I was tempted to skip Big Country because it's not a favorite in our little community, but Stuart and the lads meant the world to me in the early '80s. So, I have chosen one song to mark their rather large space on the shelf. "Where the Rose is Sown" was the second single from the band's second full-length album, 'Steeltown.' In 1984, the band was still quite successful in the UK. In fact, this album was their only No. 1. In the U.S., the critics were still lauding them, especially Rolling Stone, but the devotion wasn't equating to dollars, and none of the three singles spawned from 'Steeltown' even managed to crack the Billboard Hot 100. It's a shame, too, because I think "Just a Shadow" is the second-best single the band ever produced, behind only "Harvest Home."
Today's pick is also quite good, and I would have thought fans of the first album, 'The Crossing,' would have flocked to its familiar sound. Along with the 45, I'm including the epic extended remix. It includes many of the bells and whistles producer Steve Lillywhite was known for during the era. Not everyone's cup of tea, I know. I'll fight the urge to have a second day of Big Country and move forward. As you can see from the collage below, I could keep this one going for a while.
"Where the Rose is Sown" (7" version)
"Where the Rose is Sown" (Extended 12" version)
9 comments:
Glad you chose not to skip them Brian.This is the story of YOUR music collection and what it means to you
I agree with CC completely.
I could take or leave BC much of the time, but the other day I was most impressed on hearing (for the first time) their excellent cover of Cracked Actor.
"I was tempted to skip Big Country because it's not a favorite in our little community, " you post what you damn well want to Brian. Although I am dreading the "S" section of this series. (Or should it be "P"???)
Mate, I've written about the friggin' Bay City Rollers, so I wouldn't worry about Big Country! As everyone says - it's *your* story. We all have guilty pleasures and hidden secrets and I for one want to hear about them!
I come here to discover music I didn't know, or didn't appreciate originally because I was listening to something else, or whatever. If you have a passion for a particular band or record, like you do with Big Country, then have at it! Convince us to love it too. So I say have another day on BC or whatever it takes. Give us another song we wouldn't necessarily know but perhaps might love too. It's your show, Brian. Apparently the Country is Bigger than I knew! I'm even up for a discussion on the Bay City Rollers (who reunited for a swell Christmas song last year. A friend told me....) S-A-T-U-R.........oh never mind.
As everyone has said, It's your story Brian. I'm in it for the long haul. I look forward to seeing what's hiding in every dusty corner of your record collection!
Uh oh. We up to B-I. Unless you spell it differently you forgot Belly. You must have some Belly in there...??? One of my favorite bands from the era. Hmmmm. Made some nice esoterica pop with a feminine punch. "Super-connected" indeed. So c'mon y'all.....belly up! :)))
Thanks for the support, everyone. As for Belly, that's a '90s band... I bought very little vinyl after I finally broke down and got a CD player in 1988. I began to right that wrong in 2000. So, not much on vinyl during those 12 years.
Look at some of the pish I have posted, Brian. Nothing wrong with Big Country anyway.
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