Ranking the Studio Albums: Soft Machine

[@patrickcrowther9195]

When I was 14 my second guitar teacher was John Etheridge, one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. He struggled valiantly to make me get better, but I didn’t really have any ability. I remember asking him to teach me ‘Reeling in the Years’ by Steely Dan and he put the record on, listened to it once and then played the guitar part back note perfect. I was seriously impressed. I met him again completely by chance a few years ago after a gap of around 30 years and he still remembered me. Just a gentleman and a fabulous musician.

[@jasonpp1973]

I heard John Marshall also used to teach lessons as well.

[@richardwadholm4019]

John Etheridge is still my favorite Soft Machine guitarist. He has a broad palette of textures and styles and a sense for melody. His work in the Legacy project only gets better and better.

[@Pablopax4]

I had to play right after John Etheridge a couple of years ago at the Hampstead Garden festival, which was quite intimidating as a Guitarist. He was very complementary though. Later he blew my mind telling me he had recently toured with Hawkwind! Who knew...

[@blackcatcentralmusic]

I like the Zappa tribute album John did several years ago.

[@Daionzrip]

Are you related to Tim Crowther (great guitarist!!) from Groon/Network? S.O.S from their Refusal to Comply album has a killer Hugh Hopper like bass line w/ Inner Mounting Flame level guitar work from Tim.

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

*****Correction**** Kevin Ayers did not go on to form Gong. I was thinking about Daevid Allen, who played briefly in a very early incarnation of Soft Machine.

[@michaelwalters3004]

Thank you for the correction, I was trying to think of a very respectful way of stating that, but don't need to as you self corrected. Soft machine a great band, I have only and all of their first 7 or eight records and not the Allen Holdsworth stuff. I should change that. I love Holdsworth. An interesting side note, in the New York city experimental/noise/ funk/allsorts of music band Material on their record One Down a pre-fame Whitney Houston does the Soft Machine Hugh Hooper composition Memories. A great version of a great song. Thank you Pete have a good day. Per your comments today. I imagine no ranking the albums of Gong. LOL. I would imagine you wouldn't like their whimsy. Although Anarchy '77 is a great live album with Steve Hillage doing some stellar lead guitar work.

[@melthebell33]

I was just going to correct you on Gong lol, love Gong and yes it was Daevid Allen. Kevin Ayers went solo? Alan Holdsworth played in an incarnation of Gong too if i remember right? The jazzier Pierre Moerlons Gong

[@dvanmartin9842]

I had forgotten that Kevin did play briefly with Gong... I googled... All these musicians interloped....

[@nobordersnoflags9905]

@@michaelwalters3004 also finding a respectful way of stating... Steve Hillage doesn't play on Anarchy '77, it is Steffy Sharpstrings.

[@johnappleton8133]

Most of Soft Machine became absorbed by the band members from Nucleus.

[@jazzandrocknroll3235]

"Third" might be my favorite double album of all time, "Slightly All the Time" has some of the best improvisation ever recorded, and the electric piano section about 8 minutes in is out of this world. The album is fast approaching its 50th anniversary too!

[@arnaudb.7669]

yes Slightly All the Time is an absolute masterpiece.

[@ziggylayneable]

Over the course of the past 7-8 years.I myself used "King Crimson-In the Court of the Crimson King(An observation by King Crimson)",as my profile pic on KZbin.I love that album.I saw them in concert about eight months ago and they were incredible.They had 3 drummers.Left stage,middle stage,& right stage.As a musician myself,Robert Fripp absolutely blew my mind.

[@mattw8332]

Slightly All The Time is epic!

[@stevegardner1321]

Mine too. Don't think if 3rd as jazz really - the band was progressive in the true sense of the word. Third is magnificently, differently, amazingly, originally, wonderful and a bit strange!

[@caryheuchert]

Soft Machine’s “Third” is my favourite album of all-time!!! It was one of those coming-of-age records for me, back in the ‘70s. I also love “Fourth”, “Bundles”, “Volume Two”, and “Softs”.

[@Secretrealmtube]

After watching “Prog Rock Britannia” I discovered that Robert Wyatt only lives 40 miles from me. In 2011, I drove to his Town and it didn’t take long to track him down. His front door was open and some amazing music was pouring out. I spent 2 hours in his company and he couldn’t believe it when I told him that his drumming style was so unique and inspirational. He was such humble, quirky fun to be around.

