Soft Machine - Moon In June (Bilzen Jazz And Pop Festival, Aug 22, 1969)

[@jamesfeldman4234]

When I was 14 years old, my brother and I went to see the Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1968 and the Soft Machine opened the show. My ticket cost me $3.00 and I was seated in the 6th row from the stage. Both bands were in fine form, and this video brings back those memories. Drummer Robert Wyatt made quite an impression when he first walked onto the stage. The only thing he wore was bikini-style briefs.

[@zenos.5315]

I saw them with Hendrix on Feb 25 1968 at the Civic Opera House in Chicago. I was 16 at the time Seeing these two bands changed everything for me,it was truly a magical experience. I still have the ticket stub, well half of it. I believe we might have been at the same show. Cheers!!!!!!!

[@jorgegonzalez-larramendi5491]

No live recordings of that tour yet found. One Jiminy preconcert interview has the soft machin. In top form in the background

[@squidgobbler]

Yes, all members wore black swim trunks.

[@squidgobbler]

February 14th 1968. Jimi Hendrix and Soft Machine. Denver Regis College. All wearing black swimming trucks.

[@LouisMancrief-x6y]

A-ha, u must have witnessed an early incarnation of the man-kini!

[@jacktar9567]

loved The Soft Machine.... Robert Wyatt was inspirational .... they all were... who makes music nowadays like they did...? ❤

[@jorgegonzalez-larramendi5491]

Hello. They StillPlay try moonjune records

[@metlmickey]

Lyricist aged 62 I write unconventional songs. I feel that I was born at the wrong time of the century. However being born in 1961 the band's and music I grew up with hearing it was an amazing and incredible time for music 🎵🎵🎵🌈♥️

[@tuskact4overheaven873]

No one and it's a good thing, if they could be so easily replicated it means they weren't that great... but of course this is not the case 😊

[@theloniousratledge8835]

Nessuno 😢

[@CookinginRussia]

The Moon in June is one of the finest pieces of music of the entire 20th century.

[@marcbergeron8690]

At least it"s the finest of Soft Machine.

[@kovvvas]

You know Scaruffi?

[@bobknight8412]

Whoa! Didn't expect to see you here chef!

[@CookinginRussia]

@@bobknight8412 - i didn't expect to see you, either! Long ago I actually had the handwritten sheet music notes to this penned by Mike. Sadly, lost somewhere along the way of my travels.

[@bobknight8412]

@@CookinginRussia F. As an organist myself, I would have loved to see that! Great to see you have good taste both in tongue and in ears, though. Hope you're doing safe, shame your restaurant fell through.

[@leach1527]

I saw them play live many times around this period - 1969 and 1970. A great band.

[@written12]

I envy you

[@musicantd]

Never saw them but like the name

[@SG-gj6ko]

What a drummer Wyatt was.

[@ianm.dunlop2945]

Please don’t say was.

[@lucifersam4521]

@@ianm.dunlop2945 unfortunately in matter of facts now he isn't

[@davidosilverman900]

Robert abruptly ceased to be a drummer 48 years ago.

[@mikesaunders4775]

One day a biopic of his extraordinary life will be made.

[@progqueen6219]

@@mikesaunders4775 There`s already one been made, Different Every Time: The Authorised Biography of Robert Wyatt.

[@chicklets4ever51]

Magnifique. 60s electric rock genre taken to its extreme limits. Saw these guys around 73 in central Italy in a small Roman arena. Fabulous.

[@willg54]

Lucky you!😊

[@gianca60]

The fact Rolling Stone magazine DON'T include Robert in the list of the best drummers ever, makes you realize of how shitty the magazine is.

[@chrismoller4272]

Who gives a crap what RS says about music anyway. That's like saying Grammy awards and Rock Hall of Fame nominations go to musicians not bullshit artists. CMON

[@captainmoondog1947]

​@@chrismoller4272yeah fuck rolling stone, Robert Wyatt is more than a stupid list, he's the GOAT 🐐

[@n9909e]

Jann Wenner is a prick

[@bernardh9994]

Mike Ratledge will go down in history as one of the great musicians of the 20th century

[@CookinginRussia]

Sadly, no he won't. He is almost completely forgotten already. Truly tragic that he never received the widespread recognition that he deserved, but when you look at the sort of music that's hugely popular these days, it's no wonder Mike is forgotten. He's so far over the heads of this generation that all they hear is noise, I'm sure.

[@Methilde]

@@CookinginRussia In Paris they were pretty well knowne by the young generation, they play in great place like "Palais des Sport" were the Stones gives 2 concerts in 1970.

[@CookinginRussia]

@@Methilde - That was 1970. I was listening to them all the time in the same year in the United States, but no one else I knew had a clue as to who they were.

