King Crimson - VROOOM / Coda: Marine 475 (Live At The Warfield Theatre, 1995)
Вставка
- Опубліковано 14 вер 2023
- Visit Bill’s online store for exclusive and signed items: www.shorturl.at/adnpq
Visit Bill’s online store for exclusive and signed items: shorturl.at/adnpq
#billbruford #kingcrimson #yes #tamadrums #billbruford'searthworks
When Robert Fripp convened an early rehearsal for this King Crimson sextet at my house in the mid-1990s, my percussive colleague Pat Mastelotto and I had never met. I asked him what instrument he was going to be playing. He explained he was also playing tubs - we were to be a two-drummer outfit. That’s a curve ball, right there, but we got right down to it. We were from very different backgrounds and experiences, and brought different skills and enthusiasms to the table. Pat was from a solid L.A.-rock background. Loud and consistent, he hit ‘em hard and in a way that discouraged surprises. Me: the closet jazzer, seduced by progressive rock, lighter in style, with a taste for the unlikely, the unpredictable and the odd-meter.
We spent a lot of time in the back of the bus, wood-shedding fun things to do with two drum kits, like metrical wheels-within-wheels (B’Boom; Sex, Sleep, Eat, Drink, Dream), or displacing the rhythm so I play the same thing as Pat but a note or two later (Dinosaur, Vrooom), or playing two meters simultaneously (Thrak). The only thing was we didn’t want to do was sound like two guys trying to play the same thing, but not quite making it.
What was Marine 475? It was an insurance syndicate at Lloyds of London, the world's specialist insurance and reinsurance market. Unfortunately, King Crimson’s management firm had invested their artists’ royalties in Marine 475 without the artists’ knowledge or consent, just months before this high-risk business went belly-up. The downward spiral of the ponderous riff that constitutes the last couple of minutes of this video effectively conveys that sinking feeling as a man watches his hard-earned cash go down the tubes.
I remember, absurdly, having trouble finding something to play here; by which I guess I meant, finding something of value to contribute. Or did I mean, more honestly, something that might attract the attention of my fellow musicians, and confirm me in my position as an influencer, a player? Coda: Marine 475 was too straight - backbeat in 4/4 - how can I make this work for me? Couldn’t think of a thing, but the answer was right in front of me. You exist to play the music; the music doesn’t exist for your benefit, dummy. I’ve known this fact, intellectually, for years, but my ego did its best to obscure it. It can be a collaborative musician’s constant battle: keeping his or her ego out of the way sufficiently to play the right thing for the song. All I had to do was play what was in front of me. It worked out just fine.
Part of the attraction of moving towards jazz and improvised music in my later career was to lessen the perceived obligation (that my position as an ex-rock star had lumbered me with) to ‘entertain’ the paying customer with something other than music performance. If s/he’s paying north of 100 bucks for a ticket in a 10,000-seat room, this person not unreasonably wants something that looks like a show: lights, smoke, cameras, action, bells, whistles.
At the other end of the spectrum, small club entertainment is to be found in proximity. The small gestures of the performers, their obvious commitment to and enthusiasm for the music, written all over their clearly-visible faces, the beads of sweat, the way they handle their instruments - these things don’t have to be provided by trucks and take days to set up; they have a powerful entertainment value all of their own. They don’t have to be summoned or ‘acted’ by the performer; a good performance just carries them within. The music is offered, accepted, or rejected as is. Clean and tidy, that.
#earthworks #drumsolos #improvisation #jazzdrummer #drummer
A band that can get so heavy at times that they create their own gravity, distorting space-time. Amazing. x
Indee-whoooooooooah!
Hola Bill Tuve La Suerte de ver este concierto en Argentina en 1994 y pude saludarte en la puerta del Teatro Broadway de Buenos Aires fue un show Extraordinario para mi que soy un fan de King Crimson desde mis 13 Años Gracias Genio!!!
This was such a great idea, having two trios playing as one 6 piece band and sometimes as 2 trios. Amazing music.
Saw this one in Denver, great show. Afterwards was in the bar where the band stayed and saw Bill come in and go to the bar for a drink, thought about asking if I could pay for it but didn't want to bother him as he was not dawdling and appeared to not want conversation. He took it to go.
Adrian Belew however drank in the bar and my friends and me introduced ourselves and we're invited to sit down and drank with Adrian for an hour or two.
Six proper grown-ups, earnestly bashing the shit out of things, making a blistering noise and having fun. What's not to love!?
For reasons I'll most likely never fully understand, this track always reminds me of The Beatles' 'I Want You (She's So Heavy)'.