[@alexmortland9058]

That's amazing. My Robert Wyatt story has now been trumped, but it's still pretty good..... I found a mailing address for him (c/o his record label) and wrote him a fan appreciation letter circa 2006-7ish. He wrote me the sweetest, most appreciative letter in return, handwritten on an origami type thing that looked a little like a fish, and he even cut out the stamps that I'd used on my envelope to him & sent them back to me.... he'd noticed that they hadn't been postmarked, and he thought I might be able to use them again. What a dude.

[@Secretrealmtube]

@@alexmortland9058 That's brilliant! He ushered "Come in!" I could have been anybody! He gave me a £20 note and sent me to the shop for cigs etc....we then spent ages talking about odd time signatures....I only took one photo, which I still have....totally bizzare and random day in both our lives :)

[@gonzofonso7572]

im sure he lives in lincolnshire is it louth ?

[@Secretrealmtube]

@@gonzofonso7572 Yes Louth, I wont say the Street name, but look for a wheelchair ramp ;)

[@beyondz55]

Can you please make a blog about that with pics?? That's amazing!!

[@photopicker]

I am 61 and listening to Soft Machine for the first time! That's what makes your channel special. It's really about getting access to the inaccessible.

[@beyondz55]

Third is simply the best. It's stuck with me through the years.

[@IndependentVictor]

WOOW Their first album last in your ranking?? Hahaha. Ok, now I get when you say people get pissed at your rankings, and I'm not exactly pissed because as you always say music is subjective, but I WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT hahaha. Awesome video as always Pete! I like how productive you are and how you aproach the subjects you talk about, just like we were having an ice music session in your man cave! Keep it up!

[@johanstaelens5194]

Third ! Perfect analyse ! Love it ! Congrats !

[@blackcatcentralmusic]

Also check out Nucleus. Ian Carr's great band of which a few future Soft Machine members were a part.

[@samuelbrown2147]

Such an amazing band!

[@akarshrastogi3682]

I freaking love Third. Listening to Soft machine on Acid just blows you away

[@fmellish71]

Yep. Watching my TV stand melt while listening to Third was a good time

[@oldlodgeskins1004]

@@fmellish71 😆

[@BZINCMULTIV]

Volume 2 for me all the way - one of the best/craziest albums ever and if you want to hear most of it turbocharged live, check out the the Live at the Paradiso CD - awesome. Third is absolutely amazing as well. Some great live footage on KZbin of the Volume 2/Third period. Amazing band at that period 1. Volume 2 2 Third 3. Fourth 4. The Soft Machine 5. Fifth 6. Land of Cockayne 7. Bundles

[@tayloroquinn1976]

Volume 2 for me as well.

[@fathersfilk]

volume 2 may be my favorite album of all time. there is a great video on KZbin titled 'esthers nose job rehearsal' that is an amazing performance.

[@coolguitarchannel]

The Third album is truly a feast for the ears. Love the style of this band. So whimsical but relentless at the same time. A perfect blend of dissonance and light. Also, ever think of doing a show on Caravan, Pete? They were another prime band of the Canterbury Scene. Nine Feet Underground anyone?

[@samuelbrown2147]

Favorite Canterbury group!

[@chrismarner9185]

Saw soft machine in 1975 supporting 11th house at the Rainbow , and last year at shepherds bush , with Gong and Caravan . Both great concerts . Thanks for your support for the Canterbury scene .

[@bkoehler01]

Saw this on my feed and immediately got excited. I always love the ranking the albums, but didn't expect a Soft Machine video!! One of my favorite quirky bands, Third is a desert island album for me

[@richardwadholm4019]

I am loving Pete's critical take on some of the really underground prog bands like Family and Soft Machine and Atomic Rooster. I started out coming here for the Deep Purple and Black Sabbath reviews, so getting some informed analysis on more challenging music is a pleasant surprise.

[@RobHoughton]

Wholly Carp! I never thought you'd rate these bad boys! Robert Wyatt FTW!!! I continue to be impressed by the scope of your musical knowledge!

[@deanjonasson6776]

Great band with a long, illustrious history. Because of their evolution from psychedelic/prog to jazz/fusion plus all the comings-and-goings, probably a discography that's better tackled in chronological order. Speaking of which, note that Holdsworth came from Tempest to the Softs. Besides "Bundles", he's featured on the amazing "Floating World Live" concert album. On the eve of their next big tour, he jumped ship to join Tony Williams, much to the surprise of his bandmates. Thanks for featuring this amazing band!

