The drummer and backup vocalist of this band is the phenomenal multi-instrumentalist Nick D'Virgilio. He played (vocals, drums, guitar, keys) for Spock's Beard. I HIGHLY recommend getting The Underfall Yard and English Electric Part One. Two of the best modern Prog Rock albums I've heard in many years.
As a huge fan , Thank you for reviewing a Big Big Train song. Live they are a 13 piece outfit with a 5 piece brass outfit who were on the balcony in this concert. This song is typical of the Prog epic that they write and perform. They are UK based but the drummer Nick D’ Virgilio is from USA and one of the guitar players Rikard from Sweden. You could try Folklore (live) or East Coast Racer (live) next as they are fascinating to watch live. The sound is mixed expertly by Rob Aubrey and you may be interested to know they plan to tour USA.
They were supposed to play in the US and Canada May of this year - RoSfest in Sarasota, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Northampton in MA, Bound Brook in NJ and Fort Wayne in Indiana. where Nick is based. If they do come back, it may be those places or close to them with no additional regions as they are an extremely large band to tour with not a strong fanbase.
That's the main reason I recommended this version. The studio version is great too, but the trumpet solo is the climax of the song and I think it's much better in this live version.
So glad you got to this! A while back I mentioned that there's modern prog distinct from modern prog metal, and BBT are an example of that. They're also a strange band in that they've been around since 1990 and I don't think they really got good until 2009's The Underfall Yard (which this track is from). Since then they've been phenomenal though, with English Electric (the 2-disc, "full power" version) being probably my favorite prog album of 2010s. Just stunningly beautiful stuff. If you go on the video it actually lists all the members and all the instruments they play. It's indeed quite impressive. Fun fact: the guitarist on the far right is Rikard Sjoblom who has his own band called Beardfish, which is a hell of a prog band in their own right. They're more riff-based than BBT, but you can probably tell from this that he's quite the guitarist.
So glad to see this. NO one seems to review BBT and they're so good. Other tunes, Kingmaker, East Coast Racer, Voyager, A Mead Hall in Winter. A couple of shorter pieces that are also good are Judas Unrepentant and Hedgerow. Their works are like mini-symphonies and having 5 or 6 people who can sing makes for great vocal harmonies. Nick (Spock's Beard) brings a lot with his drumming. I'm subscribing in the hope of seeing more of this band. Great review - thanks!
Actually you have a dedicated brass section of 4 ex military Coldstream Guards on trumpet, two tubas and a French horn. Two keyboards typically. Dave Gregory ex XTC and another brilliant guitarist whose name escapes me, bass player and Nick d’Virgilio drummer who played with SPOCKS Beard and Genesis. Rachel is violin. David Longden is vocalist and flautist and one auditioned for Genesis for lead vocalist. They are brilliant and in my book you should check out EAST COAST RACER an absolute masterpiece. Yes this is probably the ONLY BIG BIG TRAIN film with “atmospheric’ lighting! (That is largely dark)
The singer plays the flute too! Lol not on this track obviously. I knew you'd like this one that's why I was so hyped for it. Hope we get to revisit this band at some point in the future.
This group is just so talented that it doesn't really surprise me to find out the singer also plays an instrument. I'm just thinking "of course he plays the flute." :)
Also, I had to look twice when you appeared, you look so much like my son Jamie who is also a musician. Love the detailed review, big Big train have loads more epis songs like this one. "East Coast racer" being one of them, i saw them live 2 years, and yes it seemed like there was a 💯 musicians on stage 😂
I want to do a special selection for this but I've already had Bryan do a 30+ minute song so I'd feel bad requesting a 24 minute song. I'm thinking of picking a shorter one like A Kid Called Panic (still 14 minutes lol) but I do think Bryan would really like Moon Safari.
@@thewhorocks515 For the shorter selection, definitely go with Methuselah's Children from Blomljud. I feel like that song has higher highs, although I do admit both kid called panic and methuselah's children have some parts that are quite repetitive. but they are beautifully repetitive, so honestly u cant go wrong with either.
@@ChrisChoi123 yeah Methuselah's Children or A Kid Called Panic I think would both be great. Watching this makes me wonder if Moon Safari has a really great live recording of one of their songs.
