===============================================================
THE BEST OF
THE BIG COUNTRY MAILING LIST
5/94-11/95
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PART THREE: THE BIG COUNTRY ALBUMS:
A) Full Length Albums
B) What Are The List Members Favorite Songs, Etc...?
C) The Most Sought After Big Country Item
D) The Big Country Album And Song Title Code (Acronyms)
E) Chart History Of Big Country In UK & US
F) Web Sites To Find Chart Positions
G) The Producers
H) Guest Artists on Big Country Albums and
Other Projects Band Members Have Played On.
I) The Backup Singers
J) Restless Natives
K) The Radio One Sessions
L) 2 Meter Sessions
M) House In The Woods Tapes
N) The R.E.L. Tapes
O) Big Country Videos
P) Sheet Music
Q) Guitar Chords
R) Cover Songs
S) Have Any Other Bands Done Big Country Covers?
T) What Songs Would You Like To See Big Country Cover?
U) Cover Art Trivia
V) Song And Album Interpretations And Comments
W) Song Lyrics That Touched You Most
X) Other Album Trivia
Y) An Early Poll For "Why The Long Face" By Markus
Z) Taglines Of Choice
Part Three: THE BIG COUNTRY ALBUMS:
a) Full Length Albums
Studio Albums
1983 - The Crossing
1984 - Steeltown
1986 - The Seer
1988 - Peace In Our Time
1991 - No Place Like Home
1993 - The Buffalo Skinners
1995 - Why The Long Face
Compilation Albums
1990 - Through A Big Country
1993 - The Collection
1994 - The Best Of Big Country
1995 - In A Big Country
Live Albums
1994 - Without The Aid Of A Safely Net
1994 - Radio One Sessions
1995 - Live In Concert (not yet released)
[for a detailed list of Albums, EP's, Singles and contributions to other projects,
see discography on main web page]
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b)What are the list members favorite songs, etc...?
(See Poll section on main menu; mini polls will be posted here)
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c) The Most Sought After Big Country Item:
The (Seemingly) Mythical Box Set:
I'm still kicking myself for not buying the Japanese box set a few years
back, especially since it had a lot of b-sides. What I wouldn't give to
find a copy of it now.... :'-(
The boxed set consists of their first 4 CD's - each with 4 or 5 bonus tracks -
in a box with a 73-page booklet of text, lyrics, pictures, and a discography.
It was released in 1990 under the name "Through A Big Country" by Mercury
*Japan* as part of the "Great Box" series of sets, and is long out of print.
(This is the same name as the UK best-of album, so I suppose it came out about
the same time.) It's certainly the single neatest Big Country item out there,
and special because it contains CD copies of some vinyl-only songs. I've been
looking for it myself (somewhat casually) for the last 6 months with no luck,
and some dealers have told me that "Great Box" releases in general are very
rare and very sought-after. (BTW, the list price for it in 1990 was about
$99.95). Anyway, this is the contents....
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THROUGH A BIG COUNTRY BOXED SET [???1990]
4xCD: JP 1990 [Mercury PHCR-3173 76]
THE CROSSING
CD: JP 1990 [Mercury 3173] (4 bonus tracks)
In a Big Country (Extended Version)
Fields of Fire (Extended Version)
Chance (Extended Version)
The Crossing
STEELTOWN
CD: JP 1990 [Mercury 3174] (4 bonus tracks)
Wonderland (Extended Mix)
East of Eden (Extended Version)
Angle Park
All Fall Together
THE SEER
CD: JP 1990 [Mercury 3175] (5 bonus tracks)
Track of my Tears (live) (sic)
Lost Patrol (live)
Wonderland (live)
Thousand Yard Stair (live) (sic)
Look Away (12" Mix)
PEACE IN OUR TIME
CD: JP 1990 [Mercury 3176] (5 bonus tracks)
Starred and Crossed
Save Me
Black Skinned Blue Eyed Boys
Prairie Rose
Heart and Soul
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d) The Big Country Album and Song Title Code:
< Mike Lynd contributed these acronyms>
-----------------------------------------
13 VALLEYS 13V
13 VALLEYS TV
1000 STARS OTS
1000 STARS 1000S
ALL FALL TOGETHER AFT
ALL GO TOGETHER AGT
ALL OF US AOU
ALONE
ANGLE PARK AP
AULD LANG SYNE ALS
BALCONY
BASS DANCE BD
BEAT THE DEVIL BTD
BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE BP
BELIEF IN THE SMALL MAN BITSM
BIANCA
BLACK-SKINNED BLUE-EYED BOYS BSBEB
BLUE ON A GREEN PLANET BOAGP
BROKEN HEART (13 VALLEYS) BH13V
BROKEN HEART (13 VALLEYS) BHTV
BUFFALO SKINNERS BS
CAN YOU FEEL THE WINTER CYFTW
CHANCE
CHARLOTTE
CHESTER'S FARM CF
CLOSE ACTION CA
COME BACK TO ME CBTM
COMES A TIME CAT
CRACKED ACTOR CA
CRAZYTIMES
DEAD ON ARRIVAL DOA
(DON'T FEAR) THE REAPER DFTR
DYNAMITE LADY DL
EAST OF EDEN EOE
EASTWORLD
EILEDON
EVERYTHING I NEED EIN
FAR FROM ME TO YOU FFMTY
FIELDS OF FIRE FOF
FLAGS OF NATIONS (SWIMMING) FONS
FLAME OF THE WEST FOTW
FLY LIKE AN EAGLE FLAE
FREEDOM SONG FS
FROM HERE TO ETERNITY FHTE
GIANT
GIRL WITH GREY EYES GWGE
GOD'S GREAT MISTAKE GGM
GOLDEN BOY LOVES GOLDEN GIRL GBLGG
HARDLY A MOUNTAIN HAM
HARVEST HOME HH
HEART AND SOUL HAS
HEART OF THE WORLD HOTW
HEY HEY MY MY HHMM
HIGHLAND SCENERY HS
HOLD THE HEART HTH
HOME COME THE ANGELS HCTA
HONKY TONK WOMAN HTW
ICE CREAM SMILE ICS
I COULD BE HAPPY HERE ICBHH
I'M EIGHTEEN IE
I WALK THE HILL IWTH
I'M NOT ASHAMED INA
I'M ONLY WAITING IOW
IN A BIG COUNTRY IABC
IN THIS PLACE ITP
INTO THE FIRE ITF
INWARDS
JUST A SHADOW JAS
KEEP ON DREAMING KOD
KING OF EMOTION KOE
KISS THE GIRL GOODBYE KTGG
LEAP OF FAITH LOF
LONG WAY HOME LWH
LONGEST DAY LD
LOOK AWAY LA
LOST PATROL LP
MADE IN HEAVEN MIH
MAGIC IN YOUR EYES MIYE
MARGO'S THEME MT
MESSAGE OF LOVE MOL
MONDAY TUESDAY GIRL MTG
NEVER TAKE YOUR PLACE NTYP
NOT WAVING BUT DROWNING NWBD
OH WELL OW
ON THE SHORE OTS