[@grok023]

I've been a big Soft machine fan since I heard 4th in 1975. Third is my favorite, and one of my favorite albums of all time. I think the best album for a beginner would be 7. It kicks off great with Nettle Bed. I prefer Softs to Bundles. For me it seems to have a warmth to it that Bundles lacks.

[@jasonpp1973]

Nettle Bed was released as a single in Italy!

[@MrMusicHed]

Same here... and Softs was the first album I heard by them so that may be my bias... and Third was the first I owned... found in a 2nd hand shop in rural VA., kinda blew my mind... especially since there was no guitar... me being a guitarist.

[@bernardlachance1821]

Thanks for this really interesting “Ranking the albums”. You have a great and really extended taste in music. Waiting for your ranking on Gong someday.

[@Petekelly55]

Just recently discovered your channel. Can't believe how much our taste in music overlaps. 'Third' is my favourite of their albums but I love the Holdsworth albums. All in all a great band. Keep up the great work - love it.

[@WarhawkBeyond2040]

All of the Soft Machine recordings are great in their own way but the last recent four albums with the addition of Theo Travis have been some of the band's best music to date in my opinion, his sax playing has been a real breath of fresh air and has given a whole new life to the older material as well as the new music.

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

Yes indeed! Keep in mind I only included actual 'Soft Machine' works here, and not the 'Soft Machine Legacy' releases, all of which are mighty fine.

[@mishrazz]

Bundles and Softs are my favorites so far. Just beautiful jazz fusion and some really mesmerizing riffs.

[@raymcgrath4116]

Nice overview Pete. I just came across this post and enjoyed it immensely. I have always thought of Soft Machine as a sort of English "Weather Report", they were an integral element of the counter culture here in the UK during the seventies and it's nice to see someone making an effort to keep the flame burning. Gracias amigo.

[@catdeli]

Due to my love of 60's psych and garage stuff my fave Softs album is, no surprise, the 1st one. Yeah, my brother had that one in the 70's and I thought it was awful. Later I came to love it. I have my bro's vinyl copy now, he doesn't care.

[@steevenfrost]

Agree. I love it Why are we sleeping is excellent. We did it again is repetitive, but enjoyably so.

[@deathmetaldouglas69]

That album is a classic and watching Pardo shit all over it is pretty cringy to say the least.

[@goonbelly5841]

1. Third 2. Fourth 3. Fifth 4. Volume Two 5. Soft Machine 6. Six 7. Seven Soft Heap are good too.

[@blackcatcentralmusic]

One more shout out to the "Jet Propelled Photographs" album which was not recorded as an album project but contains early Soft Machine songs with Robert Wyatt singing and Daevid Allen on guitar. This set has been re-released under different names over the years (e.g. "Rock Generation")

[@jasonpp1973]

Some of those songs were incorporated in the song Moon in June.

[@paulwheeldon3075]

I always assumed that Soft Machine weren’t for me, until I heard Bundles quite recently. Really good album.

[@diannecarpenter7718]

Thank you for your ranking of Soft Machine. I've never heard of them until now. I gave Soft Machine a listen and like their different sound. 🎤🎸🎵🥁

[@richardfox3039]

Great video Pete. Moon in June with Robert Wyatt on vocals is brilliant.

[@gcaes4840]

I've only listened Third and I loved it. And I'm here watching the video and the coments trying to chose which one I will listen next and it's really difficult😂 everyone is saying different things. Which one should I pick and listen?

[@tarakb7606]

Love Robert Wyatt and Kevin Ayers' solo stuff.

[@williamgainford9332]

his cover of im a believer is just lovely

[@vitusdoom]

Partly fish, partly porpoise, partly baby sperm whale

[@shadowstealer2790]

Wyatt's "Nothing Can Stop Us' is uniquely beautiful.

[@rockonthestone4907]

Wyatts solo career is spectacular, Ayers' solo stuff is a bit hit or miss for me personally

[@deathmetaldouglas69]

Considering how Pardo took a giant shit on the first classic Soft Machine LP I doubt he shares your opinion. At all.

[@mauro.mazzocchi]

Hey Pete, that was nice! I'd love to see you rank the Soft Machine LIVE albums :)

[@ashotinthedarkofnite]

one of my favorites. Thank you for reviewing.

[@Niels133]

Kevin Ayers did not start Gong. Daevid Allen started Gong after being in Soft Machine..... Kevin Ayers began to make his first (very good) solo album: Joy Of A Toy.

