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You can listen to 4 complete songs from 'Gathering Speed' on BBT's My Space website at:
www.myspace.com/wwwmyspacecombigbigtrain
'GATHERING SPEED' LYRICS
For 'Gathering Speed' lyrics click here
REVIEWS OF 'GATHERING SPEED'
"Gathering Speed is about a pilot shot down in 1940 during the Battle of Britain, beautifully described by great sounds, excellent melodies and fantastic atmospheres. When packing for your holiday, it is impossible not to take this CD with you." (Metal Hammer)
"Wow, what a great disc ! I'm seriously impressed. Absolutely love it all." (Progressive Soundscape Radio, USA)
"On 'Gathering Speed' Big Big Train have decided to bring us back to the good old days of great progressive rock... the seventies, but they manage to do it without ever coming close to sounding dated. In my opinion their greatest influence is Genesis but not because they actually sound like them (even though at times some of the music could have found it's place on Trick of the Tail or Selling England by the Pound), but more because of the delicate and subtle manner in which they often entangle acoustic guitars, mellotron and piano to produce incredibly moving music. 'Gathering Speed' is an album that should be in the CD collection of every fan of progressive music. My highest possible recommendation. this CD is by far my leading candidate for my best album of 2004." (Prognosis)
"the album is a joy musically and an essential purchase for all Genesis, Hackett, etc. fans." (Hairless Heart Herald)
"You simply have to hear this album, it will leave you breathless and want to re-discover it again and again. Highly recommended." (Progresy)
"this definitely is one of the best symphonic rock albums I've ever heard." (Prog-nose)
"This music, no matter where you are coming to it from, is progressive rock in the grand tradition of the best that the UK can offer. Europe does have many great bands but when you really break it down, the UK holds the world in the palm of its hands for sheer quality and, more importantly, vocal ability. Music of the style of Big Big Train is steeped in 40 years of inventive progressive/rock tradition that began with the Beatles. Andy, Greg & Co. create music with a lasting quality that has a large catchment fan base, it crosses many categories. There are hints of Pink Floyd, especially in the quieter vocal sections; other times there is a resemblance to Camel and more so Marillion, post Fish. A brilliant album...don't miss this work of art" (European Progressive Rock Reviews)
"This new opus will be enjoyed without any doubt by the fans of Genesis, IQ or Marillion . A very beautiful album to be discovered urgently!" (Music in Belgium)
"This is a CD that no self respecting progressive rock fan should be without. After just three months of 2004 I can see this already down for CD of the year for many in progressive rock circles." (Acid Attack)
"...bristling with complexities and interesting progressive elements that will reward repeated listening. The time signatures change continually, there are breaks and reprised themes and solid song structures, and the whole album has a classic progressive sound. You'll hear multi-layered instrumental passages with nine- and ten-minute song lengths, big two- and three-part vocal harmonies, a blues harp (a kind of harmonica), mellotron, twelve string guitars and dual keyboards." (Progressive World)
"The music on Gathering Speed is structured around beautiful soundscapes and strong melodies. Gathering Speed seems to be sort of a culmination between The Final Cut (Pink Floyd), The Seventh House (IQ) and Alan Parsons (On Air). Big Big Train has taken a giant leap forward and delivered an album without any weaknesses. This year promises to be a great one for progressive rock fans." (9/10 ROCKEZINE )
"A concept-album full of fresh and melodic symphonic/progressive rock. The album is mixed by Rob Aubrey and Andy Poole. The mastering is also by Rob Aubrey. IQ fans will recognize this name because he is also the sound engineer of IQ. Big Big Train's previous album was good but they surprised me with this delicious symphonic album. Who said that progressive music was dead?" (Progvisions)
"Complex Yes-like stuff here, with sudden shifts from the serene to the energetic and back again. Expect layers and layers of gorgeous Yes-like harmonies. The music, while solidly in the classic Yes/Genesis vein, often takes a more modern approach. Think equal parts Porcupine Tree, Yes, and Genesis, and you'll be in the right neighborhood. Excellent songwriting brings this CD into competition with modern artists such as Spock's Beard and The Flower Kings. Definitely a band to keep an eye on." (Progressive World.net)
"You guys have released a masterpiece with this one. This music is amazing. Full of feeling and emotion." (Progressive Music Society)
ABOUT 'GATHERING SPEED'
Gathering Speed is set in the summer of 1940 and tells the story of a fighter pilot whose Spitfire is seen to fall out of the sky, shot down during a combat patrol.
