BILL!! Drummer's First Time Hearing - Yes - South Side Of The Sky Reaction/Review

It's been a while, guys!!
Original Vid: • South Side of the Sky ...
Instagram: / joshrisakot. .
i do not own any rights to this music nor is any copyright infringement intended.
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS
Thanks for watching, y'all!!

[@tonygittins5980]

I feel this is one of YES's most under-rated tracks? That simple, repetitive piano in the mid-section is hauntingly beautiful and serves as a great contrast to the music on either side of it. But, in typical YES fashion - there is plenty going on throughout to be interesting and everybody plays a good part. Fragile is a great album!

[@nolansterrett3291]

The end is crazy bruh

[@tonygittins5980]

@@nolansterrett3291 It is...but it's well-written and orchestrated crazy!! :)

[@franciscodiaz183]

When it comes to great drummers, nobody usually talks about Bill Bruford, but he is truly extraordinary when it comes to musicianship and not just circus acts on drums.

[@MagnusWissler]

Heart of the Sunrise is another of BB's times to shine.

[@trendydelquendy]

Glad someone's here to talk about Bruford's drumming in Yes - it's incredible. As a young teen I used to listen to Heart Of The Sunrise trying to figure out what the drums were doing. I like being challenged/confused like that!

[@aprilstewart5929]

I am in love with this song, especially because of that lovely vocal interlude, so dreamlike. I have many fond memories of watching snowstorms out my dorm-window while listening to this; it's the perfect snow music.

[@craigfazekas3923]

Good observation, good taste in music there, April !! Likewise memories of looking out at the snow & listening to Yes here as well. If not playing drums to Yes, ELP, UK, Crimson, ect., in my teenage bedroom. I included a triangle to my drum kit just to be able to play "And You And I"..... Bruford was always tops to me !! Ol' Bill has released several new-ish boxsets in recent times. One spanning his whole career, another focusing on his band Bruford & another of everything Earthworks released. I regret to say I've only seen him live twice- with ABW&H & with King Crimson....damn it. My 1st ever concert was King Crimson at The Mann Music Center in Philly, 1983 (?)- The Beat Tour. His book is great as well. Much, much deeper than you'd might expect a drummer to kick out... much respect for BB !! 🚬😎👍

[@aprilstewart5929]

@@craigfazekas3923 Ah, but he is no normal drummer.

[@MrHisperia2001]

The ultimate tune from the Great YES ❤️💫☝️

[@patricknicolucci5073]

Hey Josh, Bill was helping his good friend Phil when he became the lead singer of Genesis in 1976 on the Trick of the Tail album. The live album Seconds Out was released in 1977 , Bill and Chester Thompson the more permanent replacement drummer, perform on this awesome album. I highly recommend it. Phil voice on Peter Gabriel songs are amazing. Bill plays on the track the Cinema show.

[@cobbycaputo3332]

This song was so complex they could not play it live at the time. They finally did later in their career, but it was decades before it was in the live set. Everything is on point in this song, vocals, bass, guitar, drums, keys.

[@mrsouthjersey4956]

I was reading, back in the 90's, that Yes only performed, "South Side" a handful of times, maybe a dozen if that, but removed it from the set list because it didn't quite "come off" too their liking and standards. Total disappointment for me since I've seen them 14 times starting with the "Relayer" tour. I'm happy to say when I read that they were FINALLY adding it to the set list for the 2002-2003, "Full Circle" tour, I jumped at the chance to see them, even it was just for 1 song, "South Side of the Sky". Not only did they do a mindblowing "live" version of it, (it was close, REAL CLOSE, to being a note for note copy of the studio version.) but they even took it up a notch by leading into it with an excellent, "We Have Heaven". Those 2 songs were the highlight of the show for me and everyone in attendance. Extended standing ovation.

[@yes_head]

You can imagine in the early 1970s without good monitor systems that the middle vocal section was probably a bit wobbly. Jon and Chris are reasonably good singers, but Steve Howe was often mixed low for a reason! And then trying to sync what they were doing with Rick's piano, when its far off at stage left and not reliably miked... it was a recipe for disaster every time they attempted it. It's no wonder when they revived it in the early 2000s there was some noticeable "sweetening" helping them in the vocal department!

