| All Big Country related Books:
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All Big Country related Sheet Music:
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Film Fun Annual 1952 The Amalgamated Press Ltd. Printed in London. Images from this publication were used as cover art for most versions of "In A Big Country", and the inner sleeve on "The Crossing". Click on the front cover to see the relevant inside pages, as well as a comparison of the images from the book and on the record covers. If you have any information regarding the origin of the images on "Fields of Fire" or "Chance", please let me know! |
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"A Certain Chemistry" - The Official Portrait by John May © 1985 Omnibus Press/Grant Edwards Enterprises. Printed by Ebenezer Baylis & Son Limited, Worcester, England. Distributed by Book Sales Limited, London, England. ISBN No: 0-7119-0634-3, Order No OP43280. An impressionistic portait of Big Country, the Anglo-Scottish group whose larger than life sound has reaffirmed the strength of guitar-based rock in the face of electronic gadgetry. Contains exclusive interview material, extracts from their manager's diary and hitherto unpublished details of problems encountered by Big Country following the release of their 'Steeltown' LP. Produced with the full co-operation of Big Country. |
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"Restless Natives" - Ninian Dunnett © 1985 Omnibus Press/ Grant Edwards Enterprises Ominbus Press ISBN No: 0-7119-0634-3 The Heroes - Will and Ronnie, masked bandits of the Highlands. Dashing along lonely mountainous high roads and low roads on their trusty motorbike, armed with a bag of unpleasant surprises, holding up coaches and robbing defenceless tourists, these boys are legends in thweir own lifetime - loved by the people but wanted by the law. The Girl - Margot, the fearless tour guide. She wins Will's heart and confidence, but can she be trusted not to reveal his identity? The Villain - Fritz Bender, CIA operative. While holidaying in Scotland, he and his fellow coach passengers are robbed by the daring highwaymen. Bender is now determined to catch them and have his revenge. NINIAN DUNNETT was born in 1959 in Edinburgh, where he still lives. His screenplay for the film of Restless Natives was chosen by David Puttnam as winner of the Lloyds Bank National Screenwriting Competition. Cover design: Don Macpherson |
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"Big Country Words" - lyrics book (signed by all 4 band members) © 1992 Virgin Music (Publishers) Ltd. Printed by Panda Press, Haverhill, Suffolk, UK, Distributed by International Music Publications, Woodford Green, Essex, UK. ISBN No: 0-86359-836-6 |
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"Stuart Adamson In A Big Country" - Allan Glen © 2011 Allan Glen. Published by Polygon. Paperback reprint 2019 by Polygon, an imprint of Birlinn Ltd. ISBN No: 978-1-84697-191-4. "As the livewire guitarist with the Skids and later frontman of Big Country, Stuart Adamson emerged from the punk scene to become and international rock star. Big Country became one fo the biggest bands of the 1980s, selling more than two million copies of their deubt album, The Crosing, worldwide and influencing a new generation of songwriters such as the Manic Street Preachers, Blur, Oasis, Arcade fire and Kings of Leon. Admired by peers such as Bono, The Edge, Morrisey and Paul Weller, Stuart Adamson was one of the most popular figures in the music industry. However, away from the studio and the live shows, his personal life was complex and ultimately tragic, ending with his suicide in a Hawaiian hotel in December 2001. Through exclusive interviews and unseen photographs Stuart Adamson: In A Big Country explores the career of one of rock music's most distinctive and ambitious songwriters and takes and in-depth look at how the music industry really works." |
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"Then Came The Great Divide" - Tony Butler (signed by Tony) © 2017 Tony Butler. Made in the USA, Columbia, SC, 26 November 2017. ISBN No: 1547248203. "Being in the band 'Big Country' had its fair share of highs and lows. To lose its main character was a desperately upsetting situation to deal with. This is the story about how my original colleagues, manager and I, tried dealing with the post Adamson period of the band, and the unfortunate demise of it from my point of view. Written as an honest reflection, complete with some memory anecdotes, I have, after years of not commenting about this period publically, thought it time I did". |
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"Scared To Dance - The Skids 1978/80" - Photography by Paul Slattery © 2017 Paul Slattery and Hanging Around Books. Publisher - Ronnie Gurr. Hanging Around Books' fifth release (HA005X) "Scared To Dance : The Skids 1978/80" features rare and previously unseen photographs of The Skids taken in 1978 and 1980. Photography by Paul Slattery A second edition of 250 copies. A5 (14cm x 20cm) paperback photozine. 36 pages. Digitally printed on recycled paper. Black and white photos of the Skids: The Nashville, London 1978 The Red Cow, London 1978 The Marquee, London 1979 North Queensferry, 1979 Dunfermline, 1979 The Lyceum, London 1979 West Berlin 1980 hangingaroundbooks.com |
