Big Big Train are delighted to announce the re-issue of their breakthrough 2009 album The Underfall Yard. The new release will be available as 2CD and 3LP Vinyl as well as in digital formats and will be available on 25 March (CD version in Japan via Marquee) and 9 April (rest of the world via English Electric/RSK/2 CD/digital version and Plane Groovy/RSK/3 LP version).
Released in December 2009, The Underfall Yard was the first Big Big Train album with vocalist David Longdon and drummer Nick D’Virgilio as full band members, the first to feature Dave Desmond’s brass band and the first to include the guitar playing of Dave Gregory.
Alongside the remix of the original recordings, a second companion CD/third vinyl LP features 48 minutes of material, including a new 2020 studio recording of the title track, preceded by a previously unreleased brass prelude.
Also included is the Songs From The Shoreline suite, which was planned for the album’s original release in 2009. For this re-issue, in 2020 the band completely re-recorded Victorian Brickwork, which segues into Fat Billy Shouts Mine (which has to date only been available on the Far Skies, Deep Time EP).
The final track on the second disc is Brew and Burgh, a newly composed song written by BBT founder and bassist Greg Spawton specifically as a companion piece for this re-issue of the album. In addition, original album artist Jim Trainer has painted some new images for an expanded booklet.
“The Underfall Yard is where the story of the contemporary line-up of Big Big Train begins. For the re-issue we asked BBT mixing engineer Rob Aubrey to open up the original sessions and to completely remix the album so that we could make a definitive version,” explains Greg Spawton. Rob had more time and a bigger budget to work with, plus the benefit of another decade of mixing experience. His new mix has significantly improved the sound and dynamic range of the album.”
“The Underfall Yard just missed out on the vinyl revival, so for some time we have been planning for a vinyl version of this re-issue,” David Longdon adds. “We’re thrilled to have the album available on vinyl for the first time and so beautifully presented with Jim Trainer’s paintings.”
CD Disc One 1. Evening Star 2. Master James of St George 3. Victorian Brickwork 4. Last Train 5. Winchester Diver 6. The Underfall Yard
CD Disc Two 1. Songs From The Shoreline: (i) Victorian Brickwork (2020 Version) (ii) Fat Billy Shouts Mine 2. Prelude To The Underfall Yard 3. The Underfall Yard (2020 version) 4. Brew And Burgh
6th November 2020: Dyble Longdon recently released their highly acclaimed album Between A Breath And A Breath,a collaboration between iconic vocalist the late Judy Dyble (ex Fairport Convention, Trader Horne) and Big Big Train multi-instrumentalist frontman David Longdon.
Two additional Dyble Longdon tracks are also to be digitally released as free downloads via Bandcamp and streaming services.Crossbones is released today and is available at https://dyblelongdon.bandcamp.com/track/crossbones.The Daguerreotype will be available from 11th December 2020. Listeners will be invited to make a donation for these tracks to Judy’s favoured charity, the Barley Greyhound Sanctuary http://www.barleykennels.co.uk/
“Judy and I set out to make a vinyl length album. Happily we ended up with more material than we needed,” David explains. “The seven songs that we ultimately selected for the album were all intensely personal lyrics for Judy. By contrast Crossbones and The Daguerreotype are outliers thematically. Judy and I were equally proud of them in their own right and agreed before her death that they needed to be heard, hence the digital releases today and in December.”
“I had discussion with my good friend, Jackie Morris, a writer of enchanting words and an illustrative artist of exquisite paintings, about where magic happens. She gave me the title and the rest of the song came from wherever words hang about and wait to find their new home…’Between a breath and a breath is where the magic lies.’” These are the words of the late Judy Dyble, talking about the album’s title track.
There is indeed a magic in this marriage of musical generations. Judy Dyble was part of the original line-up of folk rock legends Fairport Convention in 1967, before turning her back on the music business, while over 40 years later David Longdon’s arrival changed the fortunes of Big Big Train, now one of the leading names in the rock genre.
