Thanks johnny8 for posting this song. I like most Soft Machine that I've heard so far (including the mid 70s stuff, which is still excellent music), but my favourite period is when Kevin Ayers and Robert Wyatt alternated on vocals.
I lately saw a comment by a very north european guy (may be born in 1985) who called them "wankers" !! It might be too cold there or he´s a silent disciple of the Ku Klux Klan ? I could name hundreds of bands, whom I easily can call "wankers", but I don´t...Why should I ? It´s better to keep one´s opinion silently in mind....
This is one great video and song. Can't get enough! Way better than today's so-called "music" in my opinion.
What guitar is Mr.Ayers playing in the video? Kind of blurry but it looks like some type of twelve string hollow body guitar. It has that clean, crisp sound only an twelve-stringer can produce.
@ ministercreek: It is blurry, but sure looks like 12 string semi acoustic. Long headstock suggests it, as well as tone. My guess (after quick bit of googling) is 1967 Gibson ES-335 TD 12 string. Google it yourself- beautiful instrument; Can't post links here though
Kevin Ayers' version of the song is called Soon Soon Soon and its remixed considerably. He had female back up singers doing the "we know waht you mean, we know what you've seen we understand." and there isn't as distorted a guitar. I have a studio version of the track and it is quite good.
Well, Machine was one of the few bands Pink Floyd got to know. They had many gigs together in the early days. I guess Pink Floyd influenced them a bit.
I think the guys in the Floyd would have more respect than that for Soft Machine's innovations. It's true that everyone was influenced by Syd Barrett though.
Pink Floyd were equally as 'ragged' as Soft Machine were at this point in their live performances. If anything, soft machine had more organization behind their performances at this point. Where as Pink Floyd would just spend 30mins doing Dadist improvisation, then play a few actual tunes.
I would love to own this song on vinyl, but i do know to much about this band....was this released as a single or somthing? Sorry to sound dumb if this is a dumb question.
This song is not on the first album in any form. DresserJohnson mentions the BBC Radio CD, I wasn't aware of that one - I found a live version on a CD called 'Middle Earth Masters', but it is a bit distorted. A version by Kevin Ayers was on the B-side of one of his singles in the '70s, Bam Caruso put this on a comp. called 'Banana Productions' which was released as a double vinyl in the early '90s
I am positive: she IS Phil Bloom. The first woman to appear completely nude on dutch television in the Sixties, thereby causing a national riot. Hoepla was a Fluxus / Dadaism inspired tv show. Check it out.
For Flickerfly query, I didn't see anyone I could ID as Viv Stanshell - the drummer in Bonzo Dog Band, right? But any ID on the dark haired girl who turned away from the camera, perhaps because she was pissed Kevin's eye makeup was better than hers? Looked sort of like Susie Banshee, but could she have been that age then?
Kevin didn't replace Daevid, he was there all the time. The original quartet made a single "Love makes sweet music" before Daevid was forced to leave because of immigration problems. The trio then made the first Soft Machine LP. This tune, however, doesn't seem to surface until Kevin Ayer's album Oddities
Actually Daevid was in the soft machine the same time as Kevin but left in 67. Hard to see if hes the guitarist in this. He recently joined kevin on stage for a few tunes.
Daevid Allen left Soft Machine after they played Paris in 1967, there was a problem with his visa so he couldnt' return to England (he was from Australia) so he stayed in Paris and formed Gong.
Very early progressive rock, several years (at least three, starting in at least 1970, if not like four or five w/ 1971 to 72) before that movement really took hold with such acts as Emerson, Lake & Palmer or Pink Floyd's "Dark Side Of The Moon" lp. AMAZING, that Soft Machine was doing this music long before that.
Before Gong, Daevid was the guitar player in Soft Machine, leaving them before their first record was done, to move to France... Kevin was his replacement...
this is cool, but what about posting some kevin ayers from the time of "shooting at the moon" ? p.s. - to owlandtree, daevid allen wouldn't have know what to do without the pothead pixies.
