As you seemed uncertain; the song is about a train setting the world speed record for steam power. It says on the band's website: "75 years ago, on 3rd July 1938, a streamlined locomotive called Mallard set the world speed record for steam trains, travelling at 126mph on a straight, downhill stretch of the East Coast Mainline. Mallard has been preserved as a static exhibit and is normally on display at the National Railway Museum in York. Whilst she was made for speed the designers created a machine of extraordinary beauty; if you go to the museum, she will stop you in your tracks. The story of Mallard has been described by Andrew Martin as being like Chariots of Fire with steam engines and it became, for me, an irresistible theme for a song. However, it wasn’t so much Mallard but the people who designed, made, fired and drove her that interested me. And it is their tale we tell over the 15 minutes or so of East Coast Racer. It is a story with a wonderful list of main characters; designer Sir Nigel Gresley, his assistant Oliver Bulleid, fireman Tommy Bray and driver Joe Duddington. Alongside those with starring roles was a community of engineers and railwaymen who all played a part in the making of a legend. But, in the end, we come back to Mallard. Émile Zola said: ‘Somewhere in the course of manufacture, a hammer blow or a deft mechanic’s hand imparts to a locomotive a soul of its own’. In this short sentence, Zola puts his finger on the connection between the maker and the machine. Mallard has outlived its creators but in it, this company of men and the work they carried out, lives on."
BBT are one of my all time favourites. I suggest Judas Unrepentant, A Boy in Darkness, Hedgerow, Swan Hunter, Folklore, The Transit of Venus Across the Sun, The Florentine. There are so many more amazing songs by BBT, but I think (for me) these are some of their best
Just an incredible band. David Longdon is the singer who died last year in an home accident. The band had built up an incredible body of work with David and have become an amazing live show. I'm so happy you've reacted to them.
I am so glad you enjoyed this. The brass section are led by a guy who was in the Coldstream Guards brass section. There’s a strong tradition of brass bands associated with coal mines. BBT is an ensemble of brilliant musicians. Greg Spawton on bass at the back was the founding member and writes a lot of the material. David Longdon wrote a lot too plus being a multi instrumentalist. Plus they tell you a story -in this case the team of engineers that built a train that broke the world record. Nick D Virgilio on drums played with SPOCKS Beard and Genesis. Two lead guitarists. One is Norwegian - Rikard Sjöblom whose solo you enjoyed. The other was Dave Gregory in another major rock band XTC. Nick is American. Rachel violinist from Norfolk England. Danny Manners on main keyboards from jazz. Yes they are brilliant live - the new lineup with Alberto Bravin from Italian prog rockers PFM as vocalist are magnificent I saw them live last year. I suggest stick with this concert as an introduction VICTORIAN BRICKWORK is fine as well as THE TRANSIT OF VENUS AGAINST THE SUN. The album recording of this live concert is MASTERS OF LIGHT.
Loved your reactions. I was watching/listening along this video and when the brass ensemble takes it a notch up at 13:10 I found myself doing exactly the same hand gesture simultaneously 😅
great band! a favourite with a difference!.....Check out this whole concert. The lead singer sadly missed, died in an accident last year... Try....Victorian brickwork. From the same concert
I was Lucky to see these live before the Bands singer died last year. what a tragedy and a loss of a brilliant talent. The songs will live with us forever. This is a fans favourite. but alot of there stuff is excellent. My personal Faves are Brave Captain. Mead hall in Winter. Swan Hunter. The Florentine . Ariel . and Voyager. top stuff :)
Glad you liked it. Not afraid to say I shed a tear (again) rewatching this epic song/performance: a) because I was there and it was wonderful and it brings back such great memories; and, b) David Longdon's sad death last year still troubles me. Now do 'Victorian Brickwork' from the same show ...
Everytime I listen to Big Big Train's singer David Longdon I find it scary how close the sound of his voice is to Peter Gabriël's voice of Genesis. Love that signature sound!
BBT is the quintessential British progrock band and it was a match made in heaven when they added the brass section cause another quintessential British thing is an orchestra called a brassband. The have a long history and are closely tied to the history of the mining industry, and industrial revolution, subjects that BBT have tackled on their albums. So cool to see you have the same reaction as almost anyone at the “She flies …” moment.
