Early Soft Machine live

[thrashmetalkills]

I love how this sums up the first (best) album

[RLW1967]

Robert Wyatt had a soulful voice for an English guy.

[holydiver73]

robert Wyatt, the best nose in rock

[drviolette]

No SyncChrome, the song was called Hope For Happiness progressing to Lullabye Letter, then Save Yourself, all from the first album.Also, I saw them perform in Chicago as the backup band for Jimi Hendrix, and they had a much bigger sound then what you see here...fantastic group.

[lilananda1]

si, si like the tuvas xamans `s voices ´reverberation ... sorry about my english ... i m brasilian ...

[Wanderlustus]

Thanks for this.  Too kind.

[skovie23232]

Robert wyatt is an OG of man.

He is <Drumz all by himself

[SyncChrome]

from 5.35 to the end is fantastic. I'm not saying I don't like the rest but that's the high point for me.

[fleetwoodmac1982]

@SyncChrome

it's a song called A Certain Kind, from their first album. I totally agree with you and the song is one of my most favourite songs from the album too.

[waywardsoulsuk]

@SyncChrome : that last bit is actually by William Byrd: the Earl of Salisbury's Pavane - search Youtube and you'll find a few versions...

[glenstegner]

It's fun watching these early vids, you can even hear traces of their later sound in the "loops" etc., but the problem I have with early SM (live) was that they didn't seem to have their stage presence down professionally yet, especially with technical issues like Robert's voice keep dropping out of the mix (because it's hard to drum and stay on the mic I suppose, but still....). I think the first 2 albums were more patched together from bits and pieces they played out on the road than improv.

[marcfedak]

This is even better than the studio version, thanks to the droning intro and martial middle section. I think Kevin Ayers was an under rated bass player as well.

[andrewt4042]

With a good lyricist and a decent guitarist, they could have been as big as Pink Floyd.

[om108able]

@andrewt4042

i think that they are as big as pink floyd, to say nothing of guitarist

[llawfhionn]

@andrewt4042 : Originally they had Daevid Allen, who is more than a decent guitarist. Unfortunately, he wasn't allowed to come back to Britain after their first European tour.

[fantanestesia]

if this band exists today, not even gold could purchase their tickets. Long live Soft Machine!

[ellesbelles100]

YESSSSSSS



[chinapig55]

avant garde AND the songs... they deliver!

love this band!!!

[MegaSqrl]

what a treat to see this thanx!!!

[birchofacookie]

If only Wyatt didn't get so drunk... we could have a reunion.

[simonfinfon]

Robert voice Robert voice Robert voice POETRY

[U387765]

it's been 40 years I saw Soft Machine in Gent (Casino) tears came in my eyes

it was one of the greatest evenings I experienced in my student days

great vid!!!

[ssescoo]

@U387765 Lucky man ¬¬

[banjoshua]

I would K I L L (as any normal person) to have the whole show.

[charlenesoraia]

fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck!!! i love i love i love i love!!!! oh... it aches its great...

[BF9music]

Early soft machine is magical

[loyeti71]

amazing music and dada poetry soft was the best

[Gooseberry51]

Always liked their first 2 albums.... great to see this

[NeilThompson30]

Wyatt's rocking here isn't he? listen to 3.20 onwards. I think they lost a bit of that rock side when he left - no offence to John Marshall whose playing I also love.

[nickbackslash]

So that's what started Progressive Rock. I love it!!!!!

[nickbackslash]

So that's what started Progressive Rock. I love it!!!!!

[stevegale1948]

A certain kind is the ultimate love song for me

[dannyhood66]

Is there any guitar solos from this guitar player

[posthumanhero]

@dannyhood66 there is no guitarist

[dannyhood66]

@posthumanhero Oh shit,' that's a bass, i did not notice.

[Anirml]

I wish more people liked bands like Soft Machine. (Sadly, it seems the wonderful psychedelic elements many bands used in the 60's and 70's are completely absent in today's "music"). This video shows music coming directly from the heart. It is also almost impossible to have spiritual/psychedelic experiences with today's music.

[comaradella]

POSEIDOS !!!!

[gwennysmom]

thought it was Robert Plant singing before i actually looked at the video.

[FlyingJunk]

On top of being great musicians, they were the best-looking band this side of the Beatles. Actually, any side of the Beatles.

[theillfrisch]

soft machine seem to have a history of playing the sweetest bass guitars.

[RubHerSoul1]

Too bad Andy Summers didn't last long enough with these guys to appear in any live footage or recorded studio tracks. Blame Kevin Ayers for that one.

[j45gib]

Had the opportunity to see them in concert twice back in the late '60s or early '70s in Hartford CT. Both times they opened for some guitar player. OH Yeah!!! Jimi Hendrix Experinece. Not a bad matchup. Ticket prices were not bad either. Admission was $5 or $6. A couple of memorable concerts.

[boldguy54]

Never saw them, always listened, with awe. Saw Hopper and Ratledge with American Gong in NYC. Closest I came. This is fantastic. Nice post.

