Bill Bruford's Autobiography now out!
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Topic: Bill Bruford's Autobiography now out!
Posted By: fuxi
Subject: Bill Bruford's Autobiography now out!
Date Posted: March 03 2009 at 02:52
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It may finally be possible to settle the question of "Who's the greatest Yes-man?" (a question which recently appeared in a P.A. poll), now that Bill's autobiography is available, at least to those living in the United States who apply for it on Bill's own website. Here in the U.K. (where I live), Amazon still gives the publishing date as "April 2009".
Like so many of you, I can't wait to read this book. From interviews he has given throughout the years, I gather that Bill is by far the most communicative of Yes' present or former members. The question remains how much light he's actually prepared to throw on the genesis of such seminal albums as CLOSE TO THE EDGE, LARKS' TONGUES IN ASPIC, FEELS GOOD TO ME, DISCIPLINE and FOOTLOOSE AND FANCY FREE. |
Replies:
Posted By: mrcozdude
Date Posted: March 03 2009 at 02:54
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oooo should be good
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/cozfunkel/" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: BaldFriede
Date Posted: March 03 2009 at 03:36
Shouldn't it rather be "The question remains how much light he's actually prepared to throw on the Yes of such seminal albums like..."?  -------------  BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue. |
fuxi wrote:Posted By: fuxi
Date Posted: March 03 2009 at 04:14
Or else: "how much light he's prepared to throw on the National Health of bands like Yes, Genesis, Pavlov's Dog" etc. etc. - are there any major prog bands Bill HASN'T played with? (Oh yes, VDGG, I guess  )
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Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: March 20 2009 at 10:55
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Hi,
To be honest with you ... I would really think that it would be a terrible dis-service to himself and YES, and King Crimson ... and what not ... if all he could do was trash someone ... he might as well dish it out as to the number of groupies that they had to deal with in those days ... might make for more interesting reading ... ohhh well, he's not exactly Pamela Des Barres either!
I think that Bill was overwhelmed with the amount of music and stuff in Topographic Oceans ... and probably need to simply "keep time" instead of always have to do his thing ... for a few moments so that they could get the conceptual musical passages through ... ... and this would make a lot of sense within a musical context and it does not reflect on the quality or ability of anyone at all ... it simply says that it might have delayed things way too much ... and in the end a different drummer was needed and used, and he stuck with YES from then on. And in my book Topographic Oceans is one of the most important, and dismissed pieces of rock music ... ever done.
His experiences in KC ... I like it ... and it fits the stuff in Lark's Tongues ... but I did not find it as good for Red or the next album ... so when it came to slower and more methodical stuff, Bill was very good at coloring the music ... even with what some might call his jazz'y style ...
He was also very good in an album that is rare and not talked about ... "Absolute Elsewhere" ... which has some very nice stuff on it ... and the breaks and quiet passages help him trememndously.
I kinda think that Bill is a bit too "technical" ... and I would imagine that when someone wants to expand and loosen up, a technical player might have a harder time doing it than one that can "see" beyond the musical limitations and ideas ... in order to expand a "musical space" and "feeling" .,.. which takes a lot less "technique" than it does something much more important ... FEEL and LISTEN ...
You know what this reminds me of? ... GONG ... when they toured around in the 90's they had Pierre with them once ... that time the band had depth and was solid underneath ... and you knew it ... the other times they had Pip and then another drummer ... and one was jazz'ier and the other "pop'ier" ... and it lacked the bottom end depth/strength that the album YOU had ... see the difference? all in a drummer only ...
Bill is very good ... excellent I would say ... and I wonder if he gets bored sometimes and wants to try something else ... but then, while KC had some nice stuff, I hardly think that KC is the scion of experimental music ... they are NOT! They do have an aura of intelect and what not ... but it is not experimental at all ... it's actually quite academic in design and conception ... very academic ... they would even get an A from most professors ... specially on this board!
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Posted By: Nightfly
Date Posted: March 25 2009 at 18:58
| Just got this today; looking forward to reading it. |
Posted By: Phil
Date Posted: April 03 2009 at 08:49
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I've got half way through the book and I think its a stonking good read! I was a bit nervous because, if you hear Bill speak, it all gets a bit posh and plummy, but although he is musically a bit of a snob, it is (so far!) a great read. A well produced tome, paperbook but with quality paper and cover, some nice colour pics, it does sort of travel chronologically but picks up on themes - for instance the chapter I am on is about rock and rock critics, and their limited view of prog back in the 70s.