[@lindsayscott4994]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Totally agree with number one.

[@digoryjohns2018]

Really enjoyable run through the studios from Soft Machine, Pete. Thanks. You're such a pleasant guy to listen to. I've always found Soft Machine, er... difficult. But I've never listened to Bundles, I'll definitely do that. Thanks for the tip. Living in Germany I don't have much access to American craft beers, but you've whetted my appetite to open something special while listening to your 1977 choice later. I think it'll probably be Tempelier Brouwerij Corsendonk Dark Ale from Belgium. I've had a couple of big bottles in the cellar since Christmas - time to open one. Cheers!

[@frankcantelmi245]

Great video Pete i discovered this Band through you so thanks i just bought Third Fourth Fifth Six Seven in the original Album collection on Cd love it Thankyou so much Pete

[@Tangram62]

Thanks for this Pete. I bought all the Soft Machine albums from the first to "Alive and well" recently in box sets. I took your advice on how to listen to them as a newbie. It may have put me off if I had listened to Third as my first album. I listened to "Bundles", "4" and "7" first as you suggested and left "Third" until last. It was worth the effort to appreciate the complexity of "Third". Love your channel and your rankings.

[@roxannewalsh]

There were always two important aspects in Soft Machine, the weird songs represented by Kevin Ayers and Robert Wyatt's unique voice and the early Jazz Rock of Mike Ratledge and Elton Dean (and others). The peak of their catalogue was the time when both coexisted in a special way. 1. Third (Nothing in rock history compares to this album, unique, you love it or hate it) 2. Fourth 3. Fifth 4. Six 5. Volume 2 6. Bundles (at this stage no original member is in the band anymore and the style has changed as well, this Soft Machine has only the name in common with the band 5 years before - they still made good music though) 7. Softs 8. Soft Machine (Vol1) 9. Seven 10. Land of Cocayne Very high up in my list would be an album that never was, released under "In the Beginning" or "Jet Propelled Photograph" and recorded before the first official release. "Memories" is one of the best songs Robert Wyatt ever recorded. Another thing to check for those who like the band are the recordings they did for BBC, the famous Top Gear show. The BBC had bands play a whole concert "live in the studio" that was later broadcasted. The sound quality of those recordings (not just by Soft Machine) was excellent, CD quality even back in the 60s and 70s, but the performance was live without overdubs. Soft Machine were guests several times and the versions of most tunes they played there are even better than the studio originals. (By the way, Kevin Ayers was not with Gong but Daevid Allen who played in an early version of Soft Machine that only released some demos and singles. He was Australian citizen and had to move to France from England because of visa issues. That is how Gong came about. Kevin Ayers started a solo career with a very young guitar player named Mike Oldfield in his band...) Last but not least - Robert Wyatt's Rock Bottom (1974) and Ruth is Stranger Than Richard (1975) pick up where he left Soft Machine after Third and Fourth (if you like those you will also like the solo ones, but most likely you will already know that...)

[@mathguy8874]

Wow - quite spot-on there IMO, Roxanne! Those BBC records are awesome, as are many of their live albums. Perhaps you dig Hatfield, Egg, and National Health as well ?!

[@roxannewalsh]

@@mathguy8874 I do, all of them, also of course Caravan >>> the Wilde Flowers were the core of the Canterbury groups and had Soft Machine Members as well as Caravan guys.

[@Benji306]

@@roxannewalsh Just an fyi, Mike Ratledge is still very much on board for "Bundles" although his involvement is a bit less in the songwriting department then previous efforts. Mike wrote two songs; "The Man Who Waved at Trains" (Might be the best track on the LP) and "Peff".

[@roxannewalsh]

@@Benji306 Yes/No...Ratledge's departure from the band is still a mystery, it is like he did not leave but faded away. His keyboards were a main element early in the band but on Seven he was hardly audible, on Bundles he was credited (but was he even there?), on Softs he appears as guest and then silence...

[@terenceboris851]

I just got the first album on gold vinyl. Awesome stuff.

[@mproyuclan]

Seven has always been my favourite. Got into Soft Machine in about 1974. My dad told me how he taught Mike Ratledge at Simon Langton in Canterbury. Mike also had a part in a Peter Watkins (later to win an Oscar) film that both my parents were in, Forgotten Faces. Hearing the back story I found Seven in my local Virgin record shop and have loved it ever since. I quite enjoyed some of the early Wyatt psychedelic/Goons inspired stuff but really the jazz influenced Third and onwards was much more for me and Seven is just so perfect.

