David Longdon, Singer from Big Big Train, is Dead
Novum Organum
“For science and for art
On ships that sail in all winds
With the sounds of distant Earth
With words and an imprint of the heart
She has gone now
Into empty skies
She has flown out
To the space between the stars
Heading further into shadow paths
Far from home
Far from reach
At least we tried
At least we tried
At least we tried”
Big Big Train- from the album, Grand Tour~~2019—Lyrics, Greg Spawton
I just found out today that the amazing singer, David Longdon, from the English prog-rock band, Big Big Train, sadly, suffered a death from an accidental fall down some stairs at his home on November 19, 2021. He died from his injuries the next day. He will be missed by all. He was only 56.
I haven’t recovered yet from this sad news. I noticed that a posthumous solo album by David was nearing a release date. That got me inquiring about his status. It was the ‘posthumous’ word that launched my inquiry.
I’m guessing the band’s tour dates are in limbo. They had planned a US tour next year I believe.
I get several prog-rock feeds as that’s my main musical interest so I was surprised that I had missed the news of David’s passing last fall. War and social disruptions always trump artists’ news when they pass unless they have a big social presence such as movie stars or pop singers. Prog-rock is a niche category, one I’ve been into since about ‘69 when King Crimson launched their 50+ year reign as one of the leaders in the genre. Robert Fripp, King Crimson’s guitarist and visionary is still going strong. He obviously has taken care of himself. He’s 76. Many of the first generation prog-rockers have passed back into Universe’s domain. I love this poem. From YouTube—Big Big Train~~Novum Organum
Movie Night
I’m skipping writing about the wars today—the *vaccine* war(s), and the war in Ukraine. You’d think that Russia was trying to annex Alaska for all the crap that’s being spewed by corporate(MSM) media. The Washington Post is almost unreadable for all the venom on how nasty Trump and his rascal buddy Putin that are doing their damnedest to sink “democracy”. The Post is decent for reporting on items like hurricane Ian’s destructive force in its global-warming, fueled, fury.
So I’ll come back(to war) later if things have worsened, which they assuredly will.
So tonight I’m watching movies. “Blonde” is now streaming on Netflix, an NC-17 rated movie. I’ll check it out in the near future. It is sorta long. “Dahmer”, the one on Netflix, is troubling enough to get through—kinda like “The Handmaid’s Tale”, on Hulu, I take in small doses, as it, too, is depressing. No binging on either for me.
Ciao~Fin
Just take care folks. Find the small slivers of good amongst all the bad crap that disrupts one’s life. Enjoy the arts. Grieve the artists’ passing. It makes being human worthwhile. Always be kind and stay safe.
Peace, The Ol’ Hippy
Image~~Pixabay
I ended my free subscriptions to more than a dozen Substackers yesterday and today. Everyone seems to want to talk at once and everyone (thank you for being an exception) is saying the same thing.
I am sick of COVID and sick of the undeclared war.
That being said, now I'm going to put on my old LP of Jethro Tull's WAR CHILD.