King Crimson - Waiting Man (The Noise - Live At Fréjus 1982)

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The drumming for the first half of this song borrows from Steve Reich’s composition ‘Drumming’, which calls for a number of players standing opposite each other sharing one percussion set-up. Here it is six hexagonal pads. The sound module is the Simmons SDSV pitched up and all the metallic white noise wound out of it. A key attraction (for me anyway), is the absence of a steady kick drum. Somehow that allows the music to float more freely, to be less tethered; the opposite of what’s needed for dance music, of course, where it’s all nailed to the floor.
Adrian Belew’s first instrument was drums, before he changed to guitar. So I was lucky to have a partner to stage this with. In fact we had three drum ‘stations’ on stage for a while: the ‘Waiting Man’ set up, which had to be broken down for the second song of the evening; my main hybrid electro-acoustic kit; and a small acoustic set, from which Adrian could play and declaim ‘Indiscipline’.
One of the many great things a little success affords is the ability to indulge your musical fantasies. King Crimson was never about high-production values - exploding ballons, giant phalluses, pyrotechnics and the like - but when we did have a little extra cash it went on sound production (and multiple drum kits). That included way too many sound-processing devices. Bassist Tony Levin went out one night before a King Crimson sextet show and counted 84 separate units with which the sound of an instrument could be manipulated!
The long slow build up to the song is all about the making of a fabric, with four pairs of hands producing only single notes. This gives you the aural equivalent of a string vest - you can see through it. The more you repeat it the more unstoppable it becomes. In my autobiography I described how, at outdoor concerts:
“ …the moths and fireflies, attracted by the lights, would weave their perilous way in between and around the choreography of the four sticks of the two drummers, as the airy but persistent marimba-like rhythm soaked into the subconscious. After a few minutes of this, Robert and Tony would join in, and the music became unstoppable. Much more, and you feared that either band or audience might levitate. These were the great moments, undeniable and indestructible, and I know we all felt them to be so”.
Tony’s break at 5’24” gave me just enough time to get back to the main kit as we launched into the second part of the song. One note for those who’ve asked why I never played double kick drum: I did, for a while. Here the left foot is on a Simmons kick drum producing the clashing, trashy 4/4. The regular kick is heard solo at 7’33”.
In short, I loved performing this song with these people in places like this arena in Fréjus, South of France. Whatever trials and tribulations we had been through - and there had been plenty of those, both internal and external - all were forgotten as the music took over. I don’t know about the others, but ‘Waiting Man’ was, of all the King Crimson material, one of my favourite pieces to perform.
#electronicdrumkit #billbruford #paistecymbals #improvisationmusic #kingcrimson #jazzdrumming #yes #drumsolos #tamadrums #billbrufordsearthworks

[@theresa42213]

AMAZING ditty! Took my dad to see these guys in '83. l said ''DAD! we have to go see my favourite drummer!'' Still is my favourite.

[@mmmmmmmmm95]

This song killed the nihilism inside me and gave me spiritual peace, thank you Bill Bruford and all the wonderful King Crimson, for creating this universal song

[@itchieG]

One of my favourite KC concerts. it’s insane how in time Bill and Adrian are they are absolutely locked in!

[@Adrian-wd4rn]

Thanks for the compliment!

[@gman6135]

~40 years ago, I was mesmerized by this band and this song. I carried it around with me for years and years... to see if I still liked it... I DO!!!

[@golfingcub02]

The more I listen to it, The more I like it. 😎🤙

[@SplendidCoffee0]

I do think they’re good! The fact is no matter how closely I listen, no matter how I take them apart, no matter how I break them down… They remain consistent

[@richardsimpson7776]

Adrian was such a great lead man.

[@Adrian-wd4rn]

Thank you 🥰

[@finnmcginn9931]

Still is.

[@ChollieD]

W00t! I love this era KC. And Waiting Man was such a good jam. Tony showing off mad skills on the Chapman Stick.

