Special guest: John Gouveia
About the title: we had planned to talk about the inactive years of the band between Stuart’s death & and the eventual reformation at the very end of 2010. We initially referred to this time as “the barren years” as we assumed not a lot was happening, but we found that those years were filled with projects and activities. The episode was thus christened “the non-barren barren years”.
Starting with Stuart's death - how did we deal with that, and how did it affect our listening to BC music? Fans reacted very varied, as did we.
2002:
- Stuart's memorial service. It was recorded. Should it be released?
- Celebration of Stuart's life. Lots of artists performing, most of them featuring Bruce Watson, with Tony, Mark and the Adamson kids often featured.
- Bill Nelson's instrumental "For Stuart", performed at the memorial show.
- Tony Butler - "Acoustica" CD, featuring "Dream Boy," his tribute to Stuart.
- A Big Country Convention in Zaandam, Netherlands in December, featuring Bruce, Mark, Tony and Mike Peters.
"Normal" - live in Zaandam, the Netherlands – 14th December 2002
- “Tall Ships Go” – live excerpt from Mark's drum clinic in Zaandam.
- Mike's role in the set-up, seeds leading to the later line-up, from Mike & Stuart performing with U2 in 1983, to opening for them in 2000, to the Come Up Screaming, Barrowlands when Stuart wore a MP t-shirt, to Zaandam.
- John's memories of meeting the band for the first time after the Zaandam gig.
2003:
- Dead Man Walking - Mike, Bruce, Glen Matlock & Slim Jim.
- Mike & Bruce performed acoustically during Alarmstock during the summer, billed as "The Alarm VS BC."
"Never Take Your Place" – Mike Peters and Bruce Watson, live at Alarmstock – 24th August 2003
2004:
- The 2nd BC Convention post-2001, in Dublin, fest. Casbah Club (Bruce & Mark with Josh Phillips, JJ Gilmore, Bruce Foxton) - Simon Townshend replaced JJ and Josh in 2005 as a four-piece.
"Seven Waves" by Casbah Club – live at the Glasgow Garage – 14th April 2004 (show released on CD as “Eastworld”)
- “Anyway She Moves” (excerpt) by Casbah Club, including the "Fields of Fire"-like solo.
- Bruce was involved in the "Fields of Crows"-album by Fish. He played on it (as did Mark!), co-wrote most of the material, and played on the following European tour.
- “The Rookie” (excerpt) – from Fish’s album "Fields of Crows."
- Big Country Convention in December 2004, still based around Casbah Club as main act. Notable things: Jamie appearing live with Bruce for the first time, and the BBW line-up performing as a three-piece unit for the first time. Just a few songs, notably including "One In A Million"!
2005:
- Tony Butler releases his second solo album “Life Goes On.”
- “Not Supposed To Love You” (excerpt) – from "Life Goes On," including song background.
2006:
- Four Good Men emerges, including Bruce, Derek Forbes & Mick McNeil.
- Tom & John first met during the 4GM tour of America. Memories of the show & evening.
- “Heart of Wonder” (excerpt) – Four Good Men.
2007:
- The 30th Anniversary of The Skids - two shows in summer, with Bruce & Jamie on guitar.
- John talks about Jamie's growth as a guitar player in just six months.
"The Olympian" – the Skids, live at T in The Park – 7 July 2007
- The use of "The Saints Are Coming" as a football anthem in New Orleans post-Katrina.
- “The Saints Are Coming” (excerpt) – cover version by U2 and Green Day.
- The Skids back-up singing ladies. John & Tom praise them, while Svein is silent.
- The 25th Anniversary tour of Big Country, with Tony, Mark and Bruce, just two weeks after The Skids shows.
- Comments from TMB from the live album liner notes.
- Reworking songs to fit a 3 piece - clearly more an experiment and a celebration than the next Big Country proper live album.
"The Teacher" – live version from "25 Live" album
- The lead vocal role in BC.
2008:
- BBW release the "In Our Name" EP.
- The liner notes from Mark, Tony, Bruce – ranging from wildly enthusiastic to more cryptic about the future.
- Discussing style of material, level of progressiveness, the songs, the vocals, favourite songs.
- Mark's backing vocals.
2009:
- Bruce & Jamie Watson releases.
- The Portastudio Diaries.
- Live shows – and live albums!
"Angle Park" – live version by Bruce & Jamie from their "Live at Lathones" CD.
2010:
- More activity from Bruce & Jamie Watson.
The end of the "barren years" approaching... planets are aligning… a band is reforming... going into next episode.
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