Interesting to hear the albums that he's played on - or created - that he has real affection for; from Yes, Close to the Edge; from KC, it's Red, and from his own stuff - Winterfold anyhow - its "One of A Kind" (though personally I prefer Feels Good to Me, just thought I'd get that in).
No tales of debauchery; at one point as he recalls lying in agony in a hotel bedroom , he admits the injury came not from some Rock star type behaviour but from gardening...!!!
It does get intellectual in places (nought wrong with that....) like his descriptions of the types of music over the course of history, and the involvement of the perfomer - and he quotes at one point what he learned from Jamie Muir, that he is there to serve the music not the other way round.
Any interesting tittle-tattle? I liked his classification of "artists" as opposed to "craftsmen"...so in UK, he and the clearly temperamental (but brilliant) Allan Holdsworth were the former, Wetton and Jobson the latter. He recalls Eddie Jobson asking Holdsworth if he could re-create the solo from "Dead of Night" (which Bruford takes time out to praise) exactly the same each night; Holdsworth looked aghast. When Wetton came to ask him (Bruford) to split from Holdsworth and join him and Jobson, Bruford of course stuck with Holdsworth. He clearly has strong views that he is able to articulate concisely and sometimes with bite......the words "bland" and "Asia" are to be found in one sentence. One suspects he is not full of admiration for John Wetton - perhaps he regrets not doing more to stop David Cross being unceremoniously dumped from Crimson.
There are clearly many musicians he really does admire...the aforementioned Holdsworth, though it seems he is a sensitive character, and he talks admiringly about finding and recruiting Jeff Berlin. Not much yet about Robert Fripp though...but then I think there may be more in a later chapter. I hope so.
I know it seems a bit odd to do a review only half way through but at my pace the darn thing will be out of print otherwise!
Oh and I sent for a free sampler (Summerfold, as I'm not so familiar with the later stuff) - not sure the length of the offer for this one.
And he comes across, as I suspected, as a throughly decent if somewhat highbrow musician. Shame he has retired from performance - I only got to see him once, with KC on the "Discipline" tour, another album he has great affection for. His retirement was discreet and apparently not caused by any personal or health issues. Happy retirement Bill. I do hope the studio music continues for many years to come.
Highly recommended.
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Posted By: darksideof
Date Posted: April 04 2009 at 10:23
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I can't wait to pick it up.. thanks for the info...
------------- http://darksideofcollages.blogspot.com/ http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Darksideof-Collages/ |
Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: April 06 2009 at 15:53
from what i remember from reading/watching interviews of Bruford, and from reading Robert Fripp's biography, the 2 got along pretty well and had much admiration for each other. i mean, cmon, Bill came back to King Crimson TWICE ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm 
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Posted By: fuxi
Date Posted: April 16 2009 at 04:43
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I just got the book in the mail today, and I spent all morning flicking through it and reading selected chapters. Must be the best rock musician's autobio ever written! Very perceptive and highly critical, just a little low on completists' titbits, like "who exactly contributed which phrase to Close to the Edge"...
Moshkito, if you want to hear Bill at his most "experimental", you don't go to King Crimson (straight-laced composition, most of the time), you go to Earthworks, particularly their later albums! BB never sounded so happy and free. |
Posted By: fuxi
Date Posted: April 17 2009 at 04:24
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Well, I've now finished the book, and I warmly recommend it to you all!
The interesting thing is that BB has relatively little to say about the genesis (here we go again ) of compositions he wrote or contributed to. He writes far more about personal and logistic matters, such as his relationships with fellow musicians, the mechanics of touring etc. If I remember it well, something similar could be said about Nick Mason's memoir of life with the Floyd. (Mason's book is much lighter reading than BB's, however; it does not contain that many anthropological or, erm, "culture-critical" reflections.) Could it be that Bill is right when he points out that (good) critics are better at analysing music than the musicians who actually compose and perform it? (Bill states that musicians do not usually understand what they are doing, until some critic labels their work for them.)
