Bill Bruford - NYC Solo

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I explained a little about the origin of this a few weeks ago in the description to the video “Allan Holdsworth on working with Bill Bruford (Part 1)” posted December 1st 2023. This was an exciting time; King Crimson was hot, the music was challenging, the band was tight, there were a ton of new instruments and effects processors to fool around with, and we were getting paid, too. Can’t beat that for a package.
In 1982, instructional VHS tapes were beginning to appear from drummers, although it was new format for me. This solo - and two or three others that will be shown here over the coming weeks - had been left on the cutting room floor. No room for them in the DVD I was making called ‘Bruford and the Beat’. Somehow we had it in our heads that the DVD should have entertainment value, instructional use and interview footage, and all in about a 30 minute run-time, which, looking back, cuts it pretty fine.
This video reminds me of when I was kid - a real beginner, maybe 15 years old, in 1963 or 1964 working out of the Jim Chapin Book ‘Co-ordinated Independence’, which I still look at today. It’s got some serious coffee stains though. After a couple of hours practice, I’d just kick back and improvise anything I wanted on the tubs - not necessarily in metre or tempo. I remember exactly where I was even as I write this.
Fast forward 18 years and I’m constructing something similar here. The emphasis is on shapes, colour, form, timbral interest (music, if you like) rather than drum heroics. I don’t think many others sounded like I did around that time - or even wanted to. I had arrived at some sort of style after years of microscopic adjustments to the totality of what I do. It’s the result of thousands of tiny choices and decisions. You see some of those decisions being reviewed, retried, accepted or rejected, in this video. Thousands more choices were to come, in the pursuit of an individual voice - the production of a sonic identity that cannot be usurped by another player.
‘Bruford and the Beat’ is part of a 2-disc package called ‘Double Time’ on Winterfold Records, available here tinyurl.com/jhk... #billbrufordsearthworks

[@cjam8293]

How is it that a 40+ year old clip of a drum solo rejected from an instructional video can still be more entertaining than 95% of what's available on KZbin today?

[@joeyfife6994]

Because you subscribed to a channel that caters to your specific interests and/or hobbies?

[@debbiekelley7899]

Because the alternative would be torture of having to listen to Taylor swift

[@1spd7348]

Bill Bruford! That's how!

[@Bob-of-Zoid]

Because every unskilled, no talent, brainless dimwit attention seeker can put themselves on display for all to see, and are normally even more eager to do just that, than someone with real talent, vision and skills. It's hard to weed through the blind leading the blind, the believers (No actual knowledge), and what not to find the few truly good nuggets!

[@naderzekrya5238]

Bill is one of the most dynamic drummers that's ever been but the reason I love him 110% is his respect for the subtle swinging drummers of today!

[@phillange3731]

Unique, bizzare, marvelous, different, interesting, unconventional,.. Melodic, space tone, voice, Bill

[@lorcazola]

I have seen you live with King Crimson and Yes. 1984, 1989, 1991, 1996. You are my favorite drummer of all time. So much class ! So progressive.

[@TomTom-xp2jb]

Saw him with YES in the early seventies. Bruford was one of the greatest imho. So creative and technically bang on. ❤

[@avodiablackheart6131]

I also saw Bill with YES a few times in 70s & Crimson in 81 in SF & a lecture he gave at Guitar Center in SF durring the Crimson Discipline tour, He'll always be my favorite drummer. very crisp, the separation he gets between notes is amazing. Thanku for posting, my 'great music' listening friend.

[@vasantiago3038]

Saw Bill Bruford. .with UK (Chicago), King Crimson (Discipline tour), and Bruford (Gradually Going Tornado tour). .all were awesome shows. RIP: Allan H, John W. .

[@adderon]

Jamie Muir's influence still rang through ten years later. Stupendous!

[@MatChew75]

Thank u Dr. Bill. your one greats of alltime. Been a huge influenc This has to be my favorite setup that you ever had using the slit drum as well. I bought one because you had one. After I saw the beat video I had to have one so my girlfriend at the time in high school bought me 1 for my birthday and I still use it to this day. Some thirty years later. This was a brilliant set up nobody out there had a drum set like this. Everything I wanted to know about drumming and wanted to emulate myself after, You provided that doorway for me to step into. I don't think I'd be where I am today on the drums if I hadn't study what you did. In such detail....plus a few other Bozzio,Collins,Copeland. So thanks bill I appreciate it man.

