BIG BIG TRAIN

"Gathering Speed" is the sixth full-length studio album by UK progressive rock act Big Big Train. The album was released through Treefrog Records in 2004. It´s the successor to "Bard" from 2002. "Bard" was originally meant to be a swansong from Big Big Train, as the band had more or less become a hobby project by the late 90s/early 00s, but band founder/guitarist Gregory Spawton got the troops together for another round replacing lead vocalist Martin Read with Sean Filkins in the process. The remaining members are Ian Cooper (keyboards), Andy Poole (bass), and Steve Hughes (drums). The latter returns after having been away from the band since "English Boy Wonders" (1997).

"Gathering Speed" is a concept album influenced by and dedicated to the airmen and women who lost their lives in the Battle of Britain. Stylistically it´s slightly more 70s progressive rock influenced than the direct predecessor, with an increased use of 12-string acoustic guitars and mellotron, but otherwise you´ll immediately recognise this as a pre-2007 Big Big Train release. High level musicianship, decent but not great production values, and an intriguing songwriting style. It´s nothing out of the ordinary for the style, but Big Big Train understand how to build climaxes, use dynamics, and create a nostalgic melancholic atmosphere. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.

"Bard" is the fifth full-length studo album by UK progressive rock act Big Big Train. The album was released through Treefrog Records in 2002. It´s the successor to "English Boy Wonders" from 1997. At this point Big Big Train were more or less inactive and the material featured on "Bard" were recorded over a long period from September 2000 to December 2001. The last incarnation of Big Big Train had spread in all directions, and lead vocalist Martin Read therefore only sings on some tracks on the album. Keyboard player Tony Müller instead sings the remaining lead vocals on the album. According to the band´s website Big Big Train were at this point a hobby project and it was expected that "Bard" would be a swansong. The album was not widely distributed and the only CD pressing of the album was limited to 1.000 copies and as of now (November 2023) it has not seen a reissue.

Stylistically it´s a slightly more stripped down and less professionally recorded release compared to the two direct predecessors, but it´s not a demo quality recording by any means. It´s mostly the drums which sound a little thin. The songwriting is pretty much on par with the last couple of releases, so it´s not a giant leap forward but at the same time it´s not a giant dip in quality either. It´s another decent quality progressive rock release from Big Big Train, who fans of melodic late 70s/early 80s progressive rock/neo-progressive rock with melancholic atmospheres could find interesting. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.

"English Boy Wonders" is the fourth full-length studio album by US progressive rock act Big Big Train. The album was released through Giant Electric Pea in 1997. It´s the successor to "Goodbye to the Age of Steam" from 1994. As the band endured some financial hardships during the recording process of "English Boy Wonders" the original 1997 version of the album was released in an incomplete state, which the band were never satisfied with. The original version was only released in a very limited number of copies and Giant Electric Pea soon withdrew the album. Big Big Train however opted to reissue the album in 2008 through English Electric Recordings (the band´s own label) in a compeletely remixed version featuring a lot of re-recorded guitar, bass and keyboard parts and also with some additional recorded parts. The tracklist on the 2008 reissue version has also been altered and according to the band´s website the 2008 reissue version is closer to the band´s original vision of the album than the incomplete 1997 version, which today is almost impossible to find (probably to the great joy of Big Big Train).

Stylistically the material on "English Boy Wonders" is a continuation of the melodic and melancholic progressive rock sound of "Goodbye to the Age of Steam". The band have moved forward in terms of more memorable songwriting, stronger musicianship, and (at least on the 2008 version) relatively well sounding production values. There´s been one lineup change since "Goodbye to the Age of Steam" as original keyboard player Tony Müller has returned, replacing Ian Cooper. Overall "English Boy Wonders" is a good quality progressive rock release and fans of late 70s/early 80s progressive rock/neo-progressive rock should be able to find a lot of intriguing material here. It´s not the most innovative or the most original sounding release, but as mentioned above it´s another Big Big Train album showing progression from the last and a 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating is warranted.

"Goodbye to the Age of Steam" is the third full-length studio album by UK progressive rock act Big Big Train. The album was released through Giant Electric Pea in 1994. It´s the successor to the 1993 demo album "The Infant Hercules" and features the exact same quintet lineup who recorded the predecessor.

