Session # 5
Artist: Big Country: The Crossing
Time: 50 minutes
Calories: 363
Songs: 10
Calories burned per minute: 7.26
Calories burned per song: 36.30

Big Country are a Scottish rock band formed in 1981. They had their most successful run in the early 80’s with the song of the same name as the band, though they still play currently. The band’s music was most distinctive for the sounds it infused with Scottish folk and martial music styles, as well as for playing and engineering their guitar driven sound to evoke the inspirational spirit of bagpipes, fiddles and other traditional folk instruments. They were quite successful at it. Sadly, they were not as successful at achieving more stateside recognition. They put out subsequent albums that charted well in the U. K. But did not do much else. As the band continued to try and survive the music industry, they slowly deteriorated, and by the 90’s were different variations on themselves. At one point members of The Alarm and Simple Minds filled in, or replaced retired personnel. The current iteration functions without vocalist and guitarist Stuart Adamson, who died in the early 2000’s. It seems he had a problem with alcoholism. A sad truth, but that is the beauty in music. Once you write something that sticks with people, your music lives on, and I am sure most of you out there would agree that “In A Big Country” is a well recognized hit. It certainly a great way to start the record off. And this is the LP. Erosion, so it’s quite a bit longer. They used to do that in the 80’s. Extra long means extra “shot,”’s and drum fills. Very Slade influenced if you ask me. A nice, big, meandering solo that carries the song like the wind, too. “Inwards” follows on the heels and contains amazing production value. A bit more upbeat on this one, too. Punchy almost and with a slight hint of reggae influences and flavors. “Chance” is third in line. Mellow is the tone now and a little secluded. I think I am hearing a mandolin? Truthfully I am not confident in that. I suppose a quick glance at the liner notes might reveal that tidbit, but I am feeling lazy. We’ll just have to let the mind wonder. I do know for certain there is a power rock out for the ending, and that was worth the (*ahem*) CHANCE. (#seewhatididthere) “Fields of Fire” is the next cut. This one was also a single (actually before “Big Country”) complete with video and all. Bassist Tony Butler is definitely making his own sound. Playing the band into some uncharted territory. Seriously though, it is a very distinct style. “The Storm” has a New Model Army influence, believe it or not, Ripley (#seewhatididthere). “Harvest Home “ begins side two in a beautiful way. An almost wanky, metal level solo fills the ears and is bad ass! It helps solidify that signature sound I spoke of earlier. I believe too, this was also a single from this album. “Lost Patrol” is another mid-tempo meandering musical adventure. Nothing new or groundbreaking, but a good filler all the same. “Close Action” is a mountain holler ballad. I don’t know if it is the name or what, but it effectively conjures images of the band on hillsides of green with castles in the background, a brisk wind ripping though their hair. The last two tracks are “1000 Stars” - with it’s meaty drum fills and examples of the complete and complex tunes Big Country has the chops to write- and the tune “Porrohman”. The latter has a cascading builder of an intro. This tune seems to incorporate everything we have learned about the band so far: snappy solos, meaty drum fills, the shouted “shot!”, all of it. While it is hard to say for sure if Big Country is just a part of the music industry’s infatuation with Ireland in the 80’s (looking at U2)(#seewhatididthere ) or if it truly is just luck and talent. I vote for the latter, personally. You know, I am even hearing a little Bow Wow Wow meets Dexy’s Midnight Runners at the end there. The tunes are certainly lengthy, with an average of about 4+ minutes! Big Country is really a unique band that probably deserves another look.

“In A Big Country “ Big Country (everyone looks super Scottish in this video, just FYI)
https://youtu.be/657TZDHZqj4

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