FAR SKIES DEEP TIME

There are no signs of BIG BIG TRAIN slowing down any time soon, in fact if anything they are gathering speed (haha). To have former XTC guitarist Dave Gregory and SPOCK'S BEARD drummer Nick D'Virgilo as permanent members doesn't hurt the already impressive trio of Spawton, Poole and Longdon.This band oozes class and intergrity.

"Master Of Time" is actually an Anthony Phillips cover and what a great song this is. A beat with vocals leads before a minute and we even get some banjo on this one that comes and goes. A calm with flute after 3 minutes then it picks up with prominant bass. Love the guitar 4 minutes in that goes on and on.Nice. "Fat Billy Shouts Mine" is a song that pushes all the right buttons for me. It opens with the sound of sea gulls before it kicks in with vocals around a minute. Nice chunky bass here and I find this song so moving for some reason. Martin Orford adds some keyboards on this one. We also get some accordion and the sound picks up before 3 minutes. I like the instrumental section late. Two fantastic tracks right there.

"British Racing Green" is mellow with vocals and this is my least favourite tune on here. "Brambling" builds quickly then it settles with vocals.Organ a minute in with guitar. Mellotron 3 minutes in and flute late. "The Wide Open Sea" is the almost 18 minute closer. Atmosphere early on then reserved vocals join in after a minute. I like the mood on this one. Accordion after 5 minutes.This stays fairly laid back even with the tempo shifts. I like the guitar and more intense sound 15 minutes in.The final minute is filled with atmosphere as faint sea gull sounds end it.

A solid 4 stars and 41 minutes is just right.