Big Country 'Porroh Man' The Tube 1984

Big Country 'Porroh Man' The Tube 1984

[@briandavis3832]

Tony Butler bass playing his class. 🎸

[@aslandelyon1313]

That little kiddies is how you do a LIVE television performance.

[@thatcatholicsaintsguy609]

One of the greatest bands ever. So underappreciated. Tony Butler, fantastic bassist. Mark's drumming ... so good it has to be magic. And Stuart. Sigh. Poor Stuart. Great songwriter, musician, humanitarian, man. What passion!

[@geraldjohnstone1559]

Brian O'N

[@classicartfoundation639]

Agree, so great

[@johnbradley2649]

And don't forget Bruce

[@paulboxer2863]

this crowd has no idea what kind of legend they are witnessing

[@reniisgod]

Spot on

[@robbos2611]

Truly one of the best bands EVER. RIP Stuart. You are still missed.

[@collettjw]

And the tune that convinced me to buy The Crossing. It was a long night waiting for Martins (record shop) to open !

[@jehugo66]

Jeremy W What a great Album-full lineup of top quality tracks!

[@Wit]

Love Big Country and Porrohman is one of my faves from The Crossing. This song builds to epic proportions before Stuart even sings the first note.

[@MrThistlethwaite]

The 2 minute intro build up should have been climaxed by Mark's dramatic fill. Unfortunately the camera man missed it. When Stuart first sings the line "a sacrifice prepared" it gives me chills. The song is a premonition of his own tragic death.

[@steveprecious3373]

All 4 were quality musicians , stuart was a fantastic song writer , add to that their unique sound & unbelievable guitar work & we had a band that got nowhere near the credit they deserved .

[@jehugo66]

steve precious They continue to grow through Time

[@leshallett2845]

i second that

[@reniisgod]

An absolute masterpiece. One of the greatest songs they ever wrote...and that’s saying something considering their legendary collection. Pure class 👌

[@hanz2602]

Stuart, the finest guitarist Scotland has ever given the world.

[@johndgn]

One of the best live performances on KZbin of anything

[@DreamingOfBaba]

Yes it is. And I think it's my all-time favorite live version of this song!

[@ianjackson5128]

Absolutely

[@karllodge7938]

Agree... absolutely amazing !

[@dannyK2005]

one of the best, most skilful bands to ever grace a stage.

[@Adamson11x]

What was the great idea to change the producer after "Steeltown"? their downfall began after that.

[@2000mk1]

Record company wanting a "new" sound probably.

[@eyemoeba]

that's about it. forced to americanize. worst decision ever.

[@Sunburst75]

EPIC is the only word that comes close to describing this. RIP Stu, never forgotten.

[@davidcarney1827]

Stuart Adamson was a great songwriter

[@dawnkladerman598]

truly, a poet.....

[@leshallett2845]

this IS the sound of BIG COUNTRY

[@MisterGee1968]

Stuart = Genius = Legend. I should've learnt to play the guitar as a teenager.

[@assininecomment4934]

What an amazing piece of music - and I've never even heard of it before! (Down here at the 'arse end of the world' our exposure to Big Country was their eponymous single, and little else.) This song has SO many clever, beautiful things happening. Bold gripping arrangement. Bullshit brilliant musicianship. Wonderful composition with edgy, contemporary rock sounds, that irrepressible military rhythm - yet almost a precursor to the dance-flavoured indie pop of Madchester. I don't have a handle on all the lyrics yet, but what a wonderful strident voice Stuart had, not to mention the compelling persona on stage, he had at this stage of his/their career. Truly remarkable stuff !!

[@gotlag]

The title and lyrics refer to a short story by H G Wells, called Pollock and the Porroh Man. ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/w/wells/hg/plattner_story/chapter31.html

[@sadduck28]

+Asinine Comment i agree

[@sadduck28]

+gotlag love that info

[@mikereseigh]

the whole album is really great. So are the other albums

[@andyprovo]

Such a shame Stuart had those demons in his head,that's what they called mental illness back then, saw them in Glasgow,still get tingling down the spine, amazing albums

[@villaexrn]

Genius on that guitar

[@marleybu7984]

I totally love The Crossing and this is my favourite. When I first heard those guitars it blew me away! And still does. Simply phenomenal! Love them. Hope you found peace beautiful man.❤

[@Diadema033]

Such a wonderful live! IF there was a justice in the world, this video should have scored atleast 1,000,000 views.