There is also a deep poignancy. The songs were written, Dyble’s words and Longdon’s music, before Judy was diagnosed with cancer, an illness borne with great courage to see the project through. Her death, in July of this year, has added a sad note to an artistic triumph with Judy’s performances possibly the finest of her career.
“(Judy’s) cool, clear vocals and his richer tones, combine beautifully in inspired arrangements.” Mojo – Mike Barnes
The album contains seven original compositions with all lyrics by Judy Dyble and music by David Longdon. The songs are, at times, haunting and, at others, beautifully fragile.
This collaboration with David Longdon is something Judy Dyble had hoped for for some time. “I first heard David sing with Big Big Train at King’s Place in 2015 and immediately decided that I really wanted to sing with him someday. And here we are with a collaborative album, which I think is wonderful!” she said.
David Longdon reflected: “Judy and I became friends during the writing and making of this album. Along the way, there was much laughter and joy – but also challenging moments. She was a woman of a certain age and she wrote articulately and unflinchingly about the autumn phase of her life.”
“She dealt with her illness with incredible courage and fortitude. She suspected this album was her swan song and she gave it her all. Judy reassured me that she’d had a great life. Which indeed she did. And I miss her greatly.”
“Between them David andJudy have gifted us with a graceful poignant and touching record that is a fine testimonial to the unique gentle talent of Judy Dyble and one that is brought to life by the great skills of David Longdon, the members of Big Big Train and a few others. This is an album that you must listen to or you miss it at your peril.” Progradar – John Wenlock-Smith
Between A Breath And A Breath was recorded at Real World Studios in Wiltshire and Playpen Studios in Bristol. The album was produced by David Longdon and mixed by Patrick Phillips (Elbow, Kate Bush and Sir Paul McCartney). The artwork for the album is by Sarah Ewing.
Track listing for Between A Breath And A Breath – vinyl and CD versions:
1. Astrologers
2. Obedience
3. Tidying Away The Pieces
4. Between A Breath And A Breath
5. France
6. Whisper
7. Heartwashing
Judy Dyble (vocals, autoharp) and David Longdon (vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin, piano and keyboards) are joined by Jeff Davenport (Jade Warrior, drums) and Longdon’s Big Big Train bandmates Danny Manners (double bass), Rikard Sjöblom (accordion), Rachel Hall (violin), Greg Spawton (12 strong electric guitar, bass guitar and Moog Taurus pedals) and Nick D’Virgili (drums). Other featured musicians are Dave Gregory (ex-Big Big Train and XTC, guitar), Andy Lewis (Paul Weller, bass guitar), Luca Calabrese (Isildurs Bane, trumpet), Dave Sturt (Gong and Steve Hillage, fretless bass).
About Judy Dyble
Judy Dyble intended to be a librarian but got side tracked into joining with many bands in their infancy, and became one of the pioneers of the English folk-rock scene in the sixties, most notably as a founding member of Fairport Convention and vocalist with cult band Trader Horne.
Judy largely withdrew from the music scene in the early seventies to concentrate on her family and business interests before being invited back to the Fairport fold in 1997 for the 30th anniversary reunion at Cropredy. To Judy’s great relief, her worries, ahead of the event, disappeared as ‘suddenly the years fell away.’ Further anniversary appearances reassured Judy and showed that her passion for music had remained through the years and she made three albums with Marc Swordfish, of Astralasia, as she began a revival of her solo career.
This included numerous guest appearances on albums by a host of artists including, in 2017, Big Big Train, forming a close working relationship with Big Big Train’s multi-instrumentalist frontman David Longdon.
About David Longdon
David Longdon is best known as the vocalist for multiple award-winning progressive rock band Big Big Train, whom he joined in 2009. Since then David has recorded six studio albums with Big Big Train, including 2019’s Grand Tour, and has fronted the band for a series of acclaimed live shows in the UK and Germany.
Prior to joining Big Big Train, David pursued a variety of musical avenues. These included leading Nottingham based band The Gifthorse, playing within Louis Philippe’s band alongside future Big Big Train member Danny Manners, reaching the final two in the auditions to replace Phil Collins in Genesis and performing on The Old Road, 2008’s farewell album by former IQ keyboardist Martin Orford, which brought him to the attention of Big Big Train.
