he doesn't get the praise he deserves. His 2003 Taormina DVD is a masterclass in vocals from start to finish. And he was in BBC's Piano Room recently - early 60s and his voice is still a thing of wonder. Brilliant stuff, Fil.
Seen them live in 2022 at the 02 in London....incredible voice live, the band n stage presence. Connected with the audience from start to finish...a long concert with encore!.. love them.. im now 62 and and still feel 26! Master Class indeed!❤🎉❤🎉❤😅
Mick Hucknall and Tom Jones are the two top male vocalists of all time in my opinion. So, I'd love to see Sir Tom's voice analysed the same way. Perhaps comparing young Tom with contemporary Tom in his best performances of your choice? It'd be lovely to see. Thanks!
had tickets for them since 2019. Concert got postponed because of COVID. Finally seen them in december 2022. Got infected by Covid on the concert. Insane, but worth it.
Fil, Never knew how great Mick really was/IS! I want to also tell you that yes you do analysis, (as mentioned to the lovely Shirley Lewis), but, as a visual person/observer, I watch your face. There’s your Reaction sweetheart-you get wonderfully ‘caught up’ in the performance One face can say so much more than words. God bless-Cheers! ❤😊 9:57
I think a lot of us remember first hearing Simply Red. His voice took the world by storm. And he's still got it! I noticed his mic work right away. I don't know if I could stay in chest voice for this whole song. A master cover of The Stylistics song. He made it his own so well. Thanks for a funny analysis too - squawking out those notes for comparison!🤣
🌴🌴< < < VERY FAMILAR WITH THIS PERFORMANCE. DEFINITELY ONE OF THE GREATEST VOCAL PERFORMANCES EVER. VERY POWERFUL VOICE. MICK IS THE MAN. THE BAND WAS EXCELLENT TOO. > > > 🌴🌴
Your PM screen did confirm the unreal vocal range of this lead vocalist.(!) Yes, it was a great cover for M H ---to display this uncanny combo of vocal strength and smoothness and to maintain it thru-out the performance.
Well, so glad you chose this one Fil. I have been listening to this song for the best part of 50 years. Many excellent singers have covered it since The Stylistics - including Peggy Lee on a 1974 album that I have of hers. However, this is the version I listen to more than any other, because, in my opinion. it is the very best vocal interpretation of this song ever. Thanks for another great analysis...
you forget to tell us if you liked it. :). Now please toss me a Heart treat. ❤❤❤❤ What makes Fil successful is his giant, irrepressible, GENUINE passion and enthusiasm.
You need to check out Beth Hart doing 'I'd Rather Go Blind' with Joe Bonamassa in Amsterdam. I love Mick and Simply Red, but she has the microphone below her waist on a couple belts and it's more for the protection of the equipment, than volume mitigation, because her voice still comes through with great power.
Ooooh my. I'm crying over here. I never heard this version before. Didn't think I would like it as the original Stylistics' voices were so unique. But this ... oh! ... so yummy! Brought me to tears!
Woweee!! This is the first video of yours I have watched and really enjoyed, and seriously appreciated it. You made me appreciate an amazing performance, so much more, as well as pointing out some of the little nuances that make him such an amazing vocalist and performer. Looking forward to watching many more of your videos to learn more and appreciate even more, what makes a great performance even better. Thanks for sharing your fantastic knowledge - much appreciated 😼
I first heard Simply Red on my car radio, early 80s. It was on a live BBC studio session. I particularly remember Sad Old Red. When I got home I was enthusiastically telling my wife I'd heard this great band with a fabulous black, female soul vocalist and went out to buy their album. Amazing voice and that original line up was fabulous - kudos to Fritz.
From the moment Holding Back the Years hit the charts I was completely enthralled...red hair and blue eyes didn't hurt either. But I have 2 questions if you would please answer. One, is he self taught...two, what is his vocal range? Please, I've tried Google...no luck. Mick was, is and shall always be the red headed phenom! BTW he has a UK and Ireland tour already selling tickets in 2025. Reminds me of Sir Tom. Never quits. Thank God!