Thank you again for sharing and for your elucidation.
Also reminds me of a Beatle's song!. A Day In The Life.
Oh yeah! What a great connection to make. The Beatles always inhabit a corner of Crimson, and it's fun to listen for them ("Dinosaur" seemed especially Beatles-ish to me this evening) -- though I guess the Beatles inhabit a corner of everything that followed them, pretty much.
Can't stop VROOOMing!
WOW..!! Never heard this before.. This sounds AMAZING.. 🎶🤯👍
Thanks for posting this.. 🎶👍
Wow! Robert Fripp in the center of stage and not in dark corner as usually ;)
Notice though that he still attracts special attention by up and center yet not letting any spotlights on him, the tricky bastard!
Your commentary always adds dimensions to the music you've layed out. Thank you for all you've done.
Ah. The songs that cemented my love for KC and the THRAK lineup.
That show was the very first time that I got to see King Crimson live, having only started to delve into their music in the early 90’s. I figured I had missed my opportunity to ever see them play live. This was like a religious experience for a young musician such as myself, just in my mid 20’s.
I had originally heard them first when I put their debut album on when I discovered it in David Mello’s (of Operation Ivy) collection. As I was branching out from punk rock and exploring other types of music. I revisited their music beginning with Islands. Next it was Starless and Bible Black, In the Wake of Poseidon, and then Thrak came out! Not only that, but the California Guitar Trio opened this show. I walked out into the lobby way in stunned silence. I actually fumbled on my words when I got the CGT CD. Ha ha! I was just floating! I don’t even remember if I went with a friend, or if I was alone. I must have taken public transportation if I went alone but everything after the show was a blur. One might think I was under the influence, but I know that I was not. Just high on music. It’s really the best altered state.
I wish I'd been around in the 80s to see Pat with Mr. Mister. The few live videos on YT are nuts, sheer energy.
Thank you for this one Dr. Bruford. I really enjoy this medley most when played live, but it was damn near impossible to find on youtube, especially in video form
The best band, I believe.
one and only
This was a great period for KC. Honestly a modern KC without Bill Bruford is just not quite as special. Adrian too!
Thanks Mr. Bruford!
Agreed, but still top shelf without them.
Bruford yes, Adrian no. Of the 4 main KC vocalists (Lake, Wetton, Belew, Jakyzyk), he’s my least favorite. I personally hate the discipline era. Red, SABB, and Larks Tongues are masterpieces tho.
@@ninjaking2548
Well personally you’ve missed the boat. We all know the final period leading to Red was the best. Doesn’t need repeating. I barely include the last stuff as Crimson. Jakko Jakszyk is a talented guy, but was just a hired hand. Belew was the only guitarist and songwriter that could and would stand up to Fripp’s latent tendencies towards megalomania to create truly original material. Post Thrak and Bruford things went a little sideways.
@@AudioAtmos construction of light and the power to believe we're good. Vroom takes the cake for me though.
@@AudioAtmos Check out “A Scarcity of Miracles” by Jakyzyk, Fripp, Collins, Harrison, and Levin. This is essentially a modern era KC album which shows the potential of Jakyzyk and the modern lineup. Bruford is one of the best drummers of all time, so him leaving obv made a major impact, but A Scarcity of Miracles is a million times better than KCs last 2 official releases, and debatably better than the discipline era stuff (I personally prefer it, but I hate Talking Heads so it makes sense why I dislike the discipline era). THRAK is pretty amazing tho, prob my 5th fav KC album behind ITCOTCK and the Wetton era.
The fretless Cutlass 2 bass Tony used during Sledgehammer!
I was at this show, having also seen their show in Boston earlier in the same tour. Breathtaking, both times.
Lovely notes by BB, great insights about the diverging roles of the two drummers. RF knows how to throw a typical KC curve...
Hi BiLL 😊 What a nice gathering of musicians (KC) putting together one very nice instrumentaL...🎶🎵
Thank you very much 🙂 & have a
very nice weekend 🌞
cya...😎michaeL😎 ❤️🤍💙
Thanks for including your recollections, insights and thoughts on the craft of engaging this problem of music we choose to find ourselves in.
Never heard this particular tune before. Terrific performance, and the different sections contrast with each other yet fit together.
I believe Thrak was the only tour I saw in the 90s, satisfied my concert going needs for the whole decade!.
Кримзон играет свои рок- симфонии.
Wonderful performance.
Some great footage of the very, very best, Tony Levin. Drove up with from Santa Cruz to see this show. Thanks, Mr. Bruford.
Otro bombazo de King Crimson.