[MrFigueroa007]

Sick drumming and organ sounds.

[buttguy]

man, i almost always like the live versions of these songs than the album version, but theyre both amazing! one of my favorite albums ever.

[dantean]

Greatest rock band ever.

[spacemanbose]

LOOK WYATT AT 5.05

Awesome acid face..love

[miguelcontrol]

a huevo la pura psicodelia

[JekyllBoote]

While it's inexpressibly wonderful to have this footage of what was far and away the greatest line-up of Soft Machine, this is very much the "Jive Bunny" version of their set, so to speak.

Somebody, somewhere, must have the complete and unedited footage of this miraculous performance!

[angrysamoan666]

what the fuck is jive bunny version

[JekyllBoote]

If you'll calm down for a minute, I'll explain.

"Jive Bunny" was the nom-de-guerre of the producers of a series of novelty records that segued familiar songs - often of the 1940s and 50s - to an insistent disco beat.

You'll find examples of their fine work on YouTube.

[tyrannicoystercult]

in clips on TV like this bands are bound to pick songs that are a little more conservative, especially when the underbelly is as soft as robert wyatt's. Not many bands were this good on TV at that point anyway though so i say good on them. not as wild as led zeppelin or anything but they put a good word in for what Soft Machine was about.

[sunrajah]

didn't kevin Ayers get deported for being an illegal "aussie"?? -- neat how he's doing a digiridoo with his mouth and bass there at teh start............

[BassLudeman]

@sunrajah that was Daevid Allen, who was their guitarist. After a long time playing in France, when Soft Machine returned to England, Allen was denied re-entry because he had outstayed his visa on a previous visit. Thus, we have this lineup with Wyatt, Ratledge, and Ayers, and Daevid Allen remained in France, to form Gong a year or so later...

[sunrajah]

yea, you're right ... it all runs together after awhile---but why did Ayers leave the band? ... I know Wyatt took a slap at Hopper later with that Matching Mole song "Dedicated to Hugh but you weren't listening" ... tho I thought SF-THIRD was so terrific and tragic at the same time....mixed emotions over that period that flew it all in other directions---PHEW, "mammaries can hang you up & haunt you.................

[porahngtsen]

5:07

[Yarsh52]

This must have been pretty original at the time to have a drummer sing. I don't know of many people who have done that besides Phil Collins. This is a great song though.

[sunrajah]

phil collins---are you kidding? did you ever see teh South park send off on him? -- you should

[Yarsh52]

That's South Park, they make fun of everybody. Have you actually listened to Phil Collins?

[BF9music]

@sunrajah

phil collins is awesome not as good as the the softs but don't base your opinion of him from south park. look up tomorow never knows phil collins. its pretty good.

[bechet32]

are you nuts? you can't even  imagine what a fucking good composer and drummer phill collins was. listen to early genesis and you'll understand

[angrysamoan666]

Early genesis is an abortion for nuns

[macduflives]

Ringo Starr

[JekyllBoote]

Yes, Ringo Starr meets Elvin Jones!

[keltyk]

about 1:34 Ratledge seems to impro on Greig's 'Hall of the Mountain King' for a bar or 2... I might be wrong.

[progjazzfusion]

sounds like a blues shuffle to me at that point.

[axmh]

I began to like them via this track and the other one on Moon in June.

I noticed this video has a few tracks played - I think 3 or 4 tracks and one of them is Moon in June but can't recognise other tracks. Does anyone notice it?

[simonfrederickson]

The intro is from Hope For Happiness

[quint555]

first one is Hope For Happiness, and after a while they make some kind of shuffle of it. Second one is Lullabye Letter. 3th one is Save Yourself. 4th one is A Certain Kind. But where do you hear Moon in June?

[axmh]

Thought it was the last one.

At least I am wrong there.

Thanks for clarifying it up, quint555

[cshaw419]

wow is all i can say. a great performance.

[BassLudeman]

This must be from their american tourin 1968. I wonder where the complete recording is to be found....I only know of two other live recordings from this period, both are rough audience recordings(audio only), sadly...

[DucdeCroissy]

this was recorded in france

[BassLudeman]

@DucdeCroissy yeah I guess that makes a lot more sense, since the radio interference is in french, not english

[jazzaholick]

we miss Hugh, but his suffering is over and for that we are grateful

[axzck]

RIP Hugh

[MrPlanx]

Some of the most talented guys to ever pick up musical instruments - all together on one stage.

[fnnichols]

Ive got 1st vinyl album for sale. Ross

[fnnichols]

Yea,my cousin saw S.M. open for Hendrix,said they got 3 encores, were great!

[mikimcal]

Their very first album was so potent and addicting... I listened to it so much that my record was totally worn out in a year. Wyatt is an amazing drummer and singer! Ratridge sounds way better live too. I actually liked this band a whole lot more than Jimi Hendrix back then.

[studdingsails]

Gem.

[heartfullofnapalm]

sweet!

