For the first two months of release, Far Skies will only be available to people who are on our mailing list. If you've bought a CD directly from us in the past, you should be on the list. If you would like to join our mailing list (or check that you are on it) please send an email to news@bigbigtrain.com or use the form on the free download page.
An email with details on how to purchase the EP will be sent close to the release date.
The EP features 41 minutes of new music with the following track listing:
Master of Time is a cover of an Anthony Phillips song. Anthony and Mike Rutherford had originally planned to record Master of Time for inclusion on one of our favourite albums, The Geese and the Ghost, but ran out of time during the album sessions. A demo of the song appeared on the recent re-issue of The Geese and the Ghost. We thought it was a beautiful song which deserved a full band treatment and so decided to record our first ever cover. Ant has heard the BBT version of Master of Time and has given us his blessing and we do hope that we've done the song full justice.
Fat Billy Shouts Mine was originally part of a suite of music for The Underfall Yard album. We didn't get chance to finish recording the song in time for the album and so are pleased to be able to release it as part of the Far Skies EP.
British Racing Green and Brambling feature a lot of music within concise arrangements. We are very proud of these two songs which are both about the final stages of (different) relationships.
The EP concludes with the 17 minute The Wide Open Sea. This is a very different epic for us, very unlike our previous songs of this sort of length. It tells the story of Jacques Brel and is, I think, one of the best things we've ever done.
The Big Big Train line-up on Far Skies is:
Andy Poole
Dave Gregory
David Longdon
Greg Spawton
Nick D'Virgilio
The EP also features Danny Manners on double bass, Jon Barry on guitar and Martin Orford on keyboards.
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'Enlisting their usual cast of prog luminaries - this time around we get Spock's Beard's Nick D'Virgilio, Frost*'s Jem Godfrey and Francis Dunnery amongst others - Big Big Train mine a rich and rewarding seam through the heart of an England gone by, conjuring up wistful tales that spring to life thanks to the boundless musicianship and Longdon's emotive delivery. Everything builds superbly to the majestic, epic title-track, a truly progressive tour-de-force that will take your breath away as it travels its course, unravelling scenes of time past in your mind's eye. Better still, it maintains its sense of melody and structure through its entire 23 minutes, making The Underfall Yard Big Big Train's finest album to date.'
Jerry Ewing, Classic Rock Presents Prog
'Six albums in, and Bournemouth's Big Big Train just keep getting better and better. With the usual array of star guests (from Spock's Beard, It Bites, Frost* etc.) and featuring new singer David Longdon, this is an Anglo-prog masterclass. Packed full of tall tales and deep laments, the brilliantly melancholic Victorian Brickwork is a standout.'
Geoff Barton, Classic Rock
'I haven't been to England in years - unless, that is, you count the trips I've taken recently while driving through California's Central Coast listening to Big Big Train's magnificent new album The Underfall Yard. Simply the most exciting and affecting prog band working today, Big Big Train managed to top 2007's tremendous The Difference Machine with this magnificent disc, full of epic tales of loss and redemption, decorated with guest shots from luminaries like Nick D'Virgilio (Spock's Beard), Jem Godfrey (Frost*), Francis Dunnery (It Bites) and Dave Gregory (XTC), and featuring stellar work by the core lineup of Greg Spawton (songwriting/guitars/keys), Andy Poole (production/bass) and newcomer David Longdon (vocals/flute).'
Rated: A and the Daily Vault's Independent Album of the Year.
Jason Warburg Daily Vault
'Big Big Train's latest release - the British outfit's sixth since 1994 - would fit neatly between A Trick of the Tail and Wind and Wuthering on any proghead's playlist. Most tracks hit the nexus of solid songcraft, inspired vocals, intricate acoustic fretwork and classical keyboard lines that defined Genesis in the years immediately following Peter Gabriel's departure. The 23-minute title track showcases this assemblages impressive talents, recalling the epic sweep and grandeur of Supper's Ready. In short, The Underfall Yard delivers the kind of music Phil Collins and Co. might have made had they remained true to their prog roots.'
Score 16 out of 16
Nick Tate, Progression
'Big Big Train use some instruments you very rarely hear on progressive rock albums like French horn, cello, trombone, tuba and cornet. These somehow curious instruments give the music of BBT a new dimension. Sometimes it seems as if a brass band plays along with the band, but it fits the music very well. What I like most on this album are the influences of early Yes and Genesis. The Mellotron is partly responsible for this retro sound. The guitar and bass parts sound as a treat for everyone who likes the way Steve Howe and Chris Squire play their instruments. The additional solos played by Jem Godfrey (Frost*) and Francis Dunnery (ex-It Bites) on synthesizer and electric guitar lift the music to a higher lever, but even without their contribution, this album would still be one of the musical highlights of 2009.'
