Big Big Train - "East Coast Racer". Guaranteed goosebumps!

Big Big Train are one of the best kept secrets of modern prog. They have a uniquely "British" sound despite having a very cosmopolitan line-up. Great band especially the later work with the amazing vocals of Dave Longden (he's the flautist too). Great song choice.

Greg Spawton of Big Big Train says this about his song London Plane. "I have written a few songs with a London theme in recent years so I began to think how a song about a tree named after the city might work. I decided that I would use a single tree as a ‘witness’ to the history of London over the last few hundred years."

A lot of BBT songs are story songs inspired by historical subjects. One of their best songs is East Coast Racer about the fastest steam train ever built and especially about the men who built and ran them. Actually recently the fans of the band, called Passengers, helped out by raising money for a proper grave monument for one of the train drivers on that historic speed record ride.

What you need now is King Crimson, 1969. Big Big Train has heard them. Wink wink. Big Big YES too.

@cometogether999

3 жыл бұрын

"In the Court of the Crimson King" would be great.

@dogtownczar

3 жыл бұрын

@@cometogether999 Or even "Epitaph"

His voice reminds me of Peter Gabriel i liked this alot

@jeffmpvd7689

3 жыл бұрын

If someone told me it was PG I would have believed it.

Try Underfall Yard!

@richardthresh3587

3 жыл бұрын

Especially the recently released re-issue

Cool reaction. Big Big Train's drummer since around 2009 is Nick D'Virgilio (NDV). NDV was the original drummer for Spock's Beard and their 2nd lead singer after Neal Morse left. NDV has a great voice, but I believe he only drums in Big Big Train. I know your lives are very busy, but when you have more time please hit any of the songs I emailed: Neal Morse Band, Spock's Beard, Transatlantic, Flying Colors, Sons of Apollo. Thank you and keep rockin'!!! --Dennis

@joanbounacos8958

3 жыл бұрын

Dennis, he does sing in BBT! And he is one hell of a drummer. I love his opening bit on Judas Unrepentant live- So playful! kzread.info/dash/bejne/oJOdj9eqd7Hgl7g.html

@dennismoore3383

3 жыл бұрын

@@joanbounacos8958 Awesome! Thank you. I very much enjoy NDV's singing in Spock's Beard. Some of his solo stuff, as well.

@sidecardog5244

3 жыл бұрын

I recently discovered TransAtlantic. The Whirlwind blew me away:). Kaleidoscope and Bridge Across Forever are also excellent.

@irena7777777

3 жыл бұрын

NDV is brilliant. Has skill and musicality in abundance

David Longdon auditioned to front Genesis years ago, but Phil Collins decided to continue. I definitely recommend "Judas Unrepentant!"

@ChrisEchoes

3 жыл бұрын

Incorrect. David auditioned for doing vocals on the Calling All Stations album but eventually it was Ray Wilson who got the job.

@mprofo.indogwetrust

2 жыл бұрын

Drummer Nick D'Virgilio played on Calling All Stations. He's now in Big Big Train.

Never heard of them before. It was a-ma-zing! Lush and beautiful. I just closed my eyes and went on the ride, except for the times I checked for your facial expressions to certain bits. I see another song by big Big Train in the side bar, titled "The Transit of Venus Across the Sun", and tho I could wait for you review some day I feel tthe need to watch it now. See ya!

Absolutely gorgeous song. The uptempo part, to me, represented the modern world encroaching on the pastoral. “Time and tide wait for no man” As a huge Spock’s Beard fan, I love Nick D’Virgilo’s drumming with BBT. He sang lead vocals when Neal Morse left Spock’s Beard. My two favorite songs from the second era of SB are Ghosts of Autumn and A Perfect Day. Recommend Walking on the Wind or The Doorway from the NealMorse era. Also check out TransAtlantic (the opening Overture to The Whirlwind is sublime).

Dave Gregory of XTC on guitar. I love Big Big Train!!! Great band!!!

Time to go back to this excellent band and EAST COASTER RACER live

Well NOW you're famous ... you've been mentioned in the Big Big Train Facebook Group

@NicknLex

3 жыл бұрын

WOW that's an honor we never thought we'd get!! Thank you for letting us know! :)

@richardthresh3587

3 жыл бұрын

@@NicknLex You're welcome - I tagged you in the thread.

@PaulHilburger

3 жыл бұрын

Yep I posted it there. They like you guys.

