Bill Bruford's Earthworks - Up North (Stuttgart, 30th March 1991)
Vložit
- čas přidán 9. 02. 2023
- Visit Bill’s online store for exclusive and signed items: www.shorturl.at/adnpq
A period piece from some thirty years ago. This was a foundational song for Earthworks - one of our earliest, and a prominent track on our first album. The ‘North’ in the title refers to the north of England, known among many things for its collieries and the brass band tradition. When we had coal mines, every one seemingly had a brass band, and Django’s E flat ‘peck horn’ is evocative of that. I had the chordal movement in the drums (sounds weird writing that), and asked Django and Iain to write a top line for it. It’s an evocative, nostalgic melody.
This was good time for me, although wrestling with the emerging electronics was not something I relished. If I was going to get to grips with programming synths and linking together complaining bits of kit with MIDI, I was going to need a payback. I spent months with hexadecimal code, and it was a heavy ride. But eventually the results came and could be spectacular: ‘Industry’, ‘Waiting Man’, and ‘No Warning’ from King Crimson; Stromboli Kicks’, ‘Bridge of Inhibition’ and ‘All Heaven Broke Loose’ from Earthworks, for example.
As I’ve pointed out elsewhere, in the 14 or 15 years I was actively onboard with early Simmons electronic drums, I guess I gave rise to no more than a couple of dozen compositions that were absolutely a function of electronic percussion, and whose charm arose uniquely from that instrument. At about one a year, that’s not a great output, given the time it took. But I don’t regret a minute of it. I was driven by both the necessity and the desire to find unlikely things to do on a drum kit, and Up North was part of that. Django, Tim and Iain were encouraging, and brave enough to stay the course, sure in the knowledge at least that was going on behind them would make them sound different.
The ease and facility with which current players use more streamlined versions of hybrid electro-acoustic kits is something to behold: guys like Jojo Mayer, Andy Gangadeen or Thomas Strønen. But we could do worse than to remember Thomas’ mantra: “Everything is possible, but everything isn't necessary”. Too right, Thomas.
#earthworks #electronicdrumkit #billbruford #drummer #tamadrums #kingcrimson #billbrufordsearthworks - Hudba
The first Earthworks album is the best in my opinion. Burford is so inventive, so creative. And this song, possibly the best of the Earthworks era.
This first Earthworks band and their music were so inventive and unique. I had the privilege of seeing them live. One of my favorite projects by Dr. Bruford.
The tonalities between the two horns are a wonderful complimentary contrast!
📯🎷
Yep, and such interesting melodies.
Or St Paul of Tarsus. All things are possible for humanity. Not everything is beneficial for the common good of humanity. Loved the electro kit stuff Bill. I'm a longtime Genesis, YES and King Crimson fan.
My all time favorite Earthworks song. It shows the evolution in Bill's brilliant use of Simmons pads as melodic percussion, since first heard on the song Waiting Man. Bill's MD interview around the time mentioned how people generally assumed it was a keyboard player.
One of my favorite Earthworks tunes. I love the electric band.
possibly my favourite from Earthworks...the sounds of the horns playing together... very inspiring ! 🙏🌟
this early earthworks band is close to my heart. the first two albums and sneaking into the chestnut cabaret are cherished memories and experiences that still inspire the music for me. Thanks, Earthworkers!
Love this aspect of the electronic set. The drums turn melodic, very clever..
Cool , brings back sweet memories: the concert in Aachen - Germany (around the same time) !! THX again !!
This was a great band and run of albums. I always looked for another new LP in the record shops.
Great Work & music Bill...!!! Greetings from Buenos aires, Argentina...!!
Los estuve viendo en Londres para esas fechas y fue un concierto increíble, inolvidable . Gracias 🙏
Great performance of a seminal Earthworks number. My favorite drummer doing what he does best with an amazing array of talented bandmates. 👏
GENIAL !!!
You're beautiful opening Melody with the TomToms reminds me of a question our music teacher asked us in high school." You have to strike the grand piano but it has strings, is it a string instrument, or a percussion instrument ?"
Great track. I love Bill
It would be interesting to learn more about Brufords work with the Simmons SDX sampling drum system. It seems very strange even by today's standards. What was he sampling and how was he programming the instrument?
The "Best" ! Ces quelques phrases jazz rock sont simplement géniales ! King Crimson, Yes, quel bonheur !
👍🥁 @+
So wonderful….. 😊
Great video.
ey up, love the rolling bouncy melody on the Simmons. I also wondered whether the trumpeter was closely related to Mick Hucknall, and/or whether his familiarity to said singer, was ever presented to him.
Saw bill at the night stage in Cambridge mass, why I'm thinking all electric FIBES sp hmmm clear set with guitar extravaganza manginy it was late 70's and lots of gray
It was so cool when the lights went out ..I get tapped on the shoulder “excuse me” ..Bill was making his way to the stage 😂”
BB has immense intellectual capacity beyond a natural talent for percussion.
😊
I say less than 5 feet away from Bruford when I saw him perform .
That’s some fine dining.
I had a dog I named Bruford.
I had a cat I named Bruford. My fav cat of all time!
@@whistleblower3516 That's so cool! Small world.