[@darrenrunning5415]

My wish is that Robert Fripp, who now owns the King Crimson catalog, has tapes of this tour locked somewhere in the vault and releases a box set of shows from this era.

[@TrevorDennis100]

I've watched this same bit of video on the King Crimson channel so many times I have lost count. I love Bill's percussion, and I love how they take it up a notch when Adrian joins Bill. It seems to have taken a long time for this music to gain the volume of appreciation it deserves. Friends used to give me a hard time being a huge KC fan in the early days, but I understand that the Beat tour sold out very quickly, and they are doing a lot of gigs.

[@floundergearjam]

This is my favorite KC song. The way all of the instruments segue into the song and of course, Adrian's vocals. RRHOF is long overdue, I hope they induct you soon. Thanks for the music.

[@artemcultura6191]

Truth! RRHOF too busy inducting Dolly Parton

[@andyslagle3606]

Agreed, on the daily playlist at least three times

[@thelantern9075]

I’m surprised Fripp allowed that much fun on stage. LOL😄

[@paulauksztulewicz4803]

You should join us in Argentina for The Guitar Circle in April to see how much fun Fripp allows us to have.

[@liveBasschannel]

bro got invited in the league of crafty guitarists with his comment

[@ThorneyedWT]

Check his youtube channel. Man is calm and professional, but he definitely has good sense of humor and likes good fun.

[@kathowed]

Exceptional and exhilarating (yet soothing and seductive, before the guitars join in). Exemplary musicians all, but this particular track/performance is a fabulous showcase of the talents of Adrian Belew, as musician and showman.

[@arminbeck1366]

Absolutely stunning! Every time I watch that I get goosebumps.... one of the many "music adventures" with Bill and KC!!!

[@inavbanz8876]

There are already tons of boxsets

[@markmcarthy596]

One of My all time favorite live performances. I remember buying this album when it came-forever changed my taste in music

[@TimJackson-eq6iy]

Bill and Tony arguably are one of the best rhythm section from the last 40 years.

[@paulauksztulewicz4803]

Thank you for the description and background about this song Bill. Wonderful!

[@Crezelltree4261]

It rocks,it swings,it shuffles,it is wholly imaginative & groundbreaking.Robert Fripp is a genius.

[@joaocalladomusico]

It's great to hear Reich's influence in the work of the 80's Crimson and Peter Gabriel. Beautiful music!

[@dayrush5721]

I didn't know this, actually and back in the day, but I was also entranced by Reich's work (still am, tbh). *so* delighted now to find out that there was a conscious influence here

[@caseyjohnson5933]

Who's Reich?

[@joaocalladomusico]

Steve Reich, american minimalist composer.

[@aaronbcole]

One of my favorite Krimson songs

[@eleonoradini2371]

I loved them in 1982, I love them now in 2024, maybe even more

[@user-vq1zj4iv3m]

Really, such live performance recording of Waiting Man should have been released in CDs, because it's one of my favorite KC live songs.

[@damiloification]

God, I think I'm coming back to this vid every day for the past couple weeks. Amazing performance ❤

[@youfilin]

How i love this song!!!

[@AldousHuxleysCat]

I really enjoy Bill's notes on the videos. I wish more artist did this, such wonderful insight into the music

[@michaelshore2609]

How wonderful to know these brilliant musicians enjoyed this magical moment as much as we did. That knowledge is nearly as much a gift as the music itself. Thank you at least twice over, Mr. Bill!

[@Soulventing]

Tony Levin makes playing the stick look easy..Genius player

[@combiner008]

Thank you, Bill! It's one of my favorite tunes to listen to!

[@WilliamStimpler]

Wow what great commentary Bill 👏 I've always felt a serious magick in this track and hearing you speak so highly of it makes me understand why ❤

[@mrbrianmccarthy]

What a great band. Always loved this incarnation of it too. So much talent on this stage. Unbelievable music.

