Hardly anyone here on the org talks about this group. I'll admit, I haven't heard much of their stuff outside of their hit, "In A Big Country", but what I heard sounds good in any case. Besides, htat single was one of the New Wave classics back in the day.

R.I.P. Stuart Adamson

They were a bloody brilliant group, with a unique sound. They never really lost it, they just became redundant in the 90's through the overwhelming tide of crap pop etc. They werent alone, they were one of many.

If u like what u have heard so far - check out their best album: 'The Crossing' which contains not only their most emotive song: 'Chance' but some amazing others like: 'Wonderland', 'Inwards', 'Porrohman', '1000 Stars', 'Harvest Home', and the amazing get pissed/sing along at the top of yer lungs: 'Fields of Fire'. Amazing harmonies, great lyrics, heartfelt vocals and THAT unique, amazing guitar sound. A truly GREAT (and sadly overlooked) album.


Although hard 2 track down, the video of their New Years Eve gig from The Barrowlands in Glasgow in 1984 is just classic stuff and worth getting hold of if u can, as it shows them as a band at the very height of their powers. More great albums followed, but they never managed 2 retain their earlier success. In my opinion, I think the last decent/rounded album they made was 'Peace In Our Time'.

The one thing I'd advise u 2 get hold of (and Im sure u can track it down via KaZaA) would be their stunning rendition of Smokey Robinson's 'Tracks of My Tears' - it was the B-side 2 'Chance' if I remember correctly. Check it out, it's just sublime.

I had a quiet drink with Stuart Adamson and a mate many moons ago, and He was SUCH a down 2 earth, nice bloke but he seemed 2 have the weight of the world on his shoulders. Such a shame he left the way he did. Sadly missed.
RIP Stu, wherever ya are big guy. x
www.bigcountry.co.uk

'CHANCE'
All the rain came down
On a cold new town
As he carried you away

From your father's hand
That always seemed like a fist
Reaching out to make you pay

He came like a hero from the factory floor
With the sun and moon as gifts
But the only son you ever saw
Were the two he left you with

Oh Lord where did the feeling go
Oh Lord I never felt so low

Now the skirts hang so heavy around your head
That you never knew you were young
Because you played chance with a lifetime's romance
And the price was far too long

Oh Lord where did the feeling go
Oh Lord I never felt so low

Oh Lord where did the feeling go
Oh Lord I never felt so low

Oh Lord where did the feeling go
Oh Lord I never felt so low

Oh Lord where did the feeling go
Oh Lord I never felt so low

Oh Lord where did the feeling go
Oh Lord I never felt so low...

[This message was edited Wed Nov 26 9:41:49 PST 2003 by bananacologne]

NWF said:

Big Country: 'new wave'?

The Skids were 'new wave'.

langebleu said:

Then what were they if not new wave?

Stuart died last year, correct? I don't recall them ever having any other big hits except in a big country. Aaah...the early 80s...I miss those days!!!

purplegypsy said:

He died on December 16th, 2001.

Discography and more at:

http://www.bigcountry.co.uk

UK Singles on charts (US chart positions on brackets)

1982

Harvest Home #91

1983

Fields of Fire #10
In A Big Country #17 (US #17)
Chance #9

1984

Wonderland #8 (US #86)
Fields Of Fire (US #52)
East Of Eden #17
Where The Rose Is Sown #29

1985

Just A Shadow #25

1986

Look Away #7
Hold The Heart #55

1988

King Of Emotion #16
Peace In Our Time #7
Broken Heart #63

1990

Save Me #41
Heart Of The World #50

1991

Republican Party Reptile #37

1993

Alone #24
Ships #29

i love Fields of Fire... great great great song. Too bad Big Country didn't make much of an impact in the US. I think they were viewed as a sorta dim version of U2. A shame, really... they were an excellent band.