Obras Primas da Música: Brave Captain/Big Big Train

Brave Captain

Big Big Train

Álbum: Grimspound

Ano: 2017

Duração: 12:37

Compositor:  David Longdon

Faixa que abre o álbum "Grimspound" (2017), décimo trabalho da banda inglesa BIG BIG TRAIN, "Brave Captain" composta por David Longdon, descreve a trajetória do Capitão Albert Ball, um piloto de caça da Primeira Guerra Mundial que acumulou extensas vitórias antes de morrer em combate aos vinte anos. O conceito lírico nasceu das memórias de infância do vocalista, que utilizou a visão de uma estátua do aviador como ponto de partida para escrever uma reflexão sobre o heroísmo militar, as perdas humanas e a inevitável passagem do tempo.

Musicalmente, a faixa se estende por mais de doze minutos e exemplifica a estrutura do Prog Sinfônico, equilibrando andamentos elaborados com harmonias precisas. A instrumentação agrega arranjos de violino e teclados sobrepostos à percussão técnica, conduzindo o ouvinte por dinâmicas sonoras que remetem aos confrontos aéreos. Próximo à metade da canção, vocais com efeitos de abafamento representam a voz solitária do piloto, culminando em um encerramento melancólico guiado por coros envolventes que desaparecem lentamente em meio a sons atmosféricos simulando o sopro do vento.

Dentro do contexto da obra, "Brave Captain" opera como o alicerce narrativo para as demais faixas do álbum. A atmosfera estabelecida por essa introdução conecta-se com o compasso ágil da instrumental "On The Racing Line" e antecipa a temática exploradora de "Experimental Gentlemen", criando um fio condutor coeso. 

[Part 1: Captain Albert Ball cradled in the arms of Mademoiselle Lieppe - Coulon, May 7th, 1917] [Instrumental] [Part 2: Memorial to Captain Albert Ball, Nottingham Castle grounds 1973] A statue of a young man Defiantly stands Glove held in left hand With an Angel close by his shoulder At the stroke of midnight When no one's in sight Beneath the floodlights What does she whisper? What has he told her? Sunshine through the leaves Back in '73 With my parents and we Were eating ice cream In the shade of the old trees I asked "Who was he?" My Dad said to me "Although he was only twenty He was a hero who'd died for his country" See Big Big Train Live Get tickets as low as $133 You might also like Last Train Big Big Train Folklore Big Big Train The Transit Of Venus Across The Sun Big Big Train Well, you should have seen me Who would believe me now? Racing around the castle grounds Wild imagination in full flight My arms stretched wide I'll be a brave Captain of the Skies [Part 3: "The Great Game"] You were a flying ace From the history books Thrilling deeds and dashing looks Fulfilling your destiny Simply doing your duty For King and Country You were the poster boy Who shunned your own fame Who didn't take to the accolades Even when propaganda Screamed your name You believed celebrity to be nonsense You were a loner, a solitary man Practical minded And good with your hands Your letters sent home Revealed, this weapon has a conscience Until at long last your plane emerges From out of the low cloud Inverted Flying upside-down Too close to the ground to recover Heading earthbound No engine sound Black smoke trailing Silently falling down Brave Captain of the Skies [Part 4: Annoeullin (The Present Day)] Brave Captain of the Skies.