Folklore (Big Big Train album)

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
Studio album by
Released27 May 2016
Studio
  • English Electric Studios
  • Aubitt Studios
  • Real World Studios
  • Sweetwater Studios
  • Ashwood Studios
  • Regal Lane Studios
GenreProgressive rock, neo-prog
Length69:03 (CD version)
81:15 (Double LP version)
LabelEnglish Electric
ProducerBig Big Train
Big Big Train chronology
Wassail
(2015)
Folklore
(2016)
Grimspound
(2017)

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

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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

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CD Release

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No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Folklore"David Longdon7:33
2."London Plane"Greg Spawton10:13
3."Along the Ridgeway"Spawton6:12
4."Salisbury Giant"Spawton3:37
5."The Transit of Venus Across the Sun"Spawton7:20
6."Wassail"Longdon6:57
7."Winkie"Longdon8:25
8."Brooklands"Spawton12:44
9."Telling the Bees"Longdon6:02

Vinyl Release

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Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Folklore"Longdon7:33
2."Along the Ridgeway"Spawton6:12
3."Salisbury Giant"Spawton3:37
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."London Plane"Spawton10:13
2."Mudlarks*"Spawton6:10
3."Lost Rivers of London*"Spawton6:02
Side three
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Transit of Venus Across the Sun"Spawton7:20
2."Wassail"Longdon6:57
3."Winkie"Longdon8:25
Side four
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Brooklands"Spawton12:44
2."Telling the Bees"Longdon6:02

*Vinyl-only tracks (though both were previously released on CD on the band's 2015 EP Wassail)

Personnel

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  • 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

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  1. ^ "Burning Shed Newsletter 1/4/2016". Burning Shed. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Big Big Train – Folklore (Album Review)". ProgReport. 26 May 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
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