For me, the best parts of the book are those where Bill expresses affection for some of the musicians he has worked with. His admiration for the likes of Allan Holdsworth, Dave Stewart, Jeff Berlin, Django Bates and Tim Garland is obvious. (A pity he's got virtually nothing to say about Mark Hodgson, Patrick Clahar and Steve Hamilton, who contributed so much to Earthworks' best albums. I would have loved to know something about their working relationship.) Bill obviously loves jazz musicians in particular, for playing the best possible music for relatively little pay. There's one of Bill's anecdotes I can personally vouch for. On one of Earthworks' tours, sax virtuoso Tim Garland had to be replaced at the last moment by the great Julian Arguelles, who had to master all of the band's music in just 24 hours. Arguelles then went on to perform a blistering gig with the band (for a paltry £300, Bill says) but if you didn't know any better, you could not have told that he wasn't with them all the time. (I was in the audience that night; I'd brought my wife and daughters; I even went to shake Bill's hand afterwards, but no - I did NOT have an old copy of CLOSE TO THE EDGE for him to sign. )
P.S. In his book, Bill merely states Tim Garland was unavailable "for one reason or another" but in a public interview he gave in Blackwell's bookshop the afternoon BEFORE the concert he explained Tim had suddenly been whisked away for a lucrative gig with Chick Corea. The fact Bill omits this particular detail from his book just goes to show with what grace he describes his fellow musicians. The only players he occasionally denigrates are Chris Squire (whom he despises for keeping fellow musicians waiting) and Robert Fripp, who comes across as some sort of Frankensteinian monster! |
Posted By: Valdez
Date Posted: April 17 2009 at 09:33
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I just finished reading this and thought it was fantastic. Bill has a great writing style and lots of insight. Not only a great musician but a very interesting cat. ------------- https://bakullama1.bandcamp.com/album/sleepers-2024 |
Posted By: Stooge
Date Posted: April 25 2009 at 21:38
| Now this will be an interesting read. Some great details about Yes, King Crimson (3 different eras), UK, Bruford, and his small stint with Genesis will be there. It will be nice to read his reasons for joining/leaving many of these and other projects. I haven't read a good music bio in some time. |
Posted By: Finnforest
Date Posted: April 25 2009 at 21:50
I think the lines I bolded are a very interesting sentiment. I've often felt this when I've heard musicians trash their own work....that both critics and fans often will "get" something like Atom Heart Mother for example, when the musicians involved seem not to understand the appeal the work has. |
Posted By: Stooge
Date Posted: April 29 2009 at 13:06
| I just picked up this book today at the local Chapter's. I went there looklig for a bio, and I did not expect to see this at the store. I'll post my thoughts after I finish if I have any. |
Posted By: mrcozdude
Date Posted: April 29 2009 at 18:33
Sounds like a good read,I think my favourite Biography has been Johnny Cash's so far.I'm feeling sorry for Fripp at the moment he needs more love. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/cozfunkel/" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Bitterblogger
Date Posted: April 29 2009 at 19:45
| Hearing about Bill's autobio effort reminds of one of, if not the (in the olden days, anyway) great raconteurs/ storytellers (well, the storytelling continues): Mr. Wakeman. How do his books compare relative to Bill's, I wonder? Anyone got the lowdown here? Do tell! |
Posted By: toroddfuglesteg
Date Posted: August 20 2009 at 07:51
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Well, Bill Bruford's book is generally regarded as one of the best rock/music bios ever. It has got raving, raving reviews. Rick Wakeman tells stories and that is all. But both his books and Bill Bruford's book is worthy a purchase. Go for both of them. I have Bill Bruford's book on my wishlist. But I have to pay a large tax-bill first. |
Posted By: BaldFriede
Date Posted: August 20 2009 at 08:15
He even played with Gong for a short time. ------------- BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue. |
Posted By: fuxi
Date Posted: August 20 2009 at 08:19
| Yes, and he REALLY didn't like the way they operated. |
Posted By: Todd
Date Posted: August 27 2009 at 19:04
| One thing that frustrates me about the book is that it is not chronological, but rather topical. He answers several questions by recounting history and waxing philosophical. A very interesting and entertaining read, mind you, but not very facilitating for picking and choosing different periods. A small criticism, perhaps, but there it is. |
Posted By: TODDLER
Date Posted: August 31 2009 at 22:31
 Yes he is extraordinary on this Gong live in Oslo 1974. Just picked it up and it's an import from Japan. A true universal player. |
Posted By: Stooge
Date Posted: September 05 2009 at 12:49
 Pretty much my thoughts as well. Different layout, but still quite enjoyable. |
Posted By: DaleHauskins
Date Posted: September 11 2009 at 20:25
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This Los Angeles guitarist owns a couple letters written by & from Bill thanking me for sending him albums of http://www.progressiveworld.net/html/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=1555 - Flame Dream ,(my old Swiss progressive rock band I was in);writing Mr.Bruford I wanted to work with him someday. I,as a younger Californian guitarist at the time first living in London,England and later Lucerne,Switzerland,Mr.Bruford always wrote very encourageable,positive;and respectful letters(including England's Jon Hiseman) Tschüß,Bless. ------------- Ｄａｌｅ Ｈａｕｓｋｉｎｓ (858) 401-2973 (310) 293-0432 https://artistecard.com/Dalehauskins |
Posted By: Stackridge
Date Posted: October 27 2009 at 12:42
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WALL OF SOUND PRESENTS - AN EVENING WITH BILL BRUFORD
Legendary drummer with YES, KING CRIMSON, UK & EARTHWORKS will read from his autobiography, sign copies and answer questions about his highly distinguished career and related topics.
