Kevin Ayers - Why are we sleeping?

[paulboizot]

Regarding some earlier comments about Kevin Ayers' musicianship - see this clip "Kevin Ayers Interview 2008". At 3.20 he talks about how technically he was not as good a musician as some of the people that he played with, so he had to find other ways of interesting them in playing with him. He acted as a catalyst, he said. What he modestly did not mention of course was that he also wrote some very good songs!

[marcfedak]

interesting version, although I still prefer the Soft Machine version somewhat more.

[electrovox1212]

; P

[gilouseb]

Who's on drums?

[OZK033]

Kevin Ayers talent is not always present or obvious, but the breadth of work he's been involved in is astonishing. Definitely a Hendrix influence, old school pop, Caribbean and Latin themes. Not always a marvelous singer and certainly not instrument player, but the talent is in the way he works within his limitations to achieve a discography almost unrivaled in scope.

Hillage is marvelous on this take. Sounds like a clip from a different song though. Cutaway at 4:46?

[vercetticop]

@OZK033

Led Zeppelin or Purples

[MarcosRFernandes]

that's not hillage on guitar is it?

[POPAVIDEO]

archibald legett on bass and steve hillage on guitar solo

[lamecasuelas2]

is Daevid Allenn playing lead guitar here??

[lynus111]

@lamecasuelas2 Steve Hillage

[lamecasuelas2]

@lynus111 thanks man!!!

[internalcream]

This is shit hot!

[TheLostinasda]

How the f*** can you not like this??????

[thebigdiegowski]

his voice reminds me of zappa's

[CurlsNGoggles]

Awesome solo by Steven Hillage, does anyone know anything regarding the nature of this performance or this line-up. Did they record anything with this line-up?

[Ginebrain]

me encanta esa magia subyacente

[JDALIVETUBE]

1969 kurt cobain :D

[borghellit]

@JDALIVETUBE Cobain has to be the 90's Ayers!

[RawPowda]

why do people feel the need to argue on every youtube video?? This makes the human race look like crap. Listen to the song, the lyrics are cool, stop pushing your opinions, it's a lost cause.

[Abrohill]

@RawPowda, yes

[hashdragon]

@RawPowda damn straight brother

[fauxpasmusictube]

Opinions of musical entertainment get serious on the internet. DeathMetal and priapus...you two need to get a room. :P

[angrysamoan666]

I already got one with priapus

Remember that TV ad 'a finger of fudge'?

[fauxpasmusictube]

@angrysamoan666

Congratulations. Every good boy deserves fudge.

[theseventhprotocol]

That's Steve Hillage on lead guitar. The age old question I keep asking myself is Why are we sleeping ? !!!!!!

[theseventhprotocol]

great song.One of my faves ! Powerful lyrics ! Soft Machine and Egg are some of the best 60's/70's bands I've heard. Thanks for the memories !!!!

[Nakkinak]

this man could have smoked half of jamaika oO

[burgersoft777]

Ayres is a corking bass player, but his rhythm work on this is pretty sweet. You need to listen loaded. I heard a really good version of this song by that Ozzy Alien and that would have knocked the socks off this performance. Even so I love Kevin for the naughty boy that was awake and having fun. He certainly knew how to be a pop star in every respect but one, which would have meant him selling out. Many Girls found him irresistible , and he liked many girls.

[BassLudeman]

eh, Ayers is pretty cool, but I think I much prefer his bass playing to his guitar playing, which seems to range from mediocre to sloppy...he's still cool though

[oscarferreyrospinasc]

who's the solo guitar??

[njnorth1]

Maybe Archie Leggett

[sternumagnum]

Let's put this silliness to rest, please. Kevin Ayers a "bad player"? He was in The Soft Machine. Alright? This was a band that was not exactly taking in musicians randomly, or as a favor management.

You are picked by the Softs --> You have it.

Next, please.

[SandozSaxonWilliams]

@sternumagnum anyone who thinks Mr. Ayers is a "bad player" (christ) should listen to his instrumental "Joy of a Toy" on the Soft Machine debut album...

if that dosen't shut-them-the-fuck-up they are simply being reactionary...