Nice but not where I would start. Victorian Brickwork, East Coast Racer, Kingmaker, Judas Unrepentant and Voyager might be better. Still, really glad you’re including them in your reviews. This is probably one of my most favourite bands at the moment. At any given time, as many as six of them can be singing so the vocals are always great. Keep enjoying this band.

Love these guys ! Really a bunch of sharp skilled musicians ! David Longdon has one of the most beautiful voices of the prog scene. Nick D'Virgilio ex Spock's Beard and played with Genesis on drums, Dave Gregory on guitar ex XTC and played with Peter Gabriel, Steve Hogarth and so on and over all Rob Aubrey for the mix and mastering who works with IQ, Jadis etc... What else for having good music uh ?

I’ve only heard “Underfall Yard” by them. Brilliant. Title cut & “Victorian Brickwork”. Gave me Emerson Lake & Palmer, King Crimson, even Floyd vibes. This is sweet. Definitely warrants more listens. That’s what’s great about this channel. Cheers.

@richardthresh3587

3 жыл бұрын

The Underfall Yard has just been reissued, the new mix/remaster is even better

@michelemichele3375

3 жыл бұрын

@@richardthresh3587 Thanks so much! I read about the re-issue, but haven’t listened yet. Friends in music 🎶🤪

Nice and very honest reaction to one of my favourite Big Big Train songs!!! Thanks guys! And as Richard Thresh says, you are getting some well deserved kudos in the Big Big Train Facebook forum (8000+ members and growing)... Keep up the good work!! :)

Hi from the Argentine, id like to much Big Big Train band, for me is one the Big Big Band in this pandemic time, they has flow the time on the other directions . they remind me the best Progresive bands on the decade of the seventies . A deep hug from the south.

I love it a song from perspective of a tree…..we are amazing as humans

anything from the King Crimson‘Discipline’ album

Loving this! Have to track down more of this band. Interesting early Genesis vibe at the beginning esp. with flute like Gabriel played, then vocalist reminds me of later era PG vocals. BTW, nice job Lex & Nick picking spots to stop & share your impressions!

There is a totally epic song by them called The Underfall yard which is 23 minutes long and it's wonderful

I Highly recommend “English Electric: Full Power “, from 2013; which encorperates the previous two albums, English Electric, parts 1 & 2

Need more Big Big Train reactions

Hey guys - love the channel, and just thoroughly enjoyed watching this reaction! It's so fun seeing how much you're both resonating with the unique sounds and superb craftsmanship that's the hallmark of BBT. As perfect an introduction as London Plane is (in fact it's what I usually use to introduce new people to the band), you will be absolutely blown away by what they do in East Coast Racer! And if you watch a live video (I'd suggest the version off Reflectors of Light, but you can't miss), you'll also see how amazingly tight they are live. Cheers guys!!

@NicknLex

Жыл бұрын

Hi! Thanks for your support! Glad you enjoyed :) - Lex

The first album from BBT i bought was English Electric part 1. I was hooked. This album and part 2 are absolutely brilliant. All the songs on these albums are great. BBT epic song is The Underfall Yard. This song is a must to hear!! Keep up the good work guys!

I am a resent fan to this group and I can tell you, if you listen to other recordings by this group, you agree in for a treat. I fell in love with Grand Tour, playing it over and over while working from home. An then I explored more. I am so happy my son signed me up for the stream, but I still had a vinyl copy of Tour shipped from Europe. Enjoy guys.

@blackasthesky

3 жыл бұрын

This is first group I would consider myself a real fan of. First thing I knew if them was Folklore I believe, my brother said I should check it out. I thought "cool song" and forgot. And then my brother asked me that I think of the *album*. I realized I need to listen to the whole album to be able to answer, so I did and I absolutely loved it! Then I discovered all the other albums and especially fell in love with "Grimspound".

@alexhamilton4084

3 жыл бұрын

Recent

This song sounds like it could be a Peter Gabriel era Genesis song. I like the atmospheric music to go with the ethereal lyrics.

Excellent band! One of my favorites of recent years. I would suggest Last Train, Meadowlands, The Florentine and Brave Captain.

Prog has gotten a second life since the early 2000´s and is still going strong. The 70s were great, the 80s and 90s slacked (though they were great where metal is concerned) and now it´s back in full glory. There are countless of amazing prog bands in all genres nowadays even rivalling the 70s to an extent. Yes, much of it is build on the music of the 70s, but how could it not be?

I agree with David Barker. Voyager, East coast racer, both have epic endings,then Brave Captain. Recent live versions are amazing. All these songs are great for Victorian English history. We all dream of meeting in the Meade house at winter. How about Pastoral prog?