[@neilherlihy]

Look at the audience throughout this. even they are utterly mesmerised.

[@kanashiimurakamisan]

Fantastic performance that's typical of this great band! Stuart Adamson's tragic early death will always be a huge loss to both Skids & Big Country fans. I still frequently listen to both bands as I did as a youth many years ago. Their music easily stands the test of time. Stuart's lyrics with Big Country ooze sheer poetry. Their poignancy, scale of depth & symbolic imagery seems timeless! Both Stuart Adamson & Ian Curtis (latter vocalist with Joy Division), are right up there with the very best singer/songwriters of all time!

[@djcalcio]

Mesmeric, still today....watched it live on TV at the time and no idea then that we were living in extraordinary times when it came to live performance. Special band, special times.

[@michaelfranklin4276]

If time travel is possible, Robert Burns would be writing songs and poetry for Stuart Adamson's catalogue. This band is a Scottish dragon with all the empathy and majesty of U2, and then some. My favorite '80s band to this very day.

[@TheEcky24]

That e - bow sound is magic. And Marks drumming! World class!

[@gmansi]

The drummer is fantastic on this one

[@Adamson11x]

Mark is one of the best drummers of all time. Just my opinion.

[@gmansi]

+Adamson11x Can you tell me something or where can I read about Mark technique?

[@Adamson11x]

Just type his name on Google or go this way:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Brzezicki

[@gmansi]

I read that article before but it didnt say anything about his techniques

[@vetb882]

My GOD, sounds no different that the studio version. THIS is a seriously talented set of artisan musicians. Just, WOW 😲😏😎🤗💞💞💞💞

[@philmus1]

What an album The Crossing is. A must have for any serious record collection.

[@WahlbergBabey]

Unbelievable! Such a musical gem, and what a hottie Stuart is!

[@Pissedman]

Holy shit. This is so awesome.....

[@collettjw]

Saw this on The Tube; the most agonising 12 hour wait for Martins to open the next morning so I could spend all of my paper round money on The Crossing. Great, great days.

[@punzi2920]

Timeless class. 14 years on since the great man passed away still missed.

[@sover90]

this music is pure positive energy, i just wish people could be more in tune with things that are truly good for their souls

[@arnaldomalta7951]

A melhor banda do planeta a melhor da galaxia a melhor do universo

[@mytioc]

Loved The Tube, pure raw music but this performance was one of if not the best to grace its stages.

[@Apaganplace]

Seen them live 5 times and had the pleasure of talking to him at a gig in Belfast such a loss RIP Stuart your music lives on

[@roscoejackson4978]

Right On!,Bro!

[@mylesie8078]

Classic BIG COUNTRY need a time machine to get back to the 80s. (No Stress then🌞)

[@ianchristopher9422]

Just this song is like 10 times better than all songs made in this century.Its like they are singing 'Fuck today's music!'Luckily i have good taste thats why we are here folks.

[@RacewallFan]

gives me goosebumps listening to this......awesome

[@Hoopspur]

Heart breaking he's gone , can still remember the day I heard the news 😢

[@vamboroolz1612]

I well remember seeing Big Country at Reading 1983. The audience were all hard rock,( as was I), and punk fans. Big Country were pretty nervous at the beginning. They needn’t have worried, they went down a Storm,( no pun intended). They couldn’t have got a better reception and everyone was dancing around. Great band then great band now. This is one of their best songs.

[@robertreape]

I rushed home with my copy of the crossing after buying it and simply couldn't believe what I was hearing with this belter.

[@kiwigunner]

Night hangs on the city like the blanket on a cage........ best line ever

[@paulwhite2533]

No weak link in Big Country....superb......missing Stu

[@jehugo66]

2:39 few realize that Big Country's unique Celtic guitar sound comes from their own invention: the "E-Bow" which Stuart Adamson demonstrates here with the sound we all know.

