In the same way that it has long seemed uncool to admit a fondness for Simple Minds, it is often difficult to profess admiration for the musical output of Big Country.The fact that it has taken well over 1,000 postings at TVV before I've taken the plunge and written about them is a clear indication that I'm a bit uneasy about things. Blame the music snob side of me that I'm not very good at hiding.
The thing is, I really did think Big Country were quite special when they first hit the scene in late 1982. Being a fan of The Skids, I was hugely interested in what Stuart Adamson was going to do next, and luckily enough I caught an early glimpse as he took his new band out on a tour of student venues, including Level 8 at Strathclyde University where I spent so many of my weekends between 1981 and 1985.
They were an excellent live act, with the biggest surprise being the fact that Stuart was actually a better singer in so many ways than his old sidekick Richard Jobson. It was also clear that Stuart, realising just how technically proficient a guitarist he was, had ensured that his new band mates were also among the best you could find, and each of Bruce Watson, Tony Butler and Mark Brzezicki made sure that Big Country could never be labelled a one man band.
I bought all the early singles and the debut LP, The Crossing, and caught them live at least two more times over the next two years. However, I was disappointed in the first of the new material to emerge after the initial flurry - the singles Wonderland and East Of Eden - and didn't even buy the second LP. But it didn't matter in the scheme of things as Big Country were now bona-fide chart superstars whose tours were selling-out in rapid time no matter the size of the venue, particularly in Scotland.
So I gave up on the band early on, and didn't pay much attention to them. It was also the case that everything I had of theirs was on vinyl, and so there was a long spell when I didn't have the capability to listen to them even if I wanted. And besides, if I wanted my fix of Stuart Adamson's sublime guitar skills, I could always play one or more of The Skids albums that I had bought on CD.
The suicide of Stuart Adamson in December 2001 was something that shocked and saddened me, and it was really only reading the obits and the tributes then that I fully realised the actual impact he had made on so many people during his 43 and a bit years on Planet Earth.
But even then, I still havent, until the past two weeks, listened to any Big Country songs for the best part of 30 years. I did so because I know that I couldn't possibly have a series carrying a grandiose title such as that I've bestowed on it without acknowledging and appreciating the success of Stuart Adamson's other, but let's be honest, better known band.
mp3 : Big Country - Harvest Home
mp3 : Big Country - Balcony
mp3 : Big Country - Flag Of Nations (Swimming)
These are the three tracks from the 12" version of the debut single. They are better than I imagined them to be all these years later. It was the only one of their first 11 singles which failed to chart, and as far as I know the two b-sides weren't released in any other format, so hopefully I might be completing some gaps in some collections,
Incidentally, I have downloaded and listened again to the two singles from 1984 that turned me off the band. I still don't like them all these years later. But I can understand just why they were so bloody popular......
Trivia Fact.
Despite the fact that Big Country are seen as one of Scotland's most successful bands of the 80s, not one of the four were born in this part of the world. Stuart was born in Manchester (but moved to Dunfermline at a very early age), Bruce is Canadian, Tony a Londoner, and Mark was from Slough.
Happy Listening.
15 comments:
I highly suggest you give several records in the Big Country arsenal a shot.
A.) Their 12" singles collection on CD. I bought it from their official web site, so nice to have all their stellar mixes in one collection. And there's great liner notes about how the producer used only original recorded elements to make the mixes instead of adding new beats and keyboard parts.
B.) Steeltown - OK, I'll admit, this is a much better listen in 12" remix form, but its a solid album - and the b-sides on the reissue are priceless.
C.) John Wayne's Dream - the remaster of the final album completed by the band - they were in fine form on their swan song.
Great post for a great band!
Glad someone's taken a punt on writing positively about them. He was a brilliant and underrated guitarists.
I was listening to the Crossing on the way to work this morning and suggest revisiting the track Inwards especially, which has a brilliant riff and solo at the end of it. You'll hear a lot of Holy Bible era Manic Street Preachers in there, and something James Dean Bradfield would probably admit to
thanks for the post of these early tracks, had not heard them for years!
All new tracks to me and I would concur - better than I expected, (well maybe except Balcony).
Well worth a feature though.
I remember the dad that Stiff's older brother brought in Harvest Home, we listened to it, listened to it again and decided it was alright but not as good as the Skids. It took Fields Of Fire for me, personally to warm to them.
I bought Steel Town but never thought that much of it it was okay.
The Crossing was an obligatory album in most mates homes during the earl 80s.
M loves Big Country, mainly due to watching Restless Natives, over and over.
I think that Stellastarr have listened to a Big Country lp or two on more than one occassion
I think the reason they are lauded/mocked in equal measure is their continual use of the e-bow.
It had the effect of making their guitar sound almost like bagpipes.....add in their love of the plaid shirt and it all became somewhat Jock'n'Roll.
Never a Big Country fan, but did like his score for 'Restless Natives' film.
Level 8 at Strathclyde uni 81-85. I missed you by a year! Brings back many hazy memories for sure. Can't say I was huge BC fan but they were very popular amongst all the U2 fans in my year at High School. Still, nice to have a reason to think back to those days!
Lovely JC....and even more so for the fact I see we share a Level 8 lineage...in my case from 85-90..James King and The Lone Wolves, Friends Again, (was still at school i think) and ...King!! (yes King!) . Happy memories of The Crossing album and yes a sad loss. Now...sould I go and see Eddi R down here next week? she;s playing at The Basement...small, iconic, er..basement club here in Sydney. Saw her there a few years ago with Boo H. ws hoping the Trashcans might be with her but I think we have to wait a bit longer.
What a great post young Jim. Honest, level and even.
My knowledge of them is patchy, but they seemed to be a 'constant' for many of us over (and during) a significant period of time.
I saw The Skids at Leeds Poly and am pretty sure Tony Butler was in the excellent support band that night.
As a band, they certainly deserve to be respected.
Thanks our kid.
Never deny early Big Country!
Great post JIm
Nah. Everything that was wrong about the 1980s. Garry Davies music. Sorry!
You're right to feature them but I just don't get it. Never have. I did buy the Crossing when it came out - blame my girlfriend of the time - but it remains one of the very very few albums that I've given away.
Another trivia fact is that Pete Wishart, MP and former Runrig member, was an early member of BC, prior to the best known membership. I believe Pete was born in Scotland but, sadly for him, in Dunfermline.
OK, even though I was a fan only a little bit longer than you, I will defend everything Big Country did from this single through Steeltown. My love for the band's work during that time period extends to all 12" singles, most B-sides and the Wonderland EP.
My highest recommendations go to the singles Just a Shadow and Where the Rose Is Sown. The best flip sides are Prairie Rose (Roxy Music cover from East of Eden 12" single) and The Crossing (from Chance 12" single and Wonderland EP). BC's debut album is perfect.
One of my favorite moments as a kid was watching the band's Dec. 31, 1983 performance from the Barrowlands when it aired on MTV. That show was reissued as a CD/DVD combo last year. I watched it this past NYE for the first time in decades. It made me giddy.
In full disclosure, I wrote a lot about my passion for early Big Country on my blog last year. They were IT for me when I was 13-14 years old. Sorry, the mp3s have expired. http://lineartrackinglives.blogspot.com/
Although we may disagee a bit on this one, I really appreciate your work.
Like Simple Minds, a band I have re-evaluated over the last few years. Would concur that the early stuff is better, but I picked up the first three LPs very cheaply on vinyl and was not disappointed.
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