ONE GREAT THING OGT
ONE IN A MILLION OIAM
ON THE ROAD AGAIN OTRA
OVER THE BORDER OTB
PARANOID
PASS ME BY PMB
PEACE IN OUR TIME PIOT
PINK MARSHMALLOW MOON PMM
PORROHMAN
POST NUCLEAR TALKING BLUES PNTB
PRAIRIE ROSE PR
PROMISED LAND PL
RAIN DANCE RD
RED FOX RF
REMEMBRANCE DAY RD
REPUBLICAN PARTY REPTILE RPP
RESTLESS NATIVES RN
RETURN TO THE TWO HEADED KING RTTTHK
RIVER OF HOPE ROH
ROCKIN' IN THE FREE WORLD RITFW
RUST NEVER SLEEPS RNS
SAIL INTO NOTHING SIN
SAVE ME SM
SEND YOU SY
SEVEN WAVES SW
SHIPS
SOAPY SOUTAR STRIKES BACK SSSB
SONG OF THE SOUTH SOTS
STARRED AND CROSSED SAC
STEELTOWN
TAKE YOU TO THE MOON TYTTM
TALL SHIPS GO TSG
THE CROSSING TC
THE GREAT DIVIDE TGD
THE HOSTAGE SPEAKS THS
THE ONE I LOVE TOIL
THE SAILOR TS
THE SEER TS
THE SELLING OF AMERICA TSOA
THE STORM TS
THE TEACHER TT
THE TRAVELLERS TT
THOUSAND YARD STARE TYS
THUNDER & LIGHTNING TAL
THUNDER & LIGHTNING T&L
TIME FOR LEAVING TFL
TRACKS OF MY TEARS TOMT
TROUBLED MAN TM
VICIOUS
WE'RE NOT IN KANSAS WNIK
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING FOR WAYWF
WHEN A DRUM BEATS WADB
WHERE THE ROSE IS SOWN WTRIS
WILDLAND IN MY HEART WIMH
WILD MOUNTAIN THYME WMT
WILD MOUNTAIN THYME WYGLG
WINDING WIND WW
WINTER SKY WS
WONDERLAND
WOODSTOCK
WORLD ON FIRE WOF
YOU DREAMER YD
YOU, ME AND THE TRUTH YMATT
YOU, ME AND THE TRUTH YM&TT
--------------------------------------------------
Reverse Listings:
1000S 1000 STARS
13V 13 VALLEYS
AFT ALL FALL TOGETHER
AGT ALL GO TOGETHER
ALS AULD LANG SYNE
AOU ALL OF US
AP ANGLE PARK
BD BASS DANCE
BH13V BROKEN HEART (13 VALLEYS)
BHTV BROKEN HEART (13 VALLEYS)
BITSM BELIEF IN THE SMALL MAN
BOAGP BLUE ON A GREEN PLANET
BP BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE
BS BUFFALO SKINNERS
BSBEB BLACK-SKINNED BLUE-EYED BOYS
BTD BEAT THE DEVIL
CA CLOSE ACTION
CA CRACKED ACTOR
CAT COMES A TIME
CBTM COME BACK TO ME
CF CHESTER'S FARM
CYFTW CAN YOU FEEL THE WINTER
DFTR (DON'T FEAR) THE REAPER
DL DYNAMITE LADY
DOA DEAD ON ARRIVAL
EIN EVERYTHING I NEED
EOE EAST OF EDEN
FFMTY FAR FROM ME TO YOU
FHTE FROM HERE TO ETERNITY
FLAE FLY LIKE AN EAGLE
FOF FIELDS OF FIRE
FONS FLAGS OF NATIONS (SWIMMING)
FOTW FLAME OF THE WEST
FS FREEDOM SONG
GBLGG GOLDEN BOY LOVES GOLDEN GIRL
GGM GOD'S GREAT MISTAKE
GWGE GIRL WITH GREY EYES
HAM HARDLY A MOUNTAIN
HAS HEART AND SOUL
HCTA HOME COME THE ANGELS
HH HARVEST HOME
HHMM HEY HEY MY MY
HOTW HEART OF THE WORLD
HS HIGHLAND SCENERY
HTH HOLD THE HEART
HTW HONKY TONK WOMAN
IABC IN A BIG COUNTRY
ICBHH I COULD BE HAPPY HERE
ICS ICE CREAM SMILE
IE I'M EIGHTEEN
INA I'M NOT ASHAMED
IOW I'M ONLY WAITING
ITF INTO THE FIRE
ITP IN THIS PLACE
IWTH I WALK THE HILL
JAS JUST A SHADOW
KOD KEEP ON DREAMING
KOE KING OF EMOTION
KTGG KISS THE GIRL GOODBYE
LA LOOK AWAY
LD LONGEST DAY
LOF LEAP OF FAITH
LP LOST PATROL
LWH LONG WAY HOME
MIH MADE IN HEAVEN
MIYE MAGIC IN YOUR EYES
MOL MESSAGE OF LOVE
MT MARGO'S THEME
MTG MONDAY TUESDAY GIRL
NTYP NEVER TAKE YOUR PLACE
NWBD NOT WAVING BUT DROWNING
OGT ONE GREAT THING
OIAM ONE IN A MILLION
OTB OVER THE BORDER
OTRA ON THE ROAD AGAIN
OTS 1000 STARS
OTS ON THE SHORE
OW OH WELL
PIOT PEACE IN OUR TIME
PL PROMISED LAND
PMB PASS ME BY
PMM PINK MARSHMALLOW MOON
PNTB POST NUCLEAR TALKING BLUES
PR PRAIRIE ROSE
RD RAIN DANCE
RD REMEMBRANCE DAY
RF RED FOX
RITFW ROCKIN' IN THE FREE WORLD
RN RESTLESS NATIVES
RNS RUST NEVER SLEEPS
ROH RIVER OF HOPE
RPR REPUBLICAN PARTY REPTILE
RTTTHK RETURN TO THE TWO HEADED KING
SAC STARRED AND CROSSED
SIN SAIL INTO NOTHING
SM SAVE ME
SOTS SONG OF THE SOUTH
SSSB SOAPY SOUTAR STRIKES BACK
SW SEVEN WAVES
SY SEND YOU
T&L THUNDER & LIGHTNING
TAL THUNDER & LIGHTNING
TC THE CROSSING
TFL TIME FOR LEAVING
TGD THE GREAT DIVIDE
THS THE HOSTAGE SPEAKS
TM TROUBLED MAN
TOIL THE ONE I LOVE
TOMT TRACKS OF MY TEARS
TS THE SAILOR
TS THE SEER
TS THE STORM
TSG TALL SHIPS GO
TSOA THE SELLING OF AMERICA
TT THE TEACHER
TT THE TRAVELLERS
TV 13 VALLEYS
TYS THOUSAND YARD STARE
TYTTM TAKE YOU TO THE MOON
WADB WHEN A DRUM BEATS
WAYWF WHAT ARE YOU WORKING FOR
WIMH WILDLAND IN MY HEART
WMT WILD MOUNTAIN THYME
WNIK WE'RE NOT IN KANSAS
WOF WORLD ON FIRE
WS WINTER SKY
WTRIS WHERE THE ROSE IS SOWN
WW WINDING WIND
WYGLG WILD MOUNTAIN THYME
YD YOU DREAMER
YM&TT YOU, ME AND THE TRUTH
YMATT YOU, ME AND THE TRUTH
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e) Chart History Of Big Country In UK and US
According To Guinness Books
---------------------------
Albums
------
Date of Entry Title Highest Position Number Of Weeks On Chart
06 Aug 83 The Crossing 3 78
27 Oct 84 Steeltown 1 21
01 Jul 86 The Seer 2 16
08 Oct 88 Peace In Our Time 9 6
26 May 90 Through A Big Country 2 17
28 Aug 91 No Place Like Home 28 2
03 Apr 93 Buffalo Skinners 25 2
Singles
-------
Date of Entry Title Highest Position Number Of Weeks On Chart
26 Feb 83 Fields of Fire (400 Miles) 10 12
28 May 83 In A Big Country 17 7
03 Sep 83 Chance 9 9
21 Jan 84 Wonderland 8 8
29 Sep 84 East Of Eden 17 6
01 Dec 84 Where The Rose Is Sown 29 7
19 Jan 85 Just A Shadow 26 4
12 Apr 86 Look Away 7 8
21 Jun 86 The Teacher 28 4
20 Sep 86 One Great Thing 19 6
29 Nov 86 Hold The Heart 55 2
20 Aug 88 King Of Emotion 16 5
01 Oct 88 King Of Emotion (re-entry) 74 1
05 Nov 88 Broken Heart (Thirteen Valleys) 47 4
04 Feb 89 Peace In Our Time 39 3
12 May 90 Save Me 41 3
21 Jul 90 Heart Of The World 50 2
31 Aug 91 Republican Party Reptile (EP) 37 2
19 Oct 91 Beautiful People 72 1
13 Mar 93 Alone 24 3
01 May 93 Ships (Where Were You) 29 3
(95 You Dreamer 48 1 )
Note: YD entry is not the Guinness "official" in fact I posted the chart
position I saw in the NME [New Music Express], which I've subsequently deleted!
