Stuart Adamson / Big Country Demos, 1981

These are the demos Stuart recorded in 1981. He'd recorded them at the basement of the Community Centre at Townhill, opposite where he lived, just outside Dunfermline. He took me there after I'd joined him, and we recorded some drums (using The Skids old kit). We then moved the equipment to our first rehearsal space, which was disused furniture warehouse, near the bus stance in Dunfermline.

Most of the songs were re-worked by the original band of Peter and Alan Wishart, me (Clive Parker), and Bruce Watson, a number of which were used on the Crossing album. From what I recall Stuart had a little Tascam 4-track home recorder which almost everyone used for demoing songs in those days. It recorded onto cassette, and quality diminished with every subsequent overdub. Nevertheless, such is the sophistication of the recording it was obvious Stuart had everything 'locked down', even at such a young age.

I understand Universal Records are including some of these tracks on the re-released Crossing album in 2012, and one would hope they have the original master, as there is some damage rendered to my copy, so a fair amount of repair and restoration has been necessary. Distortion, drop-out, and hiss is still present.

Songs;

Angle Park
Heart & Soul (at 4.16)
Wake (at 8.04)
We Could Laugh (at 12.20)
Harvest Home (at 19.48)
The Lost Patrol (at 24.13)
The Crossing (at 28.22)
Inwards (at 31.17)
Echoes (at 35.09)

For further info', please join me on Facebook at;

http://facebook.com/parker.clive

Instrumentation / Vocals; Adamson

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Scotrock
• Townhill
• Dunfermline
• Big Country
• Punk Rock
• The Skids
• Clive Parker
• 1980's
• 80's
• Stuart Adamson

[bfbjr]

My favourite band ever!! Thanks!!!!!

[boldonchris]

Fantastic!!! Thanks for posting. Stuart was a huge influence for me as a guitarist. The band I played in, in the 80's covered a few B C songs as well as original stuff. One of our original songs was called 'Unsung Heroes' written about the Falklands War. However, your good self should be classed as a unsung hero for posting this...once again Thanks.

[kingbrunodagaul]

these songs are real gems, even with the poor sound quality, the strength of the songwriting and melodies still hits home. Stuart was an extremely gifted musician, he influnced me when I was a budding rock guitarist, a great source of inspiration, brill upload.

[dbc1dc]

This is really, really cool, thanks for posting this!

[firecoalman]

This is unbelievably generous of you toward fans of early Big Country...

I personally am more interested in the very early songs, melodies and ideas which were the

genesis of what was to become the distinct 'Big Country' sound. Many thanks Clive for putting these on YouTube...

I sincerely hope they'll remain here without any 'interference' from any vested interests as I feel they are part of a historic legacy of a man who shared so much with his fans already...

Thanks Clive ;-)

R.I.P Stuart

[firecoalman]

This is unbelievably generous of you toward fans of early Big Country...

I personally am more interested in the very early songs, melodies and ideas which were the

genesis of what was to become the distinct 'Big Country' sound.Many thanks Clive for putting these on YouTube...

I sincerely hope they'll remain here without any 'interference' from any vested interests as I feel they are part of a historic legacy of a man who shared so much with his fans already...

Thanks Clive ;-)

R.I.P Stuart

[tyeistops]

Inwards......great!! x



[neilfunn]

Awesome.