[greatfoot1]

At start I hear there Robert Plant (Led Zep :-)

And than its similar to classical 60.´ groups - such a beautiful honesty and confession of their times. (Doors etc).

And in Europe is similar Omega (Hungarian) or Focus (Dutch) - alternativ progressive groups. Super groups! ;-)

[ministercreek]

They certainly do not make music like this anymore!

This is GREAT stuff!

Thanks for posting!

[toecutterr6]

agreed

[chaspagano]

OMg. if there's one band i wish i'd seen it's these guys. especially at this early stage. jeez. freekin' amazing post . you deserve the something award, man!  what's this from? i'll read the comments maybe somebody'll say.

[pauletaloca]

WOOOOOOOOOOOW

[MeTube77770]

Wonderful stuff! I've heard this song many times, of course, but this version is so different, it's almost like a new song. So very nice--- takes me back to my youth. Thanks.

[ReyZame]

Weergaloos goed. Muziek die Echt is.

Ik was ook 13 toen ik een LP leende van een "ouwe lul" van 22 die op een woonboot woonde. Wist ik veel wat voor muziek het was....

[Beadbud5000]

Good version of Hope For Happiness

[glansale222]

he look like owen wilson XD

[SAHBfan]

WOW!

I never knew Wyatt was such a good drummer. Such a big double bass drum kit, too... but hardly any cymbals!

A great loss to drumming when he had the accident. Lucky for him he could sing, I suppose. His voice reminds me a lot of Terry Reid.

[Heuristic05]

Thanks for this. Very cool, love it.

[upsidedownscrotum]

this shit knocks my rock outta this world!

[woodentops]

aw thats great.

[planetacid]

this is the best vid on youtube!!!!

[banjoshua]

agreed!

[ReyZame]

@planetacid

Quite simply: agreed

[dantean]

@planetacid This is the best BAND on youtube!!!

[wetbedsheet]

hell yeah!

[rowanhudsonmusic]

The best video on youtube.

But where are the complete recordings???

[logansGT]

Thanks for the vid, siroen.

Wyatt and crew had great chops....enjoyed it!

[sparksrule]

Wow an early medley! Imagine what the direction they would've gone in if Ayers had stayed

[OPCXZNN]

Robert has such a great voice, and he is a great drummer too. Kickass combination.

[snusmumriken3]

...same goes for his charming and witty personality!!!... (and what a hot looking babe in those days!!!) ;-D

[frankieruiz88]

Donde se puede conseguir este video?

[TheMagicTea]

influential- People like this really paved the way for real grooves

[bnzbrl]

wow really great

[DRGasMoney]

i havent seen more than 3 seconds and im giving it 5 stars. this is the shit! THANKS!

[missyd23]

Fab - this takes me back to more laid back times of my younger days, I was lucky enough to see Soft Machine a few times - music had space then, thank you xx(o.o)xx

[zenmasterjimbob]

The first time I even heard of these guys was when I saw them in March of 68 as an opener for Hendrix in Flint MI. They totally blew me away, and Jimi gave a rather lackluster performance. He may have been sick that day, kept going out of view behind his stack of amps. But anyway, thanks for posting this amazing piece of history.

[IceFloeHyoga]

I don't have words to describe it...

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

[Madcapgrove]

oh god!!!

[JRL10040]

This is really good stuff here. I remembered a John Mayall show in Cambridge in 1969 opened by a band called The Egg and I cracked up. I never saw Soft Machine but had to listen to the horrible pressing (and re-pressing) of Slightly All The Time over and over. All in all a lucky Yank to have been exposed to this incredible art in the day. yay.

[threeby8887]

This music is too amazing for words, and probably also for worlds.

[Mickdog2112]

That "interference" is Kevin Ayers doing chant-style back up voclals. Man has a very deep voice.

[BassLudeman]

no, there definitely IS some sort of interference at the beginning, and its not Ayers's voice, because you can still hear him and Robert, and theres some chatter in the background. It must have either been the audience, or some sort of radio intereference as Yurasik said

[Yurasik]

Really nuts and amazing stuff. How do you like the radio interference in the beginning? Probably some air pilot or something, lol

[realdinho]

FANTASTIC! the early SOFTS were just out of this world. many thanks for this one!

[Mickdog2112]

Lullabye Letter! NICE! Most underrated 60's band ever.

[mtopper66]

In wonder what the date is...clearly late '67 or early '68...so rare...didn't know there was so much rare early Softs footage available out there, and it all seems to be here!!

[snusmumriken3]

Siroen, give me a time machine!!!! Robert is HOT BEYOND BELIEF, here!!!! I've got palpitations watching this!!! %-PPPPPPPPPPP

[sixtiessyl]

oh, how i agree...

[dullsville]

Sweet dreams.I put together a Kevin Ayers playlist over at my channel>>>

[Bossk14]

What brilliant old Soft Machine footage.

[sixtiessyl]

Wow...another wonderful version of Hope for Happiness! thanks so much!