Bruford's SOLO SPOTLIGHT No.2: NYC Solo #3: Matrix Studios, February 8, 1982

[@whistleblower3516]

The greatest most innovation most creative drummer who ever picked up the sticks.

[@otiago1979]

Peart and Bonham were indeed very talented and rightfully deserve to be praised, but in my opinion, it doesn't get more exciting than Bruford's inventive playing. He's number one on my list, followed by the great Stewart Copeland.

[@donceldrums7917]

I do firmly agree!!

[@kevinkhoy7171]

"YES" was never as Dynamic as they were with Bill Bruford on 🥁

[@vfxtutswithdan1893]

So true!

[@jeffyoung9341]

The best Yes lineup! Bill, Rick, Jon, Chris (RIP) and Steve!

[@debbiekelley7899]

Uh relayer was pretty damn dynamic

[@zenlandzipline]

RIP Alan White. You blessed us with some great drumming on great music.

[@jeffyoung9341]

@@debbiekelley7899 Relayer is an epic album, but it was also the last of the 20 minute long song albums. Patrick Moraz was great on it, but I still preferred Rick Wakeman’s musical influences on/in/with Yes. And Alan White (RIP) carried Yes for a long time….but BB was still my favorite.

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

Any conversation around the best drummer ever must include Mr. Bruford. He's the Jeff Beck of drummers.

[@AssociationAdmirer]

I liked this solo all around. I always admire how relaxed Bill looks even when he's playing the most frantic stuff, and while the same can't be said of every solo he's done, he's utterly focused here even on those frantic moments. The sequence from 5:15 to 6:00 particularly riveted me: two rich rhythms that fit well together and evoke a sense of intense emotion.

[@dreadedscarpia2066]

Every now and then, I think I just might have learnt something behind the kit. Happy Day! Then I hear this Most Creative Gentleman's playing, so effortless, so tasteful and precise. I know nothing.

[@dexdouglassbassbum]

Bill Buford is, and always will be my favorite drummer..❤

[@mishdel]

I think his electronics were black, but they are red! How I love your plaing! Wonderful solo, amazing!!! Thanks for autograph in Russia, years of Yes, King Crimson, solo career, and playing with others. Best wishes, from russian drummer with love!

[@drumngrewve]

Damn.....he may be "retired" but he keeps kicking wisdom day after day! Always humble and always ridiculously informative!!!

[@nathanscott1613]

Such a beautiful snare tone.

[@zenzenzen4741]

You can certainly tell he had a lot of fun behind the drums when he did

[@thomasmazur6916]

I have had Flags,Music for Piano and Drums and the Earthworks series. Have always liked his music.

[@ecb8252000]

He’s the most underrated drummer of all time.

[@bellbrass]

That, drummer friends, is how a bell brass snare should be played. The sound of that Tama Mastercraft, when I first heard Bill play it on his fantastic "The Beat" video, caught my ear - forever. I've never heard a bell brass sound better. Played well & recorded well.

[@JJDrumsChannel]

i agree, and his gong drum is perfect... it's not supposed to sound like a mounted bass drum, it's a gong drum!! haha... drives me nuts when people use the terms interchangably.... it's like if you started mistaking a recorder a flute.... they look the same, but they aren't the same instrument...

[@ontheway4ever]

this way of playing is unique. Nobody else can do it like this!

[@MoggioMTB]

Always a great drum solo...so compositional. But beyond that the Bruford "feel" is just just golden.... every "gah" on the snare is just so sweet!

[@daviddevilliers2828]

One of my favorite drummer since forever

[@frankhoulihanfh4972]

Is it me? Or is Bill Bruford possibly the single most unique drummer? It could be me. But it could be Bill!

[@Frank1979Zappa]

This time the video description is not gold, it’s Platinum!! Thank you, Mr. Bruford 🙇🏻🙇🏻‍♂️🙇🏻

[@alistairdunnington]

absolutely

[@cigarmerchant2238]

I saw Bill Bruford play with YES one day so satisfied I saw him play...