`Thanks so much for doing this - I think they are incredibly underrated - a really fine band! Since David Longdon's tragic death they have decided to go forward with the addition of a new Italian singer from PFM Alberto Bravin. I saw them live with the new lineup and it was extraordinary. There is also a new book about the difficult birth and sustaining of the band. Please check them out - I recommend MASTERS OF LIGHT which is the band live playing some of their finest compositions. Some think of them as being like the Gabriel Genesis - due to vocal similarities between David Longdon and Peter Gabriel and iy is true to say that he auditioned to replace Phil Collins but the gig went to a more experienced performer. Nick D'Virgilio drummer also played in Spock's Beard as well as Genesis
Awesome! BBT are one of my favorite bands. Their music is so special. As you say…next level. Nick D’Virgilio is one of my favorite 🥁 drummers. He was in a band called Spock’s Beard…please check out At The End Of The Day by them and anything with Neal Morse. My favorite BBT song is The Underfall Yard. Sadly their singer David Longdon passed away last year. But the band is continuing on. I’m excited to see what’s next for them. What a surprise…thx so much! ☀️
BBT are what I would call an ensemble band. All the musicians complement one another & nobody stands out. Each member is given their moment, yet no one over shadows another. Very talented group. Let's hope the new singer, Alberto Bravin, can carry on in David's footsteps, or should I say vocal chords! Another great, lesser known, prog band is Barock Project. They are from Italy & led by Luca Zabbini. Luca is heavily influenced by ELP, Jethro Tull & he's a fan of Steven Wilson. Ironically Luca recently worked with an older prog band PFM, who Alberto Bravin (the replacement singer for BBT) was also a involved in & co sang. If you are inclined to listen to them, I recommend this live clip wherre Luca shows his keyboard skills This is actually a two part song called "Kyrie/Fool's Epilogue". ua-cam.com/video/hotzUrIoqsE/v-deo.html
Amazing band !!! Had pleasure seeing back to back nights seeing them in Rutherford New Jersey. dream seeing them, did not disappoint.
As you seemed uncertain; the song is about a train setting the world speed record for steam power. It says on the band's website:
"75 years ago, on 3rd July 1938, a streamlined locomotive called Mallard set the world speed record for steam trains, travelling at 126mph on a straight, downhill stretch of the East Coast Mainline. Mallard has been preserved as a static exhibit and is normally on display at the National Railway Museum in York. Whilst she was made for speed the designers created a machine of extraordinary beauty; if you go to the museum, she will stop you in your tracks. The story of Mallard has been described by Andrew Martin as being like Chariots of Fire with steam engines and it became, for me, an irresistible theme for a song. However, it wasn’t so much Mallard but the people who designed, made, fired and drove her that interested me. And it is their tale we tell over the 15 minutes or so of East Coast Racer. It is a story with a wonderful list of main characters; designer Sir Nigel Gresley, his assistant Oliver Bulleid, fireman Tommy Bray and driver Joe Duddington. Alongside those with starring roles was a community of engineers and railwaymen who all played a part in the making of a legend. But, in the end, we come back to Mallard. Émile Zola said: ‘Somewhere in the course of manufacture, a hammer blow or a deft mechanic’s hand imparts to a locomotive a soul of its own’. In this short sentence, Zola puts his finger on the connection between the maker and the machine. Mallard has outlived its creators but in it, this company of men and the work they carried out, lives on."
BBT are one of my all time favourites.
I suggest Judas Unrepentant, A Boy in Darkness, Hedgerow, Swan Hunter, Folklore, The Transit of Venus Across the Sun, The Florentine.
There are so many more amazing songs by BBT, but I think (for me) these are some of their best
Can't wait! Thanks for the recommendations!
My fav BBT track and even better live. Also from this concert, Victorian Brickwork. The brass ensemble travels with them on the road.
Added! Can't wait.
Just an incredible band. David Longdon is the singer who died last year in an home accident. The band had built up an incredible body of work with David and have become an amazing live show.
I'm so happy you've reacted to them.
Great Band
I am so glad you enjoyed this. The brass section are led by a guy who was in the Coldstream Guards brass section. There’s a strong tradition of brass bands associated with coal mines. BBT is an ensemble of brilliant musicians. Greg Spawton on bass at the back was the founding member and writes a lot of the material. David Longdon wrote a lot too plus being a multi instrumentalist. Plus they tell you a story -in this case the team of engineers that built a train that broke the world record. Nick D Virgilio on drums played with SPOCKS Beard and Genesis. Two lead guitarists. One is Norwegian - Rikard Sjöblom whose solo you enjoyed. The other was Dave Gregory in another major rock band XTC. Nick is American. Rachel violinist from Norfolk England. Danny Manners on main keyboards from jazz. Yes they are brilliant live - the new lineup with Alberto Bravin from Italian prog rockers PFM as vocalist are magnificent I saw them live last year. I suggest stick with this concert as an introduction VICTORIAN BRICKWORK is fine as well as THE TRANSIT OF VENUS AGAINST THE SUN. The album recording of this live concert is MASTERS OF LIGHT.
