i dont know what popular music used to mean in the 80s and 90s but now a days popular music is justin bieber and lady gaga (if im wrong sorry iv never taken the time to listen to these people) so when i hear about pop bands it instantly turns me off. but ill admit that i think it was different back than because peter gabriel is considered pop.
I find it funny how Bill has an opinion against Depeche Mode, and clearly knows what he is talking about. Yet there are people insulting him, calling him pompous, and getting bent out of shape. Sorry but, I feel pop music is horrible personally. Yet, I guess I am a music snob, a prog snob, lol. Music is full of opinions, doesnt mean someones and ass for it. I got to meet Bill, and hear him speak. He is full of humor, intellect, and he is the furthest thing from pompous. Hes a genius musician!
@IvoryForest1 It depends what you see at pop music. But anyway, being a snob is plain fucking retarded. Why CHOOSE to miss out on something that you might like for the fact it 'isn't prog hurrdurr'? I love progressive music, but I also love other kinds of music. I take it as what it isn't, not comparing it to others. And anyway, are you saying that Depeche Mode is pop? Everything after Speak & Spell, is popular, but in no way pop. It is massively emotive and deep in places, which pop isn't.
I dunno, to me, this idea of the "drums" playing the chords seems pretty standard. It more or less sounds like the way one would play steel drums or other chromatic percussion.
I think Bridge of Inhibition is a better example of the concept behind Earthworks. This song can get boring after a while. Bridge of Inhibition is incredibly exciting.
Let's put it this way. If I wanted to listen to Devo, I'd listen to Devo. I don't want to listen to Devo. I wanna hear a great drummer backing a great band with real drums. Analog rules!!
Okay this guy was my favorite drummer (guess he recently retired from live performinng) - but I don't think I could last a day with him in the studio. But I sure as hell would be glad to have him with me on stage.
There is no doubt Bill Bruford is a forward thinking musician. His desire to create new and interesting music can only be applauded.It's just a pity that amidst all this "forward thinking" the music,in my opinion,is boring and flat.
@lens2optic Yup, it's the basic question, does progress always serve the music.
The 80's were the worst times, when everybody jumped on that technology train and thought it had to be digital, with the result that a few years later the music scene recognized the brilliance of analog equipment and just turned around again. Ok there are a few nice gadgets meanwhile that have established them selves, like the computer ..
There's nothing wrong with Depeche Mode, some of their songs are really good...childish, but good ( what's wrong with childish music?). But Bill is not a snob, because he really knows what's he's talking about, his musical culture is enormous.
What a load of cock, so you have to like every other band in the music industry to not be a snob? Depeche Mode don't explore the range of uses of new technology, they just use it to churn out pop. He doesn't even insult them, all he implies is they're not very adventurous, which is undeniable.
Also, if he were being a snob he's allowed to be, because he's one of the greatest drummers in the world, with over thirty years' experience in professional music. And Depeche Mode are shite.
so even though they can write songs, they're shite? Bruford ain't a song writer he's a player which is a different dicipline so his criticism is not valid-his tone was snobbish and that's the point. A lot of people say King Crimson were no longer relevant after RED and tried to become a pseudo pop band.
Bruford played a large part in much of Yes' songwriting. Even if he were just a player, there's no law against criticising something you don't do. And anyone who thinks that relevance diminishes just because the NME doesn't think it's cool any more is ignorant. Plus, he never attacks their song-writing, which is often a very objective thing, he merely says they were sonically unadventurous. No sane person could deny that.
I didn't mention NME, you did. Cheap shot. Sonically Bruford hasn't been too adventurous since Crimson, he basically plays a type of technical lounge jazz. Not much sound "adventure" really.
I'm a life long Bruford/Crimson fan and really, Depeche have done some really interesting drum programming. Just listen to the Violator album with headphones.
I understand that programmed drums are not every playing drummers cup of tea, but to disregard the sophistication of the drum programming on that particular album is to deny yourself an exploration of something that's different than what we do on the drum kit.
people i woz chaffed ta see this band 3 or 4 times in london bak in da late 80s . it woz one of mi favorite . never forget it . yo some of da tracks remind me of breakin up with my 1st girlfrend at that time. sad vibes . . . but that's life isnt it ?
The electro pop bands of the early 80's were in fact extremely adventurous. Granted they were not instrumental virtuoso's, BUT certain bands are still regarded the finest of their time. The band "Japan " is a good example of this. Mick Karn is now considered one of the finest fretless bassists and has worked with David Torn, Terry Bozzio and many others. Vocalist David Sylvian went on to work with Robert Fripp and is now high regarded amongst the free form avant garde scenes of Europe.
@matmoose well said here. although personally, I like some of depeche mode's songs, I agree with what you're saying. personally I would take progressive music and jazz over any pop music, even the pop I really do like. that kind of music has soul and everlasting beauty that pop music will never come close to, people just have to open their minds and explore.