[@philmus1]

They didn't invent the e-bow and they weren't the first to use it. The Ebow was developed in the US by Heet Co. and first appeared at the NAMM trade show in 1976.

[@hjakman9402]

Grandiosa banda Big Country forever ☝️♥️

[@bigrikmfc]

This is Big Country at their very best. RIP big chap.

[@pearlh205]

Sheer pleasure listening to this masterpiece

[@jhatter67]

I remember watching The Tube every Friday night and being so jealous of the people in the audience, being able to watch great live performances such as this one. (I was at school at the time and there was no way I could ever travel to Newcastle from the Midlands to be part of the studio audience)

[@MrDNAcurry]

The audience haven't a clue, apart from 1 bloke at the front. They were the best band live. Great memories.

[@dons4europe]

10 years departed but will never be forgotten. R.I.P. Stuart such a tragic waste.

[@liamstfc]

whip tighter than you can even imagine a band ever being so in sync

[@BrettOwen71]

Tony Butler is one of the greatest bassists ever.

[@Adamson11x]

+Brett Owen Yes, but Mark is one of the best drummers.

[@BrettOwen71]

They were, and are, ALL fabulous musicians.

[@janebaldwin8040]

I learned by listening to John Deacon , Neil Murray and Geezer Butler, but Tony's backing vocals are integral to the Big Country sound, and he has a magic all his own.

[@janebaldwin8040]

He is totally underrated. I think he has the power of Bonham , the passion of Powell and inventiveness of Paice, with some jazz and Proddy marching band thrown in. My favourite. Full stop. Octopus Rules.

[@BrettOwen71]

+Jane Baldwin Agreed! Plus Tony just looks so damn fly bouncing around the stage, grimacing with that bandana on the periphery of that awesome natural!

[@eyemoeba]

it doesn't get much better than this. RIP x

[@markkickmark]

My favorite Big Country song ever.

[@5angels332]

One of THE great live performances ever. Nuf said.

[@colingeddes2172]

This , ladies and gents is why BIG COUNTRY were 1 of the greatest bands live. Musicianship at the optimum level. R I P Stuart. Legend.

[@seadawg1967]

Simply awesome

[@adriansjahsam7314]

One of the greatest downbeat guitar leaps ever....i imagine the green crowd was a little nervous at the end... ; )

[@peterbrockfan]

cool,thanks for posting, i remember watching it live on tv that day and liked it so much i went out and bought "the crossing",blue cover on vinyl, still one of the best debut albums by any band,saw them live loads of times over the years ,brilliant frontman,songwriter and outstanding guitarist,sad he's gone,Conor ,Dublin, Ireland

[@MrHistorian123]

One of the very best bands I've ever seen.

[@RaymondScullion]

God what a brilliant band they are...rip Stuart always missed...this is note for note perfect compared to the album version. absolutely brilliant performance of this amazing song...God bless you Stuart...

[@valeriawallace8381]

coolest great bass player in Tony, genius guitarist in Bruce, majestic drummer in Mark, genius songwriter/ guitarist in Stuart, what a band!!!!

[@stephensmith3708]

God bless Big Country, , Sempr Fi!

[@JoeNapf58]

There was always a feast for the eyes as Bruce Stewart and tortured their guitars. Countless times I've seen the band live. I will never forget these concerts in my life. Stewart, I miss you very much. Best regards and all the best for the future JoeNapf

[@ogri48]

i bought the crossing when it came out and to this day it’s the best album i’ve ever owned. obviously it blows todays music away entirely. but it kinda did that on its release too, was so powerful track after track

[@Nessie2410]

This is sooooo good. Beyond words. Everyone/everything is perfect. ❤️❤️ I must have watched it so many times I have forgotten.

[@joynthis]

E-Bow, great. And most people have no idea how hard it is to jump around like punkers while playing like this.

[@Adamson11x]

I have E-Bow. Seems so easy, but it's a tough one.

[@avocate2017]

I agree. Great guitarists can play awesome riffs and solos while jumping around on stage, and they make it look so effortless, but it's not easy to play precisely when you're moving around like this.