A reissue/remastered version of the album was made available in 2011 through English Electric Recordings. The reissue/remastered version features three bonus tracks. "Far Distant Thing" is a remixed version of the track which originally appeared on "The Infant Hercules", "Expecting Dragons" is a new original track recorded by the 2010/2011 lineup of Big Big Train. It´s not all new though as it´s actually a re-arranged combination of "Dragon Bone Hill" and "Expecting Snow", which are both tracks which appear on the tracklist of the original 1994 version of "Goodbye to the Age of Steam". The last bonus track is an extended version of "Losing Your Way", which is the closing track on the 1994 version of "Goodbye to the Age of Steam".

Stylistically the sound on "Goodbye to the Age of Steam" is the natural progression from the two preceding demo albums. A slightly more mature progressive rock sound meets the listener´s ears, but it would be stretching it to call the material on "Goodbye to the Age of Steam" the sound of a fully mature Big Big Train. You get all the core ingredients of the band´s sound here though. Subtle technical playing/intriging progressive parts, focus on melody and melancholic atmospheres, and generally high level musicianship. It´s all packed in a relatively well sounding production job, but the production could have prospered from a more organic and meaty tone. It´s maybe a bit thin sounding for comfort.

So upon conclusion "Goodbye to the Age of Steam" is a good quality progressive rock release, but it´s not outstanding or anything out of the ordinary for the genre. Late 70s Genesis and early- to- mid 80s neo-progressive rock fans will find features here to enjoy, but Big Big Train still had some work to do at this point before they would reach the big leagues. a 3 star (60%) rating isn´t all wrong.

"The Infant Hercules" is the second demo album release by UK progressive rock act Big Big Train. The album was originally released in 1993 through through Least Perculiar Music/Avalon Records (on CD). It´s the follow-up release to "From the River to the Sea" from 1991, which was originally a demo album release, which the band then opted to reissue in 1992 as their debut album. The band´s website lists "The Infant Hercules" under albums, so I´ll refer to this as their second full-length studio album.

There have been a couple of lineup changes since "From the River to the Sea" as drummer Pete Hibbit has been replaced by Steve Hughes and keyboard player Tony Müller has been replaced by Ian Cooper.

"The Infant Hercules" features 7 tracks and a total playing time of 39:54 minutes. Opening track "Far Distant Thing" was recorded professionally at 24-track Parklands studios, while the remaining tracks were recorded using an 8-track analogue tape recorder. Most of the tracks were recorded in one take and only a few overdubs were made afterwards, making this a relatively crude recording considering the usually high standards of Big Big Train.

Stylistically this is Big Big Train developing on their early melodic/melancholic progressive rock style and it´s not much different from what you hear on "From the River to the Sea" (IQ, Marillion, and late 70s Genesis influenced progressive rock). Not many of the tracks from "The Infant Hercules" have survived to the band´s current setlists but a couple of been re-recorded/ reissued along the way. Although "Far Distant Thing" was not initially included on "Goodbye to the Age of Steam" (1994), the 2011 reissue of the album includes a remixed version of "Far Distant Thing" as bonus material. The closing 9:25 minutes long epic "Kingmaker" was re-recorded with David Longdon on vocals during the recording sessions for the "Far Skies Deep Time" (2010) EP, but was actually not included on the first version of the EP, which featured the Anthony Phillips cover "Master of Time" instead. Subsequent versions of "Far Skies Deep Time" however includes the re-recorded version of "Kingmaker" where it replaces "Master of Time". Some of the most recent reissues of the EP features both tracks.

Just like "From the River to the Sea", "The Infant Hercules" is an early Big Big Train release that you can more or less just pass by. This is a band which got much better with time and I´d say this is predominantly a release for the hardcore fans. It´s not a bad quality release but it´s not of the quality you´d normally expect from the band either. A 2.5 - 3 star (55%) rating is warranted.

"From the River to the Sea" is the first demo album release by UK progressive rock act Big Big Train. The album was originally released in 1991 through Least Perculiar Music (on cassette tape only), but saw a more widespread release in May 1992 through Least Perculiar Music/Avalon Records (on CD). Some consider it Big Big Trains debut album, while others consider it a demo. The band themselves seem to be in between on the labelling and their website doesn´t offer a definitive answer.