(Please note: Bill will not actually be playing drums during this event!)
TUESDAY 3rd NOVEMBER 2009
Starts: 7.30 pm @ ‘Wall of Sound’,
42, John William Street, Huddersfield HD1 1ER
(opposite the Railway Station)
ADMISSION: £5 (£6 on the door) – incl. drinks.
** TICKETS NOW ON SALE IN THE SHOP ** |
Posted By: Todd
Date Posted: October 27 2009 at 12:51
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As I continue to read this autobiography, I am amazed at how thoughtful and articulate this man is. He really is an extraordinary writer and thinker and has many poignant thoughts about many, many aspects of the music industry. Witness the quote below. This is an excellent book. ------------- "I have seen the broken sky turn blue." http://gnosis2000.net/ratertodd.shtml" rel="nofollow - My Gnosis Ratings |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: October 28 2009 at 14:53
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I only read the first chapter on the internet, which was great. I now asked the book for Santa Claus, which I hope to celebrate with my Dutch family (Santa Claus? Well, Sinterklaas in The Netherlands, on the 5th of December). I also asked Andy Summers autobio, but I expect to get the one by Bruford. I love the first chapter already, where Bill was telling that being on tour with Yes was already a threat to his life, because Jon Anderson tended to fall asleep behind the steering wheel . |
Posted By: toroddfuglesteg
Date Posted: October 28 2009 at 15:10
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I got the book. But I have both got several university exams and a faulty heart. So I both have to let the Gong bio, the Soft Machine bio and this book rest until the blood supply to the heart has been restored and I have passed the exams. But a small glimpse of this book has given me a strong urge to survive the heart operation. Bill Bruford is good for my health. |
Posted By: Todd
Date Posted: October 28 2009 at 15:13
Wow! Our thoughts and prayers are with you for the surgery. Good luck!
  ------------- "I have seen the broken sky turn blue." http://gnosis2000.net/ratertodd.shtml" rel="nofollow - My Gnosis Ratings |
Posted By: toroddfuglesteg
Date Posted: October 28 2009 at 15:50
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Thanx. I am more worried about your mental health after reading through the 1000 reviews I am planning after I am out of the hospital. As far as I can see from the book, it is a serious book with some stuff worthy his stature. I am still waiting for the free CD I was supposed to get as a part of the deal when I bought the book. But I can survive without the CD (and we are in the middle of a postal strike) but not without the book. I will do a proper book review when finished. Hence my worries about your mental health....... |
Posted By: Todd
Date Posted: October 28 2009 at 16:00
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Yes, the book is easily one of the best I've read in the genre. I suspect the CD is a sampler of Winterfold and/or Summerfold, which they had available for free on his website a while back. They're basically a scripted interview with Bill talking about his various projects with small samples of the bands (no complete songs) thrown in. So certainly not essential, though entertaining to say the least! (Charming website, by the way, Torodd.) ------------- "I have seen the broken sky turn blue." http://gnosis2000.net/ratertodd.shtml" rel="nofollow - My Gnosis Ratings |
Posted By: Vibrationbaby
Date Posted: October 31 2009 at 11:21
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I've read Emerson and Wakeman's books but haven' got a chance to get around to Bruford's yet. Sounds a lot more on the really serious side. Lots of funny sh*t in Grumpy Old Rock Star and Pictures of an Exhibitionist. ------------- |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: February 02 2010 at 11:08
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I'm about to start reading Brufords book this week.
I met him last Thursday, at a talk he was doing at a local jazz club. It was a wonderful evening; good food, wine, and anecdotes, plus vid clips of some of his performnces, including Larks onges in Aspic with Jamie Muir, and Cinema Show with Phil Collins. I chatted to him briefly as he signed my copy of his book. We discussed the curse of what he calls 'clock time' and his hatred of metronomes and click tracks. I bloody hate them too!! Anyway, it was a pleasure to meet the man and I'm looking fortward to reading his book. ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: Moogtron III
Date Posted: February 02 2010 at 15:27
Hey, that's nice! I read his book completely now. Wonderful book, and what an intelligent observations throughout the book. And this week I want to order the free sampler . The second one, because I know most of his early work; |