Tag Archives: English Electric

Big Big Train: The Second Brightest Star

On June 23, 2017, “English Electric” label released “The Second Brightest Star”, the eleventh Big Big Train album. It was recorded 2016 – 2017, at “English Electric Studios”, “Aubitt Studios”, “Real World Studios”, “Sweetwater Studios”, “Ashwood Studios”, and was produced by Nick D’Virgilio, Dave Gregory, Rachel Hall, David Longdon, Danny Manners, Andy Poole, Rikard Sjöblom, and Greg Spawton. “The Second Brightest Star” contains a mix of new songs along with re-worked material from the band’s previous two albums, “Folklore” and “Grimspound”.

 Personnel:

  • David Longdon– lead vocals, flute, piano, electric guitars, mandolin, banjo, lute, celesta, synthesizers, percussion
  • Nick D’Virgilio– drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Dave Gregory– electric guitars
  • Rachel Hall – violin, viola, cello, backing vocals
  • Danny Manners – keyboards, double bass
  • Andy Poole – acoustic guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Rikard Sjöblom – keyboards, electric guitars, backing vocals
  • Greg Spawton – bass guitar, bass pedals
  • Rob Aubrey – mixing, mastering
  • Rachel Hall – string arrangements

Track listing:

  1. The Second Brightest Star – David Longdon
  2. Haymaking – Rachel Hall
  3. Skylon – David Longdon, Greg Spawton, Rikard Sjöblom
  4. London Stone – Rikard Sjöblom, Danny Manners
  5. The Passing Widow – Rachel Hall
  6. The Leaden Stour – Greg Spawton
  7. Terra Australis Incognita – Greg Spawton, Danny Manners
  8. Brooklands Sequences – Greg Spawton, Danny Manners
  • On the Racing Line
  • Brooklands
  1. London Piane Sequences – Greg Spawton
  • Turner on the Thames
  • London Plane
  1. The Gentlemen’s Reprise – Greg Spawton

Big Big Train: Folklore

On May 27, 2016, “English Electric” label released “Folklore”, the ninth Big Big Train studio album. It was recorded 2015 – 2016, at “English Electric Studios”, “Aubitt Studios”, “Real World Studios”, “Sweetwater Studios”, “Ashwood Studios”, “Regal Lane Studios” and was produced by David Longdon, Nick D’Virgilio, Greg Spawton, Andy Poole, Dave Gregory, Danny Manners, Rachel Hall and Rikard Sjöblom.

Personnel:

  • David Longdon- lead vocals, flute, acoustic guitar, mandolin, percussion
  • Nick D’Virgilio- drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Greg Spawton – bass guitar, bass pedals, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
  • Andy Poole – acoustic guitar, mandolin, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Dave Gregory- electric guitars
  • Danny Manners – keyboards, double bass
  • Rachel Hall – violin, viola, cello, backing vocals
  • Rikard Sjöblom – keyboards, electric guitars, accordion, backing vocals
  • Evie Anderson – cello
  • Keith Hobday – viola
  • Lucy Curnow – violin
  • Dave Desmond – trombone, brass arrangements
  • Ben Godfrey – trumpet, cornet
  • John Storey – euphonium
  • Nick Stones – French horn
  • Sotos Yiasimi – recording
  • Mark Hornsby – recording
  • Rob Aubrey – mixing, mastering
  • Sarah Louise Ewing – paintings
  • Andy Poole – design
  • Simon Hogg – photography

Track listing:

  1. Folklore – David Longdon
  2. Along the Ridgeway – Greg Spawton
  3. Salisbury Giant – Greg Spawton
  4. London Plane – Greg Spawton
  5. Mudlarks – Greg Spawton
  6. Lost Rivers of London – Greg Spawton
  7. The Transit of Venus Across the Sun – Greg Spawton
  8. Wassail – David Longdon
  9. Winkie – David Longdon
  10. Brooklands – Greg Spawton
  11. Telling the Bees – David Longdon

Big Big Train: Grand Tour

On May 17, 2019, “English Electric” label released “Grand Tour”, the twelfth Big Big Train studio album. It was recorded 2018 – 2019, at “English Electric Studios”, “Abbey Road Studios”, “Real World Studios”, “Sweetwater Studios” in UK, and was produced by David Longdon and Greg Spawton.

