UK - Thirty Years

[CribNotes]

Funny how these guys were my heroes back in the day. Bruford had some interesting timing problems live that I didn't notice back then. Oh well, it's a white boy thing. I still like his easily identifiable sound and style - the mark of a special drummer. Carl Palmer used to be a hero as well. Today, I can barely listen to him at all. Just awful kid-in-a-garage-band timing.

[torlayer]

Where did you get pictures of UK at the Cains Ballroom in Tulsa?

[truck2112yes]

Damhear, how you been? Good to see you have avoided the YT axe :)

[ksjoyjespeace]

ESSENTIALLY,THIS IS KING CRIMSON WITHOUT ROBERT FRIPP !!!! SUPERB,AND BETTER THAN LP ORIGINAL,A RARITY INDEED!!!

[MisterCummins24v]

I love it! i also agree with henny320. I like Bruford's approach, but he's always been a tad sloppy for me. The earlier stuffs songwriting is better, and of course Holdsworth is magic. But the precision of Bozzio cleaned-up everything. I feel that if Bozzio played on the first alum(s), they would have been much tighter. Not to take anything else away from them. Truly magical music.

[damphear2]

@MisterCummins24v bozzio cant hold a match to bruford even on a bad day for bill.

[dontillman]

@damphear2 I would beg to differ. While Bill had done some tremendous work and is a remarkable innovator, I would have to tip my hat to Bozzio.

[egaillard37]

@damphear2

Of course, every drummer which tried have played fast and strong (white , collins)

But, always running when bill was just playing.

But Bruford's feeling is so hard for other musicians too, he can't stay at a drummer place.

But the one which love Bruford loves it for that too

[nikki00matsumoto]

@MisterCummins24v

>I like Bruford's approach, but he's always been a tad sloppy for me.

I agree too. The 1st album is more colorful with Alan, the most underrated virtuoso, but really sloppy live. The 78 formation weak at live and the 79 live in Japan formation tight and ecstatic at maxim. Terry Bizzio, what a drummer.

[interpegas]

@nikki00matsumoto

c'mon, Bruford is Bruford. I forgive him all his "sloppiness" just for his incredible ideas.

[mfitz1969]

@MisterCummins24v Bruford isn't sloppy in the least. he's just so far ahead of you that your brain can't keep up with him.

[MisterCummins24v]

@mfitz1969 Please. My first band in Jr. High included Derek Sherinian on keys, circa '79. Been studying V. Donoti for the last 15 years. My hands can't play everything I hear, but I was raised on this stuff. All due respect towards Bruford, but some of us, mostly drummers, are more in awe of playing something complex, with clean patterns and meter. Bruford is laxed at times with his meter, which I don't care for. That's all.

[artstarnyc1]

I saw UK open for Tull in like 78. I was only 16, buzzed and like what is this? Violin echoing all around a 20,000 seat arena. Got into them after. Like the first lineup better.

[ssabgorp]

Firts time I heard UK was at a Music + Store and at the time I was purchasing a bong. This was playing on the speakers and had to know who it was, love at first hear.

[Amere10]

yo allan holdsworth is hands down the best guitar player i ever heard and true story here when i was real young in the early 80's my dad who can play almost any holdsworth solo u throw at him goes to see him when he comes to rochester and starts asking him about different solos and this dude tells him he never plays the same solo more than once cause he can't remember what he did he just throws out whatever comes to mind this dude is the sicket

[MCNOISE666]

The synths sound like Fripp soundscapes. NIce!

[armenjc]

My favorite band!

[badmuddy]

that stage pic looks like the wolman's skating rink/schaefer festival show i went to.

[MikeHirsh]

UK wonderful band

[studentjohn36]

Pity they just took the board mix. Had they mixed in a pair of widely-spaced room mikes it would sound so much better.

[damphear2]

this is pretty much like being there. how could you say it gets better i dont know

[richardhigonsby]

@damphear2 Board mixes will always be superior to room mics. It's common sense.

[Yarsh52]

How much better can U.K. get?

