Simply Red: Home Live in Sicily

So you're Mick Hucknall of Simply Red. You're the lead singer, the frontman, the band leader, the principal composer, the focal point of every appearance--simply put, you are Simply Red. And yet, when the band issues a new concert video, you still need to include a “Mick Cam” angle option, whereby viewers can watch you in close-up for the entire two-hour show, instead of merely, say, 90 percent of it? Get over yourself, dude. Clearly, this guy thinks he, his band, and what he calls their “British urban soul” music are the bee's knees. In fact, Hucknall is a good singer, sometimes really good, and he's still got considerable power and heart, especially in the upper register. But Simply Red simply isn't the stuff dreams are made of; heck, in the blue-eyed soul sweepstakes, they arguably fall short of the likes of Hall & Oates or Michael McDonald. Hucknall and company certainly haven't had as many hits; in America, they're still primarily known for “Holding Back the Years”--great tune, but what have you done for me lately? This 20-song set, recorded in 2003 (in a beautiful, open-air amphitheater in Taormina, Italy), looks and sounds good (in DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound). But despite some interesting cover choices (the Stylistics' “You Make Me Feel Brand New,” Bob Dylan's “Positively 4th Street”), the smooth rhythms and easy-listening vibe (this ain't exactly Otis Redding backed by Booker T. and the MGs) just aren't very compelling. DVD extras include a 20-minute behind-the-scenes documentary and two bonus tracks. Optional. Aud: P. (S. Graham)