Personnel:

  • Nick D’Virgilio– co – lead and backing vocals, drums, percussion, additional keyboards, guitars
  • Greg Spawton – bass guitar, bass pedals, additional 12-string guitars, string and brass arrangements
  • Dave Gregory– 6-string and 12-string guitars
  • David Longdon– lead vocals, flute, additional keyboards, guitars
  • Danny Manners – keyboards, string arrangements
  • Rikard Sjöblom – 6-string and 12-string guitars, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Rachel Hall – violin, backing vocals
  • Rachel Hall – string arrangements
  • Dave Desmond – brass arrangements
  • Rob Aubrey – mixing, mastering

Track listing:

  1. Novum Organum – lyrics by Greg Spawton, music by Nick D’Virgilio, Greg Spawton
  2. Alive – David Longdon
  3. The Florentine – David Longdon
  4. Roman Stone – Greg Spawton
  5. Pantheon – Nick D’Virgilio
  6. Theodora in Green and Gold – lyrics by Greg Spawton, music by Nick D’Virgilio, David Longdon
  7. Ariel – David Longdon
  8. Voyager – Greg Spawton
  9. Homesong – Greg Spawton

Big Big Train: Grimspound

On April 28, 2017, “English Electric” label released “Grimspound”, the tenth Big Big Train studio album. It was recorded 2017 – 2018, at “English Electric Studios”, “Aubitt Studios”, “Real World Studios”, “Sweetwater Studios”, “Ashwood Studios”, and was produced by Nick D’Virgilio, Dave Gregory, Rachel Hall, David Longdon, Danny Manners, Andy Poole, Rikard Sjöblom and Greg Spawton.

Personnel:

  • Nick D’Virgilio– co – lead and backing vocals, drums, percussion
  • Dave Gregory– electric guitars
  • Rachel Hall – co – lead and backing vocals, violin, viola, cello
  • David Longdon– lead and backing vocals, flute, piano, electric guitars, mandolin, banjo, lute, celesta, synthesisers, percussion
  • Danny Manners – keyboards, double bass
  • Andy Poole – acoustic guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Rikard Sjöblom – keyboards, electric guitars, backing vocals
  • Greg Spawton – bass guitar, bass pedals
  • Judy Dyble– vocals
  • Philip Trzebiatowski – cello
  • Rob Aubrey – mixing, mastering
  • Rachel Hall – string arrangements

Track listing:

  1. Brave Captain – David Longdon
  2. On the Racing Line – Danny Manners, Greg Spawton
  3. Experimental Gentlemen – Greg Spawton
  4. Meadowland – lyrics by Greg Spawton, music by Rikard Sjöblom, David Longdon
  5. Grimspound – lyrics by David Longdon, music by Greg Spawton
  6. The Ivy Gate – David Longdon
  7. A Mead Hall in Winter – Greg Spawton, Rikard Sjöblom, David Longdon
  8. As the Crow Flies – Greg Spawton

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark: English Electric

On April 5, 2013, “100%”, “BMG” labels released “English Electric”, the twelfth Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark studio album. It was recorded 2012 – 2103 at “Motor Museum Studio” in Liverpool, “Bleepworks” in London, and was produced by Andy McCluskey, Paul Humphreys, Martin Cooper and Malcolm Holmes.

Personnel:

  • Andy McCluskey– vocals, bass guitar, keyboards
  • Paul Humphreys– vocals, keyboards, mixing
  • Martin Cooper– keyboards
  • Malcolm Holmes– drums, additional programming
  • David Watson– backing vocals
  • Claudia Brücken– machine voice
  • Fotonovela– additional programming
  • James Watson – additional programming
  • Abbey Lincoln– sample performer
  • Charles Reeves– Chinese recording
  • Mike Spink – additional engineering
  • Peter Saville– art direction
  • Tom Skipp – design
  • Innes Marlow – photography
  • Guy Katsav– additional production

Track listing:

  1. Please Remain Seated – Andy McCluskey
  2. Metroland – Andy McCluskey, Paul Humphreys
  3. Night Café – Andy McCluskey, Paul Humphreys
  4. The Future Will Be Silent – Andy McCluskey, Paul Humphreys
  5. Helen of Troy – Andy McCluskey, Bitzenis, Geranois
  6. Our System – Andy McCluskey, Paul Humphreys
  7. Kissing the Machine – Andy McCluskey, Karl Bartos
  8. Decimal – Andy McCluskey
  9. Stay With Me – Andy McCluskey, Paul Humphreys, James Watson
  10. Dresden – Andy McCluskey
  11. Atomic Ranch – Andy McCluskey
  12. Final Song – Andy McCluskey, Kurt Weill, Langston Hughes

Big Big Train: The Underfall Yard

On December 15, 2008, “English Electric” label released “The Underfall Yard”, the sixth Big Big Train album.

Personnel:

  • David Longdon – lead vocals, flute, keyboards, guitars
  • Gregory Spawton – keyboards, guitars, bass
  • Andy Poole – bass, keyboards
  • Nick D’Virgilio– drums, backing vocals
  • Dave Gregory– guitars, electric sitar
  • Francis Dunnery– guitar
  • Jem Godfrey– synthesizer solos
  • Dave Desmond – trombone
  • Nick Stones – French horn
  • Jon Truscott – tuba
  • Rich Evans – cornet
  • Jon Foyle – cello

Track listing:

All tracks by Gregory Spawton.

  1. Evening Star
  2. Master James of St. James
  3. Victorian Brickwork
  4. Last Train
  5. Winchester Diver
  6. The Underfall Yard