Thank you for this! You never see a Moon Safari reaction request! The whole Lover's End serious is fantastic. It's amazing how they can make major keys sound romantic and even very sorrowful at times. They are masters in the creation emotion from uncommon melodies and chords. Favorite tunes: Lover's End Pt. III: Skellefteå Serenade (Masterpiece) In The Countryside Methuselah's Children Lover's End Pt. I The World's Best Dreamers A Kid Called Panic Southern Belle Bluebells Kids Mega Moon Sugar Band
Nice choice Jonathan, thanks for sharing. I got a lot of Yes vibes from this. Really a very strong Steve Howe/Rick Wakeman combo between the guitar and keyboards. If someone laid down some Chris Squire type bass lines, I'd hear straight up Yes in parts. So I had to go back and count the members. There are 8 on stage, but it looks like the trumpet player is on a second level above the stage along with an entire brass section.
Yeah, BBT are one of a handful of bands that I call retro-prog, which are bands that make music as if no music after 1979 existed. A lot of people say BBT sound like Genesis, but I think that's mostly because their vocalist sounds a lot like Peter Gabriel, but I also think they arguably sound more like Yes in general.
Yeah I agree with the Yes comparison especially composition wise but do get the Genesis comparisons due to the vocals. Really they're their own thing though with the addition of brass and violin and folkier sounds.
They have a 5-piece brass section that became more prominent on subsequent shows. On last year's tour they were featured on nearly every song, with two even played percussion on one song.
Hi bud, impressed with your understanding & appreciating wonderful music. Don't know if youv'e reacted to the moody blues "nights in white satin" yet? If not, what treat for you to do that, but the full album version, it has more emotional impact, keep up the good work👌😊
Thanks for the review, might i suggest Le Grand Guignol - - Degenesis (Amor & Seuche) They are an Avant garde/extreme/symphonic metal band from Germany with only a single album, but which in uniqueness is worth some discographies of other bands. Name of album is The Great Maddening and it tackles everything related with madness and illness, with the first song being a request and telling a story of how plague was brought to Europe. Think you will love instrumentations and variety as seen in many more symphonic heavy bands you reviewed.
I love your channel. I really recommended you to listen to Jason Becker. He is a legend as a guitarist and composer. Perpetual Burn is a guitar Bible in itself and he was just 18-19 years old when he recorded it. After that he got ill of ALS and still composed two albums Perspective in 1996 and Triumphant Hearts in 2018. Still alive despite his condition and always motivating musicians who love classical music, rock, blues, and shredders. Please, react to any of his works and watch his documentary called Not dead yet.
I used to love BBT but their last 3 albums didn't catch me at all. Victorian Brickwork is a song from their 2009 album "The Underfall Yard".. their albums "back then" still gave me excitement. I would like to hear your opinion on a gem from Norway: Gazpacho with one their songs "Upside Down" (remastered) (from 2007), "Tick Tock (Part II)" (from 2009) or "I've been walking (Part 2)" (from 2014).... It's one of those bands you need a bit time to get into. I needed quite some time until they hooked me.
This Live Version is great, but i Highly suggest you listen to the Album Recording too because the beauty of this ending on the Album Version is really outstanding!
Or check Reflectors of Light video (available on Amazon Prime) where the brass section is shown with the rest of the band on stage, allowing the showcase of the trumpet player.
I suggest something diferent. Arandu Arakuaa- Kabureuasu. They mixture metal and indigenous music. They sing in a Brazilian indigenous language. th-cam.com/video/xUWd7C4EtOk/w-d-xo.html
I would recommend reacting to Kingdom of Heaven (Official Lyric Video) by EPICA. This is one of EPICA's more complex and interesting songs (both musically and lyrically). I've been trying to reccomend it to you for a while, now...
The drummer and backup vocalist of this band is the phenomenal multi-instrumentalist Nick D'Virgilio. He played (vocals, drums, guitar, keys) for Spock's Beard.
I HIGHLY recommend getting The Underfall Yard and English Electric Part One. Two of the best modern Prog Rock albums I've heard in many years.
As a huge fan , Thank you for reviewing a Big Big Train song. Live they are a 13 piece outfit with a 5 piece brass outfit who were on the balcony in this concert. This song is typical of the Prog epic that they write and perform. They are UK based but the drummer Nick D’ Virgilio is from USA and one of the guitar players Rikard from Sweden. You could try Folklore (live) or East Coast Racer (live) next as they are fascinating to watch live. The sound is mixed expertly by Rob Aubrey and you may be interested to know they plan to tour USA.