Sadly the lead singer David longdon died tragically at the backend of last year, he was multi talented, what a loss😢

I'm getting a Peter Gabrie/l Genesis vibe. Really nice. I would buy this.

@Paddyjack

3 жыл бұрын

Marillion also

RIP David Longdon. Desperately sad news.

One of the best drummers ever. Nick DVirgilio

Thank you both! The song gives me the feeling of someone leaving their home town by plane (the fast section in the middle), flying to another city, touching down with the longing yet comfort of ones home town's pace and life style.

Further note since I started listening to BBT I have had to google search so much stuff just from this song alone, muslarks, Sky-Lon, The Alice , William turner I mean it’s just an amazing band

Discovering music IS awesome, so thank you for this video! I've been into this band for a while, so seeing your reactions to a treasured song was great, even brought tears to my eyes. BBT has been around since the beginning of the 90s- A lot of great music to devour, but a bit different since 2009 when David Longdon (the guy you heard in this song) became vocalist and songwriter. Since then, I've felt BBT is a lot like watching the Discovery Channel accompanied by great music (and I, like a big history nerd loved the Discovery Channel!) since they have a lot of songs about actual, real world historical events. If you delve any deeper, as I suspect you might, be sure to check out Brave Captain, about a WWI fighter pilot. Made me cry when I saw them live. Also Last Train is very poignant... a beautiful song about something as mundane as the life of a train station master! Victorian Brickwork is another gem.. Really, just start with The Underfall Yard from 2009 and move forward from there. If you loved this song about a tree in London, you're in for a treat

You can say that Big Big Train is musical and say everything.

BBT also includes Dave Greggory from XTC. Saw them in Germany at the Night Of The Prog festival. Excellent band.

If you wish to start chronologically the beginning of your journey should take in The Underfall Yard album and then move on. If you want to dip in to some great tracks East Coast Racer and Kingmaker( watch live you tube clips which will help identify band members and sounds) Good luck in joining fellow Passengers( the name for Big Big Train fans) and thank you for reviewing my favourite band and enjoying it so much.

@richardthresh3587

3 жыл бұрын

I'd go further back and include 'The Difference Machine'

3 жыл бұрын

@@richardthresh3587 Same here! :D

@johncassidy3071

2 жыл бұрын

@@richardthresh3587 there you go. And don't forget to include Far Skies and Deep Time EP. Longdon (RIP) is monumental on Wide Open Sea.

I saw them in London (2019) and it was AMAZING. Sadly David Longdon passed away last november, died in a stupid domestic accident.

Very happy that Apple suggested this to me. Such a great band. Leaving a comment here because their comments are turned off.

WoW! Beautiful spacing and layering in this recording (flute, xylophone, cello...). Wonderful composition and mixing. Love this. ThX again for exposing me to new musicians. P.S. His voice is rich like Peter Gabriel. Your channel is so c👀L for these choices and your smiles. 🙂 Take care. 🍁

Big Big Train has a lot of variation in their songs, but also between their songs. Try "Make some noise" and/or "The boy in Darkness"

any Big Wreck

I heard a Genesis and Jethro Tull vibe. Great song. Thanks for giving me another great band to discover. I keep coming back to see her beautiful smiling face. 😊 You guys should check out the "visions" album by Haken. "The first chapter" album by Circus Maximus. And the "heavenly ecstasy" album by Pagans Mind

Lots of great comments covering pretty much everything I had. A quintessentially English band, which I love about BBT :)

Try Stagnation By Genesis that who this band reminds of i am gonna check out this band thanks

I just got turned onto them yesterday. Thanks for my 2nd listen.

I’ve never heard anything by Big Big Train before but this song reminds me of Anekdoten. I’m loving the music, the instruments, the voice (bit like Gabriel) but I don’t care much for the lyrics. I will definitely listen to more by this band. 👍🏻

I would suggest East Coast Racer, Judas Unrepentant or Hedgerow by Big Big Train. Oh and Uncle Jack, and Folklore. So many great tracks by BBT.

Big Big Train has Dave Gregory of XTC on guitar-and XTC is another must hear band for you guys. Try Garden Of Earthly Delights from Oranges and Lemons. You won’t be disappointed. Or you could Listen to The Disappointed, from Nonesuch.

This is the best new-ish band I've heard in a long time. I love this group. Try these songs by them: Victorian Brickwork, Telling the Bees, Hedgerow.

Wow, sound like Genesis much? I'm not mad at it, though. I'll have to look into this band more. Thanks for the intro.