[wboyers]

Hillage cranks you awake!

[eha9876]

Absurt.

[bunnyhead71]

i don't care-I know he's a lusy player (sometimes) I still loved him

[POPAVIDEO]

concert pour POP 2 on reconnait la presentation sobre de blanc francart . pourquoi ne pas  reediter le meilleur de POP 2 ?

[metalburger2]

Steve Hillage is the only person with talent in this video

[lizzardking44]

you are fucking jokeing kevin was there at the begining

[metalburger2]

He is a horrible guitarist and singer, it doesn't matter if he was "there at the beginning" he still isn't very good. I watch this just to see Steve's awesome solo.

[LTBL88]

"Kevin Ayers is a horrible guitarist and singer" - metalburger2, may 16 2009

[diViSiONdeJoiE]

Chump.

[unmegaface]

ha ah ha ha. U douchebag, u don't even know what talent is. i just watched ur vid playing sunshine of your love. whats that about, get a life man u suck

[diViSiONdeJoiE]

Meathead!

[priapus56]

Bollocks to all the negative comments..I'm with you pal.. Ayers was a poseur...and couldn't live with the other much more talented members of the Soft Machine..

[njnorth1]

Kevin once commented that none of the members of the early soft machine were particularly good musicians including himself. The early Canterbury scene were more literate than dedicated/well trained musicians.

Every grows if they keep working.

He left because he didn't want to go in the more jazz oriented direction the rest of the band wanted to go and he was a bit feed up with touring.

[priapus56]

Mr Ayers ought to keep such opinions to himself...Mick Ratledge was a very accomplished piano player and Robert Wyatt's drumming was just something else... Ayers couldn't play jazz. This sort of posy nonsense is more his "scene."

[christopherborne]

Interesting comment, since this is a Soft Machine song.

[DeathMetalDouglas68]

He's fucking songwriter you dipshit! I guess Mike Olfield and Steve Hillage are both shitty posy musicians by your estimation. I guess Robert Wyatt is poseur too because he left as well. The jazzy direction Ratledge and Hopper were headed towards had it's merits (Soft Machine 6 &7) but these guys wanted to keep doing vocals and more song-oriented material. Ayers solo albums are very diverse stylistically and he still makes great music today. Ayers a poseur? No. You an ass? Yes.

[priapus56]

@DeathMetalDouglas68 - The fact that you are a fucking idiot is proved by your placing Mike Oldfield, Steve Hillage and Robert Wyatt, very fine musicians, alongside Kevin Ayres...a chord strummer. Also I don't take kindly to being called a dipshit...if you'd like to meet up and insult me in person we can go from there.....

[DeathMetalDouglas68]

Ayres role here is singer/songwriter. His strumming fills up sonic space that Hillage leaves for him. If Ayers could not handle the "musicianship" of Soft Machine then why does he choose musicians of this caliber to perform along side him for his solo work than some hacks off the street?

[DeathMetalDouglas68]

I could care less that you called me an idiot because your point is stupid and names do nothing to me. If songwriting, arrangements, ideas, craftsmanship and thirty plus years of quality records are not something you have any respect for then you are a total wanker. If you do not appreciate being called dipshit then dont go to videos insulting the performer in front of their fans/friends, dipshit. Fuck off.

[angrysamoan666]

I'll meet you anytime, Cunt hooks.

You call Kevin a strummer, I'll rearrange the tunnel you call an asshole

Fuck off cunt

[priapus56]

@angrysamoan666 Samoan? What the fuck do YOU know about anything...fuck off you weak excuse for a packy!! Don't expect a reply..I'm bored with you already...

[angrysamoan666]

Your address please, Dick

[priapus56]

@angrysamoan666 Do you seriously think I'm going to do 18-24 months bird for GBH..just for a piece of shit like you who I've never even met.. Its enough to make me vote BNP!

[priapus56]

@angrysamoan666 ..Actually, if that is you in that video of the Samoans singing..I'm going to end this. You seem a nice a lad. Don't think because you've been down a gym for a few hours that you are a hard man.. I can assure you there are people out here with a lot more hate than you can ever muster..and will cross the limit...Go in peace and don't do anything silly that will give your mother tears....