[@OriginalApexTwin]

Wasn’t expecting to be in such agreement with you. Will be checking out more of your videos!

[@paulayers1111]

Been waiting for this one for a while

[@daskoon]

I saw them in August of '68 in NYC with the Chambers Bros. Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. I was already a big fan of Jimi and Janis, but came away from that concert as a fan of the Soft Machine and immediately bought their 2nd album. I now have several CDs of the Soft Machine but still have a soft spot for no. 2, I still play it every now and then as it comes up on my phone.

[@willsonnett6693]

Pete you have the most insightful viewers around! Been a Soft Machine fan and the Canterbury scene since their inception. Not sure if you have featured Gong albums. That would be interesting. Third is great as is Rock Bottom by Robert Wyatt. Appreciate your attention to progressive rock, especially the formative years! Thanks..

[@rockonthestone4907]

Love this band, haven't heard everything but I'll rank what I'm familiar with: 7. Fifth 6. Seven 5. Debut 4. Softs 3. Fourth 2. Bundles 1. Third

[@unchattytwit]

Hey great show (and you love strong IPA!) - really enjoyed it.However, I love the first album Pete, really radical rock/pop album for its time and I've felt had a big part in heralding in the new new era of creativity, invention, quirky and quark.I think an underrated and unrecognised influence for lots of music afterwards.Not the same as the later more polished stuff but glorious in it's youthful innocence and exuberance. I really think you've got to sit down with a beer and reconsider it. I love Wyatt's contribution: vocals, lyrics, drumming and humour. The organ is so damn poignant and exciting on this album. No wonder Hendrix loved their craziness. Look at the guys who left and were great thereafter: Allen, Ayers and Wyatt.

[@GSM8591]

Very nice Pete. Third is also my favorite. Throughout this vid though, your talk kept making me think about one of my favorite bands - one that is also woefully under recognized - OREGON - truly unique. Were they the first (and best) "World Music" band? classical & 12-string guitar, oboe (and other reeds), sitar & tablas (and other percussion), stand-up bass (and piano). Do you know theses guys Pete? Ralph, Collin, Paul, and Glen (and later Trilok and others)

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

Oregon were GREAT!

[@arnaudb.7669]

@@seaoftranquilityprog yes fantastic band.In the same vein there's the band Colours of Eberhard Weber.

[@WalterBrew]

Thanks for your ranking. Third was one of the great Albums in my musical coming of age time. My friend Joe and I would play the whole album and just listen, hardly a word spoken. It was about that time that The Soft Machine played in the Proms in the Royal Albert Hall. We went down in the afternoon and were at the front of the queue and were invited to be interviewed by Richard Baker the top classical music commentator for the BBC at the time. They were the first Jazz group of this type to feature in the Proms , a milestone event! He asked why they should asked to play in the Proms and my bumbling answer was that it was serious music and good musicians. I think it was aired. They played mostly from Third and was a great event though I suspect they were only a few present who were fans, the rest were classical fans.

[@raphaelgroisard9598]

Thanks for the video. Every fellow musicians I know- including me - prefer Fifth or Fourth. But, what do musicians know about music after all ?

[@craigtoelle1052]

Pete, are you familiar with Nucleus? It was the band Karl Jenkins was in before joining Soft Machine (John Marshall and Alan Holdsworth both had stints in that band as well). Very similar to Soft Machine. The 1st 2 albums are really good (Elastic Rock and We'll Talk About it Later).

[@steveton9155]

Brilliant and thank you! Third is pure magic. Wonder if you would consider ranking SM’s parallal discography with stuff like SM Legacy (Hidden Details is by them after dropping the word Legacy) SM Heap, SM Head etc etc) as well as stuff like Rubber Riff, Noisette etc? Thank you once again.

[@johnrigby1861]

First saw Soft Machine @ Manchester's Twisted Wheel in 1968 and listened to them ever since. Live they were amazing, especially the Routledge/Wyatt/Hopper/Dean incarnation. Interestingly they played one long set, with no breaks, just links between the various numbers - and never said a word! Favourite album Third - with 2-5 their golden era.

[@vitusdoom]

Moon in June is so friggin good. Robert Wyatt is one of my idols in music. His solo stuff is bloody brilliant. Top bloke too.

