Big River: The Tyne - Then & Now (Jimmy Nail)

Reminiscences about growing up in the North East, set to the song 'Big River' by Jimmy Nail. Read the Grumpy Git Productions blog at http://grumpysgrump.blogspot.com for the inside story.

Wye aye, man!

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Big River
• Tyne
• Newcastle

[sluggsworld]

Emily & Amy - Historical shots filmed at Beamish, Ryhope Engines Museum (Sunderland) and National Coal Mining Museum (Wakefield). Riverside scenes filmed between Tynemouth, Shields, Jarrow and Newcastle Quays over a 3 day shoot. Glad you enjoyed it :D Thanks.

[sluggsworld]

Thanks Machawk - using Beamish was essential to create the historical shots as I wanted the film to be my own work, not a bunch of clips nicked from YouTube! This film is my own personal interpretation of the song; all the locations shown have significance in one way or another. The full story can be read in my blog, which explains the story behind this idea.

[sluggsworld]

Thanks to all who've commented recently. It's a truly great song and has brought back memories for many people from the North East. Written and performed with great conviction; really stirs the soul.

[ADZ01982]

@andrewsspace Jimmy Nail actually worked in Parsons as a Turner before he hit the big time. I remember my old man telling me that he was invited back to Parson as a guest of honour and when the managers asked him to come up the offices for his lunch he refused and went in the shop floor canteen and sat down and had his lunch in there with the tradesmen !

[ADZ01982]

@mickraff66 Yes completley agree. I served my time as a Fitter worked in all the big factories around Tyneside and the ship yards. Its a shame we will lose there skills because some of them were real tradesman and craftsmen.

[faey06]

@paul888smith I know how you feel. I left the NE in 1988 but always felt close as I was still in UK. Since moving to Canada in 1999 this song can always choke me up. I miss the NE so much

[tinfanide]

The first time I've listened to this song was when I studied in Britain.

My tutor let us listen, well, quite as learning materials for languages, but

amazingly I got feelings in this song... I felt as if I lived in the city and understood it. I was an outsider, even not an European, and knew nothing about Newcastle, though.

It was deeply rooted, I felt, cos even after two years, I still listen to it from time to time.

Good music from Jimmy Nail...

And excellent lyrics... powerful

[paul888smith]

I have got to move home.....

[nookybroon]

@andrewsspace GOD bless ya dad you take care hope yi have a happy-new-year kind regards billy from geordie-land

[nookybroon]

@davesdolphins06 bless yi ya a goodun

[ADZ01982]

@andrewsspace My dad worked aT NEI Parsons for 25 years. I worked at Gateshead factories and the shipyards.

[ADZ01982]

Geordie born and bred. Sadly i have had move for a better career down south. Still get home every chance i get.

[davesdolphins06]

great song great vid love jimmy sad though to think what the governments over the last 4 decades have done to british industry not just in newcastle but all over the country very very sad communities torn apart and industries just sold off so so sad