In a special performance at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in July 2008, Mick Hucknall, the unmistakable voice of Simply Red, took the stage to honor one of his formative musical heroes: the great American bluesman Bobby “Blue” Bland. This concert was part of a tour supporting Hucknall's first solo album, "Tribute to Bobby," a project born from his deep admiration for Bland's sophisticated, jazz-tinged take on the blues.
Backed by a superb band, Hucknall delves into the rich catalog of the Memphis soul legend, delivering passionate interpretations of classics like "I Pity the Fool" and "Farther Up the Road." While Simply Red was known for its polished blue-eyed soul and pop hits, this performance showcases a different side of Hucknall's artistry, one deeply rooted in the raw emotion and storytelling of the blues. He explained his connection to the music by saying, "Bobby sings with a really twisted pain and sorrow. He's one of the vocalists who influenced my singing style long before I became a slave to pop success." The result is a heartfelt and powerful homage, where Hucknall uses his renowned vocal talents to celebrate the enduring legacy of a master.