I´m just becoming aware of this band, and really like what I´ve heard, so would be really interested in the good people of this forum´s thoughts and recommendations. Basically I knew the name and that they had Dave Gregory from XTC on guitar but watched a couple of live songs and album tracks on YouTube today (mainly from English Electric I think) and reckon they are something I could really get into, especially during the enforced lockdown. The Genesis influence is definitely there, something I´m very happy with. So - thoughts and more information on the band would be well appreciated!
English Electric Full power version was my introduction, move forward through the Gregory years with confidence. I also like the pre Gregory albums Gathering Speed and Difference Machine
English Electric double cd. The currently available remaster with full dynamic range. It's 100% perfect in every way.
My two favourite albums are The Underfall Yard and English Electric (2 CD version). I think The Underfall Yard will appeal to anyone who likes Selling England By The Pound... I think the last couple of albums have become a bit too predictable...
I agree with the idea that the Full Power English Electric double is the perfect way to start. From there move forward towards the Grand Tour. I respectfully disagree with Music Geek on the last few albums. I actually think they are somehow managing to get even better. Don't ignore the two live doubles either. They are top notch, Once you're up to date, go back to The Underfall Yard. It's the first to feature David Longdon. Great album but even though most of the pieces are in place, it's a slightly different feel without his songwriting input. The pre Longdon albums are still well worth a listen. The pastoral prog is still there but the sound is a bit more generic. They are well written & played though and both singers, Marin Read on the first three and Sean Filkins thereafter are excellent if very different from DL. To sum up then, It's all fab. Fill yer boots!
I've not really fully enjoyed any of their albums after English Electric. They have their moments, but a lot that doesn't excite me.
I came in during the English Electric releases and agree you cannot go wrong there. I cannot find fault in anything released during the David Longdon years (Underfall Yard to present). I absolutely adore each one and rank Big Big Train as one of the most important bands that I have discovered within the last 10 years. Strangely, I have yet to explore the albums which came before The Underfall Yard. I probably should at some point. Thought the band had announced a while back that they were looking to re-record those early albums with the current lineup, sadly now without Dave Gregory.
Second Brightest Star in The Sky offers an excellent and accessible introduction. The first 37 minutes or so has seven shorter more poppier songs, while the last 33 minutes has three full-on prog tunes. Plus the front cover picture very nicely complements the music within.
I hadn't heard that Dave Gregory had left but I'm not entirely surprised. Official reason is that he didn't want to tour internationally but in an interview (possibly in Prog magazine) around the time that The Grand Tour came out, he suggested that he was having issues with working hard and long on his guitar parts only to have them edited to the point of being unrecognizable by Greg & Dave, Since reading that, I've been expecting his departure. Whether or not that has had anything to do with his decision, it seems to have been a friendly enough parting of the ways. I'm with you on the idea of Big Big Train being an important discovery. They are certainly one of the bands I listen to most these day, I'm sure you'll find something to enjoy on the earlier albums, different as they are.
^^^ Excellent points. I'm not a musician, just a fan. But my ears tell me that it seems at times as if Dave Gregory was marginalized a bit. Not in a malicious way, just that there are times when it seems that he could/should be showcased more. Then again, sometimes less is more and you have to respect the musical decisions which were made. I certainly will not complain about the end results. I think Dave Gregory's involvement brought in more than one fan. I know that was one of my touchstones when I first purchased English Electric 1.
Nothing against the brass and strings, but they have gone overboard with it a bit lately. I'd take more Dave Gregory if they're so determined to fill that sonic space. He has some real Steve Howe moments. It they've decreased with the chamber music flourishes of late. The live albums are much more enjoyable to the studio albums. English Electric being the possible exception. However, even some of those tracks really bloom live. Losing such a great guitar player to make room for more French horns is a bummer. Thank God "Firth of Fifth" doesn't have a tuba solo. Our lives would all be drastically different.
Part one & part two along with the Make Some Noise EP were later sold together as Full Power so if you buy the latter you get 19 track and over two hours of music.
The brass & strings help make it really special for me. I was delighted that they has a brass section when I saw them live last year.
It's called Expanded Edition and has soft cover and 40 page booklet. Full dynamic range and super easy and smooth on the ears. Full Power version has compression and hurts the ears. There's one used on Amazon now. Looks like it must have recently gone OOP. It was still available new a month or so ago. Maybe the just have to press more. Well worth buying the right version tho. You won't go wrong.
Thanks guys, yeah Amazon is $40 used for the expanded English Electric. I think it's $25 retail new. I'm not much of a streamer, but at least I can check stuff out that way.
As mentioned upstream, you don't want the Full Power version from 2013. Get the 2016 remaster instead. I recall missing out on Full Power, wasn't a big deal because I had all of the parts, just not in one tidy package. But I jumped on the 2016 version upon release because Full Power got stupid expensive despite poor mastering. Seems like even $40 for this one is reasonable considering it contains two full albums and an EP. Big Big Train – English Electric Label: English Electric Recordings – EERCD0017 Format: 2 × CD, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered Country: UK Released: 28 Oct 2016 Genre: Rock Style: Prog Rock
If I remember rightly, the original Full Power has a DR value of 12, while the remaster from 2016 has a DR value of 7.
Did they do this with any other albums? There's certainly a number of albums that were squashed as much as EE originally was.
