[In A Big Anniversary] -- One of my favorite albums was released on July 15, 1983. 40 years ago this week. That album was an energetic release by a Scottish band. An album pulsing with guitar licks that mimicked bagpipes. I am, of course, talking about The Crossing by Big Country. It was the band's first studio release, and it reached #3 in the UK and #18 on the US Billboard 200. I'm pretty sure that the bagpipe trick had something to do with the album's popularity. I mean, it was a pretty neat effect. According to a few fan boards and Wikipedia, guitarists Stuart Adamson and Bruce Watson achieved the effect with the MXR Pitch Transposer 129 Guitar Effect and the e-bow, which is something of an electronic guitar pick.
"Fields of Fire" was the second single off The Crossing, but it was probably your first taste of the band; I mean, if you were living in the US in 1983. If so, like me, you heard this song before you heard Big Country's debut single, "Horizon Home" (which didn't really chart, so that might be another reason you missed it until you got a copy of the album or cassette). Anyway, back to "Fields of Fire," the music video really hammers home the song's lyrical context of war and fantasy. You can also check out the band's live Top of the Pops performance. Considering singer Stuart Adamson's sad end, I like seeing him enjoying himself. Also, I can't get enough of some of the dancers in the audience.
Of course, we have to talk about the song that is synonymous with Big Country. I know, and you know, that song is "In A Big Country." It was the third single off Big Country's debut album, and it was their best charting release. The thunderous drum intro (in the extended mix), the exhortation to "come up screaming," and, of course, those delicious guitar licks all combined for a truly special hit single. It reached #17 on the UK Singles Chart and #3 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks in the US. It also peaked at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 in Canada. Um, did anyone else notice that repeating occurrence of 17 and 3? That wasn't just me, right? OK, anyway, the band will be forever known for this song, and that's not a bad legacy for an 80s act.
Supported by "Fields of Fire" and "In A Big Country," as well as appearances on many of the top music programs of the day, The Crossing ended up in the top 25 of several countries, including peaking at #3 on the UK Albums Chart and #18 on the U.S. Billboard 200. The 1983 LP had 10 tracks, and that's the playlist I'm featuring in the embedded YouTube video. Both the cassette release and the 1996 re-issue had four extra tracks, but not the same bonus tracks. The 1983 cassette release included the (Pure Mix) (or '12" Mix') of "In a Big Country." So, if you cannot get enough of that song, there's an extended version for you.
Flashback: The Crossing (July 15, 1983)
So, that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.
I'll see you in seven!
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