Addition: The missing UK chart history that will appear in the Guinness book of
Hits for albums and singles when they are next updated should read
something like this :
Album Highest Pos Weeks on chart
----- ----------- --------------
Without the aid of a safety net 35 2
Why the long face 48 2
Singles
-------
I'm not Ashamed 69 1
You Dreamer 68 1
NON!(Stop the tests) No entry
[updates to follow]
Okay, here's the American chart history. It's short, but not very sweet.
SINGLES
single peak position wks. on chart
"In a Big Country" 17 15
"Fields of Fire" 52 6
"Wonderland" 86 2
ALBUMS
album peak position wks. on chart
"The Crossing" 18 27
"Wonderland" 65 12
"Steeltown" 70 17
"The Seer" 59 17
"Peace In Our Time" 160 6
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f) Try these web sites to find Chart Positions:
If you have access to the WWW, try the Hitlist,
http://www.cas.american.edu/~todd/hitlist.html
This site gives links to a lot of charts, among them the UK Top 40
http://www.dotmusic.com/MWcharts.html
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g) The Producers:
Steve Lillywhite
Robin Millar
Peter Wolf
Pat Moran
Tim Palmer
the band members themselves
Geoff Emerick
Steve Churchyard
Chris Sheldon
Chris Thomas
[Additional comments from list members]
I just picked up the US 'Best Of' album, since I'd never heard "Save Me" or "Heart
of the World," and I also wanted "Wonderland" on CD. According to the liner notes,
'Peace In Our Time' was produced by "Austrian synthesizer specialist Peter Wolf."
And all these years I had been cursing the Peter Wolf who had been in the J. Geils' Band!!
Somehow the over-the-top production (especially on "King of Emotion") fit exactly with
what I imagined he would do as a producer, based on what I'd heard of Geils and
Peter Wolf's solo stuff.
Wherefore art thou, Steve Lillywhite? Anyone else miss him?
I've missed Lillywhite's presence ever since The Seer. I'd give almost anything to see
BC reunite with him. "Dance with the one who brung ya," as we say in Texas.
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h) GUEST ARTISTS ON BIG COUNTRY ALBUMS
Guest artist appearances are listed by album:
THE CROSSING, 1983
------------------
Christine Beveridge - additional vocals
THE SEER, 1986
--------------
Kate Bush - additional vocals on "The Seer"
June Miles-Kingston - backing vocals on "Remembrance Day" and "Eiledon"
Bodhran Davie Duncan - ?
PEACE IN OUR TIME, 1988
-----------------------
Peter Wolf - keyboards
Merry Clayton - additional vocals
Ina Wolf - additional vocals
Donna Davidson - additional vocals
Maxi Anderson - additional vocals
Josh Philips Gorse - live keyboards
"Heart of the World" single, 1991
--------------------------------
(Mark Brzezicki not a band member)
Pat Ahern - drums
"Save Me" single, 1991
----------------------
(Mark Brzezicki not a band member)
Pat Ahern - drums
NO PLACE LIKE HOME, 1991
------------------------
(Mark Brzezicki not a band member)
Richie Close - keyboards, programming
Mark Brzezicki - drums
Katie Kisson - additional vocals
Carole Kenyan - additional vocals
THE BUFFALO SKINNERS, 1993
--------------------------
(Mark Brzezicki back after album completion)
Simon Phillips - studio drums
Mark Brzezicki - live drums
Colin Berwick - keyboards
WHY THE LONG FACE, 1995
-----------------------
Josh Philips - keyboards
James McNally - low whistle
[additional comments from list members]
Simon Philips played drums on BS, Mark came back only after the album was finished.
Therefore he played on the tour, but not on the album (I'm not sure about the b-sides,
however). I'm not that sure, but I think that Pat Ahern played both on Save Me and
on Heart of the World (there's actually a picture of him with the group on the special
"Heart of the World"-12" (the one with the acoustic tracks)). Mark played drums on
NPLH, although not being a member of the band anymore. So it was a kind of
session-drumming for him.
Pat Ahern played on Save me and Heart of the World, I know because I met him
at Thorpe Park a few years back when I was wearing my Through a big country
T-shirt!!! ha ha ha!
Appearances As A Guest Artist Are Listed By Band Member:
Stuart Adamson - guitar
-----------------------
Jerry Lee Lewis ?? (1989)
Live Aid "Do They Know its Christmastime" (1983)
Tony Butler - bass guitar, backing vocals
-----------------------------------------
The Pretenders LEARNING TO CRAWL (1984)
Roger Daltry UNDER A RAGING MOON (1985)
Pete Townshend EMPTY GLASS (1980)
Pete Townshend ALL THE BEST COWBOYS HAVE CHINESE EYES (1982)
Mark Brzezicki -drums, percussion
---------------------------------
Midge Ure ANSWERS TO NOTHING (19??)
Midge Ure PURE (19??)
Midge Ure THE GIFT (19??)