Love that Eb tenor horn playing. Django Bates can wail on that puppy. Both Bates & Ballamy are wonderful horn players, and Bates doubling on keys makes it even more remarkable. Complete that with Bill's Simmons pad voicings and anything is possible.
Earthworks was my first conscious exposure fo the Eb tenor horn and I found it completely compelling. There's such a joy to Django's playing, the voice of the horn is almost human.
Bruford is truly one of a kind and I LOVE what he says about not stagnating. I loved CTTE and when he left Yes I was very bummed out but he's right. What would he have done? Son of CTTE and Return of the Son of CTTE?
Different note: very cool to see the horn mic'd with a 421 and it really worked. On the other hand the Sax left something to be desired. I can make out the RE20 down low but it's way out of place for the sax, does anyone know wha that little lav mic is hanging in front of the bell?
This is incredible. Bruford is one the most creative musicians that I have ever had the pleasure to listen to. I'm so sad that he decided to retire from music.
i dont know what popular music used to mean in the 80s and 90s but now a days popular music is justin bieber and lady gaga (if im wrong sorry iv never taken the time to listen to these people) so when i hear about pop bands it instantly turns me off. but ill admit that i think it was different back than because peter gabriel is considered pop.
shadowmalik009 1 month ago
I find it funny how Bill has an opinion against Depeche Mode, and clearly knows what he is talking about. Yet there are people insulting him, calling him pompous, and getting bent out of shape. Sorry but, I feel pop music is horrible personally. Yet, I guess I am a music snob, a prog snob, lol. Music is full of opinions, doesnt mean someones and ass for it. I got to meet Bill, and hear him speak. He is full of humor, intellect, and he is the furthest thing from pompous. Hes a genius musician!
IvoryForest1 2 months ago
@IvoryForest1 It depends what you see at pop music. But anyway, being a snob is plain fucking retarded. Why CHOOSE to miss out on something that you might like for the fact it 'isn't prog hurrdurr'? I love progressive music, but I also love other kinds of music. I take it as what it isn't, not comparing it to others. And anyway, are you saying that Depeche Mode is pop? Everything after Speak & Spell, is popular, but in no way pop. It is massively emotive and deep in places, which pop isn't.
TheModCon 1 month ago
I dunno, to me, this idea of the "drums" playing the chords seems pretty standard. It more or less sounds like the way one would play steel drums or other chromatic percussion.
V5Blanks 5 months ago
I think Bridge of Inhibition is a better example of the concept behind Earthworks. This song can get boring after a while. Bridge of Inhibition is incredibly exciting.
MrJesseG123 7 months ago
friggin the bruufster looks like chick corea in this video...
kjll12 11 months ago
Let's put it this way. If I wanted to listen to Devo, I'd listen to Devo. I don't want to listen to Devo. I wanna hear a great drummer backing a great band with real drums. Analog rules!!
TTIME55440 1 year ago
I feel inspiration!
RootsAddicts 1 year ago
Love 'oop norf'
LittleDrummerBoy234 1 year ago
Okay this guy was my favorite drummer (guess he recently retired from live performinng) - but I don't think I could last a day with him in the studio. But I sure as hell would be glad to have him with me on stage.
Occasionally utube can be a bad thing. :)
Freenetnow 1 year ago
There is no doubt Bill Bruford is a forward thinking musician. His desire to create new and interesting music can only be applauded.It's just a pity that amidst all this "forward thinking" the music,in my opinion,is boring and flat.
lens2optic 1 year ago
@lens2optic Yup, it's the basic question, does progress always serve the music.
The 80's were the worst times, when everybody jumped on that technology train and thought it had to be digital, with the result that a few years later the music scene recognized the brilliance of analog equipment and just turned around again. Ok there are a few nice gadgets meanwhile that have established them selves, like the computer ..
dockaiser 1 year ago
Bill is the ultimate British pompus ass. But I love him.
TheTaoistdragon 1 year ago 4
This song blew me away.
FinbarFinbarFinbar 1 year ago
not my bag... if I have to go to the dessert island, just pack One of a Kind and the UK album and were set.
orlandofriend 1 year ago
There's nothing wrong with Depeche Mode, some of their songs are really good...childish, but good ( what's wrong with childish music?). But Bill is not a snob, because he really knows what's he's talking about, his musical culture is enormous.
ocsdct 2 years ago
Sounds pretty new age to me.
namniekib 2 years ago
what's wrong with Depeche Mode, is their music too childish? No reason to be a snob Bill.
burlearth 2 years ago
What a load of cock, so you have to like every other band in the music industry to not be a snob? Depeche Mode don't explore the range of uses of new technology, they just use it to churn out pop. He doesn't even insult them, all he implies is they're not very adventurous, which is undeniable.
