Grammy and Brit Award winning musician Midge Ure will release his new album Orchestrated in North America on June 8th. This remarkable new album features stunningly reimagined orchestrated versions of Ultravox hits and Midge Ure classics including ‘Vienna’, ‘Dancing with Tears In My Eyes’, and ‘If I Was’. Musician, singer-songwriter, producer and activist, Midge Ure has worn many musical hats over the years; however, working on a fully orchestrated album has been a new venture for Midge. Said Midge: “The record took eighteen months to make, but a lifetime of work to achieve.” The set will be released by BMG on CD and clear vinyl.
Midge Ure was one of the 80’s most visible pop/rock stars as the stylish lead singer of Ultravox. Born in Scotland, Midge began playing music in bands at a young age. As soon as he moved to London he soon found himself immersed in a scene he had previously only read about. He was a member of Slik, The Rich Kids, Visage, and, for a short while, Thin Lizzy, after which he joined Ultravox as the new front man.
Ultravox, the electronic rock pioneers who helped soundtrack the 1980’s, regrouped with Midge at the helm after two of the original band members left to pursue solo careers. As singer, songwriter, guitarist and second keyboardist, this second incarnation would become the classic line-up. The album, ‘Vienna’, was recorded in 1980. Although it was the band’s fourth album, it was the first with Midge, and the first one to chart. When the title track ‘Vienna’ was released as a single in early 1981 it became a huge hit and spent four weeks at no.2 in the UK singles chart and was the 5th highest selling single in the UK that year. The album itself re-entered the album chart and peaked at no.3.
Midge produced and co-wrote the Band Aid anthem ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ with Bob Geldof and also co-organized the Live Aid concert in 1985 as well as the Live 8 concerts.
Midge and Bob jointly set up the Band Aid Trust, and is still active as a Band Aid Trustee. Both Midge and Bob have been honored with two Ivor Novello awards for writing the song. After working on the Band Aid project and during a hiatus from Ultravox, Midge pursued a highly successful solo career in 1985. The single, ‘If I Was’, was a UK number 1 single, and his debut album, ‘The Gift’, reached No. 2. After returning to Ultravox for what would be their final album together, the band effectively disbanded in 1987 and Ure concentrated solely on his solo career.
Now Midge Ure is back with this fabulous collection, celebrating his catalogue with these beautifully crafted versions of his classic hits.
Official Tracklisting
01. Hymn
02. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes
03. Breathe
04. Man Of Two Worlds
05. If I Was
06. Vienna
07. The Voice
08. Ordinary Man
09. Death In The Afternoon
10. Lament
11. Recap The Wild Wind
12. Fragile
Ure also returns to North America this summer on a co-headline tour with old friend, and fellow Brit, Paul Young. The first leg of the ‘Soundtrack of your Life’ Tour will hit Texas, the Midwest and Northeast with more to be announced including a second leg hitting the west coast in August.
Midge Ure will be performing Ultravox, Visage and solo material as well as playing songs from his highly acclaimed album Fragile, released in 2014. Listen here via Billboard Magazine. There are a handful of solo acoustic dates for Midge but the rest of the tour is very much plugged in, featuring Ure on electric guitar and synthesizer recalling the groundbreaking, innovative sound he is known for.
Paul Young will be performing songs from his chart topping catalogue spanning 4 decades including the smash hits “Come Back & Stay” “Every Time You Go Away.” and, “What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted” as well as tracks from his latest album Good Times, released in 2016.
Midge Ure/Paul Young Tour Dates: (More TBA)
May 29 – Austin, TX – 3Ten (Midge Solo Acoustic)
May 30 – Denton, TX – Dan’s Silverleaf (Midge Solo Acoustic)
May 31 – New Orleans, LA – The Parish @ HoB (Midge Solo Acoustic)
June 1 – Atlanta, GA – City Winery (Midge Solo Acoustic)
June 2 – Bordentown, NJ – Randy Now’s Man Cave (Midge Solo Acoustic)
June 5 – Bethesda, MD – Bethesda Blues & Jazz
June 6 – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theatre
June 7 – Huntington, NY – Paramount
June 8 – New York, NY – Highline Ballroom
June 10 – Pawling, NY – Daryl’s House (Paul Young Only)
June 12 – Toronto – The Phoenix
June 14 – Detroit, MI Magic Bag
June 16 – Chicago – B House Live
June 17 – Milwaukee – Shank Hall
June 19 – Cleveland, OH – Music Box
June 21 – Cincinnati, OH – Live @ Ludlow Garage