The Cult LOVE (1985)
Nick Kershaw RADIO MUSIC COLA (1985)
Roger Daltry UNDER A RAGING MOON (1985)
Fish VIGIL IN A WILDERNESS OF MIRRORS (1989)
Fish PIGPEN'S BIRTHDAY (1990)
Sting THE SOUL CAGES (1992)
Indochine 7000 DANCES (1988)
Pete Townshend EMPTY GLASS (1980)
Pete Townshend ALL THE BEST COWBOYS HAVE CHINESE EYES (1982)
Bruce Watson - guitar
---------------------
Roger Daltry UNDER A RAGING MOON (1985)
[Some additions and comments from list members]
Some of the best drumming Mark has ever done can be found on the Midge Ure
album Answers to Nothing.
Mark plays on The Cult's "Love" album on all but one track..."She Sells Sanctuary."
But he appears as the drummer in the video for that song...go figure.
I also recall him playing on Sting's "All This Time" video.
Mark drums on all the tracks on Roger Daltrey's album, but the song 'After
the Fire' also has Mark on bass guitar and Bruce on E-Bow! Is this the
non-BC song with most BC members on it?
[on Midge Ure album "Answers to Nothing"]
Not only is Mark on that album, but Steve Brzezicki (his brother maybe?) on
bass, and Kate Bush duets on Sister And Brother.
Mark also drums on the Midge Ure album Pure, along with Simon Phillips.
i don't know if you guys are aware, but big country appears on the united nations
earthrise cd, which was put during earth summit in brazil. this cd is readily available,
but you most likely won't recognize bc on it because they play a rainforest song in
combination with many, many artists.
Someone mentioned a Pete Townsend album "All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes"
and featured "Slit Skirts", which got considerable radio airplay in the U.S. Perhaps if
one or two more Big Country members played on that album, the song would have
been called "Slit Kilts." Well, then again, maybe not.
This year, VH1 replayed highlights of Live Aid on the tenth anniversary,
and there were many, many great moments (Queen's fabulous set, U2 before they
got too big, one of Ultravox's last appearances, the Who reunion, the list goes on and on).
During the final sing-along at Wembley, I was astonished to see Stuart, Bruce, and Tony
sharing a microphone with Roger Daltrey, Adam Ant, and Elton John!
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i) The Backup Singers:
June Miles-Kingston (backup on Remembrance Day + Eiledon) sounds like a
very known name. Does someone know about other acts she's been singing with?
Is she a member of a group or something?
She certainly received co-billing with Jimmy Somerville (ex Communards, Bronski
Beat) on their "Comment Te Dire Adieu" single, and if I remember rightly, she
sang on other tracks on his first solo album.
Regarding the backup singer on "King of Emotion"--it is Merry Clayton,
the same woman whose soulful wailings on the Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter"?
...always gives me goosebumps.
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j) Restless Natives
[Jeffrey Marsh has transcribed the dialog on the soundtrack. This is available on
the main page. Also see news for the announcement of this music finally ending
up on CD sometime in 1996!!]
[an except from ......see main page for full article]
"Jeremy Carter and Douglas Johnson trace the history of the Scottish rock band
Big Country. With additional information by Phil Read and Eamonn Banfield"
"The group embarked on a new project in 1985, when they took up the invitation
to write and record the soundtrack to a film called "Restless Natives". Produced
by ex Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick, the project took a lengthy two months, and
threatened to split them up for good. After almost three years of non-stop touring,
writing and recording, the band and Adamson in particular needed a rest, but
weren't given time for a break. While the group's manager Ian Grant was away,
the movie producer cajoled Adamson into the studio to finish the work off.
The result was that planned tours of Australia and the U.S. were canceled, and
Adamson said he was quitting. But the group resurfaced in December when
they were special guests at Roger Da1trey's Madison Square Garden concert."
Let's see--this was six years ago. It's about a couple of 20-ish jobless
Scots who resort to crime to make money. They hold up tourist buses in the
countryside, usually wearing clown masks. A lot of the music is played as
they ride their motorcycle down country roads. It was quite funny, from
what I recall. I seem to remember seeing fairly good write-ups about it in
a few video guides. Here's one:
RESTLESS NATIVES ***1/2 [out of 5 stars] DIR: Michael Hoffman. CAST:
Vincent Friell, Joe Mulloney, Teri Lolly, Ned Beatty [no Sheena]. Okay, so
it's not perfect--the humor and the characterizations are broad and the
thick, Scottish accents sometimes make the dialogue difficult to decipher.
But that doesn't stop this film from being thoroughly entertaining. Two
young Scots, disguised as a clown and a wolfman, rob tourist buses and
become national heroes in the process. Rated PG. 1986; 90 minutes.
I really like the movie. I have it on video, but didn't watch it in the
last year. From time to time they show it on German TV. Unfortunately it
won't help most of you, since it is in PAL and not in NTSC. And it is the
German translated version.
Anyway, it is about two boys, who are living in Edinburgh and are robbing
tourist-buses. Being only poor boys they can't spend the money since
it would show off. On their raids they mask as a clown and a wolfman.
On the song one can hear them talking before their final raid. The wolfman
falls in love with one of the tourist-guides and wants to meet her again.
This will be the end to them. The movie has a happy end (sort of) and in
the end they play "Come Back To Me", which I never really understood, since
its music does cover the mood of the ending but the lyrics don't make sense
to me.
As a conclusion I would say it is a really funny comedy, one can see a lot
about the Highlands, there are some really stupid things in there (in one
scene they are driving through Edinburgh, a scene later in the Upper Highlands
more than 100 miles away - they are driving one small motorbike) - these
give just more fun - and the main thing I enjoy is seeing them on the
motorbike driving and listening to the "Restless Natives"-theme.
In case anyone's interested, I sat down and came up with names for all the
unnamed tracks on the Restless Natives soundtrack. I also computed the
playing times for each. I chose the names based on the context of the film
and the sound bites included on each track. And before you tell me to get a
life, I already told myself that. Here goes: (tracks I named are in ALL CAPS.)
Part 1
INTRO 2:06
Restless Natives (instrumental) 2:18
THE CLOWN AND THE WOLFMAN 3:40
Margo's Theme 4:30
Highland Scenery 4:08
Part 2
Restless Natives (instrumental) :32
RONNIE 1:55
WILL :24
Home Come the Angels (instrumental) 1:19
MEANWHILE IN JAPAN :45
THE CLOWN AND THE WOLFMAN (reprise) 1:09
Home Come the Angels (reprise) :58
RONNIE'S FRIENDS 1:29
Margo's Theme (reprise) 1:28
Restless Natives 4:06
Home Come the Angels (instrumental) 1:59
Home Come the Angels 2:05
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k) The Radio One Sessions
I just got my copy of the Big County "Radio One Sessions" late last
week and thought I'd post my thoughts about it. As Steve said before, it
contains 8 songs recorded for BBC radio: "Close Action", "Heart & Soul",
"Harvest Home", and "Angle Park" from 1982 and "Inwards", "1000 Stars",
"Porroh Man", and (again) "Close Action" from 1983. I guessed it was a
live album because I thought only two labels were releasing BBC recordings,
Strange Fruit's (currently inactive?) Peel Sessions and Windsong's "Radio
One In Concert" recordings. The ads I read didn't mention John Peel, so
I guessed it was the latter. Anyway, I hope nobody was disappointed.