[@mathguy8874]

And if you dig Wyatt on Third, well, his solo discography is wonderful and will keep you busy for a while! (And check out his band Matching Mole)

[@j20man9]

Been getting into these guys lately. I've been obsessed with Third, Fourth and Fifth.

[@bastiannarada]

I love Soft machine 💗. Seven was my first listen. Love many of their albums

[@hm_nn_5633]

I missed this. So here I am.

[@doctorpatient519]

Yes- I was lucky enough to see their first USA performance ('67? '68? at SUNY Stony Brook!), touring with the Hendrix Experience (also their first USA performance) and it was remarkable: Robert Wyatt came out shirtless, but with a top hat and black tie on :) on Volume Two's "Have you Ever Bean Green?" Wyatt sings: "Thank you Noel and Mitch, Thank you, Jim, for our exposure to the crowd"

[@Alun49]

"Third" is a true masterpiece. I first heard it as an impressionable thirteen year old. It is one of my favourite albums of all time and fifty+ years on I remain in awe as I listen to it. Together with A Rainbow In Curved Air by Terry Riley, it is one album I could not be without. There is no album I have ever heard quite like it. Majestic indeed.

[@suddone]

Pete you didn’t mention Caravan for me the best Canterbury band

[@paulayers1111]

David Suddaby LOVE Caravan!!!

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

Well, there's a lot of them, didn't intend to mention them all. But yeah, Caravan are cool!

[@ziggylayneable]

There was so many good bands like Caravan, The Groundhogs, Camel,etc(basically bands that kind of flew under the radar for most people)...✌🏻😀✌🏻

[@tarakb7606]

Absolutely! Great band.

[@marcbergeron8690]

The problem with Caravan is that when frontman Richard Sinclair is not there they lose almost all attraction (to me). But when he is present oooooh!

[@grantpenton1850]

When I was 17 I met a guy in college who had a great collection and great recommendations for my allowance $, months before I got my first summer job. I enjoyed the SM he played me and he made a cassette of some top choices- but back then we used our dad's rather crappy sounding tape decks that were connected to the cheapo receivers. He enthusiastically told me that the Triple Echo compilation set was in the nearby record store for $20- which was still more than I'd ever paid for one album by 1978- and that I MUST, MUST MUST get it! So I did, and have been collecting Soft Machine ever since!

[@Treborhtims1972]

Hello to you Pete,my favourite 5 Softs albums are- 1) Fourth 2) Fifth 3) Third 4) Bundles 5) Softs. To anyone who hasn't heard them,from 'Third' onwards,some of the most rewarding Jazz/Jazz Rock/Progressive Jazz Rock out there. Also,the Soft Machine Legacy albums are very much worth investigating also.

[@mutant_blues]

The Wyatt albums are masterworks

[@tarakb7606]

Kevin Ayers also wrote great songs.

[@nicksimms3771]

Before I watch, here are mine: #11- Fifth #10- Third #9- Land of Cockayne #8- Volume Two #7- The Soft Machine #6- Seven #5- Fourth #4- Softs #3- Six #2- Hidden Details #1- Bundles

[@blackcatcentralmusic]

Robert Wyatt has guested on many albums too. One that every fan should have is Nick Mason's "Fictitious Sports". It's really a Carla Bley album but loads of fun, great playing and humor.

[@jasonpp1973]

My fave is Hot River, it's very Pink Floyd-ish, with the right amount of Wyatt thrown in for good measure!

[@MrEjw3]

Pete- Just when I think we have plumbed the depth of your diverse taste in music, you knock is out with a review of Soft Machine. Not that I'm all that knowlegable about the subject, but The Land of Cocayne refers to a painting by the Flemish artist Peter Brueguel that depicts a land of over consumption. I was never big on that l.p. due to the overly 80s production. Glad you like Third, it is an old favorite. BTW, you probably know this, but the band Matching Mole is actually French for Soft Machine. Love that Robert Wyatt! W/o set what you think of his solo stuff. Keep up the great reviews! Is there a SOFT MACHINE T-Shirt?

[@jasonpp1973]

Listening to Third now, it's out bloody rageous! Might just be the first double album to have four side long compositions. My copy of Third remaster on cd has the Live at the Proms concert album as a bonus cd.

[@j.resihead1835]

Third was the first one that I purchased and you are correct in saying start with something else. It was not the best to start with. I bought Six and Seven after that and loved them but Third took me several years to enjoy. Now it is one of my favorites. My favorite is probably the Fourth album. That could change tomorrow as I love all of their albums. Thanx for the video Pete.

