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Big Country Forum
The Watson's and Big Country - have another go?
| Paul Wren - Monday, 8 March 2010, at 11:18 am |
Hi again. I've just been watching YouTube footage of Bruce and Jamie playing with The Skids at Dunfermline. It's pretty clear that they work very well together playing Stuart's "early work". It has been stated that Bruce didn't necessarily enjoy the last 2007 Big Country three piece tour as he was having to put a lot of effort and concentration into playing an amalgam of both his and Stuart's guitar parts. If Tony and Mark were up for it again, why not reform for another go with both Bruce and Jamie on guitar, to give that genuine sounding Big Country guitar attack on stage. I think most fans here would regard Jamie as a "pukka" new recruit with genuine connections ties to the band. OK, so that still leaves the question of vocals, but compromises have to be made in life, don't they? At least Tony and Mark have credentials in this department and both Bruce and Jamie have been developing their vocal talents as a duo these last 2 years or so as their recordings show. I wonder if Bruce and Jamie have ever talked about doing this? It would be great if everybody concerned could get together to work something out here, as I am sure that there would be real demand for the reformed band with the right promotion - the recent Skids shows just prove this to be the case, don't they? Whats does everybody think?
Paul. |
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| John McDonald - Monday, 8 March 2010, at 11:26 am |
| I think it's a long shot to say the least. |
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| Wullie Whitton - Monday, 8 March 2010, at 12:12 pm |
| i mentioned that to Bruce at his rockers gig last year, he mentioned about them all living in different parts of the country, so i guess it wouldnt be logistically logical, given the limited revenue it would generate nowadays |
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| Clem Carpenter - Monday, 8 March 2010, at 4:11 pm |
It could be worse; imagine if they lived in far-flung locales on El Continente America Norte! Still, with Mark working on his vocal chops w/Thunderclap Newman, I would love to check out his voice fronting on some new BC/BBW material! True, Tony is the primary frontman, but new stuff form Mark & Bruce should also be given a listen! My fave BBW cuts so far (in no particular order) are A Time So Wild, Hope & Waterloo, and Make For The Wire! Rant over!
Stay Alive,
Clem In Cin City USA |
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| Phill Mather - Monday, 8 March 2010, at 6:00 pm |
If you were just replacing a guitarist, then maybe it could work. Like mini-Bonham drumming in Led Zep ... the essence of the band is still strong with Page, Plant and JPJ.
But you're not just replacing a guitarist. For it to stand any chance of working, you'd need to recruit a vocalist too, IMHO.
And even then ... well, HE's just irreplaceable isn't he? They were a unit, but BC without BC is like The Jam without Weller ... pretty pointless.
For me, the 3 boys doing 25 live was great - not necessarily musically - as it let those of us licky enough to go along to say goodbye to the big fella in some way. That's where the story should end I think.
Just a personal view. Sure many disagree. |
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| Conrad Desjarlais - Tuesday, 9 March 2010, at 2:00 am |
I suggested this a few years back. To put it mildy it was rejected. The reason IG gave was it can only be members of Big Country to be Big Country. I accept that. But there is no real emotional or sentimental reason to hold back when it is BBW?
Jamie did after all take the stage during the Final Fling. Even Jake could be in the band. He sounds pretty good. Actually he sounds really good. They techinally took the stage with Big Country and played along(sort of):).
They could call it...just wait... "BBBWW" |
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| Bram Van Aarle - Tuesday, 9 March 2010, at 8:21 am |
| Me Too! Anyway good thinking Paul! |
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| Paul Wren - Tuesday, 9 March 2010, at 10:53 am |
Point taken about who the members of Big Country should be, ie excluding Jamie Watson. However, there are plenty of bands out there who augment their live sound with an additional guitarist, ie Stereophonics and Green day to name but two. They are paid for each show they perform. There are ways around this issue................
Paul. |
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| Kev Birch - Tuesday, 9 March 2010, at 9:07 am |
Good thread this Paul, I think it would work. I seem to remember Bruce saying that he didn't want anyboby else playing Stuarts parts, so my suggestion would be for Jamie to play Bruce's bit, Bruce to take lead guitar and lead vocals and have Mark and Tony doing what they've always done. Tony and Mark are great on the harmonies but I don't think Tonys voice is strong enough for lead. Bruce has that depth, gravel and that Scottish twang needed for the Big Country powerhouse songs.
I won't count on anything happening in the near future, however in 2012 on the 30th anniversary, it could be a different matter.... I hope. |
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| Andrew Inkster - Tuesday, 9 March 2010, at 9:38 am |
Yeah, Kev, I hope so for 2012 too! We (Aussie BC fans) have discussed the possibility of this happening in 2012, and if it does, the UK better get set for an 'Aussie BC invasion'! We've got quite a few who will make the trip if anything like this eventuates, so we've all got our fingers crossed.
I think, too, that exact line-up would work a treat, and it would 'keep it in the family' nicely.
Wonder if Callum would step up for any such event?
It would be a crying shame if the 30th anniversary came and went without something to mark the occasion... |
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| Clem Carpenter - Tuesday, 9 March 2010, at 6:30 pm |
Since Bruce isn't all that keen on the BBW name, how about this for an alternate: CBC, for Clan Big Country?
Stay Alive,
Clem In Cin City USA |
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| Kevin Brook - Tuesday, 9 March 2010, at 8:23 pm |
| Why not almagamate all the big country and skids influences into a new project called SKID COUNTRY using bruce as the catalyst having played with both bands. Vocals when available Richard Jobson. And all past band members allowed input if they desire. What a great tour could be had with all the back catalogue available. Through into this mix solo projects and other tracks written by band members. And what a mouth watering prospect this would be. |
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| Joseph McGnley - Tuesday, 9 March 2010, at 8:42 pm |
| I like the idea kevin, it what I was thinking about, maybe the guys could give it a trial run, do some scottish dates dec 2010, and if all goes well, follow it up in 2013 with a full tour, a release of a cd of tracks redone...skids..big country |
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| Kenny Henderson - Tuesday, 9 March 2010, at 11:08 pm |
| Not sure what I think about all the ideas. Certainly wouldn't want to put pressure on anyone to do it. All I know is that if they decided to do this in any shape or form I would go and see it. And if it happened to be the amalgamation of bands, they should be legally obliged to call it SKID COUNTRY! |
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| Carolyn Chalton - Tuesday, 9 March 2010, at 11:25 pm |
Had a thought last night after listening to Bruce and Jamies songs on their website....
I can just imagine them singing "I'm on this Train" Maybe the guys could do a "One in a Million" 'unplugged' tour ... ? just a thought .... |
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| Richard Fitzgerald - Tuesday, 9 March 2010, at 11:43 pm |
Big skids, hope your're taking the piss.
Skid country sounds just as pants. |
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| Phill Mather - Wednesday, 10 March 2010, at 10:35 am |
Carolyn's suggestion is the best of the lot ...
Rather than try to replicate the BC we all know, love and miss ... I think a truly fresh incarnation of BC, as a different kind of band, maybe acoustic only, with a different name and playing less familiar BC songs (there are LOADS of great songs that have never been played live) would be brilliant. And they could always play IABC as the encore!
But, I still think they'd need a new singer ... |
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| Clem Carpenter - Friday, 12 March 2010, at 3:43 am |
Hey Mates,
The Big Skids concept was my idea, but still a good one if you ask this Yank!
Stay Alive,
Clem In Cin City USA |
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