Bill Bruford's Earthworks - Nerve (Quattro Club, Tokyo, 2nd Dec, 1991)
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- Опубліковано 31 сер 2023
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This features Django Bates (keys), Iain Ballamy (soprano saxophone), Tim Harries (electric bass), and myself on tubs, in an early edition of Earthworks. Back in 1991, this sort of music was considered adventurous, even ferocious. More than 30 years later, it’s gentlemanly tempo would be at least doubled by any squad of young firebrands from Brooklyn, and I expect any 14-year old could play the heck out of it, such is the prodigious skill level of today’s young stars of jazz and hip-hop. It would be delivered with a snarl and the velocity of an avalanche. With hindsight, the 1991 version seems polite, almost tame. The world is a tougher place now.
The tune is built on a slippery 8-bar drum pattern in 4/4 between kick and snare which gives the effect of walking two bars forward, walking two bars back, walking two forward, and two back again. The tune is played twice round (with omissions second time) - the second time beginning at 1’22” - until the thing falls off a cliff at 2’30”. Towards the end of a short collective improvisation, I offer a seven note rhythm on a single pad (4’41”) which doesn’t get taken up, so is trashed at 5’30”, before a repeat of the first four bars of the melody, leading to the coda.
Earthworks was only four years old in 1991, and looking to firm up its identity after a brave start. ‘Nerve’ originally appeared on Earthworks’ third album ‘All Heaven Broke Loose’ (1991), and caught the band at a crossroads when it couldn’t quite decide whether it was a rock group with jazz leanings or a jazz group with rock leanings. It was probably more rock than jazz. It’s rhythmic hips were in rock. It’s harmonic head lay in jazz, as did it’s melodic heart. If ‘Nerve’ called for a (displaced) back beat, it was also going to need electric bass; we were lucky to have Tim doubling on both electric and acoustic bass.
I used to play in Japan a lot with King Crimson and occasionally with Earthworks through the 1980s to the mid 90s; sometimes two visits a year. Then the economy went down the tubes and immediately music opportunities contracted. Music tends to be seen as an inessential: last thing you buy when you have everything else, first thing you stop buying when your personal economy tanks. I played Frankfurt and Philadelphia a lot, but never made it to dozens of other places - China, New Zealand, Australia. A shame, but no complaints.
Relative to nothing above, some of you might be interested in this link below. I was asked some time ago to have a shot at listing, and briefly describing, the best books on why drummers do what they do. The results appeared here: shepherd.com/best-books/why-d...
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My dream snare tone
Hello
How are you doing?
I love how Bill could kind of move the snare beat around to different spots, but his playing was always so spry and energetic that it still felt like a kind of dance groove. It was a remarkable skill. I saw this tour live at The Bottom Line in NYC, and it was every bit this great. A wonderful experience.
Love bill bruford anything he is in is good
If someone from another planet, that had drummers, asked what is Bill Bruford, I'd play this piece, and Heart of the Sunrise. I think that would be enough, there would be questions. Love this, it's been ahwile. Thanks for sharing.
and Frame By Frame
I love Peart, Bozzio... all of them , but Bill Bruford is a step above.
Very well put ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I saw this in Osaka, and he was playing the drums lively.
Hello, how are you doing?
A masterpiece.
Hi Nicky
That audience was so locked in. They did not miss one beat when they were done and then they cheered. I'm like htf did you know it was over?
set the way-back machine to a 30 something years ago. I walk into HMV Music in Cambridge (Mass - not UK) and THIS SONG is playing. I go straight over to the counter and ask: "What is this???" The person hands me "All Heaven Broke Loose" and I've never been the same since. I always thought it was a nice twist that Steve Howe did an album with no keyboard player (sort of) [GTR] and Bill did him one or two better by doing an album where there's no guitarist AND he plays the synths through his drums. Take that Steve!
Life, and the beat goes on.
Sweet Baby Jesus!
Love!! Maestro.
Great video.
The belt on my 1960 Pontiac's alternator belt has created similar off beat tempo that allows me to tap out beats like this one while accelerating.
Hello, how are you doing?
Bellissimo
Onya Bill! As an Aussie citizen I have to say tis sad that YES, Genesis, Crim and Earthworks didn't make it to Oz. Even Genesis only came once in 87. YES once in 2003 I believe. The Crim? Never. A shame. These little essays and vids have been fantastic. Cheers. From a late in life starting once a month drummer for a local church.
Hello Ben
@@sarahwilliams6058 Hi 😀
@@bencarter6702 hey Ben what are you up to?
And where are you from?
@@sarahwilliams6058 south australia. Out with family. You? By the way would you like to talk further outside UA-cam? Email maybe?
@@bencarter6702 yeah that would be nice
You can send me yours so I can email you some sexy pics 🥰 lol what do you think?
Looks like the same drum rig recently packed up from the Yes Union tour.
Hello Joseph
Does somebody know the counting on this piece? I know bill has described it as moving forward falling back but if anybody actually knows the time signature and changes on this I'd appreciate it
Now I'm really mad at you for retiring.
Roundabout
Hello Harrie
ELVIS IS PASTOR BOB JOYCE NOW!