Originally broadcast on Channel 4, Big Country performing songs from their debut album "The Crossing" live on ITV's cult TV show "The Tube" on the 17th February, 1984. vevo.ly/dT3GjW
I’m 76 and been into music all my life, when you’re young you assume your music heroes are always going to be there.. but unfortunately there not, in my lifetime I’ve seen many of my heroes pass on.. to many in fact, and Stuart was one of them, it saddens me deaply to loose such brilliant talent, it’s a passage of time that you go through and come out the other side, your left with a memory that stays with you until it’s our time to pass… RIP Stuart ❤
@@dianegodbout2356 When Lennon was shot at 40 it wasn’t his time either but that’s life.. it would be great if we all lived to a hundred, if I died at 80 you could still say oh it wasn’t his time ? Curtain circumstances bring us to our end irrespective of age.
I’m from Glasgow but grew up with in wales and only discovered this band today and can’t believe his genius. I was born in 88 so it shows good music is good music regardless. And this is epically beautiful poetic music..
I've been hooked since 83 and still go to see them at every opportunity and Alexa must be as sick of hearing them as my wife and kids are but doesn't matter what song I hear it always gets me
Absolutely agree, I was lucky enough to see the band at Glasgow Barrowlands, back in the day when I was aged 15 onwards, amazing, I can't listen to them now without a tear in my eye
I was lucky enough to see these fantastic artists at the Nottingham concert hall supported by white china , white china were good but when Stuart and the boys took to the stage , the whole place erupted, never forgot just how good this band was . Amazing band
That Guitar intro is a perfect soundtrack for the Scottish Highlands.When it fades and the song gets going it feels like a spell has been cast,An amazing song from an amazing band,
James, I know exactly what you mean. By chance, I was travelling through the highlands on a school trip to Elgin in the Summer of '84 at at time when I had just bought the Crossing and was listening to the band a lot! I could feel their music in the landscape and ever since, their music always took me back there!
While I also wonder at what he might have done, I catch myself: I am lucky to be able to appreciate the incredible body of work he left to us..and that critically humanistic message of loving-kindness. I now in this time and place, wherever, whatever or however he is, wish Stuart that same loving-kindness that drew me to his wonderful art in the first place, all those long years ago.
This is the first time I’ve watched this and it took my breath away, they’re so in tune with each other, they’ve always sounded fantastic and the energy they have, so pleased I grew up listening to them. I do miss Stuart - God bless
As an Englishman I can say this song still makes the hairs of my neck stand, one of the most underrated bands of all time, loved all they done including the Skids
They were a very complete band - not a weak link anywhere. Bass and percussion are absolutely out of the top drawer. I liked them in the 80s, but at the time they were just another good band off what seemed like a conveyor belt of good bands at the time and I never appreciated just quite how hood they were. These days I'd cross continents to see a performance like this live...better still a time machine..
Big Country supported David Bowie at Roker Park, Sunderland on the Glass Spider tour... They opened with Restless Natives and within seconds they had the entire crowd bouncing... I will never forget that gig.. One of the best live bands I ever watched and I have seen just about everybody from AC/DC to ZZ Top...
Mark Brzezicki is just brilliant. His drumming is so imaginative and powerful. I think he may be even better live than on the album. This performance is like a rock the whole band gels around - amazing.
He's definitely better live always has been saw them a few weeks ago in Glasgow and with the line up they've got just now it's still one of the best gigs you could go to I've seen Bowie, the eagles , U2 , simple minds and god knows how many other great bands but big country always will be on top
People in the states ask me why I wanted to visit Scotland. So many reasons why I wanted to go there. Gosh, this song still haunts me and I think the themes and sounds of this band are part of why I feel close ties to Scotland.
Their music is so unique - nothing like it out there, and the lyrics the same. It’s all absolutely amazing. God bless Stuart - Eternal rest grant unto to him, O Lord.
