THE UNDERFALL YARD

The Underfall Yard CD finally arrived. I've been in love with this album for over a year, (since I was first presented with the original demos - I was invited to submit artwork for the project) and the finished article lives up to all my expectations. I'm amazed how much it has changed from the initial recordings, and despite all the added layers and complexity the album still feels very fresh and organic.

Greg Spawton (the main songwriter) and the band have always produced music which is forceful, complex and profoundly moving. In their exploration of love, departure, redemption and suffering they have confronted some of the most compelling themes to challenge the human spirit. The depth of their expression, their submerged narrative, has never been more coherent than in the group of songs presented here on The Underfall Yard.

The playing is of the highest standard from Greg, Andy, and Nick D'Virgilio (who plays drums throughout this time). This is the first album to feature new vocalist David Longdon. David turns in a truly inspired performance, and creates some dazzling vocal arrangements. Guest musicians Francis Dunnery, Jem Godfrey and Dave Gregory add additional colour, and virtuosity as you would expect. It really is a wonderful album! I was particularly impressed by Dave Gregory (who features on all but one of the songs) - his playing really shines.

The CD opens with an instrumental track Evening Star. The song provides an excellent introduction to the album's musical themes and indeed to the band itself. David's vocals introduce the track, followed in turn by each contributor. As the instrumental closes we are first introduced to the "12 stones" brass band. The use of brass gives a real emotional kick to the album. It's presence in the introduction helps set the stage for the songs which follow, which have a rich historical feel. The 12 stones theme is reprised in the closing sections of the album in the epic title track The Underfall Yard.

Greg explores the relationship with his father in the second track Master James of St George (but you'd be hard pushed to establish this from the lyrics). Here the vocal arrangements of David Longdon take center stage, and his impassioned delivery set the scene for track three, the second song based on Greg's estranged relationship with his father. Victorian Brickwork is a song of profound beauty. Individual experience is reflected in the lyrics which review emotional loss and regret. The track features some extraordinary vocals and guitar work. In fact, this song has everything, I can't even begin to describe it - the whole piece is so special ? there are too many highlights to list and the closing section is simply awesome.

There are common themes which run through many of the songs. Greg's lyrics question our history and our past and how these events may effects our lives. As a historian Greg brings to life the spirit of man as we travel through the industrial heritage of Britain. His practice of crafting his lyrics around a familiar story is the anchor which connects his songs to history, but the approach is always from the human aspect, considering the extraordinary nature of ordinary people. There is a strong sense of time and place, the use of carefully crafted music help place us alongside the characters depicted in the songs, and David's voice brings it all to life.

Track 4, The Last Train tells of the devotion of a station master in the last days of Hurn station. Greg was inspired by a local newspaper story which said Mr Delia was "happy, if a little lonely at times". It's a woefully song, lamenting bygone days, and describing the effects of the closure on the station masters life. Through it we share his pain and feel the loss of something rather special.

This track is followed by Winchester Diver, which develops from an instrumental passage featuring some marvellous flute work, which fades to deep sea diver sounds and an eerie vocal where the song narrative relates the loneliness of William Walker working underwater in low visibility, toiling to save the foundations of Winchester Cathedral. The song beautifully contrasts his life in darkness with the rejoicing of the congregation in the Cathedral above.

The final title track is a real prog rock epic. In true prog rock fashion, The Underfall Yard is a treasure-trove of time and mood changes, blistering solos and recurring themes. Throughout this album there is a real sense of time and place. Here, the lyrics explore the building of Brunel's railway among other more personal themes. I remember Greg describing to me that as the miners tunnelled they were actually digging through increasingly older rock - as if digging back in time. Perhaps this concept set the tone for the whole album? It's not a concept album but it feels like one. This epic track is being provided as a free download from www.bigbigtrain.com so you can make up your own mind.

I'm sure it's wrong to pigeon hole the album, but it will obviously be very special to fans of 70s progressive rock and all that was developed from this genre. I would highly recommend it to anyone who really loves classic rock. David longdon is a real find - the band's website tells that he was considered as a replacement for Phil Collins in Genesis and these songs are evidence to his tallent.

Again, it's been a real privilege to provide the artwork for this project. I've always approached my work with the band as a fan and I'm proud to be associated with this fine album.