Always loved his voice, from the beginning. I'm a vocalist so I really appreciate his singing and to have you break it down, Fil ! Definitely impressive
Fil you REALLY need to do an analysis of David Phelps, at 52 mind you…covering Whitney Houston’s I Have Nothing and can that man sing! Amazing tenor 🎶 th-cam.com/video/h5b39F-9458/w-d-xo.html
One of the great British vocalists; a beautiful, sensitive performance.
When Simply Red hit the states with Holding Back The Years you knew they were something special. He is one of the absolute best singers of his generation.
My current favorite song, I loved it when I was younger too, but still didn't appreciate him or it enough, now my eyes and ears heart and mind are opened up more and I can see it as some of the best there is!
Agreed wholeheartedly ❤
Yes!!! 💗
The masters of music had violins ets,and mick s voice will teach us the next 50th.
Great vocal it was and what a song, so full of yearning
Mr Hucknell,in my opinion ,,is one of the greatest vocalists of all time!always knew that but I have never heard him do this song and it is magical.!! I was ,mildly surprised ,and thoroughly energized by this performance. you sir are Simply the best!!
Great to see someone still able to sing at full throttle at an older age. Best live vocal ever.
I thought Simply Red were fantastic but when I saw him perform live IT WAS BETTER than the recordings!
Mick Hucknall is one of the very few vocalists who has the ability to sound better when singing live. Simply Red as a group are pure class and absolutely timeless. Real talent at its finest.
I was so chuffed to see an appreciation video for Simply Red come up on my recommendations, they never get any credit and I can't understand why. Apart from Mick having one of the best blue-eyed soul voices ever, the band is so skilled and so tight live. Thank you!
The original song had 2 different singers. Mick is super human. The best uk soul singer in the past 40 years. He got better and better. What a national treasure.
Mick's emotion is so heartfelt that, his performance brings tears to my eyes, and puts a lump in my throat.
He is incredible.💖
Saw him live just a few months ago. Superb performance. Superb vocal ability.
We noticed how he moved the microphone around all the time adjusting the volume beautifully. . The quality of his voice is remarkable after nearly 40 years. Been a fan since the 80s.
It's great to see and hear your appreciation of his abilities. It's easy to see why his favourite vocalist is Smokey Robinson.
I grew up in the era of the Stylistics and other soul music, and this song was always one of my favorites. I'd never heard this version before, and I literally got chills listening. Thanks for this!
What a great singer. The older he gets, the better he is. I always watch the Simply red concert from the Montreux Jazz Festival 1992. Absolute master class what Mick and the band show there. I love it.
Thanks for the tip, I am going to check it out. I am always looking for quality comments like yours. Any other live gigs from Montreux you can recommend for vocal excellence? Cheers.
@@scuba453 Thanks for your nice words. I can also recommend Nina Simone Live at Montreux, 1976. A great artist.
@@patrickschlosser8208 did you see her biography? It's one of those that sticks with you.
@@patrickschlosser8208talk talk live at montreux with Mark Hollis another incredible vocalist
Never having heard this before, when he started out I could not imagine his reaching those higher notes! Listening to him work all the way up to "thin," I actually worried and was waiting for a crack! that never came! It is truly an amazing performance!!! I never appreciated Mick Hucknall's voice so much before this! Thanks for another wonderful analysis, Fil!
No problem!
Agreed! Never heard this version before. Wow. Hanging on every note. Always interesting to me what songs bands chose to cover, great exposing people/ fans to 'new to you' songs while sharing a love for all kinds of genres. Fantastic. Cheers to Fil for sharing this with us 💚💚💚
@@wingsofpegasusim hearing mix voice. He sang it in chest then proceed to mix in higher parts specially in chorus...
Great new episode Fil! Mick Hucknall is a brilliant voice, but perhaps even more importantly, I've always loved his tongue-in-cheek approach to songwriting - and life in general. Legend.
