Black & White 050505 is the fourteenth studio album (of original material) by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released in the UK in September 2005. The album was not officially released in the US.

Overview

Work on this follow-up to Cry started in 2002 and was heavily influenced by the band's live work from that period. At the time of the album release, Jim Kerr stated about the new album: "Having delivered Black and White 050505, an album that we believe is classic Simple Minds, albeit with a whole new energy. We can honestly say that we are delighted with the results and look forward with a totally revitalised outlook to this next phase of our on going creativity."

Recording

The sessions for Black And White 050505 yielded an album and a half of material. The tracks "Light Travels" and "Fortune Teller" were left off the album because Jim Kerr did not want to compromise the album's structure or overall feel. Demoed for Black And White 050505, "Light Travels" was later rerecorded and released on Graffiti Soul (2009). After initially appearing as an idea of a melody during the recording sessions for Good News from the Next World (1995) and recorded for Black And White 050505 (2005) as "Fortune Teller", the song was then considered for Graffiti Soul (2009) but, again, not released until it was finally rerecorded (and retitled) as "Magic" for Walk Between Worlds (2018). The recording sessions for the album ended on 5 May 2005 (05/05/05), hence the number in the album's title.

Track listing

Standard edition

2019 Deluxe Edition and Rejuvenation 2001–2014 box set bonus tracks

Source:

Left-overs

At least, another track was demoed for Black & White 050505: "Angel Under My Skin" written by Mark Kerr and Erikah Karst during the Cry period (2002). The song was later worked on for Graffiti Soul (2009) before it was finally recorded and released on Walk Between Worlds (2018).

Live performances

All the songs have been played live:

Personnel

Adapted from the album's liner notes, except where noted. Additional musicians Technical

Certifications

Sources