The disk is apparently #7 in a series of new releases by a company called
"Nighttracks". (There's an upcoming release of XTC BBC recordings I'm
gonna snag that is also apparently from this company.) The packaging is
done in yellow, black, brown, and white. The front is a sort-of abstract
design with some black horizontal stripes on the left, an old-fashioned
radio dial on the right, and the Big Country logo in the upper-left. The
CD insert folds opens to a page of liner notes written by their co-manager
(?) Alan Edwards, who tries to capture the excitement of their debut...the
breakup of the Skids...early touring...signing to Mercury...chart success
...LOTS of touring... It's fun reading, but brief...there are some obvious
details missing. The other page is left completely blank...jeez, Night-
tracks could have at least used an old picture!
As for the disk itself...well, I'm not a music critic. If you've ever
heard Peel Sessions or Jensen Sessions, you know what you're getting. All
the songs were recorded and mixed in the BBC's studios and sound really
good, some with slightly different arrangements, and all of them sounding
just a little rougher than an official release would be. My personal
favorites are "1000 Stars" and "Porrohman" - maybe these are the songs that
sound most different from the album versions?
In general, I wouldn't say the disk is must-have...it's fun but a copy of
"The Crossing" is probably good enough for the average listener. For die-
hard fans, though (and I think most of us are :) note that the first session
(August 12th) pre-dates *all* of their official releases (the "Harvest Home"
single came out a month later)! Listeners who hadn't seen the band live
were being given their very first glimpse. To me, this makes it really
special. And it makes me wonder what other goodies are lurking in the BBC's
vaults! (And it's cheap...apparently selling for around 7 pounds in Great
Britain. I got mine for about 14 dollars.) Buy it!!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
l) 2 Meter Sessions
Just read an advert for a new "2 meter sessies" CD.
This is a Dutch series of unplugged CDs. The good news is that
volume 6 is out (or will be out soon) and that it has a Big Country track!!
This CD contains the track "Woodstock" performed by Big Country.
The tracks on the CDs are specially recorded
for the 2 meter sessions so this means it must be a new version.
Oh yeah, some of these versions are actually quite good....
Lists of artists on volume 6 (no songlist available)
- Spearhead
- Sjako!
- Pete Droge
- Heather Nova
- Big Country
- The Jayhawks
- John Hiatt
- Duke
- Nick Lowe
- Adrian Borland
- The Watchman
- dEUS
- The Connells
- Junkhouse
- Soul Coughing
- Big Head Todd & the Monsters
- Radiohead
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
m) House In The Woods Tapes
I was able to hear the HITW b-sides for the first time last week. Is it just me,
or does anyone agree that this is some of the strongest material by the band in years?
The unpolished production sounds crisp and honest, and there are wonderfully
subtle rhythmic syncopation's and drumming in 2-against-3 time, etc., just
the kind of musical creativity that first attracted me to BC. Plus, the
songs have a distinct earlier-era BC feel to them, much like the REL tapes
(except I might even like these songs better than most of those!) If BC
released an album of this sort, instead of trying too hard to cater to the
public (as I feel they began to do again with WTLF, as with PIOT), I think
they would get more solid, respected reviews and publicity.
I could not agree more. I love these kinds of songs. I call them "epic"
songs; songs that really tell a story. "Can you feel the winter" is
definitely in the same class as "Promised land."
I agree too. I'm impressed with the HITW tapes, in particular Can You
Feel the Winter. Reminds me of their strident tracks they left off PIOT
(the REL tapes etc). Is there someone out there in record label land who puts
the band off including them on the albums?
There seems to be a fondness of such tracks - so perhaps BC might think
about traveling in that direction in future ?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
n) The R.E.L. Tapes [a topic waiting for your comments]
[more details on non-album releases to come]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o) Big Country Videos:
[for a list of Big Country video releases, see the discography on the main page]
The Without the Aid Of A Safety Net Video:
I received my video about a week ago here in Helsinki.. Here's the track
listing:
Harvest Home
Peace In Our Time
Valleys
The Storm
Chance
Look Away
What Are You Working For
Steeltown
Ships
Wonderland
Long Way Home
Alone
In A Big Country
Lost Patrol
The first five being acoustic versions, I'd preferred to hear the version
from The Storm with a long E-bow beginning, similar to the one I heard in
-86 Seer Tour..
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
p) Sheetmusic:
Here in the states any BC sheet is hard to find. I happened to
stumble across the _Wonderland_ book shoved down in a crate of truly bad
disco music at a local music store having a clearance sale. The guy at
the counter couldn't understand why on earth was I so exited (He only
charged a dollar for it!). Anyway, since it happens to be on the shelf
behind me, here's the info for it
ISBN: 0-89898-279-0
Publisher: Columbia Pictures Publications
16333 N. W. 54th Avenue
Hialeah, FLA, 33014
The book contains the sheet for the songs:
All Fall Together
Angle Park
Balcony
The Crossing
Wonderland
[more song books to be listed at a later date]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
q) Guitar Chords: [more on the way from list members]
"Alone" is available on the main web page menu.
Location for guitar chords for "Look Away" and "Chance":
http://www.leo.org/cgi-bin/leo-dls/pub/rec/music/guitar/songs/olga/b/big_country/00-index.html
This can also be accessed from the Guitar Chords page on the main web page menu.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
r) Cover Songs:
1. "Tracks of My Tears" - Smokey Robinson
2. "Prairie Rose" - Roxy Music
3. "Honky Tonk Woman" - Rolling Stones
4. "Black Skinned Blue Eyed Boys" - Eddie Grant**
5. "Rockin' in the Free World" - Neil Young
6. "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" - Blue Oyster Cult
7. "Cracked Actor" - David Bowie
8. "Oh Well" - Fleetwood Mac
9. "Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)" - Neil Young
10. "Paranoid" - Black Sabbath
11. "Woodstock" - Joni Mitchell**
12. "I'm Eighteen" - Alice Cooper
13. "On the Road Again" - Canned Heat**
14. "Vicious" - Lou Reed**
15. "Found Out About You" - Gin Blossoms
[Jeffrey has also added these to lyrics page on the web site]
[additional comments from list members]
"Prairie Rose" connoisseurs ought to also pick up the original, which appears on
Roxy Music's 1974 album _Country Life_, and another cover by Then Jerico, two
versions of which appear on their 1988 debut album _First (The Sound of Music)_.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
s) Have Any Other Bands Done Big Country Covers?
Does anybody know of any recorded covers *of* Big Country songs, by other
artists? Perhaps "Inwards" on toy piano, a technoized "Winter Sky",
death-metal "The Hostage Speaks"? It saddens me that I know of none.
Yes, I know of one--although BC never recorded it themselves. In
1984, Frida Lyngstad of ABBA recorded a song Stuart wrote called "Heart of
the Country." Mark plays drums on the track. It's available on Frida's
CD "Shine" and on a compilation called "Voices of ABBA."
And if your wondering how in the world someone from ABBA crossed paths
with BC, look at the liner notes for "Steeltown." It was recorded in
Stockholm at Polar Studios--which was owned by ABBA!