This song is so soulful and beautiful. Just turned 15, riding the school bus to downtown Los Angeles when this performance was done. A fan ever since. God bless Stuart. Life is so painful and unfair sometimes. Thank you so very much for sharing all the songs from this show, as I was never able to see the boys live.
will always be my favorite band, i was only 10 when I heard Big Country for the first time, but you will always be in heart. i will never forget such a special time RIP Stuart, we loved you and the band so much, your music is timeless, so thankyou
best celtic song i've ever heard--the usa missed this brilliant guy--he should have been on the rolling stone twice a year..and front page of the new york times
So good being an old guy of 52. Meant I grew up with Big Country, Mr Adamson's haunting voice on my Walkman got me through the coach trips from London to Glasgow. Sheer unadulterated bloody class. R.I.P.
Also, there is a CD/DVD of the band at rokplast germany.two live performances ten years apart. Man,they could be two days apart. Well worth obtaining. I'm 57 and every young muso I've shown. Totally blown away
I have fancied Stuart Adamson since 1983 when In a big country was released I was 8 years old still feel the same about him now at 43. Regret never getting to see him in concert . Great talent gone too soon.
40 years ago, I saw them live in Sefton Park Liverpool, where have the years gone btw, we'll never see a band as good as BC in our lives ever again, so glad I witnessed that day :) xxxx
Agreed. You can also watch a masterful use of the E-bow on the video of Mick Ronson with David Bowie and Queen, performing the song Heroes. It’s quite an instrumental accessory.
Don't lament on the passing of Stuart Adamson, it IS NOT a loss, To have experienced him at all is a advantage. I, for one, respect everything he did and shared with the world. I would not change a single thing about him, for fear of changing his beautiful excistence.
The ebow gives the intro such a sublime, unique sound. One of the most powerful intro’s to a song I’ve ever heard. It’s the intro that this classic BC track deserves and sounds great live.
As I try with all my might and then even more might to find a more talented band from the 80's, I continue to fall flat on my face....insanely beautiful.
As a fanatical Maiden fan, I can also admit to you, without reservation or shame, that I am also a HUGE Big Country fan. Storytelling, musicianship, stage presence, and the ability to be better live than you are int he studio...how could you not be a fan of both?
Yes Thomas. Count me in for the trip back to 1984, when I was nineteen, and a much happier person than I am now.I actually met BC in September 1982, so hopefully they will recognize me.
I totally agree, one of the best debut albums ever. They really spoke to me in my early 20s. Hard kicking Celtic rock with a folk theme from a new wave origin. I just love them. RIP Stuart.
I came from the hills with a tear in my eye The winter closed in and the crows filled the sky The houses were burning the flames gold and red The people were running with eyes filled with dread Ah my James They didn't have to do this We chased them for miles I had hate in my eyes Through forest and moors as the clouds filled the skies The storm broke upon us with fury and flame Both hunters and hunted washed out in the rain I know I can never return To the time of hope when I was born Let the strength of peace run through my hand When we walk away from the ?stormy shore? Then I will be afraid no more And now I'm sure of where I stand Let the strength of peace run through this land And nobody smiled as we took back our own While rain beat upon us the thunder did moan And nobody smiled when we knew what was lost We knew well enough only time proves the cost
Goodness Gracious what a gem of a find. Remember this, I was 13 and just starting out playing drums. Mark Brzezecki such a huge influence. Was lucky enough to see them live many times between 86 - 99. Amazing live band. Great memories. Thanks for posting. Best wishes.
I had their first two albums on vinyl but since my record player said goodbye in the late 90s I kinda forgot about this band. One listening and all the memories come crashing down on me. A truly great band!
The intro to this song is so original. Stuart can make his guitar sound like anything. Often it reminds me of bagpipes and Scottish folk music. But in this song it also kind of sounds like a violin playing something more like western country music. Which clearly was also a big influence on them. If the name of their band isn’t enough of a giveaway. I like how they sound very futuristic but also have a great respect for the past. I love the songwriting as well. It’s like something out of a novel or a movie yet also like a poem. They’re such a smart band, even in the skids he was brilliant and had a completely different sound than this. Stuart was so underrated I feel like this music was too brilliant and went over most people’s heads.