[@kevinkhoy7171]

With "Yes!" Live! You were so very lucky!

[@cigarmerchant2238]

@@kevinkhoy7171 Funny thing was I was a big Rick Wakeman fan, stood in front of him third deep and didn't even know how good Steve Howe was playing at the other end of the stage. One of my favorite groups and live concerts.

[@kevinkhoy7171]

"Excellent"​👍🏻@@cigarmerchant2238

[@pastateconstablesoffice]

besides being one of the most technically proficient drummers ever, Bill is THE undisputed Master of Odd Time Signatures. I'd happily pay $100 for a ticket just to watch him drum his fingers on a table top for 15 minutes :)

[@zenzenzen4741]

Neil Peart too

[@ding-go]

@@zenzenzen4741 Neil wasn't an odd time signature guy

[@zenzenzen4741]

@@ding-go yeah maybe you’re right!

[@GreatCircle360]

Thank you, Bill! Throwing even more inspiration on the musical fire.

[@billsmith1957]

The clatter of the Simmons e-drums sounds rather dated, but the dynamics and inventiveness Bill displays is a challenging listen and a lot of damn fun to watch-- ascended noodling at its finest on arguably the most innovative hybrid drum kit of its time.

[@kathowed]

A masterclass in 'sustainable drumming'. Note how well Mr Bruford makes use of *both* ends of his sticks; spreading the wear and tear so his sticks last longer. This results in less waste and fewer trees felled. Visionary! Oh, and the most engaging and exciting drummer ever!

[@kevinkhoy7171]

"Very observant" & economical. But do you think Mr Bruford was worried about the trees?

[@kathowed]

@@kevinkhoy7171 Not really; I was just being silly.

[@kevinkhoy7171]

😄👍🏻 ​@@kathowed

[@elbosco8715]

Muchas gracias Bill. Saludos desde ciudad de Canelones, Uruguay.

[@mancuniancandidatem]

Sounds like music to me Bill Bruford! Your phrases and ideas have dialogue.

[@seekingwisdom8]

I had pretty much taken drums for granted until I saw Yes in 1972. I didn’t know who any of the members were but had heard Yours is No Disgrace and of course Roundabout. Touring for CTTE, it was awesome inspiring. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see the amazing BB, not to diminish the late Alan White. But honestly, Alan was a great rock and roll drummer, BB was/is a drummer that forces you to pay attention to all of the music. He compliments and improves every song. After the concert, the following day, I devoted virtually every spare moment practicing and listening to “Long Distance Runaround”, trying to understand and learn why each beat was played. The greatest!

[@fabrikk60]

I *like* the e-drums, when Bill is playing them that is. Certainly I wouldn't wish to hear them every day, but as with many other things, having them on occasion is - ahem - "the spice of life". I still enjoy hearing 1980s King Crimson and Earthworks recordings, e-drums and all, and will until I die.

[@fabrikk60]

Also, I never bought the ABWH album. However I bought their concert video, for the sole purpose of hearing what Bill's e-drums would bring to classic Yes music. I found it refreshing and different, especially on Heart of the Sunrise. I won't get into the fool's pastime of giving an opinion on which versions are "better", but I think the ABWH live versions of classic Yes should not be missed by any intelligent and open-minded Yes fan. E-drums and all.

[@QHiguchi]

For me, this is THE pinnacle of martial art.

[@WalterDiamond]

Interesting cymbal selection he used here. No logos and they don't sound like Paistes. Great performance as usual.

[@99beatmonster]

the smaller cymbals are old zildjians as noted on Bill's video Bruford and the Beat from the same sessions.

[@Pat_11131]

@@99beatmonsterlike, old old?

[@federruchi6147]

I love listening to what you upload while reading the description. You are very generous with us

[@99beatmonster]

you paint an interesting picture Bill , always enough to keep me wanting some more. Thank you.