The only case I know of someone covering a BC song, is for a TV ad for lager,
a couple (probably more like 5) years ago there was a lager ad and the music was
One Great Thing, they even nicked the video. Also there's a car ad on at the
moment and I'm sure the end music is King Of Emotion, not sure.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
t) What Songs Would You Like To See Big Country Cover?
I'd choose "Up Around the Bend" by Creedence Clearwater Revival. It's
compatible with their style, and I've thought for years that it would work
for them, especially here in America. (I didn't at all like their choices
for covers on the "Alone" and "Ships" singles--except for "Rockin' In the
Free World," which fits them like a glove.)
They never cover Skids songs, do they?
But wouldn't a cover of "A Woman In Winter" be so utterly cool?
I've always thought Big Country could do an admirable job of covering the
Moody Blues tune Ride My Seesaw. Granted, BC can't reproduce the
wall-of-vocals sound, but the mean guitar part is right up their alley.
In response to good 70's covers (yes, I know it's an oxymoron)
How about Neil Young's _After the Gold Rush_ (with an e-bow'ed solo
in the middle instead of the piano solo.
Throwing my two cents into the covers topic....my feelings are that BC should
cover Bombers by David Bowie: just a thought....
I heard an interview on Nat'l Public Radio today with a folk singer from Halifax, Nova
Scotia. She has recorded a new version of "My bonnie lies over the ocean" that includes
some new verses she wrote. It sounded pretty cool, not hokey at all, and I thought it
would make a good BC b-side.
I would like to see BC cover something from the alarm, particularly the stand
(I know, that's not very original, but I love it) but I would NOT under NO
CIRCUMSTANCES want to see them cover gimme shelter! seems like everyone
has (or just the sisters of mercy) but I hear that enough and its such an annoying song
...nope, no way, nada, zippo, please stand back from the electric fence... ;)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
u) Cover Art Trivia:
I want to write about the cover art to "You Dreamer". I recommend that you have
your YD singles handy if you are interested in this experiment. If you are a fan club
member, you will remember that in the last edition there was a request for ideas for the
cover art for YD. I sent in a recommendation for an angel. Now look closely, I mean
CLOSELY, at your cd covers. Note that the woman has a halo. Also note in the cd
with the white border that an angel is distinguishable at the right side. The wings are
particularly clear. So gang, what I'm saying is, I think BC used an idea I sent them!
They probably used several suggestions in making the cover, so if anyone else thinks
their idea got used please post it. Anyway, I didn't notice either the halo or the woman
until the other card carrying Kentucky Big Country fan club member, with whom I
communicate fairly often via snail mail, pointed it out to me. She had spotted the halo,
but it took my parents to discern the angel at the right side. When it became clear to
me that thye had used the idea I sent, I must say it WAS ONE OF THE HAPPIEST
MOMENTS OF MY LIFE!
the angel on the cover of 'you dreamer' is pretty cool. if you look carefully, you can
see it in the first version with yellow background as well. it seems to me that the bird
that is flying straight at the halo lady in the chair is a vulture, look carefully at the head.
vultures are noted for eating carrion, however in native american culture the vulture is
noted for strength and constitution. the vulture can eat many things and not become sick.
maybe the angel and the vulture are connected someway, maybe the song "you dreamer"
itself refers to society and how we all live in an illusionary world, removed from spiritual
always seeking something better or more satisfying. just maybe the vulture is reality
aiming like an arrow into society, one day we will wake up and notice our world and
each other in a different light. please let me know what you think?, i have co-authored
a poetry book entitled "sacred difference, poems for mother earth", so i wonder about
such things.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
v) Song and Album Interpretations and Comments:
As a real rednek (geographically though not socially speaking) I
can tell you that I'm not too big a fan of "The Selling of America" or
most of the other songs which deal with America (an exception being
"Republican Party Reptile" -great song with sweet slide). My problems
with hearing American political subject matter from non- Americans
(don't get me wrong I'm not xenophobic, nor do I disagree with what
Stuart is saying) is just that it loses in authenticity, being as I know
who's singing. "Steeltown" and "Harvest Home" are just as impassioned,
but there I can really imagine the situations which give the band such
insight.
------------------------------
Cupid is the Roman god of love. He is normally depicted as a winged boy with a
bow and arrow. He can also be described as a cherub with a bow and arrow.
Cupid is associated with the Greek god of love, Eros. In situations where you
are struck by love at first sight, you might say, "I was shot through the heart by
Cupid's arrow." In the context of "Bianca," I think she sees the storyteller as a
savior sent by Cupid. The storyteller is someone sent to love her and watch out for her.
...well, in actuality, his (Eros) roman name is cupid, his Greek name is Eros, or
it's in the reverse, but its the same person, but I'm sure that's what you
meant. just had to make the distinction. :)
------------------------------
"you never should have gone" (to the war)
"I have your child inside me, that you will never know" (because he is dead)
"I knew this house has lost the cause to ever make me warm again"
(isn't that a beautiful line to express desperation ?)
There is also a line about "the homecome heroes treat" that also indicates a war
"while tears fell on my cigarette he handed out cigars" (he survived the war)"
and someday I will line down where the rose (sic!) is flung"
This line and the close binding to the song before lead me to the impression
that they must be connected.
I believe Markus' interpretation is correct. "Where the Rose Is Sown"
flows directly into CBTM, and I think they are two sides to the same
story. The soldier dies by implication in "Rose" and CBTM is the
aftermath on the homefront. The woman feels the bitter irony of the OTHER
hometown boy's welcome home as a hero, when her man died. She regrets his
going off to war because of the human cost. The last line, "Some day I
will lie down where the rose was flung" (Stuart sounds like he says
"where the rose was grown," but that's another story) ties CBTM directly to
"Rose". The soldier in "Rose" if you recall, asked to be buried "Where
the Rose Is Sown," and the near-parallel phrasing suggests the woman
intends to be buried beside him. The song is unique among BC tunes in
being told from a woman's point of view, and if you take both songs as a
unit in the context of the album (forgetting for the moment that "Rose"
was lifted out for a hit single), you get what I still consider to be
Stuart's best emotional one-two punch ever.
Another thought on Stuart's use of parallel phrasing. Those of you who've
heard "Prairie Rose" will remember that late in the song he sings "I hear
your voice and it keeps me from sleeping," a line from "Tall Ships Go."
Both songs deal with separation from a beloved one, and I think a case
could be made that the narrator of both songs is the same man, and both
songs address the same relationship.
I think "Come Back to Me" is about a woman who lost her husband in the
Falkland Islands war (~1983) between the UK and Argentina. Her sorrow is
compounded by the fact that all around her British soldiers who survived the
war are returning and are receiving a hero's welcome.
------------------------------
Also, it seems to me that "Remembrance Day", on _The Seer_, is actually the
*opposite* of "Come Back to Me". Where "Come Back to Me" is a woman's tearful
lament at the sadness of a life without her lover, killed in a war, "Remembrance Day"
is that soldier singing how her love keeps him alive. A fascinating reversal.
Well, I believe the song is about a young man who leaves the country because there is
no way for him to live there any more. "I will leave this land and the hunger that is here."