[@donaldanderson6604]

Totally agree about Hidden Details. The influence of Fripp on the first track is very clear. I didn't believe it was possible to buy such good music in 2018. I heard them play live in September and they were on fire. The good news is that there is a new live album out next month. About a week before lockdown I heard Etheridge and Travis playing an evening of Ray Davis covers with Dylan Howe at my local theatre. It may be the last gig I hear for a long time so that was a great memory.

[@AlabasterSmudge]

"Moon in June" is my favorite Soft Machine song off our favorite album by them.

[@EthanS1481]

Damn! Dint know they released something 2 years ago! Cheers for this video! My top 3 - Third Fourth Volume Two

[@Soft_Machine]

Good to see Soft Machine getting talked about

[@andyshuttleworth8341]

Glad that you put Third first. It's my favorite album. I saw them live at this time. Really fantastic live band. The Deluxe edition of Third has their Pop Proms performance at the Albert Hall in 1970 on it. Easily the Softs best album.

[@vascomunista]

Totally agreed... this "third" album... jesus just AMAZING... majestic

[@blackcatcentralmusic]

Ratledge and Jenkins have maintained their friendship over the years and Ratledge has helped Jenkins with his Adiemus projects. He also did music for film projects.

[@tonyfaelens3626]

Another great band from Holland - Super Sister , Great !!!!!!!!

[@gwts1171]

I really only know the first four, so I'll just rank those. My ranking could change depending on my mood, since their first two are so different that the next two. 4) The Soft Machine 3) Volume Two 2) Fourth 1) Third When I was in Europe many years ago I found a "semi-legal" box set of the first four albums called "The Wyatt Years" and haven't explored much further. Thanks for the ranks, Pete!

[@NilodeRoock]

For me Third = Slightly All The Time, just like Seven = Day's Eye. Couldn't decide which song I like more. - Thanks for your review of the albums.

[@Steve-gr3hf]

Do give credit to the subsequent solo career of Robert Wyatt, that is magical.

[@norbiudeako518]

That was a lot to cover and you wound up right with me, 3rd and 4th are masterpieces.

[@gabrielheftye973]

My favourites: 1.-Third 2.-Four 3.-Fifth 4.-Bundles 5.-The Land of Cocayne 6.-Alive and Well 7.-Volume Two Robert Wyatt recorded a great live album with Volker Kriegel and Sugar Cane Harris too.

[@chrisb587]

Owned the first three for years. Never managed to listen to Third all the way through yet. Maybe you've inspired me Pete. Pass the tranquilizers ...

[@deathmetaldouglas69]

"Third" is way overrated. I would have put it towards the bottom. The first two are flawless as are "Six" and "Seven".

[@matthewbrass9152]

Would be nice to hear more of a description of the music and overall feeling of each album in favour of names of musicians and song names

[@loucontino4804]

I'm with you through Bundles and Third, for me I move Bundles to the one spot. But, other than that, great rankings. I am hearing something is in the works for a June Studio 2023 release. Keep an eye on Moon June Records for more.

[@scottmcgregor562]

Wow I have been waiting for this for a while. It pays for me to keep my mouth shut and wait. A new Monster's Den!!!🎇🎊📯🔅🔆🎉

[@cbarbe02]

Pete what do think about Jimi Hendrix opening for the Monkees in 1967, seems like a weird mix.

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

It was indeed!

[@jazzpunk]

The Monkees were huge Hendrix fans & wanted to help. I guess it didn't. The Fillmore East had plenty of weird mixes...Woody Herman opening for Zeppelin?!? Miles Davis & Laura Nyro?!?

[@Musichead1968]

Nice to see The Softs getting a bit of attention! I could argue at inordinate length about the ratings, but the beauty of music is that it is completely subjective... If you've not heard it, there's a double album on the Strange Fruit label that came out here in the UK sometime in the early 90's (I think) called 'Soft Machine Turns On' which collects a load of the late, great BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel's sessions featuring some (if not all) of the only known recordings of The Softs' septet lineup (Dean, Hopper, Ratledge, Wyatt plus Lyn Dobson (flute/soprano sax), Marc Charig (cornet, trumpet, flügelhorn) and Nick Evans (trombone)) plus a very different version of Moon In June and a gorgeous version of the wonderful 'Backwards' amongst other delights. A record well worth a punt if you can find it: it's an 'every home should have one' for all us Soft Machine fans! Keep up the good work - it's nice to have something to shout at from time to time...