[@mrsouthjersey4956]

@@yes_head Interesting. Now I'm sitting here thinking about what you said, it dawns on me that a few times I saw them, Steve Howes vocals have been mixed properly, wile other times, not so much as you stated. Never really noticed or thought about it in all these years because the "playing the music" aspect was so great and satisfying enough.

[@michaelyork4554]

I also love Bill Bruford's style, and his precision is what made Yes studio version such pristine masterpieces. I also love Alan White's style, his faster pace seemed to make the studio versions rock so much more, and I think inspired some incredible improvisation during the Live Shows. "Yours Is No Disgrace" from Yessongs has the most blistering guitar/bass/drums middle section I have ever heard. Steve shreds as only Steve can. The Outro to Starship Trooper Live from Yessongs, and Siberian Khatru.

[@maximilianodelrio]

The piano/synths totally make this song. If you enjoy bruford’s drumming you MUST listen to his work with King Crimson, I reccomend the song Red or One More Red Nightmare

[@thomasrudy6132]

Satori in Tangier

[@tomscott4438]

Some of the stuff he did with Gong (and Genesis touring when Peter left and Phil stepped out from behind the kit) is also pretty amazing.

[@sseltrek1a2b]

yes- the drumming on, "One More Red Nightmare" is ridiculous, and that crash cymbal sound he plays on it is crazy...

[@David-iv6je]

@@sseltrek1a2b Dang I would have picked the same one. Great drumming on that and the time switches are off the charts.

[@ianlejeune6012]

One of a Kind is a go-to Bruford album. It's the album that I employ to choose between speakers - It has all the dynamics necessary to tax the best boxes; outstanding.

[@philipmason9537]

The album before Fragile and Close to the Edge is called The Yes Album and this was the one that got them noticed. The first track on it, Yours Is No Disgrace, is just fantastic. This album was the one before Rick Wakeman joined so you’ll hear a different keyboard sound.

[@anthonyblakely399]

This song is one of my favorites from Yes!!!! Everyone in the band just kills this song.......the rifts of the guitar playing of Steve Howe....the jazz and classical playing of Rick Wakeman.....Bulford's and Chris masterful playing on the drums and bass....just excellent!!!! And melody and groove of the song when you listen to it again and again just gets to me....it is sooooooooooooo soulful!!!! Love the song!!!! I agree.....it is one of my favorites with "Awaken" and "Close to the Edge."

[@MissAstorDancer]

Beautifully said! I agree 100% about this song, and those 2 other masterpieces, too! Probably my top 3 songs by Yes - at the very lease in the top 5!

[@janetgerner4862]

I haven't heard much of Yes aside from what was played on mainstream radio back in the 70's, so this was super intricate and cool to hear.

[@yes_head]

Agreed -- a very cool song. Although by "classic period" Yes (i.e. The Yes Album through Going for the One) standards, this song isn't actually that intricate (except for the vocal chorale section, perhaps.) In fact, they sort of lose interest in these kind of accessible rock grooves after this album. They do still show up in later albums, just in smaller sections, or paired with deeper layers of counterpoint.

[@jimdandrea9307]

Those cymbals are like ice falling down a mountain side.

[@cyberserk5614]

I love how progrock is just so metal and so subtle, and so metal and so subtle and...

[@skunkworksu7638]

One of my fav tracks from yes . Has a really cool groove . Love William on the skins. The ambient piano in the middle . Man I wish I could write music like this . I'm just not that good. 😢

[@MrHisperia2001]

Your reactions to the Great YES are simply the best dude ❤️💫☝️

[@Bawookles]

His last name is pronounced "Broo-ferd", not "Brah-ferd", just FYI! But yeah, Bruford is one of the greatest drummers ever and my personal fav. Keep on listening to everything he did with Yes and King Crimson, plus check out his bands Bruford and Earthworks for the jazzier stuff.