[@BigMuggs21]

It’s weird, but I’m kind of glad they never didn’t get mainstream popularity outside of COTCK. Hard to describe why but it’s best for a band so good to truly be appreciated for their skills and talents then just some tiktok audio ifyk what I mean

[@StellaColby]

Absolutely fantastic!

[@dayrush5721]

OMG, the outro on this version!

[@primissimokiwi]

Belew-Bruford, a perfect tandem of percussive ecstasy! Thanks Mr. Bruford ;-)

[@jlmartin63]

I was in San Sebastian, same tour (with Roxy Music). Great show, splendid concert! King Crimson at their best!

[@bobsondugnutt7526]

Waiting Man really got me in to King Crimson especially because of the long intro. I was introduced to them on Danny Carey's recommendation in an old interview.

[@tamara8908]

I believe they had a crown chakra opening with every performance.

[@elbosco8715]

Buen aporte Biill. Linda época de King Crimson. Buen nivel y adaptada a los tiempos que corrían. Saludos desde ciudad de Canelones, Uruguay.

[@ALIASZARDOZ]

Magnifique ! ! Un super concert et un super souvenir ! ! Fabuleux... vraiment fabuleux ! Phil.

[@AssociationAdmirer]

This is one of the most memorable performances on the Neal and Jack and Me DVD, so I loved getting to read Mr. Bruford's thoughts on it. We are most fortunate to have in Bill Bruford an individual who is both musically brilliant and an erudite, articulate commentator; those two don't always go together. I can name more than one musician who puts out brilliant songs but can't say one meaningful sentence about them.

[@donaldfraser1555]

Absolutely pure dead brilliant great to see those guys out of this world cheers don 😊

[@terrymurphy9341]

One of KC’s greatest moments!

[@Blowhard]

To me it feels like there are 4 different atmospheres in the opening alone. One on the electronic pads, another when Tony comes in, another when Fripp comes in, and another when Belew goes into "One, two, three" (where the track feels playful for a moment, before becoming deeply emotive again) then the rest of the track has its own atmospheres, yet they are all cohesive.

[@thomasrichmond2413]

This era was absolutely magical. Disipline, Beat and Three; Jaco Pastorius’s word of mouth; Chick Corea’s Touchstone; Allan Holdsworth’s IOU; Metheny’s First Circle; McLaughlin, Di Meola & de Lucia…… music that still fires my imagination.

[@Alexander.Shipkov]

Super ! King Crimson is beyond time and beyond space. Adrian Belew is unique.

El mejor batero que escuché en vivo. Gracias!!! Cuánto talento!!!

[@sobellfanatic]

This is astonishing. I love what KC are doing now (seen them live many, many times in recent years), but I yearn for new music, not continually revisiting older compositions.

[@VikasBhargava1981]

You see great performances live and immensely enjoy them. And then you see this performance which is just Mad Max of all prog rock and leave alone that, the skills and talent here is just God level and to start off this strong is just showing off to the mere mortals what music's highest achievement is all about. This is what you need to aspire to.

[@richpeltier9519]

You don't get to see Bill keeping time with his hips often enough.

[@inakidelvalle5580]

Bill,uno de los mejores baterías del mundo....te conocí en el 70 con el Yes Álbum.👍❤️

[@pepewherrems1359]

Brilliant masterpiece Mr. Bruford, and my favorite concert of that King Crimson era. Just awesome band.

[@kimmyray1234]

THANK YOU BILL , FOR THIS POST ❤ I TOTALLY ENJOYED THIS AN IT WAS AWESOMENESS ! 😊

[@IAmInfinitus208]

Still even better than the album version! Frejus has the best live performances!

[@marcelogrillo4148]

Impresionante, increíble versión, la mejor!!!

[@davidsheldon803]

Hey Bill' love your stuff!

[@BasicDrumming]

Great video.

[@zengalileo]

One of my favorite all-time drummers and bands. Bruford was a very esrly influence on my firdt few yesrs as a drummer.