Bill, podrías subir videos de ProjeKct One, está espectacular.
Saludos desde ciudad de Canelones, Uruguay.
Monster musicians!
thx for sharing Mr B. i was there with my brother, top five best live performance...
K.C. en estado puro. Los vi en Madrid en el 96 , sonido perfecto. Gracias
Absolute legends
"Existes para tocar la música; La música no existe para tu beneficio, tonto." Gran frase Mr. Bruford. La anotare en mi diario. Saludos desde Chile.
First time here. Thanks for the history and context in the information. More of that.
Welcome! Thanks for coming over. Bill adds similar descriptions to all the vids, so you may want to check out others already posted. If you like what you see/hear, please subscribe to the channel. Admin
You are not Bill! Just kidding. That fact that you said anything response is good fanbase support. Respect. TY. Tell Bill i like these written information blasts on each video.@@BillBruford
always nice to hear Mr Bruford's point of view.....and be entertained!
I was sooooo glad to see this line-up in Ft. Worth that year!! Somebody threw something and hit Fripp at the break.. I thought for sure and was worried they were going to leave but so glad they came back!! The Dallas Ft. Worth area was especially happy because we got robbed at ABWH - they cancelled because Tony Levin was down w/ the flu so this was quite the show to be anticipated!! The sound and acoustics couldn't be better - Goosebumps the whole time.
Amazing Music !!! still present and fresh , so many years after it was played Thank you
The coda, which name is "Marine 475", is such an underrated Crimson Gem🤌
Tony Levin sawing at the upright bass with a bow. That image is SO prog. I always wondered how Coda: Marine 475 accomplished that continually descending bass line. It seemed to go impossibly low, and reading Bill's description explains it all.
Thanks Bill
I appreciate music.
Awesome!
Coda: Marine 475 borrowing influence from the Beatles I Want You (She’s so Heavy) 🤩
Fripp declared that decided to be a professional musician after he heard A Day in the Life. Adrian Belew ever been a Beatles fan
Great video.
Saw the show. One of my top 3, at the time.
I love to read your commentaries on those songs, this add so much to the context. Thanks !
masterpiece:)
DOS MAS EN EL CENTRO
Love the Thrak box set.
I would be curious to see (and hear) a gig between KC and French band Magma.
For a starter, let's say Tony Levin and Jannick Top.
VROOOM !
Fuck yeah! What a sound... And the sound from this other drum as well. Heavy as fuck!
Robert had barriers to help protect him from the percussive onslaught on either side of his station - but they appeared to be somewhat inadequate from this viewpoint ..
Dos baterias en un escenario es muy sofisticado para este momento tan plastico del mundo
I was there. I'm still mad at you for retiring!
Bill
🎵 Bill bru the drummer dude 🎵
Вруууум
Until I read the notes, I thought the 2nd drummer was "Animal" from The Muppets
Who is the dude in the poofy shirt on the left. Looks like he is playing a many-stringed bass.
YO CREO QUE OS HACEN FALTA 2 MAS PARA COMPACTAR EL SONIDO.
Vrooom and it's coda should always be heard together just like it was when first released on the VROOOM E.P. One of the most annoying things about Thrak was the unnecessary splitting of tracks (VROOOM, VROOOM VROOOM and most egregiously Inner Garden). There alos was no reason to add a verbal element (thankfully missing here) to the VROOOM coda (or even worse to the Lark's IV coda later on).
Coda: I Have a Dream is awesome! And I'm also a fan of the radio voice, it makes it feel more like a submarine sinking endlessly into the sea, being sent error codes. Sends chills down my spine.
Has Tony got younger?
He goes up and down. He's in an old phase now. He'll get younger again for a while. Definitely a few cycles left in him!
I love KC but i don`t understand for what a band needs two drummers.
Pat for the stable big steps, Bill for the unstable smaller ones
Three in more recent years!
Le robaron una parte a Supertramp?? Jaja 😅
The fashion of the mid eighties creeping into the nineties. My least favourite KC period. Noisy. Derivative. Embarrassing. I bought a ticket from a scalper/tout at less than face value outside the Royal Albert Hall in London to watch this.
More of a combo of their 80s and Wetton era stuff with some Beatles-y songs from Belew
@@michaelhudson2912 That's what I was just thinking, why I prefer the Thrak era over the 80s era.
@@chrisgale5634 I'm fine with the heaviness but I agree that I never cared much for multi-drummer setups. I'd trade all of the modern Crim drummers for a one-armed Bruford.
Bill would have wanted the double drum to function only in a restrained way, but it does not seem to have succeeded yet.