[@peterlackenby6081]

Best group ever ever ever ever ever ever

[@deadkennedy1]

Excellent.nothing less

[@spythedog]

this is as always BIG COUNTRY xx

[@neilbolger1205]

excellent. brilliant sounds and musicianship from all . God bless Stuart Adamson

[@carolhawkridge1047]

Still sounds great

[@MrPicco1988]

i love how his notes hit the mind!! so melodic! i wish he never died!! RIP Stuart!!!

[@kevseabass]

Far to good for the mainstream, this is epic. I was lucky enough to see them when I was 7 in Shepton mallet, I'd give anything to see Stuart live now I'm older. R.I.P such a shame

[@thatcatholicsaintsguy609]

Oh, and did I mention how great they were live? It was a symphony of rock instruments with more energy than a nuclear reactor. I came away both times with a buzz both times.

[@Aaron50001]

Magic performance , saw these boys in there pomp in 83 & 84 !

[@kennymackenzie298]

At now 28, I never had the honour of seeing the original BC live but these performances forever captured are precious. Absolutely incredible music. Like properly incredible lyrics, riffs, hooks, rhythm, bass and drums. 'Stay Alive' RIP Stu

[@enzofurrari1505]

Awesome song, by the best band. Incredible musicians, out of this world drumming. Thanks for posting.

[@MuppetBasher]

Big Big Country fan and this track is the very best they ever made in my opinion. Simply amazing

[@stevieG.]

This is just epic even in 2023

[@lgoodall7864]

363 likes and 0 dislikes says it all really.

[@TheGregRoxx]

+L Goodall don't push their luck ;)

[@DC-uv3nz]

Flawless brilliance.

[@moletown8585]

Superb. A unique band. Ta.

[@veryandy2]

+ you could shout fkin loads at the top of your voice an those Guitars wow !!!

[@WOMBATLARD]

The clown and the wolf man. Fantastic tune.The Skids and Big Country played massive part in my guitar learning many years ago

[@WOMBATLARD]

My Friend Padman has one of Tony Butlers old T3 Aria Bases. Only wish he could play it like Tony. One of my fave bands.

[@ISLWYN2007]

One more time to Strathalt.

[@bigrikmfc]

ISLWYN2007 The Clown and The Wolfman.

[@BruisedArcade]

blistering after the memory of the years

[@allensaunders449]

best version of this epic

[@riseofthemachine2623]

I was lucky enough to have seen them perform live...Unforgettable experience. RIP Stuart.

[@kennyhamilton617]

Best band ever

[@Aaron50001]

Simply fooking brilliant !

[@chrisdunn7443]

Incredible. All 4 so tight together. Brilliant unfairly underrated genius.

[@MH1964]

How older I become, évery year it's even getting better. I must say that I prefer the early years of BC. And the E-Bow, still magnificent. Stuart you're still be missed.

[@Valeyarduk]

Great performance, and so young looking!!!

[@michealharrison808]

we loved stewart from skids to big country he gave us so much specially parroh man cheers stew rip .

[@realspam8]

live this cuts like a knife amazing xxx

[@manguy2000]

What I love most of this band (among millions of things) is that you can hear all four of them in the music. Each brings something to the table. In many other bands one or two members dominate. Its rare to hear the bass that clearly, for example.

[@darrenfirth]

I remember getting our first VHS recorder and recording this and watching it over and over. Watching this back nearly 30 years later and it hasn't dated a bit. Amazing!

[@ara1970]

Love Stuart's smile at 1:16.

[@footstompinleroyscott6892]

In 1983/84 this was the hottest rock band in the world. Fantastic debut album "The Crossing". Great song after great song. Even the album outtakes like "Angle park" completely kicked ass. Totally outstanding rhythm section. Brzezicki & Butler were the Flea and Chad of that time for sure. Consistently brilliant guitar interplay from Stuart and Bruce. A very original style. Saw this band live 4 times in that period and was stunned by their mix of musicianship, energy and passion.

[@luvGod21]

Tony Butler is one of the best bass players I've ever heard. This band is amazing. It's sad about Stuart he was amazing. The whole band is.

[@TheDeadsell4]

stuart you were the best rip mate

[@1969monkfish]

Still class in 2018