Pure, released 16 September 1991, is the third solo album by former Ultravox frontman Midge Ure. It was the first release by Ure with a new record label BMG-Arista. The first single "Cold Cold Heart" reached number 17 on the UK Singles Chart in August 1991.[1] "I See Hope in the Morning Light" and "Let It Go?" were also released as singles.[2] The album has a blend of ethnic rhythms and clean album-oriented rock pop, pervaded by catchy hooks.
Background
It took Midge Ure two years to hammer together the material for Pure, both at his home studio in London and in the basement in his house on the Caribbean island of Montserrat, once he cleared away the damage wrought by the passing of Hurricane Hugo.
The album opens with "I See Hope in the Morning Light", a mixture of African rhythms and a gospel choir coupled with Uilliean pipes played by Paddy Moloney.
"With 'I See Hope', I liked the idea of the choir, something that was kind of inspirational but not about religion or God" Midge remembered 1991. "I wanted that kind of rousing tingle-up-the-spine feel that you get from inspirational songs, but inspirational about life rather than afterlife. The idea of getting through difficult periods in your life and coming out the other end, feeling slightly elated."[3]
"I See Hope in the Morning Light'", was written about the possible release of Nelson Mandela, and recorded as a celebration. Ure said: "I hit a block and didn't finish the song until way after his release. That's the way it happens sometimes."[4]
The song "Tumbling Down" was inspired by the fall of the Berlin Wall 1989.
Midge Ure filmed the promo-videos to "Cold, Cold Heart" and "I See Hope" in Los Angeles.
Midge explained 1991:
"If there is a theme running through the album, it is the highs and lows of love, but different aspects of love. I was one who always said I was really bored with love songs, banal love songs, and I thought it would be interesting to sit down and write a variety of songs about love. Not necessarily romantic slushy stuff, but about the twists and the hard parts and the nasty bits people try to brush under the carpet."[5]
"Let it Go?" question the idea of personal responsibility in the face of the worlds mountain of problems. Midge explained 1991:
"I suppose it is hitting at apathy. There is a lot of flag-flying about how good we are, all this talk about jumping in and helping at every turn. Everyone is saying we should do this, we should all get together, but even when you are in the middle of doing all that stuff, you can have a nagging doubt in your mind. You are thinking should I be doing this? Is it right? Is it my responsibility? And then there just the sheer apathy of thinking 'Oh well', somebody else will sort it out."[6]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Midge Ure except where noted
No.
Title
Length
1.
"I See Hope In The Morning Light" (Ure, Danny Mitchell)
Keyboards – Robbie Kilgore (tracks: 1, 3, 6 to 11)
Percussion – Steve Williams (tracks: 4, 7, 8)
Uilleann pipes and Tin Whistle - Paddy Moloney (track 1)
Background vocals (track 1) - Chris Ballin, Gwen Dupree, Michael McCloud, Phil Gannon, Ricci P. Washington, Sheylah Cuffy, Sylvia Mason-James, Vicki St James