They were supposed to play in the US and Canada May of this year - RoSfest in Sarasota, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Northampton in MA, Bound Brook in NJ and Fort Wayne in Indiana. where Nick is based. If they do come back, it may be those places or close to them with no additional regions as they are an extremely large band to tour with not a strong fanbase.
Oh man, that trumpet solo at the ending, he plays it so well I’m almost in tears. Hadn’t heard this live version.
That's the main reason I recommended this version. The studio version is great too, but the trumpet solo is the climax of the song and I think it's much better in this live version.
I was there ... I had tears in my eyes too
I've been trying for ages for someone to react to Big Big Train and you popped up. So, late to the party, but happy to see this.
So glad you got to this! A while back I mentioned that there's modern prog distinct from modern prog metal, and BBT are an example of that. They're also a strange band in that they've been around since 1990 and I don't think they really got good until 2009's The Underfall Yard (which this track is from). Since then they've been phenomenal though, with English Electric (the 2-disc, "full power" version) being probably my favorite prog album of 2010s. Just stunningly beautiful stuff. If you go on the video it actually lists all the members and all the instruments they play. It's indeed quite impressive. Fun fact: the guitarist on the far right is Rikard Sjoblom who has his own band called Beardfish, which is a hell of a prog band in their own right. They're more riff-based than BBT, but you can probably tell from this that he's quite the guitarist.
Thanks again for this special selection pick!
@@thewhorocks515 No problem! Glad that more people can discover this great band. :)
A former colleague of mine went to school with Rikard and was impressed by his musical talent then already.
So glad to see this. NO one seems to review BBT and they're so good. Other tunes, Kingmaker, East Coast Racer, Voyager, A Mead Hall in Winter. A couple of shorter pieces that are also good are Judas Unrepentant and Hedgerow. Their works are like mini-symphonies and having 5 or 6 people who can sing makes for great vocal harmonies. Nick (Spock's Beard) brings a lot with his drumming. I'm subscribing in the hope of seeing more of this band. Great review - thanks!
Actually you have a dedicated brass section of 4 ex military Coldstream Guards on trumpet, two tubas and a French horn. Two keyboards typically. Dave Gregory ex XTC and another brilliant guitarist whose name escapes me, bass player and Nick d’Virgilio drummer who played with SPOCKS Beard and Genesis. Rachel is violin. David Longden is vocalist and flautist and one auditioned for Genesis for lead vocalist. They are brilliant and in my book you should check out EAST COAST RACER an absolute masterpiece. Yes this is probably the ONLY BIG BIG TRAIN film with “atmospheric’ lighting! (That is largely dark)
The singer plays the flute too! Lol not on this track obviously. I knew you'd like this one that's why I was so hyped for it. Hope we get to revisit this band at some point in the future.
This group is just so talented that it doesn't really surprise me to find out the singer also plays an instrument. I'm just thinking "of course he plays the flute." :)
A great band, I appreciated your reaction.
They actually have a 5 person brass ensemble. Trumpet trombone french horn tuba and euphonium
A good recommendation is Be'lakor, An Ember's Arc. Makes your blood stock
Aha, that explains it. I was always impressed by your ability to remember so much of what happened in songs. Cool!
The term for spreading the instruments out to different locations in the overall soundstage is 'pan'.
Also, I had to look twice when you appeared, you look so much like my son Jamie who is also a musician. Love the detailed review, big Big train have loads more epis songs like this one. "East Coast racer" being one of them, i saw them live 2 years, and yes it seemed like there was a 💯 musicians on stage 😂
Great Song thx fornthe Recommendation guys🙇♂️
They had a 5 piece brass section up in the balcony where the trumpet player was.
Please check out Lover's End Part 3 by Moon Safari. such an incredible masterpiece
I want to do a special selection for this but I've already had Bryan do a 30+ minute song so I'd feel bad requesting a 24 minute song. I'm thinking of picking a shorter one like A Kid Called Panic (still 14 minutes lol) but I do think Bryan would really like Moon Safari.
@@thewhorocks515 For the shorter selection, definitely go with Methuselah's Children from Blomljud. I feel like that song has higher highs, although I do admit both kid called panic and methuselah's children have some parts that are quite repetitive. but they are beautifully repetitive, so honestly u cant go wrong with either.
@@ChrisChoi123 yeah Methuselah's Children or A Kid Called Panic I think would both be great. Watching this makes me wonder if Moon Safari has a really great live recording of one of their songs.