When Mick reaches for those intense notes I imagine myself trying to do that and squeezing my abdomen, bursting a lot of blood vessels, getting light headed and simply passing out. I love his lower register, there is such a wonderful expressive soulfulness to it. Speaking of which Fil is rather expressive as well in this analysis.
yes Phil great job sir
Now I’m going to have to binge on Mick and Simply Red. Thank you for the fantastic analysis! 👏🏼
Damn Red! Mick's voice sounds just as wonderful as it did 35 years ago. What a talent! Incredible performance! Love Mick and Simply Red, one of my favourite bands.
AWESOME !!!!!! Both , Mick's performance and your analysis . I've been listening to all kinds of music for as long as I can remember ( I'm 82 ) I always, always learn things from you !!
That's one powerful chest voice indeed. As someone who avoids falsetto and head voice ,the lowering of the mic is key to creating a dynamic balance and allowing a seamless chest connection to sustain and not sound too overbearing. His tone is killer as well. Golden throat tones!
I absolutely love his vocals and this song. It was my husband and mine. Sadly he's passed .😢. I've missed this ...haven't been around for a while. Three surgeries later ..I'm back. 🎉❤. As always your analysis is always spot on and professional. Missed y'all. ✌❤
Hi Fil…..What a gorgeous voice! Glad you find the best songs for us to enjoy! You did great with this rendition! Loved The Stylistics doing it too, but this is phenomenal! ✌️
Mick has a combination of not only a great voice and technique but longevity. His ability to really up the volume but never sound like he's really exerting himself is incredible, There's elements of the techniques discussed in the analysis videos of Cilla and Karen Carpenter in here plus others as well, smoothness, power, accuracy and more besides.
Mick just has talent that goes way beyond what many can appreciate, there's no need for lights, fireworks and dancers, great vocals and great musicians doing what great vocalists and great musicians do.
I must add I went to see Mick in concert when he came to Melbourne about 5-6 years ago. Just he and the band on stage for two hours or so. No gimmicks of any sort and the audience stayed captivated throughout. Pure artistry. Simply Red turned into Simply Not Enough!
He does what you want with his voice he is IMPRESSIONABLY BEAUTIFUL.
I was never a Simply Red fan but I saw Mick Hucknall fronting the Small Faces at Goodwood and was so impressed with him. Not just the way he fitted in so well but the way he stepped back and let the rest of the band take the limelight at the end of each song. Such humility from one so talented, he played it like he was their session guy and not a star in his own right!
Wow, I have always loved this song, it is so breathtakingly beautiful! Mick has such a lovely and strong voice that when he was singing this song, it almost brought me to tears. Thank you Fil for another great analysis!
He has such an emotional voice. It has just gotten better with age. I have always loved him. Thanks, Fil.
Fil thank you for this video. I loved the original by the Stylistics but Mick did so much justice to it. You are right, he's brought so much sensitivity to this song.
He's an incredible singer..shocking!...almost other-worldly..
he's outrageous! WONDERFUL video Fil!
Great analysis, as always. I knew of Simply Red’s music during the 80s.. but didn’t really pay too much attention. Have definitely appreciated Mick’s talent more in recent years after really listening to his music. He’s still touring, and last I saw, still hitting these notes while continuing his live performances. An amazing talent, thanks for sharing your perspective!
Fantastic video and analysis. I can still remember the first time I heard Simply Red back in the 80’s and how blown away I was. What an incredibly talented vocalist. Chills..
I saw Simply Red at The Odeon New Street Birmingham decades ago .Nobody had really heard of them including me and I got a free ticket . There was probably only 300 people in the venue, lucky me being 1 of them . Mick blew my mind … it was so obvious back then he was destined to be a megastar .
One of our greatest voices....often effortless. I love the way he hold notes and doesn't fill it with endless vibrato, sweet tone as well. I recall seeing him live when at Wembley Arena back in the day fantastic performer too real stage presence too
What a great performance of the classic song originally done by the Stylistics. It is one of my favorites. I enjoyed this version as well and think the vocals are amazing! Great analysis Fil!
I love the Stylistics, too ❤
I love how the instrumentation is pared right back. He doesn’t need overpowering instrumentation because Mick IS the song.