[amsedelm]

@studentjohn36 As a sound man I would totally agree. The room ambience adds subtle tones that, if recorded correctly, definitely enhance the overall sound. But, as a board mix this is excellent! Great music transcends any technical issues.

[jamesedwardtheobald]

interesting! thanks for these vids!

[Lotschberg]

great!

[poodius7]

fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[belfogore]

wetton wanted to go pop... after asia he was washed up imo

[tobycat11]

Wetton to this day is populor in this genre, he tours with asia, did some tours in Japan with Steve Hackett performing some classic 70's english prog rock stuff and has remained fairly active as he is a bit of a lgend in his own right. The guys from that genre have and are having very long careers due to their fan base, and unique nature of their music. They don't really become "washed up" like 1 hit wonder bands.

[kukynerd]

Thank you for posting UK!!

[uzzz]

Great to hear the 1e album live !!!

Very tricky songs !! Thanks !

[s0undch4ser]

Bruford & Holdsworth might have stayed if Wetton had been easier to work with.

[dani2326]

la voz de Wetton impecable...me encanta...

[mstrsrch]

en the letters de KC sin olvidar la obra maestra de starless o la de carying no cross de UK

[petecockcroft]

This is incredible though. The keyboards at the end get so full and the bass comes up superbly. Great dynamics

[petecockcroft]

Spent the evening with Allan at Essex Uni in '78. We hit the bar and drank at least 14 pints of assorted beers. Wetton went for a walk and didn't come back! Allan then hit the stage to play the set. I don't remember much but his tone was OK. Took me back to the dressing room after and showed me all his guitars. Great guy.

Bruford was man of the match. Incredibly nice guy and an awesome player. Jobson was a loner. Wetton was dull. Sort of band that would normally last only a week

Fond memories

[henny320]

What a f*ckin great memoire... :)

[Yarsh52]

You are so lucky! I've always wanted to meet Allan Holdsworth and Bill Bruford.

[dockaiser]

@petecockcroft You mean he played this demanding music after ... whatever 5 - 10 pints of beer ?

[petecockcroft]

@dockaiser He played it after we each drank 14/15 pints of beer actually. I watched from 8ft away and could hardly stand up.

[barneyb3]

I think the first UK album is the best Prog Rock album that I ever purchased and it still sounds relevent today. I saw the trio live and they were the best opening act I have ever seen.

[poncelled]

Yep. I would have to agree.The first UK album was the best collection of jazz fusion masterpieces under the sun. The first lineup of Jobson, Wetton, Bruford, and Holdsworth SMOKED the subsequent trio. I REALLY wish they could have cut another masterpiece album before Allan and Bill's departure.

[westrokker]

can there really be anyone better than holdsworth?

[matmesko]

Check out Angra!

[westrokker]

who is angra?

[Lamontyoungberg]

UK, was god in the day.

[nextonespink]

god that was good!

[jeff99az]

great song. Timeless.

[henny320]

Both 1978 and 1979 lineups were good...

In 1978 they usually performed slower live because they could fill out the sound with some guitar...

In 1979 when they were a 3-piece, they peformed faster and the sound was far more streamlined, concise and very well-rounded - largely due to Bozzio's drumming style and sound.

I love this band, my fave...

[damphear2]

in 78 every thing sounded more full and wasn't as rushed or overplayed.

in 79 bozzio kinda killed the band for me with his simple style beats and super high speed rolls that have no real place in this type of music

[truck2112yes]

Thanks for posting :-)

[FoxtronInk]

Maybe you are too picky; but I also believe that no one can replace Bill Bruford "The Best"

[calvarychapelhh]

Even though Bozzio is awesome, he turned the trio into a garage band.

[tobycat11]

Is saw both of these bands live, the trio was kinda sterile and not as adventerous, or err, fascinating All in all, I would have to say the "full" UK ate the "Trio" UK for lunch!

[Padarack1]

@henny320 Yeah they did do their songs (rockers in particular) slightly faster, after Holdsworth was was gone .. They were basically ELP ... except with violin, on some songs.

[vandelpool44]

Awesome music & brilliant musicianship-My preferred UK ensemble. Thanks for posting