I know this line alone is a little bit weak, but the whole song leads me to the impression
that it is about the emigration from Scotland in the 18th and 19th century.
I have to go with Glenn's interpretation of RD as a song about a soldier.
Remembrance Day in the UK and Canada is what we Americans call Memorial
Day, a day to remember soldiers who died in war. Lines like "I will be the sacrifice
and bells will ring on Remembrance Day" lead me to this conclusion.
------------------------------
It seems to me that "We're not in Kansas" is clearly a reference to "The Wizard
of Oz" movie made in 1939 starring Judy Garland. There are references to the
movie all over the song. "The Wizard of Oz" has become one of those movies that
has helped shape the US culture -- similar to the discussions of "Cathy". The dog in
the song is Toto in the movie. When Dorothy and Toto first arrive in the Land of Oz,
she says, "Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore." "...all the yellow bricks and
sold them to Japan." references the yellow brick road Dorothy travels to get to the wizard.
And of course Stuart is referring to the fact that the United States seems to be selling
itself piece by precious piece to foreign interests.
------------------------------
I haven't analyzed the lyrics to every song, a few of them provided some surprises
regarding their topics. As evidently noticed by Simo, 'Charlotte' deals with a woman
feeding her face in response to a lost love. Perhaps those two occurrences are interrelated?
Anyway, I haven't heard too many eating disorder songs by rock acts, so it caught me a
little off guard. Good song for sure.
'You Dreamer' is sort of a "your life ain't all that good, is it?" kind of song. A somewhat
sad dose of realism for the idealistic among us. Another good song, with the one
complaint that I logged yesterday.
'Wildland In My Heart' seems to me to be about the earlier days of television when
the author recalls being swept away, as a youngster, by his heroes' adventures.
Although you "don't look back", because some of it seems sappy now, it was very
exciting to him then, and he "would have followed them anywhere". Note the
references to the Lone Ranger, Lassie, and the Magnificent Seven. But who is
Cathy in the first verse? My wife guessed that it was Patty Duke's look-alike
from the Patty Duke Show. It would make sense with the rest of the verse:>
"Cathy came home and no one cared
Even her friends were unaware
That's how it is when they lose track
I always say you don't look back"
"Cathy Come Home" was the name of a British television play in the
1960's, directed, if my memory serves me correctly, by Ken Loach. It was
a very downbeat, gritty, realistic and gloomy story of single motherhood,
poverty, abuse, drug addiction, etc. & caused much controversy when it
was first shown, because it was almost the first time that British tv had
adopted an overtly anti-establishment line.
------------------------------
Isn't this song about Ronald Reagan and his first term as President of the good ol' USA as
perceived by Stuart? Or better, as perceived by what Stuart thought others saw?
I remember a short blurb from _People_ magazine in which Stuart said it was written in
response to Reagan's well-publicized trip to Ireland to "find his roots" (during an election
year, conveniently enough) and the rather star struck reaction among citizens of the Isles.
("he said he'd lost his people and had come to look for more....") Seems Stuart doubted
Reagan's sincerity on some level - and just because Reagan never expressed any interest
in his ancestry before he realized what a great photo op it would be.... ;)
I have a copy of the People magazine article. It is undated, but I think it appeared in Jan
or Feb of 1985. Stuart comments: "He's (Reagan) had 70-odd years to visit where his folks
came from, but he chose to do it in an election year. I thought it was a bit of a cheap shot."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
w) Song Lyrics that touched you most:
I always get kind of sad when I listen to "Steeltown" because my mom came from a
steeltown in Germany and every time we go to visit you can see how the people were
struggling to adapt to the closing down of the mines which had provided them with a
living. The other song which usually touches me is "Just a Shadow" and it must be the
same for everyone because we all make mistakes and fail to live up to our full potential
whether it be in relationships, social responsibilities or on the job. My favorite line is
"while we lived in Eldorado, did we find the gold we should?" As I get older I realize
that there have been many missed opportunities, but the lesson this teaches is to
appreciate what one has at the moment, because in hindsight it may appear to be an apex.
"Restless Natives" is the song which has special significance for me. Hope my
explanation is not too boring. The first time I heard BC back in '83-84, something
woke up inside me, it seemed. I did not know if I had a Scottish heritage or not,
but something told me I did. I began what turned into a ten year search for my
heritage. I felt a connection to Scotland, as if part of me was from there even though
I had never been there myself. Long story short, this year I found my heritage, it is
indeed Scottish, and I am more determined than ever to be there someday. That's why
"Restless Natives" strikes a chord in me, especially lines like "I will be with them in
the summer sun and the winter snow." Someday, I _will_ be there with "my people"
as I like to call them. "Restless Natives" just sums up the history, the longing, the
connection, and the determination I feel.
I was most touched by "Hold The Heart" lyrics as The Seer was released when I was
breaking up with a Scottish nurse, who went to live with a former boyfriend of hers.
Very sad lyrics in that context.
Many of the Big Country songs appeal to me for personal reasons. "In this Place" from
Peace in Our Time in particular as I've watched the neighborhood I live in change.
My grandfather and a couple of the local farmers were approached years ago to sell their
land for an airport which, fortunately, ended up being built elsewhere. My grandfather
died a couple of years ago and lived to be in his late eighties but eventually sold his
11 acres (he was strictly a part-time farmer) to a developer who has since crowded it with
nice but very generic looking and extremely expensive homes. I can't imagine how people
afford them.
Having come from blue collar roots songs like "Harvest Home', "What are you Working
For" and "The Selling of America" ring true to me as well.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
x) Other Album Trivia:
I just found the story behind the title of the new album. Got it from the BC press kit PURE
sent me. WTLF takes it's title from an Emo Phillips joke. Adamson tells it best... 'Emo was
walking across Waterloo Bridge on one of his visits to London and saw this horse about to
throw itself over the side. He goes up to the horse and says to it "hey, don't do that buddy -
why the long face?" I think it has a good double meaning in that it's a message of positivism'."
BTW, the current concert programme says that "WHY" is the name of the dog!!
------------------------------
Here it is, as promised, the poem which inspired Stuart to name the album. It
is an old American cowboy poem, author unknown.
THE BUFFALO SKINNERS
Come all you jolly fellows and listen to my song,
There are not many verses, it will not detain you long;
It's concerning some young fellows who did agree to go
And spend one summer pleasantly on the range of the buffalo.
It happened in Jacksboro in the spring of seventy-three,
A man by the name of Crego came stepping up to me,
Saying, "How do you do, young fellow, and how would you like to go
And spend one summer pleasantly on the range of the beffalo?"
"It's me being out of employment," this to Crego I did say,
"This going out on the buffalo range depends upon the pay.
But if you will pay good wages and transportation too,
I think, sir, I will go with you to the range of the buffalo."
"Yes, I will pay good wages, give transportation too,
Provided you will go with me and stay the summer through;
But if you should grow homesick, come back to Jacksboro,
I won't pay transportation from the range of the buffalo."
It's now our outfit was complete--seven able-bodied men,
With navy six and needle gun--our troubles did begin;
Our way it was a pleasant one, the route we had to go,
Until we crossed Pease River on the range of the buffalo.