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"Into The Valley" - Richard Jobson (Hardback) © 2018 Richard Jobson. Wymer Publishing, Bedford, England. ISBN No: 978-1-908724-63-2. From school punk to modern day film producer, Richard Jobson has lived a full and colourful life. A harrowing incident as a child left him suffering with epilepsy but he was a mere fifteen year old when he launched the punk rock band The Skids in 1977 with his songwriting partner Stuart Adamson. With hit singles including the immortal 'Into The Valley', after four albums The Skids folded and Jobson formed The Armoury Show whilst Adamson had moved on to form the successful eighties band Big Country. In this cathartic story, Jobson talks candidly about the many trials and tribulations that have shaped his life. He talks openly of his breakdown during the making of The Skids' third album The Absolute Game, detailing the suicidal thoughts going through his mind at the time. More pertinent than he could have imagined given that writing partner Stuart Adamson was to take his own life two decades later. They had remained friends following The Skids break-up and their relationship is explored in detail throughout. In the 1980s Jobson became a familiar face on television as a presenter and film reviewer for Sky Television. In June 2013, he was awarded an honorary degree (Doctor of Arts) from Edinburgh Napier University. Today he is a successful filmmaker but his life has also gone full circle. In 2017 he reactivated The Skids. A successful UK tour prompted demand for more shows in 2018 as well as the band's first new album for over three decades, making this the perfect time to write his memoirs of his time in the band. Into The Valley is a riveting read and a perfect illustration of how one man overcame his disability to become successful in the world of music and film. A first hand account of the late 1970s and early 80s that will appeal not only to punk rock fans but to anyone identifying with Jobson's triumph over adversity. ISBN 978-1-908724-63-2 050, 01-06-18 Cover design by The Andys. Front cover photograph © Rankin. Back cover photograph © Perry Ogden. WP PUBLISHING www.wymerpublishing.co.uk |
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"Fields of Fire" (signed by Mark Brzezicki) © 1983 Virgin Music (Publishers) Ltd., London, England. Originated and printed by Halstan & Co. Ltd., Amersham, Buck, England. Order No: VR80537 Type: Piano score with melody line and guitar tabs. Tempo: Not stated. Time Signature: 4/4. Key: E major. Chords used: B, B7, E, A, E/B, C#m. |
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"Wonderland" (signed by Mark Brzezicki) © 1984 Virgin Music (Publishers) Ltd. Published in the USA and Canada by Virgin Music Inc. Made in USA. Order No: 4800WSMX Type: Piano score with melody line and guitar tabs. Tempo: "Moderate Rock" / 126bpm. Time Signature: 4/4. Key: A major. Chords used: A, E, D, F#m, Bm. |
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"Look Away" (signed by Mark Brzezicki) © 1986 10 Music Ltd. Distributed by International Music Publications. Order Ref: 80644. Type: Melody line with guitar tabs. Tempo: Not stated. Time signature: 12/8 (4/4). Key: E major. Chords used: A, B, E, C#m, F#m, G#. |
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"Peace In Our Time Songbook" (signed by all 5 band members of the time) © 1988 10 Music Ltd. Distributed by International Music Publications, Woodford Green, Essex, UK. Photos: Terry O'Neill, Printed by Panda Press, Haverhill, Suffolk, UK. Order Ref: 80690. Type: Piano score with melody line and guitar tabs for all songs on the album. BIG COUNTRY. A band that make their mark not just on sales charts, but in the fans' hearts. Since 1983, when the quartet burst onto the international music scene with their anthemic single "Fields of Fire", and continuing through three acclaimed albums, a nearly non-stop touring schedule and a string of hits that add up to amost a year and a half in the charts, big Country has earned the kind of reputation that is both hard-won and enduring. Simply put, Big Country is making music that lasts. The group's roots stretch back to the small scottish town of Dunfermline. It was there a fledgling singer, songwriter and guitarist named Stuart Adamson first began fashioning a sound that borrowed as much from the music of his native country as it did from accepted rock or pop prescriptions. By 1982 now fully formed, Big Country found themselves on tour, opening for the Jam as well as headlining their own shows, a recording contract followed in quick succession and the group released its debut single, "Harvest Home" late that same year. It was followed by the aforementioned "Fields of Fire" produced by a young rising producer Steve Lillywhite. The single topped the charts, opening the doors for the second smash, "In A Big Country". The debut album "The Crossing" with a spirit of inventing, and reinvigorating, modern music's expressive potential, hit the shops in August 1983. Having, in no uncertain terms, arrived, Big Country immediately set about expanding both their following and musical foundation. Two more top 10 singles "Chance" and "Wonderland" preceeded the release of the second L.P. "Steeltown". The LP's sharp social edge revealed yet another facet of Big Country's abundant talents, it was critically raved about and shot to the top of the charts within weeks of release. A storming world tour followed. By July of 1986, their third album, "The Seer" was ready for release. It showcased what by now had become Big Country's blend of passion and polished virtuosity. The album, featuring their fourth top ten single hit, "Look Away" debuted in the album charts at no. 2. Further extensive touring followed. But beneath the momentum of a world class band playing a the peak of their formidable skills, changes were brewing. Adamson and company were seeking fresh creative directions, stretching their musical envelope. It was a process that took two years. It has yielded what must be the most impressive and surprising album ever from a band whose career has virtually defined those terms - a resonant new chapter: "Peace in our Time" |
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"Alone" (signed by Mark Brzezicki) © 1992 EMI 10 Music Ltd., London. Distributed by International Music Publications, Woodford Green, Essex, UK. Printed by Panda Press, Haverhill, Suffolk, England. Order Ref: 18443. Type: Piano score with melody line and guitar tabs. Tempo: Not stated. Time signature: 4/4. Key: C major. Chords used: Am, C, F, G, G#. |