[@jami_veret118]

Even before reading the description I got a feeling from the solo that I was seeing your thoughts in action. Each segment is clearly an idea being developed and experimented upon, even if you yourself stated that you were not happy with the form of the solo as a whole. As a young drummer, I’ve flip-flopped between having my solos sounding either underprepared and confused or too mechanical and rehearsed. I haven’t considered thinking about macro versus micro level awareness of my playing, however I certainly will consider when next practicing my soloing. Though I guess that I am a ‘macro’ player, I haven’t been conscious of it, and will certainly try to use this way of thinking as a tool in the future. I also agree with what you said about the dated sounds of the Simmons pads. For a number of years I have been trying to emulate your playing, and bought an old but working Simmons SDS-1 (I believe) pad last year. It was a foolish mistake. Though they were cutting edge at the time, I would have been better suited to buy something more modern. In fact, at your speaking appearance at the Kesiwck Theatre back in June, I asked you what you thought about the recent history of electronic drums, like the Mandala Drums that Danny Carey uses, and why you stopped using Simmons drums in the 1990s. You responded that electronic drums have always been present since, just evolving in different ways and for different uses. Though I am heavily inspired by your playing, why should I try to emulate what you have already created and use the same products that you did when I can develop my own style of playing and use the current drums and technologies? It’s the same concept of what you said about playing the same thing Philly Joe Jones did years before. Though I am heavily inspired by your playing style and ideas, inspiration simply means ‘to breathe in’. What I ‘breathe out’ (what anyone does for that matter) can never be exactly the same as what was breathed in. I would still, of course, like to thank you for your contributions, style, and intellect, which have all been providing me with my musical oxygen, so to speak.

[@craig528]

I understand what you mean about dynamics. This would be stunning in a big concert hall with a large crowd and drunk guys yelling “Bruford!”

[@radkon67]

My Hero...!!! Breathtaking.!

[@philpetrocelli5191]

I seem to remember that this is the solo from the end of Bruford and the Beat, where the credits play. I do not remember the Simmons pads being red, however. Is this different footage? Are the pads not shown in the clip over the footage? BatB was definitely formative for me as a drummer. It's so nice to see this footage in its entirety. Thanks, Bill!

[@bAgRiMoIrEsS.4]

😮 The best thing ever!

[@poodius7]

The master at play......Bill rocks!!!!!

[@evalonious]

Wow Bill just gotta say, saw the 1st videos of the Beat. You left Danny some large shoes to fill. (They all did amazing)

[@arturosilvester1930]

Gracias Amigo, da ganas de bailar !!

[@maximograterol9636]

Amazing and creative solo. Great Bruford, as always

[@csnyder23]

Saw Crimson during Three of a Perfect Pair his solos were amazing sonically and visually

[@neaituppi7306]

As much as I like drum solos, I have to admit, a lot of them just sound like thumping after awhile. But with Bill Bruford, I am listening to him play a song. I am accustomed to listening and playing long songs. And with his playing it somehow doesn't feel like just a solo, maybe it is the soft parts and ghost notes, and actual phrases.

[@NowhereMan7]

Where is his hi-hat? This to me was exactly just like thumping around on the toms with no groove to settle into.

[@zenzenzen4741]

Don’t you just love that setting alone?!!

[@emb2302]

Trailblazer!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@jdmresearch]

When in doubt, roll!

[@FFlyDDrum1]

The roto rimshot around 6:15. 😀

[@JasonSmith-jr7jh]

You know it, brothah!

[@progressiveRAMONETTI]

fantastic insight

[@brettmarlar4154]

Well, being someone whose formative years were in the 80's, I do have a soft spot for the sound of those Simmons pads. Are they my favorite electronic drum sounds? No, but for the time they were pretty awesome. Between you, Neil Peart, and Terry Bozzio, there were some great songs that featured them.

[@franzmajcyn3836]

Bravo master Bill!

[@jasonrubin5545]

As the most visible proponent of electronic drums, it was incumbent on you to make the case for them, so I don't fault you for leaning on them so heavily. It may be a sound of its time but the experimentation no doubt led to further innovations in drumming, yours and others, acoustic and electric, including your latter-day symmetrical kit. You could have been known simply as the drummer with the weird snare drum sound, but you pushed, dare I say defined, the envelope so consistently throughout your career that you've nothing to apologize for.

