The Crossing

Product Information

Mike Peters left the band in November 2013 at the end of their 19-date Land's End to John O'Groats UK Tour. The band attributed Peters' departure to his inability to commit fully to Big Country, much of his time being devoted to The Alarm and solo projects. Initially, the band intended to continue as a four-piece, sharing lead vocals and returning all the songs to their original keys; Peters had required the songs to be tuned lower to accommodate his deeper voice. [26] However, when they resurfaced in December 2013, they were joined by English singer Simon Hough, who performed most of the lead vocals as well as harmonica and additional guitar. [27] [28] While the status of Hough's membership was not immediately clarified, in a March 2014 podcast, Bruce Watson confirmed that Hough was now the band's fifth member. He also indicated that the group was working on new material, which would involve Hough, for potential future release. [29] a b Strachan, Graeme (16 September 2022). "Big Country and Harvest Home: The start of something special for Fife band that conquered the world". The Courier . Retrieved 21 October 2023. The Crossing is the debut album released by Scottish band Big Country in July 1983. The album reached #3 in the UK; overseas, it hit #4 in Canada on the RPM national Top Albums Chart and #18 in the US on the Billboard 200 in 1983. It went on to be certified platinum in the UK and Canada. It contains the song " In a Big Country" which is their only U.S. Top 40 hit single. The height of the band's popularity was in the early to mid 1980s, although they have retained a cult following for many years since. The band's music incorporated Scottish folk and martial music styles, and the band engineered their guitar-driven sound to evoke the sound of bagpipes, fiddles, and other traditional folk instruments. Not only was he responsible for the art for three of the most revered Big Country albums and related singles – he also created the Big Country logo based on the input the band gave him. Julian’s contribution to the classic era of the band was massive, and he deserves to be remembered as more than a mysterious J.B. who is buried somewhere in the liner notes.

Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. Julian has long since left the music industry behind. For the last three decades he has worked under the banner of Vegas Design, being involved in all aspects of brand creation, identity development, design and marketing for the art, publishing, and classic car world. Strachan, Graeme (16 September 2022). "Big Country and Harvest Home: The start of something special for Fife band that conquered the world". The Courier . Retrieved 21 October 2023. Stuart had actually come up with an idea for the Big Country logo,” Julian says. “He wanted the ‘Big’ to be wide and ‘Country’ to be tall. That was the only direction that was given, and based on that, I put down a design which is the Big Country logo that has been used pretty much since.”Julian Balme is very proud of what they created at the time. “I was really pleased with The Crossing sleeve. It was a case of, if you couldn’t have your Boy’s Own manual illustrations on there, you would have a plain colour with the logo embossed on it, and that’s what happened.” Revisiting "The Crossing" after leaving it untouched for years finds me a bit surprised at how good it is. I liked it a lot in 1983, they were one of my favorite bands, but after years of neglect my esteem has now actually grown. Adamson returned for the band's 'Final Fling' farewell tour, culminating in a sold-out concert at Glasgow's Barrowland Ballroom on 31 May 2000. They played what turned out to be their last gig in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in October that year. On 9 July 2015, the band announced that Derek Forbes would no longer be performing with Big Country, and that all forthcoming gigs would go on with a replacement, Scott Whitley. [30] On 12 November 2021, the band announced that bassist Scott Whitley would be leaving the band to pursue other interests. His replacement is Gil Allan from Dunfermline. [ citation needed] Band members [ edit ] Current members [ edit ] Image

Julian was interviewed by the Big Country podcast The Great Divide in 2013, and spoke extensively about his time working with Big Country from 1982-1986. Julian’s quotes mostly come from that interview. Heart and Soul" – 4:33 (This version fades out earlier than the version on the 1983 cassette release)

In May 1982, Big Country signed a recording contract with Phonogram and soon began recording what was supposed to be their debut album with producer Chris Thomas. However, the entire recording session would eventually be scrapped when Big Country felt Thomas wasn't fully committing to the band due to other production commitments. [9] [10] Three songs were salvaged from the sessions – "Harvest Home", "Balcony" and "Flag of Nations (Swimming)" – and released as the " Harvest Home" single in September 1982 through Phonogram's imprint Mercury Records, reaching #91 in the UK Singles Chart. [11] All three titles are presented with scrupulous attention to the detail of the original UK first pressings and available in audiophile 180gm vinyl. Whether replacing much-loved originals, or adding to a collection afresh, these are a superior way to enjoy such enduring and influential music.

BIG COUNTRY - full Official Chart History - Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com . Retrieved 29 January 2018.

Credits

RPM 100 Albums". RPM. archived at Library and Archives Canada. 39 (11). 12 November 1983. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012 . Retrieved 15 September 2011.