A Tribute to David Longdon (Big Big Train) - Hedgerow & Meadowland | The Daily Doug (Episode 271) 

His death was devastating to me.

I met David at the Robin Club in Bilston, UK where I am the Prog promotor. He was there with Magenta to hang with them and guest on a song. We chatted for ages and every time I have seen him since he made a point of coming over to say hi. Including a King Crimson concert in Birmingham in the bar where he was grilling everyone for setlist spoilers :) A genuinely lovely man, I will miss him.

I am one of the few Americans to have ever seen Big Big Train in concert. I saw their first ever show outside the UK at the 2018 Night of the Prog Festival in Germany. They were the best band of the entire festival and kept me entertained and enthralled for two hours. David felt constantly in control and confident on the stage, the musicianship was impeccable, they had an extra orchestra with them, and they added visuals behind the stage to enhance the stories. Even though it was in the dead of night (around 11:30pm or even midnight when they finally went off), their set shone bright and remains a memorable experience today. Hearing David had passed was not the thing I expected to see when I logged onto Facebook to relax and catch up with friends that afternoon. I haven’t had a musician loss sting for a while, and this one did. I listened to a couple of songs for the first time since then this morning in the car and Telling the Bees was suddenly reborn. Rest In Peace and I hope everyone in the band and family finds a way through this tragic, sudden loss to the “Meadowland.”

A fine tribute to a fine singer . A great band. Such a sad loss.

Rachel is using an NS WAV 4 electric violin. Same one I own. She makes me sound rubbish. RIP Longdon, mate. You were a class act.

What an incredible band, and David's gloriously rich voice and sensitive songwriting was a big factor in their recent success. He's irreplaceable, and BBT are going to feel very different without him. But the wonderful music he made with the band will live on forever. Thank you Doug, for such a kind and thoughtful tribute.

What an amazing artist we lost. An so suddenly and tragically. Sometimes, life really doesn't make sense.

Wide Open Sea is one of David's best vocal performances. I would recommend that to anybody. RIP Mr. Longdon

I still am in shock. So talented and taken way too soon. One of my favourite bands of recent decades

I understand your infatuation. I'm generally a fan of much heavier music, but when I found this band about 10 years ago I was taken away by the beautiful music and stories. Maybe because of the quintessential "Englishness" of it I am taken back to a boyhood ( I'm a Nottingham lad like David) that seems an eternity ago as I've been in Australia since 1971? Dunno, but I love this band and I am glad that I have all the albums that David gave his heart and soul to.

RIP David. Thank you, Doug.

The Underfall Yard and English Electric albums are my favorite from BBT. As sad as it is that David has passed from this realm, remember what Dream Theater said: "death is not the end, only a transition." He's still out there, singing and exploring new worlds.

The lyrics of Hedgerow are so beautiful

I just have to thank you for doing this as a tribute to the man. He, along with the band of which he was a part, was one of my favorite artists of all time, and listening to his voice and their music have always been a sure way to put me at peace when I was feeling unwell. I can still only barely process his death, and every time I listen to one of their songs now, he still feels so very alive. In a way, I can only hope it feels that way forever. RIP David. I hope you give even more of their discography a listen, over time. It's all wonderful to me.

Such sad, and shocking news. My own journey with Big Big Train followed a recommendation to listen to (at the time) recently released 'The Underfall Yard', after which I hoovered-up their whole catalogue. I can't think of another band that improved so much with a new singer on board. David's voice was the one I'd been looking for after years of searching for something in the Prog genre that matched the early-70s greats, and boy did he and they deliver. 'English Electric' is a true masterpiece. I was lucky enough to see them in London, at Kings Place and at Cadogan Hall, and then at the Real World studio when I, and a couple of dozen fans, attended the listening party for the 'Folklore' album. The band were so approachable and friendly. Terrible that he's been taken so young, and with years of creativity ahead of him, now lost. My sincere condolences to his family, band members (past and present), and fellow 'passengers'. RIP David.

Thanks, great tribute. I too discovered the band about one year ago only and it became my favourite progressive band since then.

I’ll simply say, through tears, thank you for this Doug for this lovely tribute to David.

So sad to hear he died. He was an amazing singer - best combo of Peter Gabriel, Fish and Phil Collins' voices. Amazing performer. I've been listening to Big Big Train almost non-stop for months now. Amazing band.

Thank you Doug for this tribute to the legend, David Longdon. I'm from Mexico and I've been a BBT fan for over 10 years. I am very sad now but I know that the band will continue to grow and give us extraordinary musical works. Rest in peace David.