Loved the Stylistics recording of this but they had 2. Singers taking the vocals! Heard Simply Red live and MH is a genius
A boyfriend used to sing this to me...he has since passed..oh, the tears and memories.
Mick has sung this beautifully...thanks for the analysis Fil...Happy Easter.💜
A great example of when you reach a point where your technique is an afterthought, you can put all your emotion and focus on the most important thing of all. The lyrics. The words. Sadly it's too often the opposite. That's what first drew me to Sinatra .
Thanks Fil - I always loved Mick Hucknall's interpretation of Cole Porter's "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye" and of the Talking Heads' song "Heaven" (which completely transforms it). Simply Red was one of the best live bands of the 1990s - I saw them a few times.
I've never been a great Mick Hucknell fan, but I must admit he has a tremendous voice. Perhaps as I've got older he has more appeal. I recall the original by the Stylistics, back in 1974, which I liked. Great to hear a human voice so very appreciative of this good analysis, thanks Fil. 🤟
And when you think, this is one person doing all four parts of that original song. It's superb.
@@lilgreenmomo Yes, I had not considered that. Thanks for the reply, definitely food for thought
@@lilgreenmomo he didn't do all four parts
Perfection Mick! To sing the whole song in chest voice with pressure on the diaphragm; he is vocally fit!! Love his tone and emotion too. Great acoustics at the SOH. Thanks for heads up, heading over to that link. Can't listen to this just once.👍
Fil, I'm so glad that you did a range / technique analysis of Mick's voice. I've been waiting for this for a long time. Really great choice of song, and really well analysed. Fascinatingly interesting. Thanks a mil, Fil.
I 'm use to The Stylistics 1974 version of this classic song, Mick Hucknall does a great job on this song always enjoy your analysis Fil,
Micks performance is especially good when you consider that the original of this song came from the Stylistics who were also highly acclaimed fortheir excellent vocal performances , and yet they used 2 lead singers one for the bottom range and the other for the top on their performances.
"Stylistics tenor Airrion Love starts out the song and then alternates with Russell Thompkins Jr."-- Wikipedia
and the top range singer is in head voice
Excellent commentary that adds to the big picture
I don’t think that I’ve seen Simply Red since Holding Back The Years! Such a strong voice, powerfully singing through that tenor portion without a waver. Thanks, Fil, for a wonderful analysis, especially love your examples (you’ve got quite the range yourself). Thanks to your TH-cam friends for the variety of performer suggestions. It’s quite fun hopping through the decades.🤩🌸
I appreciate what you do. I think it has been 35+ years since I last listened to Simply Red.👍❤️
Wow haven't heard this Stylistics song in many moons. What a heavenly performance of an all time classic!!!! Fil, thank you so much!!!!! I love Simply Red❤❤❤
Great performance and great analysis, always love how you break it down for those of us who aren’t trained in music. I’d love to see you do this for Steve Perry sometime.
Love this guy, holding back the years? Is one of my favorite songs.
By far, Mick has one of the most beautiful male voices of all time, in my opinion. Thank you for this fascinating, in-depth analysis of his incredible vocal talent! ✨
Wow! Mick really did this song justice. He is underappreciated by many. Beautiful performance. Excellent analysis. Thanks Fil.
I was practically giddy watching the vocal pitch monitor screen while he sang...incredible accuracy!!! This is a wonderful cover of the original song...beautifully done! Thank you for sharing it with us! 🎶❤
Yep! You got this one Right again... ! Micks performance is Chilling!! .... A Great Timeless Vocal ! Thank you Phil, you are wonderful!
Simply Red isn't so simple, that voice was unbelievable when I 1st heard it in aprox 1986 A excellent view Fil Cheers!
Beautiful song, voice, band, very underrated I feel. Thanks Fil & Happy Easter weekend😊🐣🐇🫖🎶🎙🎼
Wow, what range and consistent tone! I especially enjoyed hearing his lower tones. Thanks for all the details and showing the pitch-monitoring software. He is super accurate.
