| Review scores | |
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| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   link |
Love and the Russian Winter is the seventh studio album by Simply Red, released on 2 November 1999. It marks a distinct change from the band's preceding albums as it has a more computer-generated sound. The album was put out 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. The musicians featured most are Hucknall, Wright, Yashiki, Jaimes, Kirkham and Suzuki, all of whom, apart from Yashiki, were still a part of Simply Red in 2010.
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
- Lead vocals: Mick Hucknall
- Backing vocals: Dee Johnson, Sarah Brown, Mick Hucknall
- Guitars: Kenji Suzuki, Mark Jaimes, Greg Bone
- Bass guitar: Gota Yashiki, Andy Wright, Wayne Stobbart, Tim Vine
- Keyboards: Tim Vine, Andy Wright, Dom T, Aiden Love, Phillipe Manjard, James Wiltshire
- Drums: Gota Yashiki, Geoff Holroyde
- Saxophones: Ian Kirkham
- Trombone: John Johnson
- Saxophone and Flute: Chris De Margary
- Trumpet: Kevin Robinson
- Programming: Ned Douglas, James Wiltshire, Andy Wright, Gota Yashiki
- Programming and additional production on ‘Your Eyes’: Merv Pearson
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Austria (IFPI Austria)[1] | Gold | 25,000* |
| Germany (BVMI)[2] | Platinum | 500,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[3] | Platinum | 300,000^ |
| * Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
- ^ "Austrian album certifications – Simply Red – Love and the Russian Winter" (in German). IFPI Austria.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Simply Red; 'Love and the Russian Winter')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
- ^ "British album certifications – Simply Red – Love and the Russian Winter". British Phonographic Industry. Select albums in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type Love and the Russian Winter in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.