[@KevinSnodgrass-gobroncos]

Definitely in my top 10 of drummers

[@PY1SAN]

Great!

[@markpotvin4505]

GOAT IMO

[@seekyou]

I remember breaking my wrists on those simmons pads. I bet you bill played with the sensitivity up to 100+, if they had any sensitivity at all...:)

[@francescolapini8751]

Maestro!

[@franciscodiaz183]

Maestro Bill Bruford.

[@BasicDrumming]

Great video.

[@grama7865]

Muy buen fraseo de tambores🙂👏👏👏

[@Wedge-r9o]

Si

[@frankalfar]

I like the way you always incorporate Philly Jo Jones lick . III III III I, texting those are triplets with an eighth.

[@oldmanfromscenetwentyfour8164]

Casual intensity.

[@alistairdunnington]

description goes hard

[@ibrianvega1689]

GRACIAS!!

[@MultiMikey81]

Is that a tama bell brass snare? Excellent playing and musicianship as usual

[@Ramshackled17]

💥

[@JJDrumsChannel]

amazing solo bill.. i love hearing the use of all your percussion elements... i'm a huge fan of the Tama Gong drum, and yours sounds PERFECT in this video... exactly the same sound i try to get with my own.... i'm not sure you'd ever personally see this comment, but i'm wondering the reason why you went with pinstripe heads on the octobans? conventional practice is thinner heads to make them ringy, were you trying to deaden them a bit?

[@Wedge-r9o]

Bill !!! Keep practicing you’ll get it. 😂

[@robertnobody]

This is pretty rare footage, the shot from behind the drums was not included on the original "Bruford & The Beat" video.

[@scottross2762]

Hi, Bill. I like seeing the live videos stuff of DANNY CAREY playing your parts on the new BEAT tour. Kind of beastly good, solid, and respectful. What do you think?

[@beeble2003]

Not my favourite but I enjoyed listening. It felt a lot like going for a walk while somebody thoughtfully explains something they understood well. Things made sense and progressed from one place to another.

[@maximvmoutput]

This is so good i just wanna give a sword to a gentleman

[@eĺæþĥæñṭéBfœK]

ɓ💨

[@nonconformist58]

You were in your absolute prime...IMO

[@Ĵõvëŋëůẃæỳ]

⌛️🛎⏳️🪡🧶

[@brelfpv1437]

It seems he's more concerned with how to move his arms rather than what kind of sound he's trying to produce. That's interesting.

[@marxman00]

found Not guilty your honour

[@matthewpaluch777]

😎👍💗🇨🇭🔥🔊🎼))) PAISTE!!!

[@matthewpaluch777]

😎👍💗💪🇯🇵🥁💣🔊🎼 Tama TERMINATOR!!!

[@SuperQdaddy]

Hes heavy but got the breaks

[@monoclinic2401]

Oh, very complex polyrhythm. I don't think I can distinguish the individual rhythms.

[@mikedown1250]

i hated the el kit but loved the roto toms

[@MultiSkyman1]

Roto Tom with coated heads no less.

[@bAgRiMoIrEsS.4]

Don't be a downer Mike Down, those electric octagons are shaped like U.S. stop signs😂

[@JasonSmith-jr7jh]

​@@bAgRiMoIrEsS.4Don't be a dummy....Yes, stop signs in the states have eight sides. The Simmons pads are, and always, SIX sides.

[@bAgRiMoIrEsS.4]

@@JasonSmith-jr7jh No doubt! You got me there! 😁 Thx for pointing that out. I wouldn't want to get that question wrong on the driver's test. Scooby dooby Doo! Duh, witch way did he go? witch way did he go? 🤣😂

[@JasonSmith-jr7jh]

@@bAgRiMoIrEsS.4 It's all good.

[@MW-pv7rm]

He was so frigging good it’s scary. But God, I hate the sound of electronic drums.

