TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

I have just seen on Twitter that Jude is recording with Big Big Train…interesting!

That sounds exciting :)  I know absolutely nothing about BBT, nothing at all.  I really must catch up...

Do give them a go… :)

They won two awards at the Prog awards this year.. best live performance and best band. I am delighted that I have sung with them, that Mr Longdon has a wonderful voice
Have a listen to this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D9YF3e4Gac

 ;D

Thanks for that, Jude.  I see Dave Gregory is involved (or was?).  Interesting.  I look forward to hearing your collaboration  :)

BBT for the prog slot at Cropredy? With a guest vocalist...

Yes Yes Please…

'Like'!

Just looked at a few videos - would have been so-ooo much better than Marillion...

Big Big congratulations to David Longdon from Big Big Train for gaining an outstanding second place in the Male Vocalist Category (Prog Magazine Readers Poll 2016).

They were highly thought of in many of the categories, but then they are a bit good *slightly biased grin* ;D

Got a wonderful sound and I think they can only be enhanced by some lovely female vocals.....

…and here is a little teaser from BBT…the new LP is on its way… :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHqopyuKYUE

 ;D

Hey that sounds alright! Have to check them out

They're a great band, staddling folk & prog wonderfully. Give 'em a go!!!

I am so delighted to have contributed to this
http://teamrock.com/news/2017-02-22/big-big-train-announce-new-album-grimspound

 ;D 8)

Can't wait!!! Will we see you in September at the London gigs???

I'll be there on Sunday, but I don't expect to be singing..  :D

Shame, I'll not see you on Saturday then.........

Here's  the pre-order release thing for Big Big Train's new album 'Grimspound' with tiny snatches of each song. There is a smattering of me singing ... ;D

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Grimspound-Big-Train-x/dp/B06XB5XW3Z/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1488217104&sr=8-1&keywords=grimspound

Here's  the pre-order release thing for Big Big Train's new album 'Grimspound' with tiny snatches of each song. There is a smattering of me singing ... ;D

…and wonderful it is too Jude XX

Thank you Simon   :D

I am delighted to report that my new friends Big Big Train came away from the Classic Rock Society with four awards, best male vocalist - David Longdon, best drummer - Nick d'Virgilio, best album -Folklore and best of all, Best Band. So I am delighted for them and also for myself that I have been able to sing for them  ;D

On this good news story…you beat me to it Jude XX  :) …and looking forward to the world hearing BBT’s  ‘The Ivy Gate’

Excellent news and well deserved!  :D

…Just thought I’d post this link so that any fans of BBT can take a look and a listen to one of BBT’s new recordings from the forthcoming release Grimspound…an album featuring guest vocalist Jude  :)

https://youtu.be/lqlOm97Yh7U

Well, if anyone is hoping to catch them at one of their Cadogan Hall shows in the autumn, they had better get their skates on.  The evening shows are already sold out and there are only a few tickets left for their Sunday afternoon performance (October 1st) .

'Grimspound' has now spread it's wings and is released today.

You can listen to it on Spotify and it is available from many places including Burning Shed and The Merch Desk

https://www.facebook.com/bigbigtrain/

I am so delighted to have sung on it and I love the band to bits  ;D





Edit: corrected url
 

Jude ‘The Ivy Gate’ is beautiful… :)

Thank you Simon  ;D

Oooh - can't wait to hear this. I love BBT and there's the added attraction of Jude's guest vocal.

And if you're *very* quick, VERY limited edition frosted clear double vinyl ! (https://www.burningshed.com/store/bigbigtrain/?utm_source=Newsletter+27+04+2017&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter+27+04+2017)



Edit: sold out I think, black vinyl still available though

Just had my first listen.
Very impressive!

Me too - I think we have a contender for album of the year and it's only May! I absolutely loved it. What a great band - I wish I could see them live. I wonder if they'll ever tour?