Henri Strik, Background Magazine
'This really is a monster of an album. Music, lyrics and the beautiful artwork of Jim Trainer fit together perfectly making The Underfall Yard IMHO by far the best album released this year. The songs are very strong, the musicianship is excellent and the lyrics are beautiful. I would not be surprised at all if in, let's say, ten years from now The Underfall Yard is considered to be one of the classic albums in prog's history. It's an absolute masterpiece.'
Score 10 out of 10
Leo Koperdraat, Dutch Progressive Rock Pages
'With this album, Big Big Train album have made it into the big league of progressive rock. The "Underfall Yard" is undoubtedly one of the best albums of its kind in 2009.'
Music in Belgium
'Big Big Train are the new star in the sky.'
Babyblaue Seiten, Germany
'To my ears, Big Big Train has released something that challenges my favourite release (Astra's The Weirding) for prog album of the year. If you're a fan of mid seventies Genesis, and appreciate the more symphonic side of neo Prog where virtuoso instrumentation is present, but never usurping sweet melody and excellent song craftsmanship, then this album is for you.'
Progressive World
'Time will tell if The Underfall Yard remains in my unofficial top 10 albums of all time list. For now, I can't help myself thinking of the best songs on A Trick of the Tail ("Entangled","Mad Man Moon"...) when I listen to this CD. Certainly my best album of 2009, and there has been many good ones (Porcupine Tree, Steve Hackett, IQ...). My highest recommendation indeed.'
Prognosis
Here is the album of symphonic prog you have been yearning for: BIG BIG TRAIN have released their 6th album - an opus whose quality is breathtaking.
5 stars out of 5
Highlands Magazine
'With David Longdon on vocals and a brass band in tow, Big Big Train have upped their game to the point where even Transatlantic's latest offering seems merely paltry and overblown in comparison. Vocals, arrangement, rhythm, concept - everything is nailed on 'The Underfall Yard' over the course of six tracks.'
Progarchives
'In what has been a marvellous year for progressive music, The Underfall Yard, can justifiably claim the crown of progressive album of 2009. From the bold vocal harmonies that introduce the opening track Evening Star to the fading sitar and piano that close the album, Big Big Train take the listener on a hugely enjoyable journey. They maintain an astonishingly high standard of composition throughout the album and I find it difficult to place one track above the others. Many will focus on the epic title track but it would be impossible to remove one track and not feel the whole album would be the weaker for its loss. Particular mention must be made of the addition of David Longdon on vocals. His wonderful vocal arrangements have taken the band to another level. Greg Spawton's interweaving and layering of musical and lyrical themes add subtlety and beauty to an album that, although impressive on the first few spins, rewards the listener time and again on subsequent visits. Quite honestly, Big Big Train have made a five star progressive masterpiece.'
Progarchives
'The six songs range from five minutes to twenty-five minutes and each offers a unique portrait of English life in the country.ÊThe opening track, "Evening Star", is an instrumental and perfectly sets the mood; "Master James of St. George" follows with sparse lyrics, but delicate vocals from David Longdon. "Victorian Brickwork" has the band beautifully augmented with cornet, trombone, tuba and cello. "Last Train" sees the band revisiting lyrical themes from their first release and "Winchester Diver" is perhaps the most wistful on the album.Ê Bringing things to a close in a grand fashion is the epic title track (named for a historic port in Bristol). The Underfall Yard gets my highest recommendation.'
USA Progressive Music
'In terms of the theme and approach you can draw comparisons to the Genesis album Selling England By The Pound, but that would only be part of the story. The whole appeal of the album is its freshness and conviction. There are post-rock elements exemplarised by opener Evening Star which although fairly abstract, introduces one to some of the themes of the album, notably the exquisite use of brass instruments. Nowhere is this more justified than the closing section of Victorian Brickwork. It must have been revelationary when this came together in the studio, the mellotron and trumpet passage augmented by guitar solo is one of those moments that sends the hairs on your neck into spasm.
To round things off is the title track, a modern classic, a 22 minute masterpiece. I can't recommend this album highly enough. it should become part of any self respecting music collection.
Rating: 5/5'
Strummerlive.net
'The Underfall Yard' is the astonishing sixth album from independent progressive rock band Big Big Train. It will be released through English Electric Recordings on 15th December 2009 and follows on from their highly acclaimed 'The Difference Machine' album (2007).
'The Underfall Yard' contains the band's most ambitious and finely-crafted songs to date and is the first to feature new singer David Longdon.
Once again the band are joined on drums by Nick D'Virgilio (Spock's Beard, Tears For Fears, Genesis) and new passengers on this particular journey include Dave Gregory (XTC, Peter Gabriel), Francis Dunnery (It Bites) and Jem Godfrey (Frost*). The album was mixed by Rob Aubrey (IQ, Transatlantic, Asia)
In recent years Big Big Train have released a number of critically lauded albums, quietly building a dedicated following for their unique style of progressive rock. Big Big Train are a truly progressive band, creating new music which looks towards the horizon. 'The Underfall Yard' is their emotionally charged masterpiece, packed with dramatic, anthemic passages and heart stopping moments.
You can read more in the
Underfall Yard Info Sheet (PDF)
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