| The Great Western | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | James Dean Bradfield |
| Cover: | Greatwesterncover.jpg |
| Released: | 24 July 2006 |
| Recorded: | 2005 |
| Length: | 37:19 |
| Label: | Columbia |
| Producer: | Dave Eringa, Guy Massey, Alex Silva, Greg Haver |
| Next Title: | Even in Exile |
| Next Year: | 2020 |
The Great Western is the debut solo studio album by the Manic Street Preachers vocalist-guitarist James Dean Bradfield, released on 24 July 2006 by Columbia Records.
The majority of the lyrics are written by Bradfield, who had previously only contributed lyrics to the Manic Street Preachers songs "Ocean Spray" and "Firefight". Bradfield's lyrics feature a theme of looking to the past and are largely personal rather than political.[1] Manics bass guitarist-lyricist Nicky Wire contributes lyrics to the song "Bad Boys and Painkillers", and two songs feature lyrics co-written with writer John Niven.[2] Also included is a cover of Jacques Brel's "To See a Friend in Tears". The album features the drummer Dafydd Ieuan from the fellow Welsh band Super Furry Animals on "Run Romeo Run".
The title refers to the Great Western Railway, which is reflected in the album's artwork. Much of the album was written on the train journey between Cardiff and Paddington. Bradfield uses the train journey as a metaphor for soul-searching while away from home.[3] He refers to his journeys between his home in South Wales to London on the GWR in the song "Émigré".
The album spent two weeks in the UK Album Chart, peaking at #22.[4]