[@Methilde]

@@CookinginRussia I was saying that they play in the same place than the Stones, that means they have a large public. But cause of young ones who invaded the place, quite cool, just when Soft were begining to play the all electricity was cut and policemen where standing all around, so in real they couldn't play, so frustrating.

[@JamesKP17847]

@@CookinginRussia​​⁠I recently discovered soft machine and I’m only 19 so far I’m loving it but I get what you mean most people like brain numbing rap beats nowadays. I’m also a huge Zappa fan but if I had to pick a favorite from soft machine it would be Priscilla or slightly all the time

[@flight1919]

Peak Softs. Fantastic.This is when You Tube earns its existence.

[@pinba11wizzard]

in 1967-71 they were most amazing, exicting band in the world, especially this line-up.

[@bobgreen623]

I love this lineup, too, and also the one before with Kevin Ayers playing bass.

[@OkayCesarini]

Kevin Ayers is a great songwriter, but Hugh Hopper was a better bassist I think

[@7777Scion]

They were a great band, but just one of many.

[@pinba11wizzard]

Mike and Hugh were brains of the band, and Robert and Kevin were heart and soul (and Daevid was spiritual father, I think he was most important figure in Canterbury scene). When Robert left band, SM lost something vital (still 5 album was quite good), but first 4-5 years were pure gold, unique and forward thinking music that still very inspiring and fresh.

[@adrithgor7551]

@@pinba11wizzard i think that Allen and Wyatt were the "main characters" of cantenbury scene, they were both very important

[@Hiwatt100W1]

I think that the early Soft Machine were the finest band of rock musicians of their era- they are that good. Robert Wyatt's voice is up there with Peter Gabriel's and Steve Winwood's.

[@jorgegonzalez-larramendi5491]

They. *still are* Try moonjune records

[@written12]

Excellent point. His voice and singing was every bit as expressive

[@HippieDavid61]

This, along with Van der Graaf, are my fav bands ever. Fabulous group, love em😊❤

[@pflqr]

I love the Canterbury scene. Long live prog!. Thanks for post.

[@chrismoller4272]

It isn't prog . It's jazz. Know the difference

[@cuebj]

@@chrismoller4272 Well... The Canterbury Scene encompassed pop, jazz, rock and prog: Brinsley Schwartz and offshoots, Softs and offshoots, Caravan. I've typed 'Canterbury Sound' in other comments but the OP's 'Canterbury Scene' is a much better phrase - of course, it extended across Kent to include Tunbridge Wells

[@gavinc.morrison1147]

Robert Wyatt has such a good voice...

[@martinhaughey5745]

He really has. Top drummer as well

[@enzogalli5506]

RW...pure talent and genius man!!!

[@michaelshore2609]

correction: GREAT VOICE. and Martin right below is correct too - great drummer! and to SING while drumming??? you don't see that too often especially at such a level.

[@movimentodoscacos]

@@michaelshore2609 and lyricist. And also very funny. Love him.

[@michaelshore2609]

@@movimentodoscacos all true!

[@LarixusSnydes]

I wasn't born yet when they played at this concert, but I am so grateful to my dad that he introduced me to so many different kinds of music, including the magnificent Soft Machine at a very young age. The symphonic nature of the tracks that flow into each other and sometimes make a reprisal, combined with the richness of the diversity in tempo, volume and timbre made me experience this music throughout my body. I don't need drugs for that. Art is so immensely powerful when you allow yourself to open to it. Thanks for sharing :-).

[@marcotukoff]

This effect on Hugh Hopper bass impressed me a lot!

[@magnuszilarra9064]

Shaftsbury (?) fuzz...same as Univox Superfuzz

[@_ratherBursadboi]

Fuzz pedal at max?

[@MrHobbit60]

What an awesome drummer Robert was. Of course he's still massively creative, but we lost a great drummer with that fall.

[@nigelwright850]

I thing he was one of the most creative drummers of all time, the complexity and his interaction with the melody is just amazing.

[@JSTNtheWZRD]

Damn right - he was like the Hendrix of Jazz rock psychidelic melting skies down over your lidded eyes good drumming

[@Hiwatt100W1]

He was an awesome drummer...I think he might have been the best of all his contemporaries with the possible exception of Mitch Mitchell (I do realize that's a pretty contentious statement LOL!).

[@theo9952]

Ηe has retired completely. His last performance was in 2016 and his last album was released in 2007

[@swiftfest]

At around 11.00 I started looking for the lead guitar...it's the keyboard...what a sound!

[@JOHNWILSON-hu2yz]

Thank you, pointing it was the keyboard. For life I could not figure out how Hugh Hopper was getting all of those sounds out his bass. Again, thank you.