No matter the labelling "From the River to the Sea" is a professionally produced album. The 1992 reissue does feature some re-recorded parts and two completely new tracks ("Returning to the Fold" and "Indian Souls"), which didn´t appear on the original demo version of the album.

While "From the River to the Sea" is arguably a professionally recorded release it doesn´t feature the most well sounding or well balanced sound production, and it´s also obvious that Big Big Train were still a bit immature as songwriters and performers. Lead vocalist Martin Read is a skilled enough singer, but he does not have the vocal style and charisma of later Big Big Train singers...at least not on this release.

Artists like IQ, Marillion, and especially late 70s Genesis are all valid references, but Big Big Train aren´t a clone act and don´t sound exactly like any of those artists. It´s just to give the reader an idea of the musical territory of "From the River to the Sea". Upon conclusion "From the River to the Sea" is a promising first release by Big Big Train and it´s certainly worth a listen or two, but in retrospect Big Big Train would go on to release much higher quality music in the future and in that respect "From the River to the Sea" is a sligthly redundant release. A 3 star (60%) rating is still warranted though.

Given the importance of David Longdon to the history of Big Big Train it always seemed likely that the next release following his death was going to somewhat special. Yes, I know 'Welcome to the Planet' was released at the beginning of 2022, but that had already been long planned and David had performed on it and knew exactly what it was going to sound like. Here the BBT guys have partially re-recorded and rearranged three of their songs about technology, namely "East Coast Racer", "Brooklands" and Voyager" (which in total is more than 40 minutes of music), including a 17-piece string section recorded at Abbey Road, keeping David's vocals. There is a previously unreleased short orchestral piece, "The Book of Ingenious Devices", which links "East Coast Racer" and "Brooklands", and then a live version of "Atlantic Cable", which was recorded on the band's tour in September 2022 with ex-PFM singer Alberto Bravin.

One can see why Greg was keen to revisit the older numbers as here they have been lifted, and sympathetically dealt with to give them a new life. Any excuse to listen to Longdon's vocals is always to be welcomed of course, as he was one of the finest singers in the prog scene and here, he has been kept front and centre while the arrangements have been made more sumptuous and the addition of the strings lifts the songs to new heights. BBT are one of the largest prog bands around in terms of membership, and this allows them to take music in new direction without ever sounding muddied or confused. There is a delicacy and space within "Atlantic Cable", a poignancy perfectly captured by the introduction by piano and violin. It must have been incredibly difficult for Bravin to join the band in such trying circumstances, and he would be aware that every night the fans would be comparing him to Longdon, yet he is a fine choice as his voice is different enough to ensure he is not too close, yet similar enough to be able to pull it off and he is in total control throughout this.

This is yet another great release from BBT, and I look forward to the next album with great interest indeed.

My first review about a Big Big Train album on Prog Archives was in 2005, I wrote: "With their fourth release entitled Gathering Speed the UK band BIG BIG TRAIN seemed to have taken a giant step into the prog rock zone. To be honest, I was stunned by their progressive progress because I knew this band and was far from delighted about them." Well, almost 20 years later Big Big Train has turned into one of the leading prog bands, and I got their latest effort to review.

Releases information. Songs 1, 3 and 4 (featuring the late David Longdon) are completely re-arranged with a 17-piece string section. East Coast Racer is a completely new studio version recorded by the line-up of the band as it was in 2019. Brooklands features newly recorded drums, bass and bass pedals, while Voyager includes additional guitar and violin. All three songs have been re-mixed for this release. Ingenious Devices also includes a previously unreleased orchestral piece called The Book Of Ingenious Devices which links East Coast Racer and Brooklands. Finally Ingenious Devices features a live performance of Atlantic Cable, recorded at Friars, Aylesbury in September 2022. The extensive line-up on this compilation features drummer Nick D'Virgilio.

Apart from the short instrumental track The Book of Ingenious Devices (melancholical sound with wonderful violins) this compilation features four varied and dynamic epic compositions that sound melodic and harmonic, with flowing shifting moods, wonderful work on guitar and keyboards, and topped with the beautiful voice of David Longdon (with that Peter Gabriel-like emotion) and the 17-piece string section. I consider Big Big Train as one of the best current prog formations, and what a tribute to the late singer David Longdon, one of the best prog singers in this decade. And let's not forget the outstanding work by drummer Nick D'Virgilio. My highlights.