Your point is Interesting about other singers sometimes being made to push to hit notes for recordings, causing them to struggle in a live setting if left in the higher key.
Hi Fil...What an effortless performance. I noticed immediately the mic placement. Excellent choice for analysis AND as an added bonus, I now know Simply Red's actual real name! TY
🎶💜☔️
It's always such a pleasure to see how much joy you get from excellent performances. Thank you for bringing attention to a superb vocalist.
Spot on commentary …. Fil shares not just his expertise but his joy.
I've never heard this cover before. I like it much more than the original version. I'm not a fan of falsetto. I've always really liked Simply Red. Thanks for your great analysis.
Awesome voice, awesome review. Thank you :)
I could listen to him all day! "Holding Back the Years," is the story of my life and I love it❤
Mick Hucknall ... Has and always will forever be ... Just ... Awesomely ... ... Simply ... ... ... Red
Hi Fil,
This is one phenomenal performance! Extraordinary vocal control and mic technique and just one of the most beautiful songs ever. I love all your analysis videos but this one is surely one of your best! Love how you so poignantly guide us through Mick’s vocal Range, power, and incredible vocal pitch accuracy. As a singer, putting all of those things together and doing it live, is an incredible feat in itself! The song literally pours out of him, it is really amazing! Thank You for doing this analysis and sharing your knowledge and love of all musical genres… You Are The Best… Love and appreciate You for doing this! … Debbie☮️
No problem!
I'm a huge Stylistics' fan but Mick sings a wonderful cover.
Thanks Fil for, again, bringing us real music.
PS now that I've seen your entire clip I thought you generous in your use of the word 'shouting' as I've at times called it screeching, often by modern female singers.
Beautiful performance and excellent analysis, Fil. Thank you for all you do bringing beauty to our lives.
You are clearly impressed, as you should be … I was lucky enough to catch them live a couple of times. Great singer with a very tight talented band … probably under appreciated.
God, what a great voice!!! There's another song I love that he sings...can't think of name😊...holding back the years!!!
I love his album, Home. Great music and an amazing voice. His version of Sunrise written by Mick, Daryl Hall and John Oates is so beautiful.
Wonderful singer. I've often said he's one of the best voices this country has produced and he doesn't get the praise he deserves.
His 2003 Taormina DVD is a masterclass in vocals from start to finish.
And he was in BBC's Piano Room recently - early 60s and his voice is still a thing of wonder.
Brilliant stuff, Fil.
Love Simply Red and Mick and LOVE HOW ENTHUSIASTIC YOU GET ABOUT IT!
Seen them live in 2022 at the 02 in London....incredible voice live, the band n stage presence. Connected with the audience from start to finish...a long concert with encore!.. love them.. im now 62 and and still feel 26!
Master Class indeed!❤🎉❤🎉❤😅
Mick Hucknall and Tom Jones are the two top male vocalists of all time in my opinion. So, I'd love to see Sir Tom's voice analysed the same way. Perhaps comparing young Tom with contemporary Tom in his best performances of your choice? It'd be lovely to see. Thanks!
had tickets for them since 2019. Concert got postponed because of COVID. Finally seen them in december 2022. Got infected by Covid on the concert. Insane, but worth it.
Great vocalist, Mick and excellent analysis, Fil!
Fil, Never knew how great Mick really was/IS! I want to also tell you that yes you do analysis, (as mentioned to the lovely Shirley Lewis), but, as a visual person/observer, I watch your face. There’s your Reaction sweetheart-you get wonderfully ‘caught up’ in the performance One face can say so much more than words. God bless-Cheers! ❤😊 9:57
Wow, I had never seen him sing LOW like that!
What a voice ... and the range. It's amazing!!
Thank you, Phil. Loved your analysis of a truly great singer.
Mick Hucknall - voice of a fucking angel!
