Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Big Big Train
Label: English Electric
Release: 2015
Running time: 25:17
Rating: 4.5/5
Over the past decade, British prog crew Big Big Train have grown from a pretty unsteady musical collective, which after a promising start put out albums that swung wildly in style and quality, into a rock-solid band with its heart in the right place, a tight core and a clear artistic vision. Their leap to a higher artistic level began with the excellent »The Difference Machine« (2007) and carried on with its follow-up »The Underfall Yard« (2009), then the two conceptual masterpieces »English Electric (Part One)« (2012) and »English Electric (Part Two)« (2013), which mark the peak of their output so far. You could say that with those two they finally earned a spot in the ‘first league’ of the modern prog rock scene.
Guitarist/keyboardist Gregory Spawton and bassist/keyboardist Andy Poole have managed to gather some exceptional musicians around them in recent years, among them former Spock’s Beard drummer/vocalist Nick D’Virgilio, guitarist Dave Gregory and vocalist/flutist David Longdon. And that’s still not all. Big Big Train’s ambition has really known no bounds lately. Even before recording the new album, which is due out in 2016 under the title »Folklore«, two new members joined: violinist Rachel Hall (Stackridge) and Rikard Sjöblom of Beardfish, whom plenty of people call the Swedish Mike Keneally, since he’s not only a great guitarist, keyboardist and singer but also a brilliant composer who learned a thing or two from the legendary Frank Zappa. Another album is on the way that could once again floor even the most demanding prog gourmets and cement this ambitious band’s place among the most exciting acts on the modern prog scene.
Well, before the arrival and introduction of those two new members, and as a kind of ‘warm-up’ ahead of the »Folklore« sessions, Big Big Train recorded an EP called »Wassail« at Real World studio, which is owned by Peter Gabriel. The term ‘wassailing’ comes from English folklore. It’s an old custom, found mostly in the west of England, where children ‘bless’ apple trees so they’ll bear as much fruit as possible. »Wasssail« contains three brand-new songs and a re-recorded version of the »The Underfall Yard« standard »Master James of St. George«, played ‘live’ in the middle of the studio with no special preparation. Unlike similar stunts that often wreck the ambient balance of an album, this one fits in superbly alongside the other tracks and is fully on a par with the original version.
The title track, which will please all fans of Genesis, Yes and Jethro Tull, has gorgeous folk prog flute arrangements, ethereal vocal harmonies and a lush symphonic backdrop with an emphasis on massive layers of organ, while the high point is an epic, melodic chorus that’s rather atypical for Big Big Train and seems made for rousing the crowd and getting the audience to sing along at gigs; a real treat for all lovers of the melodic side of prog.
The nostalgic »Lost Rivers of London« is a much more melancholy affair, with lovely symphonic harmonies and dramatic vocal turns under Longdon’s theatrical command. Troubadour-style flute arrangements add even more colour to the Victorian-pastoral atmosphere. In the colorful instrumental section, dominated by lively organ improvisations, you can hear plainly that Gregory, with his guitar technique, is a big fan of Steve Howe (Yes). On »Folklore« it’ll surely be fascinating to hear how Longdon and Sjöblom split the vocal duties, since both are extremely charismatic singers.
On the somewhat jazzier instrumental »Mudlarks« you can hear lots of traditional instruments, led by the mandolin and glockenspiel, both played by Longdon. With their help, Big Big Train stamp a slight folk imprint on this splendid piece, on top of its jazz rock fusion and symphonic prog rhythmic elements. The background vocal harmonies are maybe a bit too obviously borrowed from Yes this time, and the impression is only strengthened by Gregory’s guitar solo, which sits firmly under the influence of the ‘owl-man’ Howe.
The »Wassail« EP is a fascinating warm-up for the upcoming new Big Big Train album, and it’s naturally aimed first and foremost at the faithful fans who are already finding it hard to wait for »Folklore« to drop. »Wassasil« is thus one more proof that the band is in outstanding shape, and that all lovers of melodic prog rock, who are surely thrilled by Big Big Train’s sonic evolution over the past ten years, can get ready for another masterpiece in 2016.
Line-up
Andy Poole – bass guitar, keyboards
Greg Spawton – guitar, keyboards, bass guitar
David Longdon – vocals, flute, banjo, mandolin, organ, glockenspiel
Dave Gregory – electric guitar
Nick D’Virgilio – drums
Danny Manners – double bass
Production
Big Big Train
Track list
1. Wassail (6:48)
2. Lost Rivers of London (6:02)
3. Mudlarks (6:13)
4. Master James of St George (Live At Real World) (6:14)
