Release date: June 23, 2017
Label: English Electric Recordings (UK)

Big Big Train 

The Second Brightest Star by Big Big Train was created as a companion piece to the Folklore and Grimspound albums, and it succeeds in extending the mood of those albums and bringing some of their themes and motifs into a bluesy, jazzy, late-night state of mind. But of course Big Big Train’s music also rocks even in the context of an album with a jazz and blues feel to some of it’s songs.

The song “The Second Brightest Star” derives it’s title from the lyrics to the title track on Grimspound, and concerns itself with navigating through the world by some of  the means we have in life; friendship, poetry, art and ritual, and concludes “To see the second brightest star depends on where we are”. Along the way we are treated to a wonderfully moving minor blues-flavored guitar solo by guitarist Dave Gregory, and Rachel Hall provides a hushed, expectant air by gently holding lingering long notes on her violin.

The song “Skylon” has an historical aspect. It references the post-WWII Skylon Festival of Britain Exhibition of 1951 with all the impact required to denote the enormity of the 300-foot tall Skylon tower, as well as some of the harmonies you might have heard in 1950’s jazz.

The Second Brightest Star also increases the number of songwriters involved by including two compositions written by Rachel Hall, the violin, viola and cello player in Big Big Train. “Haymaking” is a jaunty, up-lifting instrumental which perfectly lightens the mood after the minor blues of the song “The Second Brightest Star”.

Rachel Hall also wrote the song “The Passing Widow”, which has a gentle jazz feel to it, courtesy of Danny Manners’ piano and bass accompaniment, and simple, uplifting lyrics about a real-life runner for cancer awareness who has run all over the world after the death of her husband; and continues to run into her 70’s.

You could say that The Second Brightest Star is a combination of new and old because “The Second Brightest Star”, “Haymaking”, “Skylon”, “The Passing Widow”, and “The Leaden Stour” are totally new works, whereas the rest of the pieces are based upon musical motifs from previous compositions. But each of these older motifs have been altered and reworked to bring out a different feel from the original, and when you hear them they bring out a different feeling to your ears.  

Although they designate the work as a companion piece to two previous albums, Big Big Train gives us enough quality music on The Second Brightest Star so that it stands on it’s own strengths as a very fine album of melodic, soulful and thoughtful music.

The Second Brightest Star
Big Big Train

Released on June 23rd, 2017
English Electric Recordings (UK)

TRACK LISTING

1. 1. The Second Brightest Star Words and music by David Longdon
   2. London Stone Music by Rikard Sjöblom and Danny Manners
   3. The Leaden Stour
   4. Brooklands
   5. London Plane
   6. The Gentlemen’s Reprise Words and music by Greg Spawton
   7. Haymaking
   8. The Passing Widow Words and music by Rachel Hall
   9. Skylon Words and music by David Longdon, Greg Spawton and Rikard Sjöblom
   10. Terra Australis Incognita
   11. On the Racing Line Music by Greg Spawton and Danny Manners

   Recorded at English Electric Studios
   Vocals and double bass recorded at Aubitt Studios by Rob Aubrey
   Drums recorded at Sweetwater Studios by Mark Hornsby and at Real World Studios by Rob Aubrey
   Strings arranged by Rachel Hall and recorded at Aubitt Studios by Rob Aubrey and at Ashwood Studios by Sotos Yiasimi
   Brass arrangements by Dave Desmond with Greg Spawton and David Longdon, recorded at Southampton Solent University by Rob Aubrey
   Mixed and mastered at Aubitt Studios by Rob Aubrey
   Cover painting by Sarah Louise Ewing
   Photograph by Simon Hogg
   Cover and booklet design by Andy Poole

   Discography

   BIG BIG TRAIN
   Nick D’Virgilio – Drums & Percussion, Backing Vocals
   Danny Manners – Keyboards, Double Bass
   Rikard Sjöblom – Guitars, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
   Rachel Hall – Violin, Viola, Cello, Backing Vocals
   Greg Spawton – Bass Guitar, Bass Pedals, Backing Vocals on The Second Brightest Star
   David Longdon – Vocals, Flute, Piano, Guitars, Synths, Percussion
   Mandolin, Banjo, Lute, Melodica, Celesta on The Second Brightest Star
   Dave Gregory – Guitars
   Andy Poole – Acoustic Guitars, Keyboards, Backing Vocals

   With:

   Dave Desmond – Trombone
   Ben Godfrey – Trumpet and cornet
   Nick Stones – French horn
   John Storey – Euphonium
   Jon Truscott – Tuba
   Lucy Curnow – Violin
   Keith Hobday – Viola
   Evie Anderson – Cello
   Philip Trzebiatowski – Cello

Dr. Steven Blomerth