[@robbieclark7828]

I guess you can debate between Bruford and White, but it goes deeper than pure skill for me. Bruford was a massively important part of the sound Yes cultivated on Fragile and Close To The Edge. Yes have lots of great songs, but the thing that makes these two albums so profound is just the way the band sounds. It’s the delicate, curated balance of Chris Squire’s heavy, agile bass, Steve Howe’s delicate, bright guitar, Bill Bruford’s tight, dynamic drumming, Wakeman’s epic keyboards and Jon Anderson’s high melodic vocals. He probably gets the fewest opportunities to show off on these albums, but a massive part of that sound is Bill Bruford’s approach to drumming. When he left for King Crimson, that sound went with him, and he continued to grow as a drummer and percussionist.

[@rogerhennie8939]

Heart of the Sunrise from the same album has amazing drumming.

[@Rainbow-yh6ov]

You’re awesome!! I wish more people would listen to early Yes. People need to take the time and just chill and LISTEN! I feel like today’s short attention span culture won’t bother. Thank you for giving me hope for more than rap and hip hop becoming the stagnant norm

[@prattman69]

I am just overjoyed another drummer wants to talk about Bill and this tune because it is jamming.

[@kevinjennings238]

Bill Bruford's Fills are Spiritually Legendary!!!! Ahhhhhhhh!

[@ircreg8639]

Bruford is a f****** beast! I'm tired of all these discussions about Bonham, Baker, Peart, Moon etc.. and Bill is never mentioned! He is certainly in that league at the very least. Thank you for highlighting Bill Bruford.

[@cherylreichardt]

Hey Josh! Always a pleasure for the ears is Yes! The drums and bass! Also the piano work. Loved this track! 👍

[@JJ8KK]

I also preferred Bruford's 'experimental' approach to Alan's, generally speaking, but I have to give praise to Alan's drumming on *I'm Running* off the Big Generator album. I believe he even plays some steel drums on it? Really exceptional, IMO. Check it out!

[@lesblatnyak5947]

Ladies and gentlemen Chris Squire and Yes the greatest show on earth.

[@davep8221]

Thanks for the vid, and I'm glad you've found something new (to you!) to enjoy. IMO, greatest thing about Yes is their compositional ability. Many songs have multiple movements that convey different moods. All of the musicians are mature and confident enough that that don't have to go balls to the wall, best fastest, most complex, etc, all the time. They just make great music. I've heard a quote that goes something like this, talking about Yes as a rock band: "If Yes ever were a rock band." They use rock instrumentation (mostly), rock's feel, roots, inspiration, and a mix of other styles that serve the music. They make songs using classical compositional techniques: movements, variations on themes, recapitulations, fast/slow, hard/fast, simple (even trivial)/complex as hell, etc, all combined in a unique manner. Many people define prog in terms of virtuosity, complexity, time and key changes. These are very important, but they're there in service of the music in order to bring the compositions to life. For me, the proof is that there are tribute bands, even amateurs* on the net, that can nail performances of Yes Songs. But those are just very good copies. Even though they have the chops, *none* of them, can *compose* songs like Yes. For me, Yes defines prog. * Amateur in the original sense of someone who does something for the love of it.

[@markhodge7]

Chris Squire driving at high speed, in and out of the corners! Possible GOAT!

[@your_local_dummy4137]

Really you cannot go wrong with this album. Fragile is a magnificent work pick any song. Back in the day I played it to death. Love South Side of the Sky it had time and space to really take you on a ride. I think it was an indicator as how the band would evolve to those fantastic epics that followed this album. Bill is great but also add Chris Squire on Bass, Rick Wakeman on keys, Steve Howe on Guitar and Jon Anderson's voice and you have one very top class band. In my opinion the best band ever. Special request please review Starship Trooper studio version on "The Yes Album" then on Yessongs live. That will give you a massive insight into how this band worked live to really blow the studio version songs out of the park and into orbit. Great reaction and more Yes please.

[@postive-vibes]

That drum fill in the beginning was such a great hook.

[@markmiller3101]

Howe was voted best guitarist 5 years in a row.

