Ingenious Devices by Big Big Train - PROG ALBUM REVIEW

[@TheProgCorner]

Big Big Fan!!!

[@brentheathersimons7042]

Hi there. There are several live tracks with Alberto singing on the English Electric Recordings KZbin site. Hope this helps! -Brent, VT😀

[@grahamhowes6904]

Greg wanted to draw together differing tracks that celebrate human ingenuity, make definitive versions, and I think it helps transit from the best of the Longdon era to the new horizons. I love this album and went to see the new lineup both last year and this - wonderful band - dazzling musicianship, great themes, sophisticated and difficult arrangements executed by 13 multinational musician. At the last concerts Hackett was in the house to se them and meet the extraordinary Maria Barbieri - new recruit and brilliant guitarist - people from Haken and Marillion also were hanging out.

[@JozoTm]

I think the remastering of the songs is great! Especially East Coast Racer. The climax of this new version of East Coast Racer gives me goosebumps and a tear in my eye every time I hear it. It’s so much more bombastic and powerful than the original.

[@OurFamilyInMotion]

Your comment on Alberto's vocal role is very interesting. It sounds to me like his vocals are buried a bit in the mix. I believe he does have a powerful voice. I wonder if he needs to gain confidence and/or be pushed higher up in the mix.

[@adrian.banninksy]

Agree, I have same feeling.

[@richfaille6244]

whatever it is, the new vocals are not near as powerful as Davids. Extremely tough shoes to fill, but it needs to be better imho.

[@patrice8796]

Big Big Fan of this album. The re-recording/rework of East Coast Racer with the 17-piece string ensemble was started in 2018/2019 when David was still around. The string section was added to Brooklands in 2020. This was not meant to be a tribute album. If you would like more samples of Alberto’s singing during the last BBT tour you could check: The Florentine: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoColWRupZWcraM The First Rebreather: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mX6wnZSdZdqDiKc The Transit Of Venus Across The Sun: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZjWhIaihbuHgqc

[@th5841]

Define Retro Prog! Isn’t it a oxymoron?😂 Need to get more into them, because I will see them playing after the main attraction Dim Gray who will start the show…

[@adrian.banninksy]

First I must say that I haven't heard this EP jet. But with regards to your comments on the vocals I am a little confused. For what I heard Alberto's voice is powerful. When you listen on the official track "The Transit Of Venus Across The Sun" which recently you hear some little parts where he's more powerful. Also the rest of this Dutch gig was breathtaking i.m.h.o. I think also that BBT will be different, but in a positive way. That all said I am curious about the mix on the EP. For rest your review was spot on as always and I agreed on most of your points. I don't react very often, especially not when I agree on your comments. But this time I felt the urge to do so.

[@Whizzer]

I agree on East Coast Racer, also preferring the original mix, even if the newly recorded strings sounds wonderful. It doesn't sound nearly as cohesive as the original mix, and it doesn't wash over me. At times the vocals are too far back, at times they feel detached from the music. The other tracks fare much better, although Brooklands suffers from similar problems, albeit to a much lesser extent. As for Alberto Bravin, I thoroughly enjoyed him live last year. Yes, he doesn't sound like David, nor does he sound British, but he did a wonderful job and after a few songs I was thoroughly acclimatised to his style and able to simply relish the music the band was making. With some luck he'll improve with time and reduce his accent a bit, wonderful as Italian is.

[@grahamhowes6904]

Actually as English as the band is thematically they are currently a United Nations - Italian singer, Italo American drummer, Scottish violinist, Greg himself is Anglo-Italian, Swedish guitarist, Norwegian keyboards, 4 English brass players and the new addition the incredible Maria Barbieri - also Italian!

[@styx1231]

Hi Got to say that i Love this album from BIG BIG TRAIN and at nearly an Hour long its not an EP ......Beautifully Produced and Remixed and also While i love David Longdon we have to Give the new guy a chance to Evolve ...i Picked up the CD and the Vinyl which i Totally Love

[@jonnyvanvechten7361]

I am sad that you don’t like common ground or welcome to the planet

[@NotesReviews]

Same here! I always go into an album hoping to enjoy it. It just didn't connect, and it happens. I'm just glad I dig English Electric, Folklore and The Grand Tour 😁

[@stuartraybould6433]

Don't see any point in this one, a last ditch cash grab as I don't think they'll be able to keep the quality up. Last two albums before were a bit weak. Think the best they could offer is now behind them.