An accomplished producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and arranger, David has also previously released a solo album, 2004’s Wild River.
Big Big Train recently announced the release on November 27th, 2020 of Empire, a live Blu-ray film/2 CD set recorded on November 2nd, 2019 at the Hackney Empire in London. The 12 song set runs to just under 2 hours and includes material from the English Electric, Folklore, Grimspound and Grand Tour studio albums. It was directed and edited by Tim Sidwell of Toward Infinity (who has previously worked with Marillion, Status Quo, Thunder, Magnum, Lisa Stansfield and Steps), with audio mixed by BBT’s sound engineer Rob Aubrey.
Today, the band are pleased to share the video for “The Florentine” taken from the live set, which you can see here:
“When I wrote The Florentine, it was written as a song that would enable Nick to step out from behind his drum kit and join me, singing together in close harmony at the front of the stage,” David Longdon says. “BBT has several singers within the ranks and I was keen to write layered harmony vocal sections too. Here we are performing The Florentine live at the final concert of our first UK tour.”
“The Florentine is yet another reason why I just love being in Big Big Train!” Nick D’Virgilio adds. “Not only did David write a beautiful vocal that allowed me to come forwards and sing alongside him, but he also wrote a cracking second half of the song that is a total blast to play drums on – the best of both worlds in my humble opinion. We all had so much fun at the gig at the Hackney Empire and everyone in the band was on fire that night.”
Watch the previously released video for “Winkie” from Empire here:
Blu-ray 1) Novum Organum 2) Alive 3) Hedgerow 4) Theodora in Green and Gold 5) Winkie 6) The Florentine 7) Brave Captain 8) Voyager 9) Homesong 10) Wassail 11) Engines and Men 12) East Coast Racer
CD 1 1) Novum Organum 2) Alive 3) Hedgerow 4) Theodora in Green and Gold 5) Winkie 6) The Florentine 7) Brave Captain
CD 2 1) Voyager 2) Homesong 3) Wassail 4) Engines and Men 5) East Coast Racer
Unknown to the band at the time, Empire also memorialises the last Big Big Train concert to feature guitarist Dave Gregory, violinist Rachel Hall and keyboardist Danny Manners. While Dave Gregory’s departure from Big Big Train was announced in March this year, Rachel Hall and Danny Manners have also recently decided the leave the band.
“Every night of our first ever UK tour was special, but playing the Hackney Empire was particularly memorable. It is now additionally poignant as our last full show with Dave, Danny and Rachel,” BBT bassist Gregory Spawton comments. “We’re thrilled by the work that Tim Sidwell and his team and Rob Aubrey have done. We remain proud of our two previous concert films, but visually and sonically Empire represents another step forward and is a great way to mark the end of a particular era for BBT.”
“Over the three decades of the band’s existence, Big Big Train’s line-up has seen plenty of comings and goings,” Gregory Spawton continues. “We fully respect the decisions that Danny and Rachel have reached. While we will miss them personally, equally we are intrigued about how BBT will evolve further as we enter a new phase in our career. David, our drummer Nick D’Virgilio, our guitarist/keyboardist Rikard Sjöblom and I have already written a new BBT studio album and will be going into the studio later in the autumn with as a core quartet to record it. We’re aiming to release it before next summer in time for our next live shows.”
For those 2021 live shows, Big Big Train are delighted to announce that keyboardist Carly Bryant and guitarist Dave Foster will join the BBT live band, with the identity of a new violinist to be announced soon.
Following the cancellation of Big Big Train’s July 2020 UK/European tour due to the coronavirus pandemic, the following dates have been re-arranged for 2021:
Saturday 17 July – Ramblin’ Man Festival, Kent, UK Sunday 18 July – Friars, Aylesbury, UK
Following the announcement today of the cancellation of the Ramblin Man festival, Big Big Train are very sorry to confirm the cancellation of the band’s shows in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany and Italy in July due to the coronavirus.