[@janecrow1122]

New to your channel, but I love your joy and appreciation of such artistry. Peace.

[@fredscott5644]

One of their most underrated tracks off of Fragile. I am very surprised that someone is listening to one of my favorites off that album. Since you are a fan of Bill Bruford, you need to check out the earlier Yes albums along with his contributions to King Crimson, U.K. along with his solo albums. Bruford to me was the best of the best progressive rock drummers.

[@biofilmz4030]

This is one of my favorites! Thanks for reviewing.

[@RedPillMode]

Great stuff! Very nice reaction. I had forgat how great prog song this is!

[@brianvernon249]

This song is about a group of people that got stuck in a snowstorm and they “die” at that low piano note. Then their spirits sing together like The Who’s from Whosville. And when the last section comes in with that wah-wah low synth bass sound, they accept their fate and watch the next team get sucked into the next snowstorm But as LeVar Burton says: Don’t take my word on it

[@CuzKatieSaysSo]

That was a 1910-1913 British Expedition to Antarctica, led by Captain Robert Scott with four others. But they were woefully unprepared and finally paid with their lives.

[@johndoh5182]

You want to learn good separation, play the drumming to this track. That driving hi-hat being continued through the song means that other hand has to be doing everything else through most the song because he maintains the hi-hat almost the entire song. The middle part of the song with the vocal is chanting and the piano is playing along, he's ad libbing the kick beat, maintaining the hi-hat and ad-libbing the other hand, and only pulls off the hi-hat once, or maybe a couple crashes but you could do that with either hand.

[@EccentricAuntWanda1]

great song!!! !!

[@g.e.5723]

The grin on your face at the opening fill is great.

[@MDElam]

This is one of my favorite Yes songs, and you are the only reactor I've seen listen to it (if others have, I haven't seen them). Bill Bruford is one of the great progressive rock drummers of all time, and his work with King Crimson is worth checking out also (someone already suggested "Red," which is a bulldozer of a song, but "21st Century Schizoid Man" is worthwhile). If you go into Genesis stuff (Bill played for them for their live shows), definitely check out "Cinema Show/Aisle of Plenty." Emerson, Lake, and Palmer is another great progressive band, with Carl Palmer bringing yet another style to the genre: try "The Endless Enigma (Part 1)/Fugue/The Endless Enigma (Part 2)" or all three impressions of "Karn Evil 9." Anyway, I'm glad to have stumbled onto your reactions, and glad to see you taking a musician's approach to appreciation!

[@Alewifes_Husband]

Minor point -- it's pronounced Brew-Ford, as is "get me a brew, Ford!" And he's always been amazing. Check his work with King Crimson.

[@craigfazekas3923]

Requests ? Yes, please !?! How's about Cinema Show from Genesis' Seconds Out album ? Phil & Bill.....'nuff said. Thank you !! 🚬😎👍

[@55904mcarlucci]

Please, PLEASE check out Bruford's 1979 solo release "One of a Kind!" All tracks are incredible; my favorite being track 6 "Five G." Oh...my...G!

[@markmiller3101]

Excellent choice! Another amazing song. Hey, you are a drummer correct? I’m surprised you haven’t reacted to GENESIS with Phil Collins playing drums. He is right up there with Bruford, maybe a little better. Give DANCE ON A VOLCANO a listen, Phil KILLS it! Genesis is another deep rabbit hole for you to go down LOL!

[@chassisskirts6967]

One of my favorites thanks for doing this one..you said it best at the end. The ambiance

[@TheAmazingSpaghetti]

Since you love Bill, you should check out his jazz band called Earthworks - I love Earthworks, I like jazz, but not into most of it that much, but Earthworks is killer. Steve Howe is the best all round rock guitarist of all time, nobody plays like that and has such an impressive body of work. In the 70', if I remember right, he won the best guitarist in Guitar Player magazine at least 5 times in a row.

[@onsesejoo2605]

U.K is another unfortunately short lived band. The song "Nevermore" is a good starting point. It was a supergroup featuring John Wetton bass vocals, Allan Holdsworth guitar, Eddie Jobson keyboards violin and Bill Bruford on drums.