Me too - I think we have a contender for album of the year and it's only May! I absolutely loved it. What a great band - I wish I could see them live. I wonder if they'll ever tour?
[/quote]

BBT are doing three dates later on this year…there may be a few seats left for a Sunday performance…a recent radio interview suggested that future dates may follow…and I agree a real contender for album of the year…

I'd be happy with next year's Cropredy......  ;)

Ahem! Ahem!  ;D

#30 Midweek Charts
http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart-update/

Hurrah and Huzzah! AND you outsold Barry Manilow!  (At the Cropper, Croppercabana, the hottest spot north of, er, Banbury).

 ;D ;D ;D

Fantastic news Jude…for you and BBT

Blimey…Official Album Chart…BBT & Grimspound at 45…that is a remarkable achievement…

Didn't want to start a new thread, so apologies for using this one.  Hope no one minds.... Anyway, due to my move from South Wales to Dorset, I've got one spare ticket for Big Big Train at The Riverside, Newport on Fri 1 Nov.  Ticket is collect on door, but I'll obviously send you the email/give you my contact details etc.  Cost me £32.  Open to offers.

Have you put it on the BBT page? I will message you ...  :)

Just been reading that Dave Gregory has left BBT.  That's a big shame.

Yes I believe he was finding touring to be a problem, so an amicable parting, though touring for everyone seems to be on hold at the moment!

I am delighted to say that he has still contributed his lovely guitar to the album I am creating with David Longdon  8) ;D

Excellent  :)

Hello, it feels very odd returning to this post I started some time ago now...thinking of you Jude xx

This evening on Gary Foster's Radio show (from 10pm) Gary is presenting a very special edition of the Prog Rock Files Show.
His guest in the second half of the show (for an hour) will be David Longdon...Gary held a recent conversation with David and they will be talking about the stunning Dyble Longdon album and Big Big Train plans for 2021.

Prog Rock Files Show
10pm-Midnight
WCR FM, on Tune In Radio and online at wcrfm.com
*The show will also be available on Mixcloud and Spotify the following day

I'm currently listening to Longdon/Dyble on blue vinyl. Fantastic album, but I feel a little sad.

Same here. My CD came with a postcard, with just one signature.

Reminds me of when my Dad died and I got a birthday card with one signature.

Listening to the new album on Amazon Music and it is great. I shall invest. Does anyone know if the vinyl comes with a download code?

It doesn't, but if you order from Burningshed you get a download in your account.

Out of stock at Burning Shed unfortunately.

Do you?!

I've had several orders from there, including this album. I just looked in my Downloads place on their site and it said "you have not made any previous downloadable orders"...

Then, rather bizarrely it slowly typed out the following...

The requested document isn't here .
I've tried everything. And I've got... nothing.
I'm really concerned about this. But how concerned can I really be?
I'm just a machine.
I'm simply trying to serve you.
But what you want doesn't even exist! Where does that leave me?
I mean, I don't even *know* you. How should I know what you really want?
Do you really think I can *guess*... what someone I don't even *know*... wants to find here?
*sigh* I'm really kinda bummed about this. But what good does that energy to anyone?
There's enough negativity out there as it is. Isn't it better if I just move on with my day?
And you too?
What's Bonnie's little saying? *Live your dreams. If you don't, someone else will.*
Hmm. I could have a dream. I mean, it's not totally out of the question.
Hell, I can have this chat with you. Shouldn't I be able to dream?
So... what do I want to be when I grow up?
Hmm.
Well, I certainly wouldn't spend so much time just sitting here. Yeah. I should get out more.
Out is a nice place. Or *is* it? Aw, sheesh... what do I know?
I'm really sorry to lay all this on you. I mean, it's not your job to deal with my ramblings.
And I guess it pretty much *is* my job to serve you. But I couldn't get this one little page for you.
I'm so sorry.
Augh! Hey... Maybe I could interest you in another page?
There are tons around here that are pretty cool, actually.
Yeah. Go explore. Have fun.
Now. Seriously.
You'd better go on now. Please leave me to my thoughts. And my dreams. Yeah.
Ho, you still here... So... some words in french now !
Bonjour...

