BIG BIG TRAIN - WELCOME TO THE PLANET
Excellence tinged with inevitable sadness.
In late 2021, one of our finest vocalists and songwriter’s tragically passed away. This is David Longdon’s final album with the band he so very clearly loved and did so much to make a success of.
BBT are one of those rarities - a classic progressive rock band formed in the modern era who have broken through to hit the mainstream album charts on a regular basis in recent times, and, in fact, only Marillion probably outsell them and reach a wider audience beyond us prog rock fans. A lot of this is down to Longdon, a vocalist, lyricist, songwriter, and musician with a huge heart and a love of the pastoral landscape of England that shone through the music and reached out to those who listened.
Surprisingly, there is only one writing credit on this release for Longdon, and that is the opener Made From Sunshine, co-written with the extremely talented Dave Foster of Panic Room and Steve Rothery Band fame. Foster contributes a fine guitar solo at the end of this track which is a joyous noise, full of light, and the embodiment of the hope and warmth of spring. I should, here, also record just how good Carly Bryant sounds, both on piano/keys, and a rich deep feminine voice. There have been many discussions about what the band do going forward without Longdon (and they have confirmed they will continue), and my hope is that Bryant will feature prominently in those plans, because she is a special talent. On this opener, as on many tracks, the brass ensemble shine again.
We all worried a bit when BBT stripped down to the core of Longdon, Spawton, D’Virgilio, and Sjoblom, but the albums released by them have stopped that chatter. D’Virgilio is making an immense song writing contribution, as well as being perhaps the finest drummer in modern prog, with a fair set of pipes as well. He writes The Connection Plan which features a furious violin & bass riff. It is a very lively rocker, and not “traditional” Train at all, but no worst for that.
The first Spawton track we have is the lovely Lanterna, and this very much takes us back to the beautiful Victorian Brickwork from The Underfall Yard with its theme of the sea and those who protect us from its stormy ravages. This is a fine ensemble piece which rips along at a fair old pace until the end when a plaintive violin brings us the warmth of our common ground leading to a fine Sjoblom guitar riff.
Capitoline Venus is a BBT classic. Only 2.5 minutes long, but, by heaven, what they pack in this short space of time. A beautiful lyric set against an acoustic guitar and the very welcome mellotron.
There are two instrumentals on the album. The first closes Part One of the album, and is a Sjoblom piece called A Room With No Ceiling. This strikes me as being an extended jam. There is a quirky accordion, and an intriguing jazzy feel to a track which is not wholly convincing to these ears. Certainly, though, very experimental by Train standards.
Part Two opens with Proper Jack Froster, and what a joy this track is. It is that type of English fable set to music that this band do so well. The brass segment is to die for and I love Bryant’s vocal contribution, dreamy and moody. Six and a half minutes of music heaven.
The second instrumental is a D’Virgilio piece Bats In The Belfrey. This track is full of character, and the drums here are a marvel. He also plays (very well) mellotron & Fender. The brass bring a warm jazz element to this track, but it also has some menacing themes. A delight, though.
Oak & Stone is another BBT classic. This is a travelogue set to music. The first half is rather dreamy, with longing vocals set against a piano backdrop. The second half soars ever so gently, with the return of brass and violin. The mellotron at the denouement shimmers in and the whole piece fades wonderfully.
The title track concludes proceedings, and it is written by Bryant and is a testament to my comments about the band needing to build a future around this very talented lady. The opening segment could almost feature in a Blackmore’s Night Hey Nonny segment. Bryant is singing to the extended young family of child humanity, “to all the children she never made”, “welcome to our planet”. This track is full of optimism for the future. We will be ok, and you weep at the sadness of the irony as displayed with Longdon’s tragic passing. However, the gospel choir lifts one up, brings one to an almost religious plane. Prog rock is at its best when it is upbeat about humanity, and this is modern progressive rock at its best. A fine way to close a fine album.
This is an excellent album. It will not be this great band’s last, of that we can be sure. The pleasure they bring demands many more years of music of this quality.
Farewell, David. You will be sorely missed, but the legacy you take away is very simple. Quality, beauty, and love.