[@moongateclimber]

He's good but Allen white is better glad he joined King crimson

[@TheBadThad]

Well before electronic drums sounded decent. :(

[@NowhereMan7]

Does he not have a hi-hat? The thing about drumming in all these fancy time signatures is that it requires real skill from the drummer but goes over everyones heads anyway, unless they are going to watch this 50 x and figure it all out. If he was just playing completely random, I wouldnt even be able to tell the difference. I like drum solos that are in a groove, with a hit hat, and you can get into them. John Bonhams solos were like this too. Just bouncing around the toms and never settling into a groove. Its boring to me. Both two of my favourite drummers though.

[@marsstubblefield]

He didn't use a hi-hat for that 3 album span in the early 80s - never (to my knowledge) live, though you can hear it mixed way back on songs like The Howler on studio recordings (unless it was a Simmons pad triggering a hi-hat sample). He would play that large Simmons pad with his left bass drum pedal to trigger a sample that, to my ear, sounded like a glass drink bottle being struck by a butter knife (or some other metallic striker). I liked the way he used that in drum beats (and I guess Fripp did too which is probably where it came from). I love the flat, dry sound of that gong bass drum. That was the great thing about the kit he used in those days - the varied sounds from all the acoustic drums he used - the 12" rototom with the coated head, the dragon drums, his kick, the gong bass drum and of course that unmistakable snare.

[@JasonSmith-jr7jh]

​@marsstubblefield Thanks for saying Dragon Drums instead of Octobans, being that they are indeed Dragon Drums. Why Bill always called them Boo Bams I'll never know. Speaking of glass drink bottles, Brufords excellent interview with Rick Beato revealed that that's exactly what's being played by Bill on Roundabout! The mid section before the reinstated guitar harmonics intro. I always wondered what those sounds were, because they didn't sound quite like cymbal bells/cups.

[@NowhereMan7]

@@marsstubblefield Do you not feel like you are "waiting" as you watch though, like with Bonham solos. You are waiting for a steady groove to break out that you could bob along with. It just never comes. Just separate bits all chained together that I'm guessing are in challenging time signatures yet pass right over my head anyway. I just want to hear sick grooves I can bop to from a drum solo. Not just spastic, might-as-well-be-random thundering around the toms over and over.

[@marsstubblefield]

@@NowhereMan7 Drum solos can indeed be grooves, but so much of what the drummer is called upon to do is supplying grooves to the music when the rest of the band is playing. So when solo time arrives for the drummer I am inclined to grant them a wide berth in terms of license, as to what they choose to do … One of my favorite all-time drummers is Neil Peart, and he managed to do both in his solos - find a nice groove that everyone could bop to, but then also free associate all of his rudimental chops into a dazzling firework show. No hi hat thing was the function of the band Bill was in at the time, so I think it works to just go with his flow on the kit that he was using to support that band.

[@NowhereMan7]

@@marsstubblefield I havent listened to Peart drum solos. Sounds like you know what Im talking about though. Genesis did great ones in Los Endos (I think) with Chester Thompson and Phil Collins together. I know they get a blank canvas to play whatever they weant but when theres no thread thoughout tying it together. Its boring. And its why people say "drum solos are boring". Genesis wasnt too long, just two awesome drummers locked in and making an epic thunderous spectacle, while the song still lived through the solos. Ie no drastic tempo change. Just my preference. And I dont know how to appreciate when I watch one like this. Im even handy on drums myself though am mainly a guitar player. Just doesn't entertain me. Glad I know what I mean at least even if you dont have the same feeling.

[@ReneAlexisPenalozaMunoz]

Simmons drums. The worst creation in music history 😂

[@joesantamaria5874]

I hated them, too, and was actually a Simmons dealer at the time. They were awful, except in Bill’s hands 😉

[@ding-go]

And Bill fearlessly explored them.

[@JasonSmith-jr7jh]

​@@ding-go He sexualy exploited them!

[@elbosco8715]

Muchas gracias Bill. Saludos desde ciudad de Canelones, Uruguay.