New to this great channel. Loving it!!! If you get a chance listen to Homesick by Airbag. Very Floydy and you will make this fan from Australia very happy. All the best Philip

Please react to A Speedy Recovery by Big Wreck. It's a beautiful piece of prog rock music.

@dogtownczar

3 жыл бұрын

Just love that tune ... ,and well also "Skybunk Marche' "

Great review. I am an occasional Passenger, having both English Electric albums. Can't wait to see them live. Another commenter mentioned IO Earth. I second that, and would add Moon Safari. Their song Constant Bloom is 5 part acapella and very short but very sweet. It's their encore piece. Another great modern prog band out of Quebec is Mystery. Their suite Through Different Eyes from One Among the Living is spine tingling. Prog lives! Carry on.

For a prolonged intro, check out the "London Plane Sequence".

The full 25 minute London Sequence is one of the truly great pieces of music recorded in the last 50 years. The whole Folklore album is a masterpiece (especially the vinyl version, which has Mudlarks and Lost Rivers of London added after London Plane).

Hey Nick what are sum of the modern prog bands you listen to? And love the videos as always guys! 🖤🖤🖤🖤 Gracias!!!

David London the vocalist also plays flute and keys

You should do a reaction video to the english band IOearth and the track waterfall from the album Aura

Greetings fron Norway! Greatchoice! They are big fans of the Classic Gabriel genesis period!

Excellent! I just discovered this band. I think the band is a bit similar to a modern day Genesis, back in their Peter Gabriel era.

Love your channel! Thanks for doing this song. BBT is my favourite band and I am hoping you will become fans too. They are absolute masters of their craft! Please review East Coast Racer and The Underfall Yard by the band. Both major epics. Brave Captain another great song. No duds on any of their albums!

Drummer NDV actually played with Genesis

Saw them live in 2019, they had 13 players on-stage, including a 5-piece brass band. My favourite track of theirs is Swan Hunter (It's NOT about hunting swans) . Live album Merchants of Light is a good place to check out some of their most popular songs. Opening track(s) Folklore Overture/Folklore shows their folky side. Planning to see them again in 2022. B^)

They just put out Welcome To The Planet. Completed just before David Passed.

Try Curator of Butterflies...... Same band.

Wow!! Loved this. More please!! I am not a pateeon subscriber though

Can i also suggest a reaction to the band Spock's Beard track 'the slow crash landing man

Can you guys do east coast racer that is BBTs epic and simply amazing

I know the band but not this song, how wonderful! i waiting reaction nick Unitopia and Southern Empire! please

They're clearly influenced by Genesis and that's not a bad thing at all.

BBT are such a great band - there are so many songs to recommend. Just dip in almost anywhere, Grimspound is one of my favourite albums, Almost any track from that album. On a different subject, you really should try reacting to 'Supper's ready' by Genesis

Another excellent album by them is "Gathering Speed"!

@johncassidy3071

2 жыл бұрын

Filkins Era. I fell in love with Difference Machine

MUY BUENO AMIGOS ABRAZO DESDE ARGENTINA

You need to react to BBT's theunderfall yard. One of the best tracks considering all their albums.

Thanks for reacting to BBT! Pretty sweet huh? They are without a doubt one of the top newer generation of progressive bands on the scene today. I had plans to see them twice in 2020 here in the USA. Unfortunately the virus had other plans for 2020 as we all know. They have never toured the US. Let's hope they can someday. I would like to recommend their song Uncle Jack from English Electric 1. kzread.info/dash/bejne/X6RhqK-TmdCsmbA.html or Judas Unrepentant kzread.info/dash/bejne/oJOdj9eqd7Hgl7g.html

Please revisit this band EAST COAST RACER their masterpiece - UNDERFALL YARD recently remastered encapsulates them best. New album out now COMMON GROUND (not their best as 3 members left and I think if it as a transitional album)

If your in the mood for an eighties instrumental co written by Jan Hammer and Tony Hymas, take a listen to "You Know We Know" by Jeff Beck on his 1985 album Flash.

I know a couple of Big,Big Train songs, but never heard the similarity in singing to Peter Gabriel as in this song. It's nice, but never made it to my personal 1. league. You mentioned several bands, I want to add another: have you ever heard of Flower Kings from Sweden ... another great prog band

I like NicknLex reacts. Please listen Gentle Giant (his last voyage or Mr. class and quality three + three friends)

You should try some BLACK SABBATH ( SYMPTOM OF THE UNIVERSE )

Genesis - Firth Of Fifth

I'd not say it's neo prog. It's quite the opposite, it's vintage prog.