[@williamroberts8470]

I love the double first and second album and I always played the last track of one first before 2. I would say my favorite band for sure.

[@adecirkett5351]

Saw John Etheridge, at Hastings Fishermans Club cost £8 and there was a bar as well. absolutely brilliant

[@mer1red]

Agree on some points, disagree on many others. I know Soft Machine inside out. Almost as good as my mother :-). I can sing or hum their 4 first albums by heart. There are two important aspects, besides music style, in the history of this group: human interactions and business. In fact there are two entirely different Soft Machines: before and after Robert Wyatt left the group. The first period spans albums 1 - 4. 5 was a transition. The third is their best album, released when the band was at its summit. The group was then a unique mixture of different personalities. Which caused tensions, but was also the reason why they were so good. *Soft Machine died shortly after Robert Wyatt left. Yes. They kept the name for commercial reasons* , but it was a different setup. It as could as well have been a band with another name. The first period is a unique blending of innovative pop, psychedelic music, craziness, humor, rock, some jazz influences. In fact they created a new genre in pop music. After the fifth it became an ordinary jazz rock band. The soul was gone, dry and intellectual. So my advise is: if you want to hear the real Soft Machine: listen for some time to the first four albums, maybe also the fifth. Classification (best first) 3, 2, 1, 4, 5. Then switch to the other ones. You will know what I mean. Of course, everybody has a personal taste, but that's a different thing.

[@trobin]

Big Soft Machine fan here as well (not as much as the other Canterbury bands but I too would say I know the first 4 note for note). I would personally consider 4 a transitional album, as its when ratledge dean and hopper took control and steered it away from vocals, leaving Wyatt unhappy with the state of the band. Furthermore, the inclusion of Babbington and the overall tone of it is what pushes it towards the tone of things like 5 and on, which I would say is definitely final part of the transition to the new era which starts on 6. I would have to agree with your ranking of 3, 2, 1, 4, 5, although the first 3 are soooooo neck and neck for me that its hard to choose. I was quite bummed to see Pete place 1 and 2 so low, but I suppose that psychedelic aspect just isn't for everyone. Although might I add as an aside, I think Matching Mole is my favorite work any former Soft Machine member did, including Soft Machine themselves.

[@mer1red]

@@trobin I agree that the fourth album already showed signs of what was going to follow. The transition was not sudden, so it is difficult to draw a sharp line between the two periods. I also agree that the first 3 are all great, difficult to choose which one is the best. Matching Mole was great. I also appreciate some of Wyatt's later work.

[@SirGamestop]

finally one for my favorite band. the metaphorical "gateway drug" from rock to jazz.

[@Musichead1968]

Oh yeah, stop me if you know about this one already, but I forgot to add that, whilst not strictly qualifying for a studio albums list, 'Alive & Well Recorded In Paris' is a marvellous album: I always found 'Softs' a little bit lacklustre in comparison to the rest of their canon, so when I heard 'Alive & Well' I was blown away by the energy of it! All new compositions that blow (most of) the 'Softs' material way out of the water with out (bloody) rageously awesome playing and a very odd end track that to this day baffles me....

[@MrCorgiblue]

As for their live albums I'd recommend Alive & Well: Recorded In Paris. It was rereleased as a 2 CD set set. Etheridge on guitar and Rick Sanders on violin.

[@jasonpp1973]

Soft Space was an odd inclusion on that album, not a live track. It was a disco track, but a cool one though, was also released as a two sided single.

[@steveconnor746]

I was lucky enough to see the Wyatt/Hopper/Ratledge/Dean lineup at Newcastle UK at about the same time 4 was released. Mesmerising gig.

[@FlopMeister71]

1. Seven 2. Fifth 3. Third 4. Six 5. Bundles 6. Softs 7. Alive and Well recorded in Paris 8. Fourth 9. Volume Two 10. The Soft Machine 11. Land of Cockayne There are a bunch of live concerts I would rate highly too. Pretty much anything live between 1970 - 1972 is golden.

[@elfensteen5222]

Soft Machine Vol one and two.. belongs to the best they did !! just great music that gave Soft Machine there special sound.. Soft Machine Third maby is the best!

[@johnrigby1861]

And whilst with CBS, it was an executive who commented; 'Soft Machine; either our best selling jazz group or our worst selling rock band!'

[@themaven4054]

Slightly All The Time off Third is a great listen. Nice vid Pete!