[angrysamoan666]

I got my bulk from my dad, my muscles from my mother

You are a racist and Kevin Ayers is too cool to deserve your weeny on his page.

'Bird' LOL

[angrysamoan666]

Hey Peepee-up-ass, still looking for a kiss?

[Vicacid100]

is there any way to get this version of the song in some audio format? this youtube video is the best version ive heard of the song yet from soft machine, and his 2 or 3 versions he did when he went solo

[borninparis]

J' ai vu ce concert a Nanterre. Marrant de revoir cela 37 ans apres. Je me rappelle que sa guitare etait une d' emprunt, le concert avait commence en retard (une habitude a l' epoque). La meme saison, Nico avait aussi chante dans cet amphi. Merci!

[isaacsound]

amo esta cancion

[wouldntyoulike2know]

Cool clip, it was filmed on my birthday, except I wouldn't be born until 18 years later. lol. Kevin Ayers is cute. :D

[jellybabe88]

my favourite yt vid...

Mike Ratledge, Kevin Ayers and Steve Hillage - and for those into Khan, Gong and Sytem 7 et al, who argued with me, you see Mr H did play bluesy... Also played live with Kevin in Decadence... Isn't this just great ,,,,,,,

[Mickdog2112]

"He'll look at you and say......GET OUTTA MY DREAMS! FUCK YOU ALL!" greatest quote ever.

[written12]

Now, is it just me or is a fair amount of a kind of twisted Bob Dylan influence- voice inflections and lyrics- in the recitation parts of this? in any case, the sounds Hillage gets out of a guitar and amp are brilliant.

[JazzSheep]

He never played this the same way twice, huh?

[Damiya]

"Why are we sleeping?" Cos its too scary to wake  up.

[volantera]

And once you're awake there's no going back.

[lynus111]

nice to see Mr Hillage in action, Last time I saw gong steve hadnt rejoined they had some other young dude with a mohawk, Pip was on drums though so nice to see him RIP

[gotears2listen]

probably Steffi Sharpstrings

[Celloluv]

I like Hillage(early stuff incredible)a lot got into recently, Kevin from the 80's!

[Mickdog2112]

The guitarist is just shredding like crazy who is he?

[kynoceph]

That would be Steve Hillage. Hillage later joined Gong for their classic albums "Angel's Egg" and "You." After that Hillage went solo, putting out the excellent albums "Fish Rising," "L," and "Motivation Radio." Unfortunately after this Hillage became infatuated with Techno and quit playing guitar! A real shame.

[pressgangers]

Well you best look again as hillage is playing back with GONG,. And im going to see them in London I cant wait

[kynoceph]

what! he's taken up guitar again! Amazing news, I had thought he gave up the guitar forever to keep doing that snoozeworthy Orb/777 stuff.

[pressgangers]

The system 7 stuff he was still playing guitar over beats and improvising with noises while Miquette Giraudy played keyboards

[nathanidiothend]

I dare say its the genius  Ollie Halsall but i'm not sure

[expoonation]

It's Ollie alright. :)

[expoonation]

My mistake, Ollie is there too, but Hillage plays the solo. :P

[nickersby]

Ollie isn't this clip. There's no left-handers there, and he didn't play with Ayers until 1974. In 1972 he was still with Patto. But you're right, he was a genius.

[Reinisen]

These guys are totaly destroyed. I wonder how the after-party was...

Amazing Hillage stuff. He had just recorded the Khan LP I think. I wish EGG had been recorded for the French TV

[Bossk14]

Whos that guitar player? Was he later to join Gong? If that is the case, then I know who he is, but im not sure...

[prepostero]

Quite correct....that is Steve Hillage just before joining Gong....

[Bossk14]

right on. Thanks man,

[fleetwoodmac1982]

Is there no possibility for Mike Oldfield as the guitar player? At least, if this one performed in 1972, Oldfield was a member of Kevin Ayers & the Whole World.