Now you're into my territory. Marillion Gaza live, could be a great reaction or as mentioned The space by Marillion at the RAH.
This band had planned a small us tour before it was canceled because of the pandemic, unfortunately we never got to see this line up.
Loved your reactions. I was watching/listening along this video and when the brass ensemble takes it a notch up at 13:10 I found myself doing exactly the same hand gesture simultaneously 😅
great band! a favourite with a difference!.....Check out this whole concert. The lead singer sadly missed, died in an accident last year...
Try....Victorian brickwork. From the same concert
Added! Can't wait.. rock on
I was Lucky to see these live before the Bands singer died last year. what a tragedy and a loss of a brilliant talent. The songs will live with us forever. This is a fans favourite. but alot of there stuff is excellent. My personal Faves are Brave Captain. Mead hall in Winter. Swan Hunter. The Florentine . Ariel . and Voyager. top stuff :)
Thanks for watching! More to come..
Glad you liked it. Not afraid to say I shed a tear (again) rewatching this epic song/performance: a) because I was there and it was wonderful and it brings back such great memories; and, b) David Longdon's sad death last year still troubles me. Now do 'Victorian Brickwork' from the same show ...
On the list!
Everytime I listen to Big Big Train's singer David Longdon I find it scary how close the sound of his voice is to Peter Gabriël's voice of Genesis. Love that signature sound!
BBT is the quintessential British progrock band and it was a match made in heaven when they added the brass section cause another quintessential British thing is an orchestra called a brassband. The have a long history and are closely tied to the history of the mining industry, and industrial revolution, subjects that BBT have tackled on their albums.
So cool to see you have the same reaction as almost anyone at the “She flies …” moment.
Thanks for doing this! You are right- perfection!!! My favourite band of all time.
Rock on!
These guys are great. RIP David
RIP
This is beyond awesome! Love them all, especially Rikard Sjöblom and Greg Spawton.
`Thanks so much for doing this - I think they are incredibly underrated - a really fine band! Since David Longdon's tragic death they have decided to go forward with the addition of a new Italian singer from PFM Alberto Bravin. I saw them live with the new lineup and it was extraordinary. There is also a new book about the difficult birth and sustaining of the band. Please check them out - I recommend MASTERS OF LIGHT which is the band live playing some of their finest compositions. Some think of them as being like the Gabriel Genesis - due to vocal similarities between David Longdon and Peter Gabriel and iy is true to say that he auditioned to replace Phil Collins but the gig went to a more experienced performer. Nick D'Virgilio drummer also played in Spock's Beard as well as Genesis
I would request anything from the band echolyn
It is so sad that David Longdon died last year ( accidental fall)
Crazy.. and so sad
Awesome! BBT are one of my favorite bands. Their music is so special. As you say…next level. Nick D’Virgilio is one of my favorite 🥁 drummers. He was in a band called Spock’s Beard…please check out At The End Of The Day by them and anything with Neal Morse. My favorite BBT song is The Underfall Yard. Sadly their singer David Longdon passed away last year. But the band is continuing on. I’m excited to see what’s next for them. What a surprise…thx so much! ☀️
Added! Rock on..
You should check Marillion. The Space live ar Royal Albert Hall or Neverland (any live version) would be a good start.
Added! Rock on..
BBT are what I would call an ensemble band. All the musicians complement one another & nobody stands out. Each member is given their moment, yet no one over shadows another. Very talented group. Let's hope the new singer, Alberto Bravin, can carry on in David's footsteps, or should I say vocal chords! Another great, lesser known, prog band is Barock Project. They are from Italy & led by Luca Zabbini. Luca is heavily influenced by ELP, Jethro Tull & he's a fan of Steven Wilson. Ironically Luca recently worked with an older prog band PFM, who Alberto Bravin (the replacement singer for BBT) was also a involved in & co sang. If you are inclined to listen to them, I recommend this live clip wherre Luca shows his keyboard skills This is actually a two part song called "Kyrie/Fool's Epilogue". ua-cam.com/video/hotzUrIoqsE/v-deo.html
𝓟Ř𝔬𝓂𝔬𝐒ϻ 😂