Charlie Burchill - Misplaced Pages

Scottish musician and composer

Charlie Burchill
Charlie Burchill in 2018
Background information
Birth name	Charles Burchill
Born	(1959-11-27) 27 November 1959 (age 65)
Origin	Glasgow, Scotland
Genres	Rock post-punk new wave pop rock alternative rock
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter
Instruments	Guitar keyboard violin mandolin saxophone percussion vocals
Years active	1977–present
Member of	Simple Minds

Musical artist

Charles Burchill (born 27 November 1959) is a Scottish musician and composer. He is the guitarist and one of the founders of the rock band Simple Minds.

Style

During Simple Minds' early-to-mid-1980s period, Burchill's guitar had a distinctive and atmospheric sound not dissimilar to Echo & the Bunnymen's Will Sergeant. Making heavy use of effects such as delay and chorus, his playing often provided subtle textures behind the band's more drum- and bass-propelled songs. This style was most apparent on 1982's New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84). From 1983's album Sparkle in the Rain onwards the group evolved a different style, bringing Burchill's playing more into the foreground.

As well as providing guitar, Burchill played the violin and saxophone on the band's first three studio albums and took over most studio keyboard duties following the 1989 departure of Mick MacNeil. Burchill with lead singer Jim Kerr are the only original members of the band still performing.

Equipment

Burchill has been playing a Gretsch White Falcon since the early 1980s. He also has a modern one in Black, and a number of 1969 Gibson Les Pauls. As of 2017 he uses Matchless amplifiers.

References

Davis, Sharon (2012). 80s Chart-Toppers: Every Chart-Topper Tells a Story. Random House. ISBN 9781780574110.
Cornwell, Simon. "dream giver redux - family tree - simple minds #1". www.simpleminds.org.
David Fricke (14 April 1983). "Album Review New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)". Rolling Stone. RealNetworks, Inc. Archived from the original on 17 November 2007. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
allmusic ((( Sparkle in the Rain > Overview )))
Mead, David (1 September 2017). "One for the road: Simple Minds' Charlie Burchill". Music Radar. Retrieved 29 March 2022.

External links

v t e Simple Minds
Jim Kerr Charlie Burchill Ged Grimes Sarah Brown Gordy Goudie Cherisse Osei Brian McGee Mick MacNeil Derek Forbes Kenny Hyslop Mike Ogletree John Giblin Mel Gaynor Catherine AD
Albums	Life in a Day Real to Real Cacophony Empires and Dance Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84) Sparkle in the Rain Once Upon a Time Street Fighting Years Real Life Good News from the Next World Néapolis Our Secrets Are the Same Neon Lights Cry Black & White 050505 Graffiti Soul Big Music Acoustic Walk Between Worlds Direction of the Heart
Live albums	Live in the City of Light Real Live 91 Sunday Express – Live (Volumes 1 & 2) 5X5 Live Acoustic in Concert Live in the City of Angels
Compilations	Themes for Great Cities 79/81 Celebration Glittering Prize 81/92 The Promised The Best of Simple Minds Early Gold Silver Box Celebrate: The Greatest Hits
Singles	"Love Song" "Promised You a Miracle" "Glittering Prize" "Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)" "Waterfront" "Speed Your Love to Me" "Up on the Catwalk" "Don't You (Forget About Me)" "Alive and Kicking" "Sanctify Yourself" "All the Things She Said" "Ghostdancing" "Belfast Child" "This Is Your Land" "Kick It In" "Let There Be Love" "See the Lights" "Stand by Love" "She's a River"
Promo singles	"Mandela Day" (US)
Themes series	Themes – Volume 1: March 79–April 82 Themes – Volume 2: August 82–April 85 Themes – Volume 3: September 85–June 87 Themes – Volume 4: February 89–May 90 Themes – Volume 5: March 91–September 92
Related articles	Discography Concert tours Lostboy! AKA Jim Kerr Ex-Simple Minds

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