[Bossk14]

Id say no, because that guy looks nothing like Oldfield, esspecially Oldfield in 1972. And if im not mistaken, Oldfield played bass mainly except for a few tunes like Lunatic's Lament.. i think.

[fleetwoodmac1982]

Thanks a lot. Yes, visually, he seems to have absolutely different figure for being Oldfield. Anyway, in an official CD from BBC live in concert, Oldfield plays the guitar in this song, introducing his preparing tune Tubullar Bells (the quiet piece, just before its celtic ending).

[Bossk14]

really? thats sweet, i didnt know that at all. Iv seen some footage of him playing guitar on songs he originally played bass for. They're a great team; Kevin and Mike.

[troncocono]

Why are you asking?

[eijanaika69]

bravo bravo bravo

but why were we sleeping?

[prozaccadillac]

having this live version is the fxxxxxg holy grail. this song has influenced who i am more than anything in my life. inspired me to write two hundred thousand words of sixties fiction and call it the confessions of dr dream. thankyou xx

[strangebeastie]

LOOOOOOOL Soft Machine wank! Thank you guys, this totally made my day. Week. Year.

[annikapc]

pinkfloydas: You are WRONG! Founding members of Soft Machine: Ayers/Wyatt/Ratledge, AND Daevid Allen. Daevid Allen left Soft Machine before making the first album because of Visa problems. Ayers left SM in late 68' AFTER touring with Jimi Hendrix TWICE & AFTER making VOLUME ONE. Hopper replaced Ayers. The 1967 version of "Why Are We Sleeping?" by Soft Machine was sung by Ayers. Ayers/Ratledge/Wyatt wrote this song!

[fawlty07]

On the eve of Kevin Ayers' first album for 15 years (out Sep 10th) it is great to see this old footage of Kevin and Archie. Terrific stuff

[pyonar]

soft machines original version is a masterpiece. This is ok of course.

[pinkfloydas]

The best version of Why we are sleeping is with out Kevin Ayers on their first LP as a trio "THE SOFT MACHINE"in 1967

[hanspeeters1]

Don't feel abused, but:

1. Why are we sleeping was WRITTEN by Kevin Ayers

2. Soft Machine was FOUNDED by Kevin Ayers

3. Of course Kevin Ayers not only PERFORMED in Why are we sleeping on the first LP but also SUNG this (his own) song

[pinkfloydas]

You make Wrong!Of course Kevin Ayers is the Founded MEMBER of The Soft Machine,But he Left from the band,before they make their first L.P,thats why they played as atrio on their First L.P with out guitar!2 The song WHY ARE WE SLEEPING was written by ROBERT WYATT who was the drummer and the singer of the band and that song is also on their first L.P"THE SOFT MACHINE" with out AYERS,The version of AYERS is to bad if you compare with the version of the SOFT MACHINE as a TRIO

[sachabrunel]

Kevin Ayres was on the first album. It's quite easy to tell his voice from Robert Wyatt's. The guitarist who left was Daevid Allen. Kevin Ayres played bass.

[pinkfloydas]

For more informations check their first L.P "THE SOFT MACHINE"(1967),That Period The Band WAS 1) ROBERT WYATT(Vocals-Drums)

2)HUGH HOPPER(Bass-Backing Vocals)

3)MIKE RADLEDGE(Piano-Keyboards)

[JadeInTheLight]

No, you're wrong! The founding members were: Robert Wyatt, Kevin Ayers, Mike Radledge and Daevid Allen. Daevid Allen was the first to leave. You obviously don't have the LP, or you would know that Hugh Hopper didn't join until later, after Kevin Ayers left. Kevin Ayers sings this song on the LP.

[chimneybelgium]

that is exactly how it went!

[kampestretube]

Steve Hillage a la guitarra no?

[Jhouston]

Nice!!

[ccjroberts]

That's Steve Hillage (from Gong) on guitar. This seems to be the KA and Decadence band that contributed to the Bananamour lp.

[narrator6]

on which there is a song called 'decadence', which for me is the stand out track.

[Celloluv]

Thanks so much, seems that is Archie Leggett on bass, who could be the guitar, strat? It is from the Dr. Dream album period, very great album.

[talckk]

This is amazing