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Post by mccloud on Aug 12, 2007 9:15:40 GMT -5
Sure, you might have heard "In a Big Country" 25 or so years ago. But did you know they a had and long successful recording and touring career throughout the UK and Europe throughout the 90's? Up until Stuart Adamson's tragic suicide in 2001, they made great music, and their live shows were phenomenal. Alone music video Chance live from their last show ever Ships music video I wish that I could have seen them live while Stuart was still alive.  |
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Post by Phantom Engineer on Aug 12, 2007 10:21:14 GMT -5
I saw them on their first US tour. A great show.
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Post by mccloud on Aug 12, 2007 10:53:37 GMT -5
And I envy you that. I really started listening to them after they had broken up, but before Stuart died.  |
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Post by mightyjack on Aug 12, 2007 11:33:28 GMT -5
Ahh yes, loved "The Crossing" and can't believe I haven't added it to my top 200 (My addled mind). Never saw them live, heck I never even knew that Stuart lived in Nashville while I was there. He created a distinct, fresh sound that is nicely explored in a wiki piece... Stuart AdamsonBTW-What vid did you send me. I approved it but Myspace didn't post it |
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Post by mightyjack on Aug 12, 2007 11:43:59 GMT -5
In A Big Country Just cause I never tire of it no matter how often I hear it. Love the sound of those guitars.
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Post by mccloud on Aug 12, 2007 12:12:25 GMT -5
BTW-What vid did you send me. I approved it but Myspace didn't post it A music video of a song from their last record. It's a very sad, but beautiful song, imo. What the hell - I'll post it here too. Fragile Thing from "Driving to Damascus" (AKA "John Wayne's Dream" here in the US) The only thing I don't like about this particular clip is the guitar is absolutely buried in the mix, and her vocals are pushed too far front. There's a version of this on "John Wayne's Dream" which is my favorite. Never saw them live, heck I never even knew that Stuart lived in Nashville while I was there. ;D |
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Post by mightyjack on Aug 12, 2007 13:11:41 GMT -5
Oh man that was really beautiful, I loved the lyrics. Thanks
Edit: I went to a Big Country lyrics site and the video seems to be missing a chunk as they list these words...
I've been to see a movie
About a man who saved the world
Had the same old happy ending
Where the hero gets the girl
And all I ever wanted
Was to be that hero too
Then I might still be with her
Instead of here with you
are those lines in the album version?
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Post by mccloud on Aug 12, 2007 13:23:50 GMT -5
Yes, I have heard at least 4 different mixes of that song, and that part is in it. There's also a bridge that isn't in this version. This video is for the single mix, and you know how they love to flapjacks with singles.  |
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Post by Hugh Beaumont on Aug 13, 2007 0:43:15 GMT -5
McCloud, thanks for this. I've come to appreciate and respect your taste in music, so I'm giving them a shot. I watched the "Alone" video and the song is fantastic. (Not so sure about that cow vest, though.  ) I had, of course, heard "In A Big Country" before. Never really gave them much thought beyond that, however. Thanks for this. |
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Post by mccloud on Aug 13, 2007 6:52:27 GMT -5
I watched the "Alone" video and the song is fantastic. (Not so sure about that cow vest, though. )  You know those rock & rollers and their crazy fashion sense. I'm glad you didn't let that interfere with the song itself. There are a lot of clips of them on YouTube. Some are the standard music video promos, but there are a several live tracks, which I recommend. Even if the visual sucks and the audio is tinny and out of sync, they would give you an idea of how they were live. Netflix has "Live Without a Safety Net" and "Final Fling," both live concert DVDs which are excellent. If you feel like you want to buy a concert recording, get "Das Fest 1995." It's only on VHS I think, but it's my favorite. btw their official band site www.bigcountry.co.uk/ |
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Post by Trumpy's Magic Snout on Aug 13, 2007 8:08:30 GMT -5
In A Big Country Just cause I never tire of it no matter how often I hear it. Love the sound of those guitars. Ah yes, guitars that sound like bagpipes. "Why not just use bagpipes since you're from Scotland" people ask. Because that would have been too easy! |
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Post by mccloud on Aug 13, 2007 8:58:36 GMT -5
In A Big Country Just cause I never tire of it no matter how often I hear it. Love the sound of those guitars. Ah yes, guitars that sound like bagpipes. "Why not just use bagpipes since you're from Scotland" people ask. Because that would have been too easy! Hey, you actually live in Scotland!  Were you ever a fan of the band? Have you ever seen The Casbah Club play? They are the remaining members of Big Country. I love how their guitars sounded. And their rhythym section was awesome. The bassist, Tony Butler, played with Pete Townsend before he joined BC (All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes). I always thought the drummer was excellent too. |
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Post by Trumpy's Magic Snout on Aug 13, 2007 20:48:14 GMT -5
I'm not a massive fan, but they're one of those bands that you can't escape here. Whenever there's a big event like birthdays, weddings or Hogmany (New Year's Eve) all the Scottish music gets wheeled out by the DJ. You tend to find them in the middle of Proclaimer's 500 Miles, Deacon Blue's Dignity, The Waterboys' Whole Of The Moon (I think they might be Irish but we seem to have claimed them!) and Runrig's live version of Loch Lomond. Good stirring stuff that sends the drunken hordes mad, as if they weren't mad enough. And the guitars were definately the best bit. A sound that has been copied.
The bloke's death was a sad piece of news. One of those shocks really. As I said never a big fan, but when someone who has had such a public image thanks to being a Scot who broke America takes their own life it's something that takes you aback a bit.
I never knew the bass player worked with Townsend, cheers for that little tidbit, and I'll keep an ear out for the Casbah Club. they'll no doubt play Glasgow regularly.
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Post by Truck Farmer on Aug 20, 2007 9:08:56 GMT -5
I was in Best Buys the other day to get a birthday present for my mom, and I came across a Big Country greatest hits collection. After seeing the videos mentioned her, I had to get it and I haven't stopped listening to it since. I've always loved In A Big Country (maybe a top ten favorite song), but there are some other great songs on this. One of my favorites is King Of Emotion. Thanks McCloud for reminding of a really great band. RIP Stuart |
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Post by mccloud on Aug 20, 2007 10:29:59 GMT -5
That's really cool to hear, Barry. I love "King of Emotion" as well, really upbeat song.
If you feel like buying soemthing other than a Best Of, I'd definitely recommend their last record, "Driving to Damascus," from 1999. It was reissued in the US in 2002 (I think), with bonus tracks, as "John Wayne's Dream."
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) I had, of course, heard "In A Big Country" before. Never really gave them much thought beyond that, however. Thanks for this.
You know those rock & rollers and their crazy fashion sense. 
Were you ever a fan of the band? Have you ever seen The Casbah Club play? They are the remaining members of Big Country.