The Battle of Britain was fought by a small number of brave, skilled, motivated men, with incredible heroism being shown by the pilots on both sides. It was a desperate struggle and the stakes could not have been higher; the historical importance of the Battle cannot be overstated. However, it is the personal experiences of the Fighter Boys of 1940 which are explored by the songs on Gathering Speed.
The album opens with a scene setting song, High Tide Last Stand, describing a country and a way of life on the edge of destruction. In that dark period, everything seemed to change; rules and social norms were bent, buckled and broken. For individuals, life had to be lived in the now, because there may not have been a future.
During this time of change, a group of young men formed an intense esprit de corps, the like of which will never be seen again. They were the Fighter Boys, charged with the immense responsibility of saving Britain, and determined to live life at its fullest whilst doing so.
Fighter Command, the second song on Gathering Speed begins by exploring the culture created by the pilots during the summer of 1940, particularly the dichotomy between the two parts of their lives, the kill or be killed, fighting, and waiting- to-fight hours of the day, and the alcohol-fuelled partying of the evenings and nights. In the closing sections of Fighter Command, the viewpoint changes to that of the family of Pilot, the unnamed Fighter Boy who falls out of the sky, and whose story begins to take centre stage. The Road Much Further On continues in similar vein, exploring the viewpoint of Pilot's wife, Edith, and his parents as they come to terms with their possible loss. Sky Flying On Fire depicts similar themes to Fighter Command, but in an instrumental setting.
Pell Mell describes both the chaos and fear of a dogfight over the English Channel and, in a different time setting, the grief of Pilot's family. Powder Monkey alternates between the viewpoints of Pilot, during his fall, and Edith, as she faces a life alone. At the end of the song, Pilot meets death head on, and is no longer afraid.
The title track 'Gathering Speed' brings the song cycle to a close.
When we started work on Gathering Speed, we had no idea what the final outcome of the sessions would be. Bard more or less emptied Big Big Train's stock of album quality material, so we started with a blank canvas. The first few songs, Fighter Command, I Can't Go With You (which didn't make it on to the album) an early version of Road Much Further On and Powder Monkey were written very quickly and all explored the death of an individual and the impact on his family. Initially, the historical setting was incidental, but as I did more reading on the subject, the wider story of the Fighter Boys of 1940 became more important. Other songs and instrumentals were written around the album's themes and by February 2003, the demo for Gathering Speed was completed.
The demo and, indeed, the final album, has a more retro feel than any of our other recordings, and the progressive rock side of the band's music is at the forefront. However, there are a number of more contemporary influences in the melting pot; Gathering Speed is not an exercise in nostalgia.
During late winter and early spring 2003, Steve worked up his drum parts and these were recorded by Rob Aubrey during a two day session in May. Steve also recorded the drums for new versions of Downhilling, Lincoln Green and Kingmaker, which will be released on English Electric. Andy and Greg then worked over the summer months to improve the structure of the songs and the bass, keyboard and guitar parts. A considerable amount of additional writing was done in this period. The demo was used as a template and many parts of the demo made it onto the final album. Other parts were replaced and improved as necessary. Sean Filkins and Laura Murch then contributed their vocal and musical performances and ideas.
Mixing, by Rob Aubrey and Andy, took place in December 2003 at Rob's studio.
Gregory Spawton
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