I think a lot of us remember first hearing Simply Red. His voice took the world by storm. And he's still got it! I noticed his mic work right away. I don't know if I could stay in chest voice for this whole song. A master cover of The Stylistics song. He made it his own so well. Thanks for a funny analysis too - squawking out those notes for comparison!🤣
🌴🌴< < < VERY FAMILAR WITH THIS PERFORMANCE. DEFINITELY ONE OF THE GREATEST VOCAL PERFORMANCES EVER. VERY POWERFUL VOICE. MICK IS THE MAN. THE BAND WAS EXCELLENT TOO. > > > 🌴🌴
Well it’s not the Stylistics but it took Russell Tompkins Jr and Airrion Love to achieve the same range. Beautiful song, Fil!😊😊😊😊
Great voice, but the original Soul version was/is better!
Your PM screen did confirm the unreal vocal range of this lead vocalist.(!)
Yes, it was a great cover for M H ---to display this uncanny combo of vocal strength and smoothness and to maintain it thru-out the performance.
Well, so glad you chose this one Fil. I have been listening to this song for the best part of 50 years. Many excellent singers have covered it since The Stylistics - including Peggy Lee on a 1974 album that I have of hers. However, this is the version I listen to more than any other, because, in my opinion. it is the very best vocal interpretation of this song ever. Thanks for another great analysis...
Thanks,!
you forget to tell us if you liked it. :). Now please toss me a Heart treat. ❤❤❤❤ What makes Fil successful is his giant, irrepressible, GENUINE passion and enthusiasm.
HavE NEVER seen any live performer hold a mic so far away from their mouth. What outstanding engineers. What a voice dear lord. Cannot say enough.
You need to check out Beth Hart doing 'I'd Rather Go Blind' with Joe Bonamassa in Amsterdam. I love Mick and Simply Red, but she has the microphone below her waist on a couple belts and it's more for the protection of the equipment, than volume mitigation, because her voice still comes through with great power.
Ooooh my. I'm crying over here. I never heard this version before. Didn't think I would like it as the original Stylistics' voices were so unique. But this ... oh! ... so yummy! Brought me to tears!
Your analysis is top notch, Fil! You make me appreciate music and talent so much more. It's like exploring a new world ❤ Thank you!!
No problem! 🙂
Woweee!! This is the first video of yours I have watched and really enjoyed, and seriously appreciated it. You made me appreciate an amazing performance, so much more, as well as pointing out some of the little nuances that make him such an amazing vocalist and performer.
Looking forward to watching many more of your videos to learn more and appreciate even more, what makes a great performance even better.
Thanks for sharing your fantastic knowledge - much appreciated 😼
I first heard Simply Red on my car radio, early 80s. It was on a live BBC studio session. I particularly remember Sad Old Red. When I got home I was enthusiastically telling my wife I'd heard this great band with a fabulous black, female soul vocalist and went out to buy their album. Amazing voice and that original line up was fabulous - kudos to Fritz.
From the moment Holding Back the Years hit the charts I was completely enthralled...red hair and blue eyes didn't hurt either. But I have 2 questions if you would please answer. One, is he self taught...two, what is his vocal range? Please, I've tried Google...no luck. Mick was, is and shall always be the red headed phenom! BTW he has a UK and Ireland tour already selling tickets in 2025. Reminds me of Sir Tom. Never quits. Thank God!
Have seen Mick on a number of occasions he never ever disappoints...Simply brilliant
absolutely love Mick and Simply Red, thanks for this one
Wow! What a voice - incredible range.
Always loved his voice, from the beginning.
I'm a vocalist so I really appreciate his singing and to have you break it down, Fil !
Definitely impressive
Thank you.
I can’t express how much your videos teach me to deepen my appreciation of music and the artists.
You are incredible.
Mike is always, even from the beginning, precise . I always loved his singing from the beginning.
Thank you for this. I simply love Simply Red! What a wonderful performance..
One of my all time favorites - Simply Red.
Fil you REALLY need to do an analysis of David Phelps, at 52 mind you…covering Whitney Houston’s I Have Nothing and can that man sing! Amazing tenor 🎶
th-cam.com/video/h5b39F-9458/w-d-xo.html
Perfect song for him to showcase that voice and range! Love this!
Ty for this pointing out Mick's very incredible talent.