[@AssociationAdmirer]

Wow, you just listed off practically all of my favorite drummers there, leaving out only Andrew McCulloch and Mitch Mitchell. Always good to hear from a drummer who was influenced by Bruford, since I come from the perspective of pure listener.

[@casanovafrankenstein8538]

Danny Carey is influenced as well by Bill

[@EBsDenStudio]

I remember watching "Bruford and the Beat" (VHS/DVD not sure) at that time (the late 80s) with my very good friend and Drummer, getting value from the lessons, even me being a Bass player, it was great watching Bill Bruford doing his thing, just like that... "The Beat" Thanks for sharing your comments

[@udomatthiasdrums5322]

still love your work, over many many years!!

[@radkon67]

Dear Maestro Bill! I'm so happy to see this, after your VHS release was such a landmark and inspiring video. You've been one of the greatest influences on my musical trajectory. This is timeless... Thank You! 🎯🎶🥁

[@soundscapes4619]

Great performance! It's a keeper. Nice shirt. I had one just like that.

[@MEGAMIGA]

Wonderful!

[@Bob-of-Zoid]

Bill, Your dynamics are wicked good!

[@VegasAlien1]

Excellent. I like the glowing crescent moon on the wall and blowing curtains as homage to the back cover of One of A Kind. Bill signed a black Simmons drum for me during his book tour. Never letting that go.

[@dennisstone5018]

Bravo !!!!!

[@marcususa]

King Crimson reunion would be great to see.

[@naderzekrya5238]

Seen you live many times too! Apologies for the slap on the back when I bumped into you at an 80s John Abercrombie gig at the 100 Club - Holland, Wheeler, Erskine + John Taylor

[@parasitesundinism]

Yeah he definitely remembers that

[@paulauksztulewicz4803]

Polishing magnificently, I dig!

[@7990069]

Grandioso Bill

[@ronaldbanks-mw2ou]

Cool stuff dude 👍

[@hipskind]

Love the Simmons overdriven tom sound. This is SO good. ❤

[@ronniefarnsworth6465]

I was Never a fan of the Simmons fake electric noise !! 👎

[@Wedge-r9o]

Bill ! Reminds me of sheltering sky (for some reason) ha ha

[@ytnsanw]

Definitely cut from a similar cloth...

[@BasicDrumming]

Great video.

[@AECJ1]

Good Morning 5am time for a drum solo Ok

[@sanderconron971]

that is the stuff. WiIliam B, always best show on earth.

[@bmac1205]

Saw you live with Earthworks and with Patrick Moraz both time at the Chestnut Cabaret in Philly in the 80's. Keep posting! I love your content!

[@joesantamaria5874]

I miss the Chestnut. Saw a few wonderful shows there in the eighties.

[@leomagdesyan7166]

One of the best drummers ever 🙏

[@morbidmanmusic]

Why? And what are your qualifications for say such nonsense?

[@rhythmfield]

So intriguing, such great sounds, Bill. And you were unshackled and free to go to town on CYMBALS hahaha…

[@elbosco8715]

Te sigo desde que te escuché en Yes y luego al escucharte en King Crimson dije, no es un batero más. Seguí averiguando y descubrí que venías del jazz y luego no paré de seguirte. Hay que reconocer que eres un genio. Saludos desde ciudad de Canelones, Uruguay.

[@gabrielsaldana8396]

Me paso igual

[@charlesnolan7602]

We were at a KC gig, Paramount theater, Asbury Park, N.J. show, 1995. After the gig, Adrian and Bill were outside signing stuff, and talking shop. At one point some borish fan edges into close proximity with Bill, from Bill's left: "Hi Bill, you remember me! I'm Joe! We met at that so-and-so gig in New York last year, remember?!" Bill: "Sorry, I can't place you..." " SURE you do Bill, we were talking about your drums and how cool NYC is and all that, right?!" Bill: "I really can't recall..." "Oh come on, Bill, we talked about UK, Feels good to me, Jamie Muir..." Bill now looked up, a bit perturbed, and in the driest, sarcastic tone replied: "Ah yes... I remember you now..." Then turns and signs another autograph! The ensuing laughter from the rest of us was so complete! It was like a post gig stage door improv comedy skit! Our over exuberant, tipsy Crim hero, Joe, slipped away into the Asbury summer night!