Such a sad loss - a multitalented unassuming man who wrote beautiful songs and sung them with passion. I think the band needs a lot of love as they had so many plans and significant changes in their lineup. A new album already created and released in 2022 and a tour. Who can possibly replace his unique talent? Wonderful to see Rachel soloing! Such a skilled bunch of musicians. I suppose Nick D’Virgilio will step up at least temporarily to take vocals? One of the best of bands and one of the least known. I can recommend EAST COAST RACER and THE TRANSIT OF VENUS ACROSS THE SUN in live versions. Beautifully lyrical and with real emotion about real people and real English lives. Thank you for this beautiful tribute.

I saw the band at Newcastle City Hall UK October 2019,what an experience, it was a musical delight, I'm still reeling from this very sad news, David was a multi talent, how do you replace someone of this musical stature, rest easy David, our hearts are broken, love and thoughts to david's family and close friends💔😢

Thanks Doug for making this tribute. David left us a wonderful legacy and I was fortunate enough to see him perform live 4 times.

I saw mist/tears in Doug Helvering's eyes when Rachel Halls counter melody comes in during the long outro.....David Longdon's partner, Sarah Ewing, has posted additional information for fans about David Longdon on the Big big Train facebook page concerning what happened to David Longdon. Thank you Doug for noticing his music.

I was at that concert at The Hackney Empire just over two years ago. It was a great evening made even more poignant now. RIP

Please listen to Telling the Bees; My mother said 'Listen, son... Your father's gone Now the time has come You must tell the bees he gave his life Drape black cloth over the hives.'...

We will miss David Longdon...RIP

Thanks for this Doug. It helps more than you might imagine. I'll be honest, I've still not really processed the loss of David Longdon yet. Never met him, never had the pleasure of seeing him perform live, and yet I feel like I've lost a trusted friend. The music of Big Big Train is so wise, humane, compassionate and considered... It's been a safe port in the stormy seas of recent times. I actually first really "got" BBT when I was awaiting the imminent arrival of my son (now 3). During the uniquely surreal few days my partner and I spent being shunted around a hospital, deprived of sleep and any sense of normality, English Electric was one of two unfamiliar albums I kept returning to - getting to grips with some new tunes was a good way for me to channel the boundless nervous energy of expectant fatherhood. I was bowled over with its lushness and intricacy, a heartfelt love letter to our funny, damp little island home. In other circumstances I may have succumbed to cynicism, found it all a bit too earnest, but the timing was right and BBT got their hooks in good and proper and I've never looked back. The world is, without doubt,.a poorer place for Mr Longdon's absence. (Incidentally, for anyone curious enough to still be reading this, the other album was Expeditionary Twitch by John Elmquist's HardArt Groop. A rather different vibe, but also a cracking album IMO).

Very sad to hear the news about David passig away las weekend. I knew him and BBT thanks to Magenta, from Magenta to the person of Christina Booth, from there to the amazing singing version of Hackett's Spectral Mornings some years ago in dueto with David. Also lately I was noticed that David worked together with the late Judy Dyble in a new album. I met Judy some 15 years ago via e-mail and she was so kind to me then! I had been a King Crimson fan since I heard for the first time I Talk to the Wind when a teenager and was a pleasure to talk with Judy. So It's a real pity to hear about this loss of David Longdon, a later figure of neoprogressive music . Rest in peace David!

There's so much to say about David Longdon and Big Big Train, but it would never be enough. Rest in peace David, I hope to see you in the meadowlands as well one day.

So grateful that You did this tribute. The longhaird guitarist/keyboardist/singer is my friend from my hometown in Sweden Rikard Sjöblom. He joined Big Big Train in 2015 and is still a member. He founded the progband Beardfish and his own solo band Gunfly - Check them out if You enjoy the progressive music.

Still not believing he passed. Such a talent! Hard to hear these songs today but I guess it's part of the healing process. Prayers and hart going out to his loved ones

It's very hard to lose David so early, both because he was by all accounts a lovely man and because his mind for all things music was a wonder. I was introduced to BBT by my father a number of years ago and really fell in love with the band as a whole and particularly Longdon's impact on their music (as well as his work outside of it). I know that I, as well as the rest of the wider prog sphere, are really going to have a much more somber time for the next long while without him among us.

Such a loss. I love Dave Longdon so much. This hurts.

This version of Hedgerow will always and forever be the Definitive piece from this band. I always get a little tear in the eye when Rach hands over the violin and gets ready to sing.

Thank you Doug- a fitting tribute to a great artist and a true gentleman. I had the pleasure of seeing him on stage with BBT in 2019 in Newport- possibly the best concert I have ever attended. So sad, rest in peace.

Thank you, Doug, I truly loved this man!

Please Doug, react to "Winkie" live video by David and his band mates. Unbelievable vocal and instrumental performance, and great storytelling !

I nearly lost it at the end of Hedgerow, those overlapping vocals get me every time. I must have watched the concert dozens of time.

Like you Doug, I recently discovered this wonderful band through Spotify. Love David’s writing and voice. He will be sorely missed. Thanks.