David Longdon comments: “We have of course continued to monitor events regarding coronavirus closely in recent weeks. With the restrictions that have been entirely understandably imposed by European governments, in conjunction with the promoters of our six shows in July we have bowed to the inevitable and been forced to cancel these concerts.”
“We were hugely looking forward to all the shows, including making our debut at the legendary Friars in Aylesbury, returning to Germany and the Netherlands and playing for the first time ever in Italy,” Greg Spawton adds. “Sadly however, it is not to be in 2020. We are instead now focusing our efforts on writing and recording a new Big Big Train studio album which we plan to release next summer. We intend to return to playing live following the completion of our next album. We expect to visit all the countries that were on the schedule for 2020 as well as adding further countries to the tour and have some exciting further news about our future live plans which we will announce shortly.”
Ticket holders should contact their point of sale for concert ticket refunds. The shows affected are:
• Thursday 16 July – Friars, Aylesbury, UK • Saturday 18 July – Ramblin’ Man Festival, Kent, UK • Monday 20 July – Stadstheater, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands • Tuesday 21 July – Lichtburg, Essen, Germany • Thursday 23 July – Konzerthaus, Karlsruhe, Germany • Friday 24 July – Phenomenon, Fontaneto D’Agogna, Italy
Free membership of band’s digital fan club for July 2020 ticket holders
Big Big Train is offering July 2020 ticket holders a free 3-month membership of the band’s digital fan service called The Passengers Club. The Passengers Club contains exclusive material including unreleased demos with commentaries, behind the scenes videos, photo galleries, and blogs. Existing members of the Club whose memberships have not previously been extended will have their memberships extended free of charge by 3 months. Details can be found at www.thepassengersclub.com of how July 2020 ticket holders can obtain free membership.
We are pleased to announce a new Big Big Train compilation album which is being released on the Belle Antique label in Japan on March 25th, 2020.
The album is called Summer’s Lease and traces the story of Big Big Train from some of its earliest tracks through to the music of the contemporary line-up.
Big Big Train worked very closely with Belle Antique to make this an interesting and beautifully presented album. New cover artwork was commissioned from BBT artist Sarah Louise Ewing and the band recorded a brand new instrumental track written by Nick D’Virgilio which is exclusive to this release.
Alongside the new track, the album includes the full 30-minute song cycle called London Song which has never previously been released on CD. This version of London Song benefits from additional instrumentation which was not included in the previously released download and streaming versions of the song-cycle.
Summer’s Lease also sees the exclusive release of a brand new studio recording of Wind Distorted Pioneers. A live version of this track was performed by the band for the 2015 Stone and Steel Blu-Ray video release. However, this re-arranged version has never before been released as a studio recording.
Finally, one of the band’s earliest pieces, Expecting Snow has been updated for this album, with new keyboards replacing the keyboard parts on the original album sessions.
Tracklisting
Disc One
Expecting Snow (2.45)
Kingmaker (live at Real World studios) (10.51)
Wind Distorted Pioneers (4.38)
Summer’s Lease (live at Real World studios) (5.06)
Master James of St George (live at Real World studios) (6.23)
London Song
(i) Turner on the Thames (3.07)
(ii) London Plane (10.02)
(iii) Lost Rivers of London (6.00)
(iv) London Stone (2.04)
(v) Skylon (6.44)
(vi) Mudlarks (5.59)
Disc Two
Victorian Brickwork (13.04)
Judas Unrepentant (7.16)
East Coast Racer (15.44)
Curator of Butterflies (8.51)
Swan Hunter (6.45)
The Transit of Venus Across the Sun (7.19)
Don’t Forget the Telescope (6.01)
Brave Captain (12.55)
BBT will aim to import a supply of these CD’s for sale through Burning Shed in September 2020.
Release date in Japan: March 25, 2020
Label /Catalogue Number : Belle Antique BELLE 203282-3
Format: 2 SHM-CDs with paper sleeve
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