[@Vinylbop]

There should be a live album available from that year!

[@davidwatkinson1226]

Just think a minute that its wonderful as a non musician for me. So imagine performing it on stage, I hope for them looking back as it seems to me, it was indeed a special night on stage for them all. Perfect sounds all in the right order, as Eric Morcombe may say.

[@eemew]

Love this!

[@mattressfour20]

And so, a very obvious influence on Danny Carey is revealed to me. That was amazing.

[@leonardolopez9844]

Brutal

[@pvs31]

A must !

[@dylanturner3216]

Frppatronics on drums! One of my favorite pieces of music.

[@Clau.1270]

por dios que banda! que gran version

[@marcmacario-yt3td]

Was there at 22 years old 🎉

[@amkuch]

Tony Levin! Chapman Stick!

[@user-ir6fm3qs4o]

Bill !!!

[@kevinyeager9023]

They were so damn good... you can see where the best band ever TOOL got a lot of inspiration from... i dont want to compare they are both the best ever to do it

[@JohnLloydDavis]

Adrian doesn't get the credit he deserves for writing all the lyrics and vocal melodies for all the songs in his tenure with KC. Not even credited with this on the albums!

[@zenzenzen4741]

Have you ever really seen anything like this?!!

[@zenzenzen4741]

The Absent Lovers Live in Montreal is another fantastic version. One to check out

[@moon_pan_]

🖤🤘🏻

[@moonman6199]

👍👍👍 😊 ✨

[@micheltanaka2420]

Damn, King Crimson is weird. Love it!

[@user-th3ll8rl7i]

I thought it was going to "I'm waiting for the Man." Well had to stick around because I respect King Crimson. Also, I can see possible influence they had on Talking Heads.

[@genesisds]

Si alguna vez nos invaden extraterrestres, hay que mostrarles esto antes que nos eliminen. Tal vez nos perdonen

[@tmage23]

This was the true evolution of prog into the 80s. Not what Genesis or Yes, or any of the disappointing "supergroups" like Asia were doing.

[@_ratherBursadboi]

What are you smoking and can I have some?

[@arch_dornan6066]

​@@_ratherBursadboiDo some Belew-Bruford hip swaying and you'll see

[@bligh1156]

​@@_ratherBursadboiwhatever he's smoking, it shows him the truth.

[@clovisavila9152]

King Crimson melhor banda prog deste planeta.

[@donaldbass6737]

Got to agree…

[@DukeLetoIII]

Fripp showing everybody up with the based bowtie.

[@boathemian7694]

He’s David Byrnes lost twin?

[@jefflevinson669]

Thank G-d he didn’t trade in his Bruins sleeveless T-shirt for an over sized suit

[@boathemian7694]

@@jefflevinson669 hahahaha

[@williambock1821]

Somebody was listening to The Talking Heads.

[@sgt.thundercok4704]

It has always been my observation that this is what the really talented musicians end up doing. The studio-level musicians, etc. They are so bored with the music of their time they get together with like-minded musicians and just make utter technical wankfests. None of it has ever spoke to me, but I've always appreciated the talent and conviction, from Yes, to Steely Dan to Toto, on and on.

[@vaifrotedoldi2283]

Mi chiedo come si possono pubblicare,certe TRUFFE.Vergogna.

[@AbbieHoffmansGhost]

Chicken skin music.

[@roblastem2905]

Too bad Fripp inexplicably disbanded this version of KC only after 3 albums. Such great music, and such an irrational decision. They could’ve explored many more musical avenues with, for example, another 3 albums in the 80’s. The rest of the band should’ve gotten back together without Fripp and continued this style with a guitarist like Andy Summers…

[@2visiondigital]

Nice to see the love but to be honest this interation of KC does nothing for me. Not sure it ages well. Not like Giles, Lake, McDonald, Wetton and many others. Roto toms and ekits, cheech., cutting edge but dated.