Big Country – Fields Of Fire

I first found out about this band in the 1980s with a dose of a bagpipes sound with the song Big Country. The first thing I thought of was BIG…not because of the name. The song came out of the radio like an elephant. The drums and the sound were so huge. This one has the same effect on me, a large sound, but it isn’t sanitized and polished to death.

It was released in 1983 on the album The Crossing. This was their debut album, and it made them known throughout the world. Steve Lillywhite produced this album and track. This came at a time when he was emerging as one of the top producers in the business, known for his work with Peter Gabriel and U2.

As I mentioned earlier, they incorporated a bagpipe sound into their songs, and they utilized the E-bow effect on their guitars. E-bows (Electronic Bows) are handheld, battery-powered devices that create infinite sustain and harmonics on stringed instruments, especially electric guitars, by generating a magnetic field that vibrates the strings, mimicking the effect of a violin bow. They enable guitarists to produce synth-like sounds, bowing effects without the use of a traditional pick. Now I want one!

Here is an example of one:

I did it again…drifted too far into guitar effects, but I just cannot help myself.

Stuart Adamson formed this band in 1981 in Scotland. Adamson was their main songwriter and the lead singer. He was joined by guitarist Bruce Watson, bassist Tony Butler, and drummer Mark Brzezicki. They would go on to release 9 studio albums and 18 live albums. They would release 29 singles, and 16 ended up in the top 40 in the UK.

Fields of Fire peaked at #10 in the UK, #26 in New Zealand, and #52 on the Billboard 100. This album peaked at #18 on the Billboard Album Charts, #4 in Canada, #3 in the UK, and #8 in New Zealand in 1983.

In 1999, they released their last album with lead singer Stuart Adamson, called Driving to Damascus but without much success. Adamson moved to Nashville in the mid-1990s, where he met country music singer/songwriter Marcus Hummon, and together they released an alternative country studio album as The Raphaels in 2001.

Big Country disbanded in 2000, Adamson became a country singer/songwriter, but got depressed after his second marriage collapsed. His wife declared him missing in November 2001 and the following month on December 16 he was found hanged in a hotel room in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Fields of Fire

Between a father and a sonBetween the city and the oneBefore the teacher and the testBefore the journey and the rest

The shining eye will never cryThe beating heart will never dieThe house on fire holds no shameI will be coming home again400 miles without a word until you smile400 miles on fields of fireBetween a woman and a boyBetween a child and his toyBetween a woman and a boyBetween a child and a toyBefore the following of the westBefore the journey and the rest400 miles without a word until you smile400 miles without a word until you smile400 miles on fields of fire

…

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

35 thoughts on “Big Country – Fields Of Fire”

  1. That’s a cool gadget, can’t say I have ever seen that one. I’d be curious about the effect on the bass in particular. I know you’re a fan of the band and while this sounds sounds somewhat familiar, I really only know In a Big Country and Look Away.

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  2. A great read 👏👏

    I’ve always loved Big Country and this song in particular along with Chance.

    I had the good fortune to meet Stuart Adamson in the early 90’s when I managed a Sports shop in Stirling.

    I sold him a pair of Air Max trainers, (heavily discounted 😁) and we chatted about music for nearly an hour. He was a lovely guy and was genuinely surprised that I recognised him.

    It was so tragic what happened to him but if you listen to the lyrics of his song ‘Alone’ it gives you an insight into his mindset 😞

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  3. Pingback: Big Country – Fields Of Fire – MobsterTiger

      1. One day I’ll give a proper listen to the whole near-box set of their Greatest Hits I got, used. A lot of good material on there but after 2 years or so, I still haven’t heard all of the 3 discs.
        What would that effects box do if you used it on your bass?

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  11. Max, I have always liked their sound. But, I don’t recall knowing they had so many albums. This might require a “deep dive” into their catalogue to listen to what has escaped me until now. Loved the demo of the E-bow!

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  14. Had this album on vinyl. Couldn’t tell you any songs other than the two singles, it’s been so long since I’ve heard it. Will have to dial it up soon. Good live version. I believe the drummer and bassist played on Pete Townshend’s solo album Empty Glass. Terrible about Adamson.

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