Los ojos de Kevin en 0:44
BuyYourOwnBombs 1 month ago
we two, three. 8
SunJanis 1 year ago
Thanks johnny8 for posting this song. I like most Soft Machine that I've heard so far (including the mid 70s stuff, which is still excellent music), but my favourite period is when Kevin Ayers and Robert Wyatt alternated on vocals.
marcfedak 1 year ago
We know what you mean, we know what you see, we understand.a politician should use this song.but it would be ironic.
slicknicknirvana 1 year ago
I lately saw a comment by a very north european guy (may be born in 1985) who called them "wankers" !! It might be too cold there or he´s a silent disciple of the Ku Klux Klan ? I could name hundreds of bands, whom I easily can call "wankers", but I don´t...Why should I ? It´s better to keep one´s opinion silently in mind....
Tarabos1 2 years ago 2
amazing song i adore the psychedelic effects. Kevin Ayers is really wired
mobyboy 2 years ago 8
This is one great video and song. Can't get enough! Way better than today's so-called "music" in my opinion.
What guitar is Mr.Ayers playing in the video? Kind of blurry but it looks like some type of twelve string hollow body guitar. It has that clean, crisp sound only an twelve-stringer can produce.
ministercreek 2 years ago
sure better... no current music cant compete these quailities
mobyboy 2 years ago
DEFINITELY BETTER QUALITY MUSIC
psychedelic music rules ! I can't stand the garbage music they have on MTV nowadays either -that Hip-Hop crap BLAH !
jhatchjr11466 2 years ago 6
I'm NO fan of todays crap either, especially that habeed garbage.
ministercreek 2 years ago
@ ministercreek: It is blurry, but sure looks like 12 string semi acoustic. Long headstock suggests it, as well as tone. My guess (after quick bit of googling) is 1967 Gibson ES-335 TD 12 string. Google it yourself- beautiful instrument; Can't post links here though
keltyk 2 years ago
hey thanks 4 posting
Geni909 2 years ago
amazing ! kebin Ayers is so unique
mobyboy 3 years ago 2
i love kevin ayers....i almost wish i was john cale's wife
wetbedsheet 3 years ago 3
Kevin Ayers' version of the song is called Soon Soon Soon and its remixed considerably. He had female back up singers doing the "we know waht you mean, we know what you've seen we understand." and there isn't as distorted a guitar. I have a studio version of the track and it is quite good.
Mickdog2112 3 years ago
Is it clear the Itunes versions are fuzzy as hell. could you please tell me what CD version you have?
JakeANowhereMan 3 years ago
We Know What You Mean by Soft Machine or Soon Soon Soon by Kevin Ayers?
Mickdog2112 3 years ago
Soft machine please or both would be really great :DDDD
JakeANowhereMan 3 years ago
What a superb track!!! Being a massive Soft Machine fan, I was never even aware of this track... I think I need to get into Kevin Ayers a lot more...
eriktheviking2006 4 years ago
I quote Pink Floyd from'High Hope" (Division Bell album), was this that 'ragged band that followed in our footsteps"??
Anyone any ideas??
I can hear the early Floyd influence right away!
Britdrumphil 4 years ago
Well, Machine was one of the few bands Pink Floyd got to know. They had many gigs together in the early days. I guess Pink Floyd influenced them a bit.
resistance109 4 years ago
Yeah I bet this is that
ragged band' they were referring to?
Britdrumphil 4 years ago
couldnt it had been the other way. the Wild Flowers influenced pink floyd. pack it!
haterunner 4 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
your a dick, these guys were around the same time, i would fight you in person go fuck your mother
electricjudy 4 years ago
I think the guys in the Floyd would have more respect than that for Soft Machine's innovations. It's true that everyone was influenced by Syd Barrett though.
zbelm 4 years ago 3
Pink Floyd were equally as 'ragged' as Soft Machine were at this point in their live performances. If anything, soft machine had more organization behind their performances at this point. Where as Pink Floyd would just spend 30mins doing Dadist improvisation, then play a few actual tunes.