I love the exciting blend of the electric prog sound and the 17-piece string section, the shifting moods, and the final part wonderful with violin and Mellotron choirs and strings, concluded with moving guitar solo and tender piano in East Coast Racer.

The focus is on sensitive electric guitar and the beautiful emotional voice, halfway dynamic and powerful with wonderful electric guitar and strings, and what an awesome interplay, in Brooklands.

Tasteful arrangements with mellow piano, inspired vocals and violin, a classical sound, and Mellotron choirs, halfway a break with flashy synthesizer solo, tight drum beats and rock guitar, and in the sumptuous final part emotional vocals, blended with Mellotron choirs and fiery electric guitar runs in Voyager, wow!

The final song is a live version of Atlantic Cable on which new lead singer Alberto Bravin does a fine job. First an intro with tender piano and violin, then a mid-tempo with the propulsive Rickenbacker bass, embellished with Vintage Keyboard Heaven (Hammond, Minimoog and Mellotron choirs) and moving guitar, goose bumps. In the second part we can enjoy spectacular work on the synthesizer and strong breaks, this is the most Old School track on this compilation, and I am blown away!

Not to be missed by any serious proghead!

This review was previously published at the Background Magazine website, the oldest Dutch progrock source.

What a great EP! While The Underfall Yard showed this band making music in the modern era that only sounded like the best Prog of the 70's they release another showcase of songs that could have been on that album. Dave Gregory returning to become a full time member and making his presence heard.

Kingmaker was my introduction to Big Big Train. The first time I heard it was on Radio Rock UK in 2015 I believe. My mind was blown away and I ended up buying their albums very quickly. Having been quite the obsessed fan I am of classic Genesis this track had me out of my mind. And it's still a top 3 favorite if not my favorite track to this day from this wonderful band.

The shorter in between tracks are really good but have that presence of tracks to not be included on an album. That B-side feel which is not a bad thing but just makes these tracks more obscure and welcome and makes them fit right in.

The Wide Open Sea is another attempt at an epic which Big Big Train was really good at and probably got better at In later years. It's far less accessible than the other tracks during this time period. It has a sore of feel of Wind and Wuthering and early Steve Hackett albums.

If you love The Underfall Yard this EP is a must. One of those rare finds that is both an EP and an essential!

The addition of a 17 piece string section certainly works for two of the three pieces treated - Brooklands is indeed given new life and a new dynamic in this version. Voyager also sounds fresh and renewed with plenty for the Big Big Train aficionado to listen out for, be it Dave Gregory's small guitar bursts, Rachel Hall's backing vocals or the enhanced bass sound from Gregory Spawton. The live version of Atlantic Cable from the 2022 Aylesbury gig is a subtle and interesting contrast between the "old" band (Manners, Gregory and Hall) from the three revisited tracks and the "new" members on stage at The Waterside Theatre - Oscar Holldorff, Dave Foster and Clare Lindley. It is also, more markedly, an opportunity to compare the vocal contributions from Alberto Bravin on Cable with the late David Longdon who passed away suddenly in 2021. Bravin is an admirable vocalist (and instrumentalist) with a similar range. He sounds comfortable with the old material and will no doubt be accepted warmly and readily during the upcoming European tour. There are two other tracks on this album, a short segueing piece for strings entitled The Book Of Ingenious Devices which slides comfortably between Brooklands and the opening track, the much admired, nay revered, East Coast Racer. Since 2015 it has been a cornerstone of Big Big Train's live shows and the closing section, especially composed by keyboard player Danny Manners has been faithfully re-recorded for this version. East Coast Racer is a difficult song to add to, the original being a masterpiece of writing, studio performing and Rob Aubrey's immaculate production; even adding the full string section was going to be a difficult enterprise. Does it work? Yes insomuch that the scale of an already epic song now easily takes over any sound system. The price to be paid for these added riches however is to push David Longdon's previously expansive vocals towards the back of the mix; at times they seem to dwindle to nothing. As the instrumental parts of ECR had been re-recorded by the original players prior to Longdon's passing in preparation for this project perhaps it would have been an opportunity for the new vocalist to record over the existing re-recordings and put his own voice to the song. An opportunity missed possibly.