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"The Underfall Yard" CD finally arrived.
I've been in love with this album for over a year, (since
I was first presented with the original demos - I was invited
to submit artwork for the project) and the finished article
lives up to all my expectations. I'm amazed how much it
has changed from the initial recordings, and despite all
the added layers and complexity the album still feels very
fresh and organic.***
(Greg Spawton) (the main songwriter) and the band have
always produced music which is forceful, complex and profoundly
moving. In their exploration of love, departure, redemption
and suffering they have confronted some of the most compelling
themes to challenge the human spirit. The depth of their
expression, their submerged narrative, has never been more
coherent than in the group of songs presented here on "The
Underfall Yard".***
The playing is of the highest standard from Greg, Andy,
and Nick D'Virgilio (who plays drums throughout this time).
This is the first album to feature new vocalist David Longdon.
David turns in a truly inspired performance, and creates
some dazzling vocal arrangements. Guest musicians Francis
Dunnery, Jem Godfrey and Dave Gregory add additional colour,
and virtuosity as you would expect. It really is a wonderful
album! I was particularly impressed by Dave Gregory (who
features on all but one of the songs) - his playing really
shines.***
The CD opens with an instrumental track "Evening
Star". The song provides an excellent introduction
to the album's musical themes and indeed to the band itself.
David's vocals introduce the track, followed in turn by
each contributor. As the instrumental closes we are first
introduced to the "(12) stones" brass band. The use of brass
gives a real emotional kick to the album. It's presence
in the introduction helps set the stage for the songs which
follow, which have a rich historical feel. The 12 stones
theme is reprised in the closing sections of the album in
the epic title track The Underfall Yard.***
Greg explores the relationship with his father in the
second track "Master James of St George" (but
you'd be hard pushed to establish this from the lyrics).
Here the vocal arrangements of David Longdon take center
stage, and his impassioned delivery set the scene for track
three, the second song based on Greg's estranged relationship
with his father. "Victorian Brickwork" is a song
of profound beauty. Individual experience is reflected in
the lyrics which review emotional loss and regret. The track
features some extraordinary vocals and guitar work. In fact,
this song has everything, I can't even begin to describe
it - the whole piece is so special ? there are too many
highlights to list and the closing section is simply awesome.***
There are common themes which run through many of the
songs. Greg's lyrics question our history and our past and
how these events may effects our lives. As a historian Greg
brings to life the spirit of man as we travel through the
industrial heritage of Britain. His practice of crafting
his lyrics around a familiar story is the anchor which connects
his songs to history, but the approach is always from the
human aspect, considering the extraordinary nature of ordinary
people. There is a strong sense of time and place, the use
of carefully crafted music help place us alongside the characters
depicted in the songs, and David's voice brings it all to
life.***
(Track 4), "The Last Train" tells of the devotion
of a station master in the last days of Hurn station. Greg
was inspired by a local newspaper story which said Mr Delia
was "happy, if a little lonely at times". It's a woefully
song, lamenting bygone days, and describing the effects
of the closure on the station masters life. Through it we
share his pain and feel the loss of something rather special.***
This track is followed by "Winchester Diver",
which develops from an instrumental passage featuring some
marvellous flute work, which fades to deep sea diver sounds
and an eerie vocal where the song narrative relates the
loneliness of William Walker working underwater in low visibility,
toiling to save the foundations of Winchester Cathedral.
The song beautifully contrasts his life in darkness with
the rejoicing of the congregation in the Cathedral above.***
The final title track is a real prog rock epic. In
true prog rock fashion, "The Underfall Yard" is
a treasure-trove of time and mood changes, blistering solos
and recurring themes. Throughout this album there is a real
sense of time and place. Here, the lyrics explore the building
of Brunel's railway among other more personal themes. I
remember Greg describing to me that as the miners tunnelled
they were actually digging through increasingly older rock
- as if digging back in time. Perhaps this concept set the
tone for the whole album? It's not a concept album but it
feels like one. This epic track is being provided as a free
download from www.bigbigtrain.com
so you can make up your own mind.***
I'm sure it's wrong to pigeon hole the album, but it
will obviously be very special to fans of 70s progressive
rock and all that was developed from this genre. I would
highly recommend it to anyone who really loves classic rock.
David longdon is a real find - the band's website tells
that he was considered as a replacement for Phil Collins
in Genesis and these songs are evidence to his tallent.***
Again, it's been a real privilege to provide the artwork
for this project. I've always approached my work with the
band as a fan and I'm proud to be associated with this fine
album.***
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