Midge Ure extends vocal thanks to those who inspired him Fans of the original Ultravox! might have found it hard to stomach Ure replacing John Foxx as lead vocalist, though they were likely won over by the majesty of the Vienna album.
After massive success Midge apparently drank a river of booze, and his solo career saw periods of fast acceleration followed by hairpin turns. Now he wrestles with that most dangerous opponent: the covers album. He makes “no apology for the eclectic choice of songs”, which brings to mind Jim Kerr’s famed introductions on the press promo of Simple Minds’ (unintended) napalm attacks on their heroes on Neon Lights. Thankfully, Ure sticks his hands in 10 hats and, more often than not, pulls out a rabbit. The Carpenters’ Goodbye To Love sounds beaten, careworn and works very well; who would have though that Alfie, a soundtrack to a boyhood holiday, would also be rendered in such fine style by the former lead singer with Slik.
Badfinger’s Day After Day sounds like it’s being covered by Roxy Music, while Phil Lynott’s Song For While I’m Away is a real beauty. Bowie is represented by a near falsetto Lady Stardust, while The Small Faces’ My Mind’s Eye is taken at stalking pace.
