Ingenious Devices by Big Big Train

Ingenious Devices, a 2023 Big Big Train compilation.

An album that is both a moving tribute to the late singer David Longdon and a look toward the band's future with new singer Alberto Bravin, known to us with Premiata Forneria Marconi for his 2017 album, Emotional Tattoos, and 2021's, I Dreamed of Electric Sheep.

It features reworked versions of their "Ingenuity" trilogy, consisting of "East Coast Racer," "Brooklands," and "Voyager," enhanced with orchestral arrangements and a new studio recording, as well as a live track featuring Bravin.

The album pays homage to David Longdon's legacy by featuring his vocals on most tracks, but also introduces Alberto Bravin with a powerful live rendition of "Atlantic Cable."

Big Big Train's "Trilogy of Ingenuity" is composed of epic songs, conceived by bassist Greg Spawton, that explore how humanity has used technology to overcome its limitations. On this album, the songs have been reunited and reworked, giving them conceptual continuity.

"East Coast Racer," originally from English Electric Part Two (2013), recounts the golden age of British steam trains and the Mallard locomotive's speed record.
"Brooklands," originally from Folklore (2016), is dedicated to the eponymous English racing circuit and airfield, telling the story of pilot John Cobb.
"Voyager" originally from Grand Tour (2019), celebrates the Voyager space probes and the exploration of the solar system.

The songs have been revisited with the addition of a 17-piece orchestra recorded at Abbey Road Studios and instrumental reworkings. "East Coast Racer" is a completely new version (recorded by the 2019 lineup), while "Brooklands" features new drums and bass.

The new song, "The Book of Ingenious Devices," was added to musically connect "East Coast Racer" and "Brooklands."

The album is rounded out with a live version of "Atlantic Cable" (from  Common Ground"), which extends the theme of technology by narrating the laying of the transatlantic telegraph cables and marks Alberto Bravin's vocal debut on record.

It precedes what I consider an absolute masterpiece,  The Likes of Us released in 2024. The re-recordings are excellent, with modifications to the original tracks, sometimes improved and sometimes enriched.

The album was released after David Longdon's passing, so I consider it a special album.

A great album from BBT that I recommend to everyone!

Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists" page.

Tracklist

1. East Coast Racer (15:46)
2. The Book of Ingenious Devices (1:20)
3. Brooklands (12:23)
4. Voyager (14:11)
5. Atlantic Cable (live) (15:23)
Total Duration 59:03

LineUp

- Alberto Bravin - lead vocals (5)
- David Longdon - lead vocals and backing vocals (1, 3, 4), flute, acoustic guitar, mandolin, percussion
- Dave Gregory - electric guitar and 12-string guitar
- Andy Poole - acoustic guitar, mandolin, keyboards, backing vocals
- Rikard Sjöblom - keyboards, guitars, accordion, backing vocals
- Danny Manners - keyboards, double bass
- Rachel Hall - violin, viola, cello, backing vocals, string arrangements
- Greg Spawton - bass, bass pedals, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
-  Nick D'Virgilio - drums and percussion, backing vocals