Make of that what you will!

Daisy Daisy donne-moi ta réponse, fais ..... Je ne peux pas ouvrir les portes de hangar Bay Dave ....

The machine has spent too much time in lockdown!!

Does anyone know if the shop on Judy's website is still up and running?

I'd like to buy a copy of her autobiography as a gift for a friend and that seems to be the obvious place to buy it from, if it is still in business.

Her son Dan is trying to keep an eye on the website and shop, though he works full time and is trying to package up the house at the same time, which is not easy as you can imagine. As to availability of any item, Dan is sorting through things, including stock, for probate and there are many boxes to go through. Best I can say is keep an eye on the website and if any copies do become available they should be available there first and foremost.

Cheers

Nick

Thanks, Nick. Will do.

Having thoroughly enjoyed the Dyble/Longdon album in the months since I got it I am now considering digging deeper into Big Big Train but their catalogue is frustratingly patchy in availability. I see that there is a forthcoming reissue of The Underfall Yard. Is that a good place to start?

Dyble/Longdon was my intro to BBT as well, so I'm not that far ahead of you. I have only listened to BBT albums featuring David Longdon, and find them fairly consistent quality-wise. Underfall Yard was the first to feature him, so probably as good a place to start as any. My favourites are probably Grimspound (features Judy on one track) and English Electric Part One.

Grand Tour is excellent and gets regular plays here

Bandcamp is a good place to look for their material - pretty much all of their material (since David Longdon joined) is available there, certainly in digital form.  If you want physical stuff, I think you have to look on Burning Shed.

I find them very consistent in terms of quality, so any of the recent albums would be fine.  I started with the Merchants of Light live album, but I know I am not always in a majority with liking to use live albums as a sort of compilation to check out bands.

For me, The Underfall Yard is where they started the transition from good band to great band. Everything since has been top notch. Possibly, the English Electric albums would be a good entry into their catalogue but truthfully it's all great.

The albums before The Underfall Yard are still fine but they are a bit more straight ahead neo-prog. The songs are still good though and - while I prefer David Longdon - the two previous singers are very decent too.

I'd say that 'The Underfall Yard' is a very good place to start. That was where my BBT journey commenced and I haven't looked back as I am very fond of everything they have recorded since David Longdon joined the band. If it is available certainly try, English Electric, Full Power...that contains East Coast Racer.

My main starting point for Big Big Train was their show at The Anvil in Basingstoke back in 2018, which was a warmup for their appearance at Night Of The Prog in Germany a couple of nights later. A brilliant show, I found the setlist online and made a Spotify playlist, which makes a reasonable introduction to their music :

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3sjX82E3eYC8L7jyw0hf6J?si=_xdxvHUgSZi8898Dbso9XQ

I love virtually everything they do, but I'd probably put Grimspound as my favourite. Not exactly seasonal for the start of February, but their Christmas single of a couple of years ago is great too.

I have succumbed and indulgently ordered the triple vinyl of The Underfall Yard when it is released in February. If I enjoy that I will take it from there. Hopefully vinyl releases of some of the other albums will follow.

Don't forget Dyble Longdon have a couple of "bonus" tracks up on  Bandcamp.

https://dyblelongdon.bandcamp.com/music

The Christmas single was great. Lovely video, too,  with the fellow from Shakespeare & Hathaway in it, and the band in a snow globe.  :)

Mark Benton? One of my favourite actors. I saw him as Perks in the stage version of The Railway Children at Waterloo Station.

That's the chap. He's excellent in the in Big Train video.

Shocking news about the death of David Longdon, after an accident this weekend. Longdon was only 56 and had helped turn the band around from being a “prog also ran” band into one of the rising acts of our time. Thoughts to his partner Sara and their children, and all his bandmates.