Absolutely love Big Big Train. Found them when I was sent home at the beginning of Covid and their music has carried me through the last 3 years. I was so sad when I heard that David had passed. Still waiting to hear them with their new lead.

Thank you Doug for such a heartfelt and beautiful tribute. I worked with David for a brief period of time when we were both really starting our music careers. He was such a lovely and wonderful man, and though I hadn't seen him for some time, I often thought about him. I heard about his passing in your video at the weekend, and really feel that this tribute is a beautiful way to celebrate such a wonderful person, and musician.

God bless you people. Longdon was an incredible artist. He's now a legend.

Thanks for this Doug, such a huge loss, David will be so missed. i found Big Big Train thanks to Roie and the guys on The Prog Report podcast and have really enjoyed getting to know them and the rest of the guys in the band... i know they have a new album scheduled for release in early 2022, that will be a tough listen... but i know eventually we'll be able to be thankful for the music David left us with, but just not there yet :(

When I was getting ready to listen to the song "Merry Christmas" by Big Big Train, a couple of days ago, I read the news. I was devastated. Playing that song, written by David, has become a tradition for my family since its debut. If you have not seen the RU-vid video, here is a link: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-DINVlwX9aZM.html . May his soul Rest In Peace, and thank you David for writing such an uplifting piece. My most sincere condolences to the family and to the members of Big Big Train.

Thank you so very much, Doug. ♥️😢

A terrible loss, he was great performer, his delivery was emotional and controlled, powerful and delicate.

Thank you for doing this, Doug. Wonderful musician and vocalist, still hard to take it all in, such a huge loss.

Thank you so much for this. A beautiful tribute, very well spoken.

Beautiful tribute. First time I heard his voice I immediately liked it (and tbh first I thought it was Peter Gabriel, which I found pretty quick it wasn't). Such a loss for the music world. (And how the **** are there 2 downvotes? Why???)

No way! So sad to hear the tragic news RIP David 😥

Lovely tribute, tough to watch. Such a loss. I too would welcome a ‘reaction’ to “Winkie”, moving and stirring, the way I’ll remember and celebrate David.

No wonder you like Big Big Train -- there are so many wonderfully pastoral, wistful, historical songs done in such an English style on such English subjects.

A lovely tribute, Doug. I was one of the people saying that you must listen to East Coast Racer. He flies.

I did 2 hours of BBT on my radio show Saturday :( 😞 so sad

Dave was my good friend whom I regularly met, and I was devastated at his sudden death. He was stunningly good when I saw BBT live in Birmingham. This song is set in the local area of Greasley, Nottinghamshire.

Thank you for this, Doug. I love this band and David will be missed terribly.

A wonderful way to honor David. Can't even imagine how his friends and loved ones are doing now. So sad. Love from me, composer, singer and proghead.

I'm shocked about this notice! I've seen your video now and heard it the first time. So sad 😔 R. I. P. David, the world lost a great musician from a great band

Thanks for doing this, Doug. A wonderful band, great musicians and David Longdon was (it feels very strange to write that) a fabulous singer and all-round musician, his untimely death is a tragedy, and sympathies go out to his family and the band. I have tickets to see them next March - I would completely understand if they cancel the tour, but I hope they will go ahead as a memorial to him and his contribution to their music.

Just learned about David's tragic death and I'm deeply touched, Thank you, Doug, for your warm words

I admit - I teared up a bit. So many BBT favorites: Victorian Brickwork, Uncle Jack, Transit of Venus Across the Sun, Swan Hunter...

Oh Doug! Thankyou for this. I cried again, but your sharing of this magnificent band's wonderful tunes is cathartic.

Thank you for this , so well said I an old school prog fan was also late to fall in love with the music of BBT and really liked David’s voice and his wonderful stage presence .

Thx so much Doug I needed that. We are all stunned and lost over this huge shock and anyone who can offer a tribute to this wonderful artist and lovely man means so much right now

Thank you, Doug, thank you. RIP David

Dave Gregory on guitar (the one who's mostly in the shadows). Former member of the legendary band XTC. You see a bit more of him on the "Meadowland" video. Very sad to hear of Mr Longdon's passing!

Well done Doug, much appreciated.

Through this video I learnt about this tragic event. What a loss! Me and my wife are both big fans of this band (it doesn’t often that we like the same music) and wish them all the best. I’m sure they will continue to make wonderful music, even though they have to look for a new front man.

Thank you Doug, for your empathy and fine tribute to David Longdon and Big Big Train. I looked this episode with tears in my eyes and remember to the fantastic music by Big Big Train. A fan from Germany. :/

Beautiful tribute, thank-you Doug

Doug, those were such lovely and heart felt words spoken by you about David and the BBT. Thank you for bringing this video to us fans of the band.

