Classic Rock Album of the Day- Big Country- The Crossing (1983) *** 1/2
This somewhat obscure work will likely not tickle some fancies, but in my case, I think my Scottish ancestry leads me to enjoy this work more than others. Honestly, before looking up some research details on this band, I wouldn't have been able to cite even one single member of this band. But this particular group, who pretty much were a one hit album wonder did a really good job on this one.
That Scottish aura is qlaringly evident in that they had the ability to innovatively sear their dual wailed guitar sounds to almost come across as bagpipes. I have had day dreams of playing some of these songs from this album at Flodden Field with headphones and soaking in the feeling of knowing 100's of my ancestors died at that site over 500 years ago.
I wouldn't say there is anything spectacular musically with this band or album. but they put together a really good album, very much worth a listen that had traditional folk Scottish licks that was a nice respite from synth laden stuff that we were being fed in the mid '80's.
Fun Fact: Remember MTV hyping this band as the new Scottish U2. Didn't quite pan out that way.
Side 1-
-----------
In a Big 'Country- Very solid opening tune. Well sung, very traditional with first taste of screaming pipes. The hit, and the video we all remember during the day too. 4
Inwards- Less than stellar number in the mode of the wuss UK bands of the time. Too bad they had to do their Tears for Fears thing. 10
Chance- Beautifully done ballad, and terribly overlooked song from this album. My actual favorite on the LP, as it is done in such a heartfelt manner, and the ending has such powerful beautiful chordal runs that really are like icing on the cake. There are not many examples where one like this one is no. 1 for me, but this is the rare one. 1
1000 Stars- Guys try to flex their guitar muscles a bit, but candidly this is not in their wheel house. 8
The Storm- Scottish traditional folk fare that is pretty good, and a nice closing to side 1- 5
Side 2-
--------------
Harvest Home- Fantastic wailing pipe like guitars highlight an astonishing use of 1/3's in their melodic lines. Not too shabby at all. Very traditional fare, that has that great Scottish feel to it. 2
Lost patrol- No this one wasn't about 1513 Flodden, but the boys did give homage with a song about the 1745 Jacobite rebellion, which was pretty much the last hurrah of any potential Scottish nationalism. Love historical songs, (yeah love some early '60's Johnny Horton)but they muddle it so badly it is hard to understand. I give it extra points alone though for intent -6
Close Action- This one has some nice guitar work. Decent for sure- 7
Fields of Fire- Another pipe ridden rocker that is excellent. Almost comes across as a battle song, that comes with bonus of simulated cannon fire, and hell I an almost see the Dragoons rushing in bayonets up. Hell Yeah!!!! 3
Porrohman- hard rocking ending number that works on a fair basis. Song seems out of place stylistically, in almost filler fashion. 9
This somewhat obscure work will likely not tickle some fancies, but in my case, I think my Scottish ancestry leads me to enjoy this work more than others. Honestly, before looking up some research details on this band, I wouldn't have been able to cite even one single member of this band. But this particular group, who pretty much were a one hit album wonder did a really good job on this one.
That Scottish aura is qlaringly evident in that they had the ability to innovatively sear their dual wailed guitar sounds to almost come across as bagpipes. I have had day dreams of playing some of these songs from this album at Flodden Field with headphones and soaking in the feeling of knowing 100's of my ancestors died at that site over 500 years ago.
I wouldn't say there is anything spectacular musically with this band or album. but they put together a really good album, very much worth a listen that had traditional folk Scottish licks that was a nice respite from synth laden stuff that we were being fed in the mid '80's.
Fun Fact: Remember MTV hyping this band as the new Scottish U2. Didn't quite pan out that way.
Side 1-
-----------
In a Big 'Country- Very solid opening tune. Well sung, very traditional with first taste of screaming pipes. The hit, and the video we all remember during the day too. 4
Inwards- Less than stellar number in the mode of the wuss UK bands of the time. Too bad they had to do their Tears for Fears thing. 10
Chance- Beautifully done ballad, and terribly overlooked song from this album. My actual favorite on the LP, as it is done in such a heartfelt manner, and the ending has such powerful beautiful chordal runs that really are like icing on the cake. There are not many examples where one like this one is no. 1 for me, but this is the rare one. 1
1000 Stars- Guys try to flex their guitar muscles a bit, but candidly this is not in their wheel house. 8
The Storm- Scottish traditional folk fare that is pretty good, and a nice closing to side 1- 5
Side 2-
--------------
Harvest Home- Fantastic wailing pipe like guitars highlight an astonishing use of 1/3's in their melodic lines. Not too shabby at all. Very traditional fare, that has that great Scottish feel to it. 2
Lost patrol- No this one wasn't about 1513 Flodden, but the boys did give homage with a song about the 1745 Jacobite rebellion, which was pretty much the last hurrah of any potential Scottish nationalism. Love historical songs, (yeah love some early '60's Johnny Horton)but they muddle it so badly it is hard to understand. I give it extra points alone though for intent -6
Close Action- This one has some nice guitar work. Decent for sure- 7
Fields of Fire- Another pipe ridden rocker that is excellent. Almost comes across as a battle song, that comes with bonus of simulated cannon fire, and hell I an almost see the Dragoons rushing in bayonets up. Hell Yeah!!!! 3
Porrohman- hard rocking ending number that works on a fair basis. Song seems out of place stylistically, in almost filler fashion. 9