Also, if he were being a snob he's allowed to be, because he's one of the greatest drummers in the world, with over thirty years' experience in professional music. And Depeche Mode are shite.
matmoose 2 years ago 23
so even though they can write songs, they're shite? Bruford ain't a song writer he's a player which is a different dicipline so his criticism is not valid-his tone was snobbish and that's the point. A lot of people say King Crimson were no longer relevant after RED and tried to become a pseudo pop band.
burlearth 2 years ago
Bruford played a large part in much of Yes' songwriting. Even if he were just a player, there's no law against criticising something you don't do. And anyone who thinks that relevance diminishes just because the NME doesn't think it's cool any more is ignorant. Plus, he never attacks their song-writing, which is often a very objective thing, he merely says they were sonically unadventurous. No sane person could deny that.
matmoose 2 years ago 3
I didn't mention NME, you did. Cheap shot. Sonically Bruford hasn't been too adventurous since Crimson, he basically plays a type of technical lounge jazz. Not much sound "adventure" really.
burlearth 2 years ago
I'm a stingy guy.
matmoose 2 years ago
makes sense for once.
burlearth 2 years ago
@matmoose
I'm a life long Bruford/Crimson fan and really, Depeche have done some really interesting drum programming. Just listen to the Violator album with headphones.
I understand that programmed drums are not every playing drummers cup of tea, but to disregard the sophistication of the drum programming on that particular album is to deny yourself an exploration of something that's different than what we do on the drum kit.
larkydozer 2 years ago 2
people i woz chaffed ta see this band 3 or 4 times in london bak in da late 80s . it woz one of mi favorite . never forget it . yo some of da tracks remind me of breakin up with my 1st girlfrend at that time. sad vibes . . . but that's life isnt it ?
bopkick5 2 years ago
The electro pop bands of the early 80's were in fact extremely adventurous. Granted they were not instrumental virtuoso's, BUT certain bands are still regarded the finest of their time. The band "Japan " is a good example of this. Mick Karn is now considered one of the finest fretless bassists and has worked with David Torn, Terry Bozzio and many others. Vocalist David Sylvian went on to work with Robert Fripp and is now high regarded amongst the free form avant garde scenes of Europe.
ruffian1868 1 year ago
@matmoose well said here. although personally, I like some of depeche mode's songs, I agree with what you're saying. personally I would take progressive music and jazz over any pop music, even the pop I really do like. that kind of music has soul and everlasting beauty that pop music will never come close to, people just have to open their minds and explore.
rexasul 1 year ago
Coming from the guy who's heard about 2 depeche mode songs.
myownservant 1 year ago
Love that Eb tenor horn playing. Django Bates can wail on that puppy. Both Bates & Ballamy are wonderful horn players, and Bates doubling on keys makes it even more remarkable. Complete that with Bill's Simmons pad voicings and anything is possible.
poncelled 2 years ago
Earthworks was my first conscious exposure fo the Eb tenor horn and I found it completely compelling. There's such a joy to Django's playing, the voice of the horn is almost human.
GBJPhotoWorks 2 years ago
Yeah. It would seem to be a fairly limited instrument in scope, but in Django's hands it tallies with the best of them.
poncelled 2 years ago
"the sax left something to be desired"? which video were you watching?
jdeasel 2 years ago 3
Bruford is truly one of a kind and I LOVE what he says about not stagnating. I loved CTTE and when he left Yes I was very bummed out but he's right. What would he have done? Son of CTTE and Return of the Son of CTTE?
Different note: very cool to see the horn mic'd with a 421 and it really worked. On the other hand the Sax left something to be desired. I can make out the RE20 down low but it's way out of place for the sax, does anyone know wha that little lav mic is hanging in front of the bell?
sloiselle1 2 years ago
"Is it Jazz"? Stupid question
Q2W3e4r5tss 2 years ago
This is incredible. Bruford is one the most creative musicians that I have ever had the pleasure to listen to. I'm so sad that he decided to retire from music.
highwaystar72 2 years ago
Always loved the way that tune ends. I agree with Bill that the band was 'heaven' -- their live album is incredible.
nnonnth 3 years ago
Love Up north but im just too prog to understand the rest of this jazz, but i will keep trying :)
tricky159 3 years ago
His take on jazz is my favourite.
EVHisgodyoumuppet 3 years ago
great stuff
bigstickel 3 years ago
Composing music on drums a fantastic inovation in the 1980's! Bill is still today ahead of his time! George
george52362 3 years ago 10
This comment has received too many negative votes show
sounds like a foot exiting an ass!
jclp777 3 years ago
How can you not like this? Beautifully done. Long live Bill Bruford.
bbbob21 3 years ago 3
Beautiful tune! A great mix of styles.
drtymac 3 years ago 2
This is a very nice interview with BB, but I'm more excited to see them play Up North, one of my favorite songs of all time.
GBJPhotoWorks 3 years ago 3