[@TheAmazingSpaghetti]

@@onsesejoo2605 I never loved most of his solo stuff outside of Earthworks cause a lot of it was too jazz fusiony for my taste.

[@onsesejoo2605]

@@TheAmazingSpaghetti Bruford himself describes this bad as rock band with fancy chords. Style wise the band is closer to Asia than say Weather Report.

[@gpg9516]

The amazing Steve Howe👍❤️

[@budmaynard5952]

Bill Bruford is IMHO the greatest rock drummer ever. Niel Peart, Stewart Copeland, John Bonham, Kieth Moon, Terry Bozio, and Carter Beafordj are all great drummers too, but Bill just really kills it for me. His work with Yes was great, his work with King Crimson was phenomenal! Plus listen to some of his solo work - more jazz and fusion, but incredible. If you want o hear him really going off, listen to Indiscipline from King Crimson. And yes Steve Howe is incredible on guitar, as is Rick Wakeman on keyboards, Chris Squire on bass and Jon Anderson on lead vocals ( with Steve and Chris on backing vocals). One of my favorite songs from my favorite band (well tied with Radiohead) Peace from SF

[@unichusettsofmassadversity9705]

Bruford is my favorite drummer. ;)

[@chriskoenig9042]

It would be fun to watch you respond to some really early stuff like No Opportunity Necessary or Astral Traveller. Really groovy stuff…

[@bauertime]

WOW!

[@randlerobbertson8792]

This track will mess with anybodies musical conventions and sensibilities and yet, remains a timeless work of genius. And Steve Howe featured with his sheet metal guitar work. But to identify one is unfair, the entire band were at the top of their game and their creativity was unbounded.

[@mdmsr2000]

Yes is completely different. They are their own genre. There's never been a band like Yes They Stand alone

[@jyesht2108]

Since you love Bill Bruford, you should react to ABWH - An evening of Yes music 1989. This tour of 4 Yes members was amazing and Bill is flawless in this. You should check this out. Starship Trooper would be an amazing one where in the ending Bill's drums were like they were actually gonna explode. Here's the link kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGmUmZh9h5hjgLs

[@vanytasticsone9071]

Love

[@gregjones861]

Have you ever heard Bill's drumming on "The Great Deceiver" by King Crimson? I know that's a band that reactors shy away from due to videos getting blocked - but for your own astonishment, not even as a video, please - do yourself a favor and listen to that studio recording.

[@hurricane1951]

Here's the drum track raised in the mix: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIGse2hojdqgmrc. But my favorite is Heart of the Sunrise: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZ7ZZWWjjNmVa5I.

[@lesblatnyak5947]

Josh think your lust for drum work will be satisfied by "Sound Chaser" off Gates of Delirium .

[@NewBritainStation]

There is so much good music with Bruford, with his tenure in Yes, King Crimson and Bill Bruford’s Earthworks being the big ones. But check out Music for Piano and Drums by Patrick Moraz and Bill Bruford. It has one of my favorite recorded drum tones. For another classic drummer - Phil Collins. A great place to start is the live version of Cinema Show on Seconds Out by Genesis. A bonus being that it is Bruford and Collins on drums.

[@gelsol]

Bruford's way funkier and impeccably locks in with Squire.

[@joelliebler5690]

Those five early albums were great and Going For The One. Tormato has 3 great tunes on it as well before they imploded!

[@dreamcruise2009]

You are right! When Bruford left, the "spacey" feel he added was lost. White didn't have his skills or imagination.

[@D_D_L]

Patrick Moraz had to fill in Wakeman's place to give a Bruford feeling. And did an amazing job.

[@avantprog6902]

I'm giving you a new revelation. Check out Dave Kerman. Bill made me drop guitar and pick up the sticks. Trust me, 5uu's, Thinking Plague, and Present. For me, he's the next revelation.

[@avantprog6902]

You need to hear the Classic 70's King Crimson Bill played on as well as The Bruford Band albums.