I was hoping you'd do this and am glad you did. A fitting tribute.

Thank you for this, Doug. Much appreciated! 💔✨

Thank you so much for doing this, Doug. I've been a 'passenger' since The Underfall Yard and BBT are probably my favourite band. This news hit me really hard. A very talented man. His album with the late Judy Dyble (Dyble Longdon "Between A Breathe And A Breathe" is simply gorgeous).

Songs like these invoke, for me, English Pastoralism in the tradition of Vaughan Williams, and authors such as Thomas Hardy.

So sad to hear! I started listening to them because of Richard Sjöblom. With that said, check out Beardfish and Richard Sjöbloms Gunglfy.

Great tribute Doug. BBT are such a wonderful refreshing group of great musicians and composers. If you have time, please review something from the new album just released. I think Lanterna captures Dave and the new band members perfectly. Very sad we will never see Dave perform this live.

That was a sad notice about David´s passing away, but a great tribute from you, Doug!

Thank you Doug, that's a wonderful tribute. BBT has a defined a big big part of my musical DNA. David will really be missed... The Meadowland lyrics are repeated for 95% or so around the end of their epic song "A Mead Hall in Winter" off the same album Grimspound. The instrumentation and melodies combined with these words (with extra 'power') make for an epic and deeply moving grand finale. Enjoy the ride, passenger. Greetings from Belgium.

A beautiful video Doug , thank you from a huge Big Big Train fan. Two wonderful performances to review and glad you enjoyed them and really got the lyrics.

That’s very nice tribute Doug … it’s lovely that people overseas find a meaning in BBT and David’s music. Bless you sir

A wonderful tribute.

Came upon david and BBT after hearing his and others collaborate with Steve Hackett on their rendition of Spectral Morning. Have loved everything from BBT that i have found since

Hello Doug Thank you for doing this wonderful tribute to a truly humble and brilliant person. He always had time for everyone; the World is a poorer place without him. The next album has been completed and I believe that it’s due for release as scheduled at the end of January 2022.

thank you for this. David meant so much to many of us.

Thank you for this tribute

Nice tribute to an artist you and we all admire. Wonderful music, it will last, that is David Longdon's gift to us.

Thank you for this tribute. A sadly-missed genius. I still can't really get over his passing.

Thank you for this one Doug.

Wow. I had heard the name of this band for years via Nick playing with them, but had never actually heard them till your channel. What a shock. A beautiful tribute here. If these lyrics are any reflection of how he spent his time, it was time very well spent being present.

Thank you for this both sensitive and poignant piece. Damn this allergic reaction that keeps making my eyes water. If you are drawn to the Folkier aspects I recommend his collaboration with the late Julie Dyble (Fairport Convention).

Great tribute. I am only familiar with BBT because of David Gregory (XTC). What a tragic loss. Great job on the video. P. S. - You mentioned the passing of John Wetton. Perhaps a "UK" episode. They put out some amazing music. Play "In the Dead of Night" and you cover Wetton, Holdsworth, Jobson, and the great Bill Burford.

Terrific band, David was amazing, and I love the lyrics too.

I am late getting to this video - but what a great tribute. David is sorely missed, he had such a rich and amazing voice. Some songs, as with Meadowlans, can be short but still hit like a freight train! Thank you for this!

Thanks for such a tasteful and heartfelt acknowledgment of David Longdon's passing. Your choices are high on the list of my favourite BBT tracks (along with "The Permanent Way" and "Experimental Gentlemen") - I was looking forward to finally getting the chance to see them live next year but obviously that's not going to happen now - if you've not seen the version of Steve Hackett's song "Spectral Mornings" with David singing the added lyrics I'd recommend it - includes the lines "As one door closes, another draws apart, a seed of hope in a darkened heart" - let's all hope that's the case for David, all those he's left behind who loved him and all the BBT fans and prog fans everywhere.

Thanks, Dough, for your analysis and heartfelt poetical critique of this wonderful band which I discovered about three years ago and I’m heavily hooked to it. I’ve just received their last CD with David - may he rest in peace - and I’ve been listening to it all day today.

This is a great gift, thanks. Honor to you for knowing and celebrating such a fantastic singer and band.

Doug....thank you so much. You're so correct. They are a band that just reach you emotionally and David's vocals were absolutely perfect. Definitely an underrated lyrical writer. Great picks by the way in tribute.

There is a RU-vid video of David Longdon and a female artist (I cannot remember her name, sorry)singing and adding lyrics to Spectral Mornings by Steve Hackett. That is how I found out about David Longdon. They made an instrumental song into a masterpiece. Steve Hackett makes an appearance at the ending portion of the video. Rest In Peace David.

Thank you so much for this lovely tribute, Doug! 👋 Big Big Train is one of my all-time favourite bands. So sad to hear the news about David's tragic death. 😢