[@ouroborosnagyok9306]

easily top 10 song of all time

[@phillipecook3227]

I was born in 58. I'm listening to this for the first time having known almost nothing about this " group". Watching and listening to this performance what strikes me is its intense .... vibrancy ... almost as if it was recorded last week. I have to mentally pinch myself to remind me I'm looking at something from 55 years ago. Whatever the form of music there's something viscerally exciting about watching and listening to a small group of performers very familiar with each other in a " groove " making music together.

[@Fuscas-rg4dl]

Try also Weather Report

[@victorsantiago5470]

Soft Machine best as progressive rock. . miss that style of music.

[@theloniousratledge8835]

Dicembre 2024, c'è chi ascolta sempre i Soft Machine ❤

[@zoetdonaire]

10:52 that solo blows my mind every day, every month, every year since 1977 when I became old and wise enough to know it. I have listened to this song a 1000 times.

[@jamesha175]

that solo was right out of the Robert Fripp playbook

[@MrChristopherHaas]

On keyboards. Nuthin soft about it. God i love it so

[@liborsionko]

It's just a freak out using scales and figures he's already familiar with. Its kind of determined to transcend but is inevitably a product of its limitations. As well as merit there was a lot of pomposity around at this time. Not sure why it would blow your mind.

[@petgerco]

@@liborsionko Certainly a bit of pomposity here!

[@growskull]

its totally nuts i love it

[@steveheywood7795]

One of the great underappreciated bands from late 60's to mid 70's. And what can you say about Robert Wyatt!!

[@Hiwatt100W1]

He is great isn't he? What an awesome drummer he was too...

[@keneelee]

I can say, "I love Robert Watt!!!"

[@bobgreen623]

I can say he is my favourite musician!

[@m-tetsuo]

I can say he's the single biggest influence on my own drumming style

[@beefheart67]

Nobody ever heard of them in the USA just like The Nice or The Move

[@inslbua2k227]

omg... mike ratlege playing guitar on an organ gave me everything. goosebumps 3 times in a row!!

[@Methilde]

Ian Hammer is also great in this way.

[@Jibrilpuff]

I came a bunch to this

[@TheHermit72]

Hugh Hopper

[@BarryTones]

Ah the sound of my youth down at the UFO club. What an incredibly powerful sound they made. I was mesmerized.

[@DanChad-er9lh]

Strange how I never see mentions of soft machines influencing genesis esp. Phil Bollins.

[@BarryTones]

How lovely to be reminded to revisit this awesome playing again @@DanChad-er9lh

[@felipelizana7502]

Robert Wyatt's amazing music!

[@ouroborosnagyok9306]

mike ratledge is way cooler than we’re giving him credit for being

[@GoatDust]

He knows what’s going on.

[@Syfoll]

fantastic player

[@theblackandgreenscarecrow7824]

He’s seriously so cool, while I love the whole group and each person in it, mike is just simply so cool; hardly anyone talks about it though.

[@JSTNtheWZRD]

So is Hugh Hopper

[@eren7350]

Before the stache really

[@unknown6390]

This composition really clicked with me during this performance. It's also really cool to hear the timbres, riffs and atmosphere that would go on to influence the rest of the Canterbury folk

[@ouroborosnagyok9306]

a masterpiece.

[@franckyspruytte]

Now it's june 2020 and this still sounds good to me.

[@lincolnsixecho51]

Music for eternity....

[@farmersmith7057]

It’s September 2021. I confirm, it’s still good.

[@billsadler3]

My first listen to Soft Machine. Most interesting is the later Allan Holdsworth connection, which I experienced and recorded at the Catalyst, with The Fents opening, Santa Cruz 1985ish. I get it.

[@enzogalli5506]

2023...and forever...awesome. Great!!!

[@carlospenna]

Fantastic!!!!

[@paolobertis8394]

What a great piece of music. I cant remember how many time i ve listened to the studio version...

[@enzogalli5506]

Un assoluto CAPOLAVORO...un grande uomo e musicista straordinario...talento e genio puro...grazie Robert Wyatt!!!!!

[@iainmclean7020]

I saw them at Burton Constable Hall (with Elton Dean in the Softs lineup) in 1970. Amazing set played for 90 plus minutes. Great to see this knowing how important Softs 3 and Rock Bottom have been in my life!

[@danjameson1572]

I want a book: the Mike Ratledge Theory of Tonal Organization.

[@tallen1628]

This really cracked me up

[@joker75bis]

Soft machine 3 is a true masterpiece...

[@alexmickee6799]

The interview is an absolute gem. Wow.

