English Electric – Part One (English Electric Recordings, 2012)
Some of the most exciting progressive rock releases of 2012 have come out in the past weeks and this is one of them. Big Big Train is one of the top tier bands of the current progressive rock scene. It has matured to the point where they now have their own distinct sound, with some of the best vocal and instrumental work around.
What distinguishes a great progressive rock band from the rest is its ability to incorporate various exciting musical elements such as jazz, classical music and folk into a cohesive mix. Although Big Big Train is an electric band, they also incorporate exquisite acoustic music instruments such as the flute, recorder, violin, mandolin, banjo, trumpet, etc.
English Electric – Part One will delight fans of classic progressive rock. You will find superb mellotron and piano, electric and acoustic guitars, and an outstanding rhythm section along with some of the best solo and backing vocals in the current prog scene and, naturally, the always welcomed epic moments. But there is more, at times the band ventures into newgrass, chamber jazz and even Sergeant Pepper’s-era Beatles.
Even though the entire album is excellent, highlights include the Genesis-inspired ‘The First Rebreather’; the memorable vocals in ‘Winchester From St Giles’ Hill’; the masterful ‘Summoned By Bells’ that blends state of the art progressive rock with enchanting jazz; the epic ‘A Boy In Darkness.’
I thought I wasn’t going to like the last cut ‘Hedgerow’ because it begins with something that sounds like late 60s-style pop. However, the song quickly grows into an exciting progressive rock opus with a skilled mellotron performance, a magnificent violin solo by Rachel Hall and some of the finest vocal work on the album.
The current band line-up includes Andy Poole on bass, keyboards, mandolin; Dave Gregory on guitars, banjo and mellotron; Greg Spawton on guitars, keyboards, bass, mandolin; David Longdon on lead vocals, flute, glockenspiel; and Nick D’Virgilio on drums and backing vocals.
The list of guest musicians is quite extensive, especially on the last track. Artists featured include Abigail Trundle on cello, Andy Tillison on organ, Moog, keyboards, Ben Godfrey on cornet, trumpet, piccolo trumpet; Danny Manners on piano, double bass; Daniel Steinhardt on electric guitar; Dave Desmond on trombone; Eleanor Gilchrist on violin; Geraldine Berreen on violin; Jan Jaap Langereis on recorders; Jon Truscott on tuba; John Storey on euphonium, trombone; Lily Adams on backing vocals; Martin Orford on backing vocals; Rachel Hall on violin; Sue Bowran on violin; Teresa Whipple on viola; Verity Joy on backing vocals; andViolet Adams on backing vocals
English Electric – Part One is another serious contender for best progressive rock album of the year.
Buy English Electric – Part One in North America