It's now we've crossed Pease River, our troubles have begun.
The first d****d tail I went to rip, C****t! how I cut my thumb!
While skinning the d****d old stinkers our lives wasn't a show,
For the Indians watched to pick us off while skinning the buffalo.
He fed us on such sorry chuck I wished myself most dead,
It was old jerked beef, croton coffee, and sour bread.
Pease River's as salty as hell fire, the water I could never go--
O God! I wished I had never come to the range of the buffalo.
Our meat it was buffalo hump and iron wedge bread,
And all we had to sleep on was a buffalo robe for a bed;
The fleas and gray-backs worked on us, O boys it was not slow,
I'll tell you there's no worse hell on earth than the range of the buffalo.
Our hearts were cased with buffalo hocks, our souls were cased with steel,
And the hardships of that summer would nearly make us reel.
While skinning the d****d old stinkers our lives they had no show.
For the Indians waited to pick us off on the hills of Mexico.
The season being near over, old Crego he did say
The crowd had been extravagant, was in debt to him that day,--
We coaxed him and we begged him and still it was no go,--
We left old Crego's bones to bleach on the range of the buffalo.
Oh, it's now we've crossed Pease River and homeward we are bound,
No more in that hell-fired country shall ever we be found.
Go home to our wives and sweethearts, tell others not to go,
For God's forsaken the buffalo range and the d****d old buffalo.
------------------------------
I remember Stuart saying in an interview at the time that he wasn't happy with the way
they had turned out on NPLH, and was trying to do them justice now. Apparently
(I never saw them B4 the BS tour) the BS version of Ships is much more like the version
they have ALWAYS played live.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
y) An Early Poll For "Why The Long Face" by Markus:
1) Where would you rank the album within the other albums
of Big Country (seven so far)?
1/7 1
3/7 2
4/7 3
5/7 2
2) What are your three favourite songs?
You Dreamer 5
I'm Not Ashamed 4
One In A Million 3
Wildland In My Heart 3
Blue On A Green Planet 2
Charlotte 2
God's Great Mistake 2
Message Of Love 1
Post Nuclear Talking Blues 1
Take You To The Moon 1
3) What are the three songs you dislike most?
Thunder & Lightning 4
God's Great Mistake 3
Message Of Love 3
Post Nuclear Talking Blues 3
Send You 2
Wildland In My Heart 1
Far From Me to You 1
One in a Million 1
Charlotte 1
4) What should have been the first single of the album?
Please say so, if you think they made the right choice.
* I'm Not Ashamed
* You Dreamer
* I agree with INA as the first single selection.
* "I'm Not Ashamed" was a reasonable choice. IMHO it's better than any
of the singles taken from NPLH or BS.
* I think they made the right choice - it's not my favourite, but it's
very good and more radio friendly than my fave.
* Since INA flopped, I'm glad it was first. YD is my choice for the
"hit" so maybe it will get a better chance. But if INA had been a
hit, I might have wished YD was first.
* Should've been You Dreamer (or perhaps Charlotte) - although
considering how the record company _messed up_ the release of INA,
I'm quite happy that the 1st single wasn't YD! I just hope they'll
do better with YD at the end of August!!
5) Do you like the return of the E-bow and the way they used it?
* E-bow:YES!
* Yes, it sounds nice.
* Yeah. Though might have used it a bit more, perhaps.
* Yes, I love it! I've been waiting for this for years. I wish there had
been a lot more of it on the album.
* Yes, though I would have enjoyed it in some of the more up-beat songs,
not only for the romantic ones.
* Yes. It was good to hear the familiar sound, yet it wasn't used in a
gimmicky fashion.
* Yes, although it used differently now. It seems to be used an
introduction rather than as an undertone to the whole melody of a song.
6) Does this album do Big Country any good?
* yes
* Yes. It shows they still make quality rock, they're versatile, they're
not afraid to take chances.
* WTLF is an _amazing_ album, 14 songs and I love each and every one of
them! It very nicely builds on the traditional BC sound in a fresh way.
* I sure think it does me a lot of good. Hopefully, enough people will
get to hear it.
* Great album! Fans of mainstream pop and rock music should have no
complaints.
* I'm probably not qualified to comment, since I don't keep up with popular
music, but it doesn't seem to me that it is putting them back on the path
to their early successes.
* Yes, assuming people get a chance to hear it: i.e. UK (and for that matter
US) radio stations decide to play the songs, US stores stock the album
plentifully, the music videos get airplay, etc.
7) Any other comment you want to make:
* It sounds like they need more promo or alternative ways of getting
publicity.
* I think B.C. should coincide its tour more with the release of the
album; that is, they shouldn't wait until October/Nov to tour, but
should use the tour as a promotional tool as well. I think their
tour in the U.S. also boosted sales of their album.
* It would be good to note that in general I am less of a BC fan than
I used to be. My tastes haven't changed as much as their music. I
love the first three albums more than I can express, but the rest are
merely good for me, but not required listening.
* I had a hard time choosing the three songs I disliked most. My third
choice ('Post NTB') I actually like quite a bit. I picked 'Message of
Love' cause the lyrics are thin, and 'GGM' because it's not very
catchy, though it is starting to grow on me. I happen to really like
'Charlotte', 'Far From Me To You', and 'You Dreamer', in addition to the
three favorites I listed.
* Even with the poll extension, I'm still just finding my way around the
album, so these comments are tentative. Maybe we should have another poll
in October or November once the album is released in the US and all the
college students come back?
* 'Dislike' is quite a strong word, eh? For me it is, anyway, as I like
all of them! So it's very hard to pick favourites/non-favs.
* I don't dislike any of them. I simply like some less than others.
8) What other questions should have been in the poll?
* Is this the right direction for the band to take, or should they
go for an even more retro sound (like the first two albums)?
* Does Transatlantic know what they're doing? ;-)
* Cover art, record label, promotion.
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z) Taglines of Choice:
"Stay Alive"
"And the rain came down on a cold new town..."
"How can someone find me if no one knows I'm lost"
"I watch the way the crow flies, I know it always seems so easy,
But if I see it in a grey sky, can I be sure about the way it leads me?"
"The poor do time...the rich go free."
"I wouldn't want to go out with news like this"-
"...that's how it is when your first name's lone.."
"We are not dust we are not stone just the wild seed is sown"
"But the place I stand is the one I love so dear"
"The shining eye will never cry, the beating heart will never die"
"The compass of decision falls always on one side"
"And we were friends till love stepped in and you stepped away"
"I only hope what pleases me will also pleasure you for mine can never be
the hands that make a dream come true"
"We will all go together when we go".
"If I die in a combat zone, box me up and ship me home"
"My ass is getting pains from sitting on the fence.
For everything I need to do is in the future tense"
"I've watched the backs that pushed the wall for years, scared by many knives
and too much fear."
"Prescription junkies pass the day."
"Some days will stay a thousand years, some will pass like the flash of a spark
Who knows where all our days go "
"I've seen to much of what fighting has done, I've seen too much anger
and I've seen it far too young"
[take the quotes/tagline quiz. See Trivia Contests on table of contents page]