Big Country
Guitar Techniques|February 2022
This month Martin Cooper nips over the border as he remembers Scottish rockers Big Country and the talented but troubled Stuart Adamson.
By Martin Cooper. Photographs by Dave Hogan and Getty Images
Big Country

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the death of Big Country founding member and frontman Stuart Adamson. Along with the likes of Simple Minds and Del Amitri, Big Country were one of the greatest Scottish bands of the 1980s. Blending melodies and rhythms from bagpipe music and military bands, with rock guitar and catchy pop tunes, they were one of the most recognisable bands of the decade, if one of the most unsung.

Founders Adamson and fellow guitarist Bruce Watson were joined by Tony Butler on bass and Mark Brzezicki on drums, and by the time of their second single, Fields Of Fire in 1983, the group had broken the UK top 10. Their debut album sold over a million units in the UK and half a million in the US, driven by the sound of Adamson and Watson’s deliberately non-blues guitar tones and playing styles.

More success followed in the UK, including sold-out tours as headline act and also supporting bands such as Queen, but the band was not to repeat its initial success in the US, even after later trying to deliver a sound that might appeal to that market.

Bu hikaye Guitar Techniques dergisinin February 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Guitar Techniques dergisinin February 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

GUITAR TECHNIQUES DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
THE MOODY BLUES
Guitar Techniques

THE MOODY BLUES

This month Stuart Ryan delves into the picking style of this British prog legend whose acoustic guitar has powered many a Moody Blues song.

time-read
2 dak  |
December 2024
WAYNE KRANTZ
Guitar Techniques

WAYNE KRANTZ

This issue Nick Mellor provides an insight into this brilliant jazz stylist, focusing on his approach to improvising over static chords.

time-read
2 dak  |
December 2024
OPEN G TUNING
Guitar Techniques

OPEN G TUNING

Open tunings are great fun and can help create exciting new ideas. Simon Barnard shows how to incorporate open G tuning into your playing.

time-read
2 dak  |
December 2024
RODRIGO GOUVEIA
Guitar Techniques

RODRIGO GOUVEIA

Last month we featured Mateus Asato, and mentioned the importance of the neo-soul style in his playing. Here we turn to his fellow Brazilian, the master of neo-soul fusion.

time-read
1 min  |
December 2024
MARK KNOPFLER
Guitar Techniques

MARK KNOPFLER

Our topic this month is a master craftsman as both guitar player and songwriter. His style is unique and his influence spreads far and wide.

time-read
2 dak  |
December 2024
U2
Guitar Techniques

U2

Martin Cooper checks out the chiming pedal delay tones of this stadium-filling band from Dublin, Ireland, and guitarist The Edge.

time-read
2 dak  |
December 2024
LUTHER ALLISON
Guitar Techniques

LUTHER ALLISON

It’s blues with a touch of soul this month, as David Gerrish explores the dynamic, expressive style of an often overlooked Chicago bluesman.

time-read
2 dak  |
December 2024
JOHANN KASPAR MERTZ Capriccio
Guitar Techniques

JOHANN KASPAR MERTZ Capriccio

This month Declan Zapala explores the music of Austria at the turn of the Romantic period with a fiery caprice to level up your fingers and unlock your inner virtuoso.

time-read
2 dak  |
December 2024
THE CROSSROADS Michael Landau
Guitar Techniques

THE CROSSROADS Michael Landau

John Wheatcroft explores the playing of a session ace _ and blazing blues-rock maestro who graces the top-flight m band of singer-songwriting legend, James Taylor.

time-read
2 dak  |
December 2024
VIDEO MASTERCLASS Troy Redfern
Guitar Techniques

VIDEO MASTERCLASS Troy Redfern

This month GT welcomes this slide guitar virtuoso. If you've been wanting to take your slide playing to the next level then this is one's for you. With Jon Bishop.

time-read
2 dak  |
December 2024