Bossk14 4 years ago
If you want to buy the best recording of this song on CD, then trust me, buy the BBC Radio 1967-1971 cd. After much research, this was the
only recording I found that wasn't recorded at
a loud, hence distorted volume.
DresserJohnson 4 years ago
Is this song on any album?
elliotbp1 4 years ago
I would love to own this song on vinyl, but i do know to much about this band....was this released as a single or somthing? Sorry to sound dumb if this is a dumb question.
PsychedelicGuy 4 years ago
From what I remember, I think it's on the first album but it goes by a different name.
ChauffeurBurns 4 years ago
This song is not on the first album in any form. DresserJohnson mentions the BBC Radio CD, I wasn't aware of that one - I found a live version on a CD called 'Middle Earth Masters', but it is a bit distorted. A version by Kevin Ayers was on the B-side of one of his singles in the '70s, Bam Caruso put this on a comp. called 'Banana Productions' which was released as a double vinyl in the early '90s
zbelm 4 years ago
I am positive: she IS Phil Bloom. The first woman to appear completely nude on dutch television in the Sixties, thereby causing a national riot. Hoepla was a Fluxus / Dadaism inspired tv show. Check it out.
ahsmann 4 years ago
damn, imagine seeing this period of the group on the same bill as The Pink Floyd Experience..
memalley 4 years ago
does anyone know where i can find this mp3? i cant find it anywhere...
queforcer 4 years ago
try : 'soon,soon,soon' by Kevin Ayers
cornersmother 4 years ago
For Flickerfly query, I didn't see anyone I could ID as Viv Stanshell - the drummer in Bonzo Dog Band, right? But any ID on the dark haired girl who turned away from the camera, perhaps because she was pissed Kevin's eye makeup was better than hers? Looked sort of like Susie Banshee, but could she have been that age then?
sunrajah 4 years ago
Flppin' eck - if that was Souixsie she'd be about 90 now!
nicky52 4 years ago
maybe it was Souixsie's (is that how you spell it?)mom....?
sunrajah 4 years ago
it might be phil bloom
ahsmann 4 years ago
Kevin didn't replace Daevid, he was there all the time. The original quartet made a single "Love makes sweet music" before Daevid was forced to leave because of immigration problems. The trio then made the first Soft Machine LP. This tune, however, doesn't seem to surface until Kevin Ayer's album Oddities
weasels 4 years ago
Actually Daevid was in the soft machine the same time as Kevin but left in 67. Hard to see if hes the guitarist in this. He recently joined kevin on stage for a few tunes.
musicalbuffoon1975 5 years ago
Daevid Allen left Soft Machine after they played Paris in 1967, there was a problem with his visa so he couldnt' return to England (he was from Australia) so he stayed in Paris and formed Gong.
MartyRotten 4 years ago
true about soft machine with David recently just heard about it
mikeh69 5 years ago
Very early progressive rock, several years (at least three, starting in at least 1970, if not like four or five w/ 1971 to 72) before that movement really took hold with such acts as Emerson, Lake & Palmer or Pink Floyd's "Dark Side Of The Moon" lp. AMAZING, that Soft Machine was doing this music long before that.
PeterJB 5 years ago
Daevid Allen was in gong
mikeh69 5 years ago
Before Gong, Daevid was the guitar player in Soft Machine, leaving them before their first record was done, to move to France... Kevin was his replacement...
pippopanenero 5 years ago
this is cool, but what about posting some kevin ayers from the time of "shooting at the moon" ? p.s. - to owlandtree, daevid allen wouldn't have know what to do without the pothead pixies.
thepinkunicorn 5 years ago
only kevin ayers on guitar
peteywheatstraw1978 5 years ago
amazing. first time ever hearing this group. makes me want to get into them. someone pass the acid...
josh90123 6 years ago
this video rocks!!! this person has graet taste in music.rock on.
Geni909 6 years ago
No Daevid Allen?
owlandtree 6 years ago