YOUR GENERAL LETTERS:
From Liam Davey (Membership No 001593) Liam wrote in answer to a question raised by Sarah Wright in the last issue. The question was, "Do any other members own or know anything more about the Jim Ladd interview?" Sarah had seen this record at a record fair for £20.00. So, Liam wrote,
"The Jim Ladd interview is a USA only promo LP (two-sided radio show) 1986 'Seer Tour Of America' Running time is Just over one hour and the tracking listing is:-
SIDE A
Wonderland
Look Away
Fields Of Fire
The Storm
The Seer
Where The Rose Is Sown
SIDE B
All Fall Together
I Walk The Hill
Hold The Heart
The Teacher
One Great Thing
In A Big Country
The interview takes place during and between tracks with Stuart and Tony on the American leg of "The Seer" Tour in 1986. If you see this record, buy it!
Liam also informs us of a few more of his treasured possessions to add to the impressive list in the previous issues:-
A very rare 12 edition of "Look Away" Cat No BIG CX 0011. There are two 12" singles, firstly the "Look Away" standard 12" mix with "Restless Natives" sound track on the "B" side and, secondly a white label 12" outlaw mix with the 12" mix and the song "Restless Natives" on the" B" side. Both records are sealed in the standard "Look Away" 12" cover with a white sticker and cat No printed on it. I have never before seen this record in any discography."
From Connor Browne (Membership No 003615)
Connor wrote to tell us that "Alone" reached Number 4 in Belfast's Top Ten and BC received good radio play in Ireland although he didn't hear "Alone" much. "Ships" was played a lot on the local station, especially Atlantic 252.
From Neil Wilson (Membership No 003788)
Neil wrote to tell us, " I thought I'd let
you know (although you probably know it already!) that when the band were in Belfast recently (23rd April 1993) they appeared on the "Kelly Show" to perform "Ships". Steve Harley was also on the bill that night but he turned up without his band. The result was a fantastic live duet with Stuart and Steve Harley singing and playing "Come Up And See Me Make Me Smile". I met Stuart before
the show and he was very nervous about playing with one of his own idols. The end product was great to watch."
From Jerri Willmore (Membership No 003525)
Jerri wanted to share a little story with us so, "There is a company called 'Big Country Pottery' in Laguna Beach, California and they hold a craft fair called 'Harvest Festival' in San Francisco every November. When I came across the booth, I asked the owner how he had come across the name. He told me that although he is not a fan of the band, he's nicknamed his girlfriend's rear end 'big country' - don't ask why and while he was lying Spoon fashion' with her and singing "In A Big Country, dreams stay with you...." they came up with the name of their company!
From Maureen Neil (Membership No 003669)
Maureen sent the following review which appeared in Vancouver Georgia Strait Reviews.
"Having heard very little of Big Country since the mid-80s, I'd pretty well written the band off as a one-hit wonder for its early smash single "In A Big Country". But the band's latest disc is a superb recording and one that's bound to make my 1993 Top 10.
"The Buffalo Skinners" is loaded with strident, Celtic-influenced tunes that bring to mind Irish rocker Gary Moore's pre-Still Got the Blues period. The exhilarating bagpipe guitars of founders Bruce Watson and Stuart Adamson are pushed to the fore, Adamson's vocals are as compelling as ever and the rhythm section of bassist Tony Butler and Jeff Beck mainstay, Simon Philips, is unbeatable. Lyricist Adamson's penchant for serious social commentary still thrives too as can be heard in stirring cautionary tunes like "We're Not In Kansas" and "The Selling of America""
by Steve Newton.
From Robert Barker (Membership No 001748)
Robert writes, ".... congratulations to the band for "Buffalo Skinners". It's a great hard-edged rock album with strong songs and some great guitar work. It's a bit too Americanised in places for me with the lyrics and the way Stuart sings them but, apart from that, it's a very well produced return to form. I wouldn't call it a classic that's reserved for "The Crossing", but it's impressive.
Didn't many of the fans like "The Seer"? A lot of people reckon "B.S." is the best album since "Steeltown" but I, personally, think