[@oldmanfromscenetwentyfour8164]

WE miss you Bill!

[@merit7720]

king of drums

[@rhythmfield]

I bought a Mandile slit drum shortly after Discipline came out, inspired of course by BB. And it still plays! Only one tongue doesn’t quite sing anymore… Probably an overzealous whack during a heated improvisation session with dear friends and like-minded creatives… we were so deep into early 80s Crim. I still love that record every time I give it a spin, to this day. How could something so dry and logic-based be so emotional and soulful as that great record & band? Well, probably because a rough, tough intellectual Guitarist surrounded him himself with great musicians…

[@eniojosepenz8908]

Fantástico

[@duncanparsons]

Shame this take didn't end up on the production run, I think I prefer it to the version that did!

[@fleursbruyantes4177]

The slit drum line can't help but recall The Sheltering Sky.

[@AlvaroOryan]

In the zone

[@shanehagan]

This is my kind of music.

[@malcolmlarri8236]

I watched Bruford and the Beat until the tape broke ! Hugely influential to me not just as a drummer, but it made me want to be as articulate and as well spoken as Bill was a well.

[@maarzt]

👍👍👍

[@MatChew75]

The old Simmons drumpads Were top notch how far they've come. The noise wild. Old-school!!!! I tell you what they hold their value you've got one @ Reverb/ Simmons SDS8 5channel 1983 model...... $2809.00. 1987 Simmons SDX-Sampler 16Channel $4,600.00!!!!!

[@mancuniancandidatem]

For me, I think the analogue sounds of the early Simmons and the Syndrums are the most creative synth drum sounds ever. Particularly when combined with acoustic drums and percussion. I think electronic drum manufacturers have gotten lost in trying to re-create real drum sounds and real feel pads, which at best are good for practicing quietly and making home demos. They need to get back to some good old hands on analogue tweekery and sound creation instead of banks of mostly unusable preset kits.

[@colinburroughs9871]

Bill had/(probably still has) a strong knack for pulling bits of tune out of improvisation.

[@tulpamade2767]

If it wasn't for you Bill, I wouldn't know and understand how to be a drummer.

[@dreadedscarpia2066]

Some guys are just born extra-creative, aren’t they?

[@Bawookles]

I think Bill means "In 1982, instructional VHS tapes were beginning to appear"! 😜

[@BillBruford]

Thanks for the correction! Now amended. Admin

[@bryantukmusic]

The Master!

[@bassinthehouse374]

Are there other tour dates? Portland, Oregon, maybe?

[@BillBruford]

Bill is not on tour, but he does have three speaking engagements this summer. If anything else gets added, we'd be sure to let you know on Facebook.

[@bassinthehouse374]

I don't use Facebook. what are the three dates? @@BillBruford

[@BillBruford]

@@bassinthehouse374 Tokyo June 16, June 29 New York Sony Hall, June 30 Keswick Theatre, close to Phjiladelphia. Details on the venue websites.

[@bassinthehouse374]

Very much appreciate the info. Maybe the addition of jazz alley in Seattle would be fitting?;)@uford

[@drummrboy]

Anybody knows what the wood "Xylophone" instrument, the one that looks like interlocking teeth, is called?

[@mickcoe2475]

Because...Bruford!

[@xanaxddu71]

Sheltering Bill 🎉

[@21st_Century39]

If you were forming a band back then, and all the agents were free, this is the guy you,d get to sit on the stool.

[@unkind78]

What is this wooden instrument called?

[@Sinnsonido]

African Slit Drum.

[@thomasmeadows2632]

A tongue drum, based off the African Slit drum.

[@peterwalliste8232]

I love Bill,s drumming, so perfect, such an awesome groove - but I don't like the electric drums... 😢

[@stuartcrow6126]

Sounds a bit like Bill inventing techno once the thing gets going a little

[@eniojosepenz8908]

Superior

[@fourniersfarm]

He looks a little bit like Donald Duck

[@puffysnowball2261]

That’s your takeaway? I think you’re missing something…