Hell yes
Thank you for this! You never see a Moon Safari reaction request! The whole Lover's End serious is fantastic.
It's amazing how they can make major keys sound romantic and even very sorrowful at times. They are masters in the creation emotion from uncommon melodies and chords.
Favorite tunes:
Lover's End Pt. III: Skellefteå Serenade (Masterpiece)
In The Countryside
Methuselah's Children
Lover's End Pt. I
The World's Best Dreamers
A Kid Called Panic
Southern Belle
Bluebells
Kids
Mega Moon
Sugar Band
Nice choice Jonathan, thanks for sharing. I got a lot of Yes vibes from this. Really a very strong Steve Howe/Rick Wakeman combo between the guitar and keyboards. If someone laid down some Chris Squire type bass lines, I'd hear straight up Yes in parts.
So I had to go back and count the members. There are 8 on stage, but it looks like the trumpet player is on a second level above the stage along with an entire brass section.
Yeah, BBT are one of a handful of bands that I call retro-prog, which are bands that make music as if no music after 1979 existed. A lot of people say BBT sound like Genesis, but I think that's mostly because their vocalist sounds a lot like Peter Gabriel, but I also think they arguably sound more like Yes in general.
Yeah I agree with the Yes comparison especially composition wise but do get the Genesis comparisons due to the vocals. Really they're their own thing though with the addition of brass and violin and folkier sounds.
They have a 5-piece brass section that became more prominent on subsequent shows. On last year's tour they were featured on nearly every song, with two even played percussion on one song.
never hear this before , pretty good 🤟🎶🎸
Hi bud, impressed with your understanding & appreciating wonderful music. Don't know if youv'e reacted to the moody blues "nights in white satin" yet? If not, what treat for you to do that, but the full album version, it has more emotional impact, keep up the good work👌😊
Thanks for the review, might i suggest Le Grand Guignol - - Degenesis (Amor & Seuche)
They are an Avant garde/extreme/symphonic metal band from Germany with only a single album, but which in uniqueness is worth some discographies of other bands. Name of album is The Great Maddening and it tackles everything related with madness and illness, with the first song being a request and telling a story of how plague was brought to Europe. Think you will love instrumentations and variety as seen in many more symphonic heavy bands you reviewed.
Love this band
Folklore - Live at Lorelley is another incredible performance from them, please check it out!
I love your channel. I really recommended you to listen to Jason Becker. He is a legend as a guitarist and composer. Perpetual Burn is a guitar Bible in itself and he was just 18-19 years old when he recorded it. After that he got ill of ALS and still composed two albums Perspective in 1996 and Triumphant Hearts in 2018. Still alive despite his condition and always motivating musicians who love classical music, rock, blues, and shredders. Please, react to any of his works and watch his documentary called Not dead yet.
I used to love BBT but their last 3 albums didn't catch me at all. Victorian Brickwork is a song from their 2009 album "The Underfall Yard".. their albums "back then" still gave me excitement.
I would like to hear your opinion on a gem from Norway:
Gazpacho with one their songs "Upside Down" (remastered) (from 2007), "Tick Tock (Part II)" (from 2009) or "I've been walking (Part 2)" (from 2014)....
It's one of those bands you need a bit time to get into. I needed quite some time until they hooked me.
Or Magic Pie: POINTLESS MASQUERADE.
This Live Version is great, but i Highly suggest you listen to the Album Recording too because the beauty of this ending on the Album Version is really outstanding!
Or check Reflectors of Light video (available on Amazon Prime) where the brass section is shown with the rest of the band on stage, allowing the showcase of the trumpet player.
next level? the live version of VOYAGER from EMPIRE...
I suggest something diferent. Arandu Arakuaa- Kabureuasu. They mixture metal and indigenous music. They sing in a Brazilian indigenous language. th-cam.com/video/xUWd7C4EtOk/w-d-xo.html
The Caretaker - Libet's Delay
I would recommend reacting to Kingdom of Heaven (Official Lyric Video) by EPICA.
This is one of EPICA's more complex and interesting songs (both musically and lyrically). I've been trying to reccomend it to you for a while, now...
Hi again lol
@@deminybs Hi...
Btw, I don't like spamming, but I really do want him to analyze that song...
*BIG ROCK ANDING??*
dude........
Big Big train died with David
This isn't even their best. This band has many many good cuts.