Big Country

[David]

Remember the early '80s band from Scotland Big Country? The lead singer committed suicide, but the band recorded such exhilarating classics as "In a Big Country," "Fields of Fire," "Wonderland," "All Fall Together" & "One Great Thing."

With its two lead guitars sounding like bagpipes in perfect IVth harmony, the band helped clear the stale airwaves of English synth pop. See Steve Simels's review of "The Crossing" in Stereo Review.

[shackin'up]

How sad, I didn't even know he committed suicide. When? Recently? Years ago? This album ranks very high in my faves of the 80's. Excellent band.

[petep9000]

I remember the year that their single 'In a Big Country' broke here in the US. That year in fact, they were the opening act of either (can't remember for sure) the Grammy awards or the American Music Awards. Whichever show it was, I was a young teenie-bopper and I watched it and I remember saying to my mother "oh mom, this is a GOOD song, watch this!" It was a great opener, and that show was also memorable for a performance by Sheila E doing 'The Glamorous Life' where she just blew the roof off the place with her playing.

[chiliD]

Wolfgang's Vault is showcasing New Year's Eve shows this week.

One of them is the 1983 New Year's Eve show by Big Country.

You can listen (or buy & download) here:

Big Country - Glasgow Barrowlands 12/31/1983

[skcin]

Originally Posted by David

Remember the early '80s band from Scotland Big Country? The lead singer committed suicide, but the band recorded such exhilarating classics as "In a Big Country," "Fields of Fire," "Wonderland," "All Fall Together" & "One Great Thing."

With its two lead guitars sounding like bagpipes in perfect IVth harmony, the band helped clear the stale airwaves of English synth pop. See Steve Simels's review of "The Crossing" in Stereo Review.

Yes, I do.

[David]

Originally Posted by skcin

Yes, I do.

No, you don't!

[Wildheart82]

How sad, I loved that song Big Country - still do. It reminds me of summers spent in West Glacier Montana! When did he commit suicide?

[mylittledemon]

Originally Posted by Wildheart82

How sad, I loved that song Big Country - still do. It reminds me of summers spent in West Glacier Montana! When did he commit suicide?

Supposedly he hung himself in his hotel room. Mustve been about 5 years ago now.

[Chrislit18]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

Supposedly he hung himself in his hotel room. Mustve been about 5 years ago now.

oh i remember that! not that actual event, but i was watching VH1 100 Greatest 1 hit wonders [Big Country was on there somewhere. it was refering to American only, cause like A-Ha was on there too, and I know that they were popular in Europe even after 'Take on Me'], and they mentioned how the singer commited suicide. They didnt say how though. its a shame when people who have such talent just do that to themselves.

I rather like the song 'Big Country' its on my list of songs to get from iTunes.
Im actually a big fan of 80s one hit wonders believe it or not

[trackaghost]

David, do you listen to any modern music at all?
And by that I mean music recorded in the 21st Century.

[David]

Originally Posted by trackaghost

David, do you listen to any modern music at all?
And by that I mean music recorded in the 21st Century.

Well, let's see ... checking my Amazon purchases for the last few months ... I've bought a bunch of CDs that were recorded in 2001 or later:

1. Brahms German Requiem, Simon Rattle & Berlin Phil, recorded live in 2006
2. Lully Versailles Water Music, Jordi Savall, recorded between 1998 & 2004
3. Vivaldi 4 Seasons, period instruments-Venice Baroque, recorded in 2005-06

But you probably mean music that was composed since 2000, right? Checking my Sansa MP3 player (I buy music on iTunes), I have some stuff on it that is 2000 or later: the Fray, Peter Gabriel, Tim Mahoney, U2, John Adams, Tears for Fears, Steve Reich, Cake, David Axelrod, &c. None of it is any more exciting than functional workout music, so that's what I "use" it for.

P.S. Oh, I forgot that I bought "Say You Will" in 2003. But that isn't even good workout music.

But you've made your point: most of my listening is music that was both composed & recorded more than 8 years ago.

[trackaghost]

David, I really wasn't criticising you at all, I was just curious, since I rarely hear anyone talk about Big Country anymore and all your other tastes seem to lean towards the classical side of things.

[kathy1]

i remember the band but i was never a fan.