Folklore is the ninth studio album by English progressive rock band Big Big Train. Released on 27 May 2016,[1] it was recorded at English Electric Studios, produced by Big Big Train, and mixed and mastered at Aubitt Studios by Rob Aubrey. It is the first studio album to feature Rachel Hall and then-Beardfish lead vocalist Rikard Sjöblom as official members.
| Folklore | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 27 May 2016 | |||
| Studio |
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| Genre | Progressive rock, neo-prog | |||
| Length | 69:03 (CD version) 81:15 (Double LP version) | |||
| Label | English Electric | |||
| Producer | Big Big Train | |||
| Big Big Train chronology | ||||
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The album was released in multiple formats: standard and High Res downloads, as a single CD, and as a double-LP vinyl release that features two additional tracks, "Mudlarks" and "Lost Rivers of London", both of which were previously released on the 2015 EP Wassail. Both versions of the album contain the title track from Wassail, meaning that the vinyl release features all three of the original songs on the EP.
Reception edit
Reviews were largely positive for this release, the ProgReport saying "from the first listen is so breathtaking and magnificent, that more listens are welcomed".[2] Concluding with "All in all, this is a sprawling collection of brilliantly told stories with even more impressive music".[2]
Track listing edit
CD Release edit
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Folklore" | David Longdon | 7:33 |
| 2. | "London Plane" | Greg Spawton | 10:13 |
| 3. | "Along the Ridgeway" | Spawton | 6:12 |
| 4. | "Salisbury Giant" | Spawton | 3:37 |
| 5. | "The Transit of Venus Across the Sun" | Spawton | 7:20 |
| 6. | "Wassail" | Longdon | 6:57 |
| 7. | "Winkie" | Longdon | 8:25 |
| 8. | "Brooklands" | Spawton | 12:44 |
| 9. | "Telling the Bees" | Longdon | 6:02 |
Vinyl Release edit
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Folklore" | Longdon | 7:33 |
| 2. | "Along the Ridgeway" | Spawton | 6:12 |
| 3. | "Salisbury Giant" | Spawton | 3:37 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "London Plane" | Spawton | 10:13 |
| 2. | "Mudlarks*" | Spawton | 6:10 |
| 3. | "Lost Rivers of London*" | Spawton | 6:02 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Transit of Venus Across the Sun" | Spawton | 7:20 |
| 2. | "Wassail" | Longdon | 6:57 |
| 3. | "Winkie" | Longdon | 8:25 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Brooklands" | Spawton | 12:44 |
| 2. | "Telling the Bees" | Longdon | 6:02 |
*Vinyl-only tracks (though both were previously released on CD on the band's 2015 EP Wassail)
Personnel edit
- 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 – electric guitars, keyboards, accordion, backing vocals
References edit
- ^ "Burning Shed Newsletter 1/4/2016". Burning Shed. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
- ^ a b "Big Big Train – Folklore (Album Review)". ProgReport. 26 May 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
External links edit
- Big Big Train official website
- Prog magazine review, 4 May 2016