[@jeffyoung9341]

I was heartbroken when Bill left YES. His jazz/fusion influences made this band so much better. Alan White (RIP) was a great rock drummer, but didn’t (imho) add the same content that Bill did.

[@nathanisaksson7750]

I’m shocked you didn’t react to like a ton of other Yes songs.

[@rumourhats]

I often think Yes made a huge mistake replacing Bill with Alan. I know it would have been predictable to replace Bill with another jazzy nuanced guy, but Alan, to me, *really* altered their sound. I also think Bill's presence, his forth righteousness, his ability to articulate would stopped Yes from going over the top, and reign in Jon's over bearing hippiness. Alan was just a hired gun, at the end of the day. A passive dude. Fragile and Close to the Edge will always be Yes perfection, IMO.

[@cybore213]

The band didn't have a choice, Bill quit to join King Crimson. Bill felt he had done and learned all he could with Yes and wanted new challenges.

[@rumourhats]

@@cybore213 They had a choice replacing him with Alan, which is my point. Because, of course, I've never heard of King Crimson, ever, because I've only listened to Yes. And I never knew that Bill joined them, because... I just imagined that he disappeared from the face of the planet after 1972.

[@cybore213]

@@rumourhats I totally misread your meaning there. Sorry about that. It's hard to tell who knows what sometimes. So, they had a choice of who replaces Bill was your point that I totally missed. Although I prefer Bill's style, I think Alan has done some really good work with Yes.

[@yes_head]

@@rumourhats Bill's journey as a drummer is fascinating -- there's lots to explore! But it's debatable whether or not he would have been any better than Alan when Yes transitioned to large stadiums -- especially the outdoor settings. Alan's power style was a good fit for those kinds of venues compared to Bill's more finessed and delicate approach. Chris certainly appreciated having a drummer with a more rock solid beat that he could hang on to.

[@thomasrudy6132]

First UK album a must listen for more tasty BB.

[@rogerhennie8939]

For master drumming check out Children's Concerto from Moraz and Bruford's album 'Music for Piano and drums.

[@thomasrudy6132]

I saw that first album tour, two guys killing it from beginning to end!

[@tubefreeeasy]

Bill Bruford is a hard drummer to copy.

[@joelliebler5690]

I too prefer Bill Brew-ford as well on certain earlier YES songs and ABWH, however Alan rocks in concerts and on The Going For The One album.

[@JamesSmith-fz7qk]

If u like some great drumming, check out Nightwish - ghost love score - wakken 2013.

[@jamiedimond9419]

Great ear bro

[@David-iv6je]

The name is pronounced BROOford

[@christopherhinds2867]

Steve Howe

[@won8135]

Who's the guitarist????? Whoa

[@CuzKatieSaysSo]

Steve Howe He's been with Yes since the beginning. Be sure to watch some live videos.

[@darylbehm7657]

Prefer bruford too but Alan white was very underrated

[@Jack-D-Ripper]

Bruford pronounced Broo-ford not Bruf-ford.

[@robertwells3867]

I suggest you listen to nevermore by the band u.k Bill Brufords drum sound is like nothing you have ever heard

[@bazeye]

For the sake of accuracy, Bruford is pronounced Broofud.

[@cybore213]

Brooferd (or Broofurd, or maybe even Brewfurd), what's with the fud? I'm guessing you made a typo 😏.

[@ThatsMrPencilneck2U]

Alan White just doesn't have Bill Bruford's stamina. To really get a taste of Bruford's stamina, go back to Yes's really early work. He and Chris Squire, the bassist, continuously tried to drowned each other out.

[@mikemccabe6258]

Yes takes any number of superb motifs and blends, layers, switches, and modifies like no other band.....it ain’t progressive....it’s other worldly.

[@Lightmane]

BRU ford. Not BRUF ford

[@petersokol1603]

It’s pronounced Brooford….he makes white look like a child.

[@theivory1]

I would go as far to say Bruford has a style and White does not.

[@fernandotor3266]

Agree bill is a great drummer. Yes. Kc.uk.genesys