[@douggray8557]

Right...Ratledge succinctly explained band name in a way that didn't make interviewer feel like a fool.

[@grantross2609]

@@douggray8557 is it just me or do ratledge & hopper look a little concerned for wyatt here

[@Beattieboi]

Sounds like Humble Pie playing in the background..... Steve Marriott is unmistakable!

[@thstone4046]

Absolutely brilliant. The music is very articulate along with the combined genres of music.

[@nigelwright850]

A great line up. I saw them in the late 1960s at the London School of Economics, they were fantastic.

[@phildubled9335]

An absolute stellar band which I listened to with great delight ❤

[@nicholasbell9017]

Jah Wobble, circus ringmaster. Nascent riff here to "Becoming more like God". Which I saw as a TV recording from Glastonbury, Invaders of the heart, my first time seeing Jah Wobble, sometime mid 1990's. Two incredibly beautiful women singing, one as blonde as a Viking princess, her voice as brittle as smashed icicles, the other, dark-eyed, deep of voice, swirling and enchanting. It was a performance that has stayed with me. Thank you Jah Wobble.

[@boum62]

Just heard Hugh Cornwall talking about this group on a You Tube interview - so looked them up. Very good !!!! Thanks Hugh !!

[@CookinginRussia]

HA! UNBELIEVABLE!!! I was the person who told Hugh about Soft Machine! Can you post a link to that video please?

[@FlyingVMartin]

Many people talk about John Lord, but not many talk about Mike Ratledge.

[@emiliojoseguimaraes7617]

That’s what I call modern music! They could do whatever they wanted and there was audience for it. This sound is like an old wine.

[@mklotz1426]

"If they don't know your tunes, they don't know your mistakes".

[@dwightvesty128]

Saw them on their 50th reunion tour, at Buffalo's Tralf. And again, this year in Rochester NYs Lovin' Cup. Lovely.

[@stetrak1967]

Absolute masterpiece

[@c.chelseathedog7987]

For me ,the best line up of Soft Machine! Great music played by great musicians ! Thanks for the post, From deep south of France, C.& Chelsea the Dog. 🐉🔬🐲

[@jacksonfritts2988]

I’ve cried to this several times

[@simonbailey2040]

This is awesome to see thank you ...🙏

[@jdgonzo1982]

man this song really opens up to a nice vocal part/melody...beautiful stuff!! x

[@lilianoaktree7101]

I think that is the year i saw them life in holland. Never forgotten. ❤️❤️❤️🥰 Still feel it in my bones now 😄

[@claudinesegal7512]

I saw them live in 1969 in Grenoble. The next day I rushed to go buy their album 2.since then I've never ceased being into Robert Wyatt music and singing. Rock Bottom being totally one of the best albums ever. I'm 68 and still listens to this album. Never tired of that beautiful, poetic and sensitive music.

[@SkillBuilder]

I had a friend, Paul Evans, who was really into The Soft Machine. He played them a lot and, I must admit, I didn't really get it. It took my 20 years to appreciate them and now I could listen to them all day long. I saw them play but didn't if you know what I mean.

[@finaldestination5847]

Robert were one of the best if not the best drummer UK ever had !!

[@allodoxia]

Such a wonderful performance! This version of the song made me a huge fan of Robert Wyatt's drumming in particular. Great technique and feel that is equally gentle and explosive. Easily one of my favorite drummers now. Hugh Hopper and Mike Ratledge were brilliant as well.

[@adnilrummut105]

*moon in june* so much ahead of its time

[@imasumac1859]

AMO LA BUENA MUSICA

[@alisoncarpenter232]

Amazingly inventive group.

[@talpajam]

my favorite drummer/vocalist - the studio intro to hope for happiness is just on another level of cool

[@tonydavidson]

oh God!! Those final 2 minutes. I would die from goosebumps if I played this track more than 3 times a day.

[@fabiennedelperdange4004]

Enfin, de la musique. Et ce bassiste, extraordinaire !

[@mikehahaha2962]

Hugh hopper try to listen to Hatfield and the north it's great too pourquoi j'écris anglais moi je suis con)

[@enzogalli5506]

qui siamo oltre la grandezza assoluta...sublime capolavoro!!! Grande tecnica, meravigliosa band. Robert Wyatt geniale, immenso e unico. Enzo57Italy

[@hanbledzoin]

Muchas gracias

[@Nomadmandolin]

Incredible for 3 guys.

[@mikehahaha2962]

Incredible for an orchestra

[@antoniadelmonaco]

Robert Wyatt

[@ליבישינמן]

One of my favourite songs ever

[@StarDustGamming]

ישראלי שמקשיב לסופט מאשין?!

[@ליבישינמן]

@@StarDustGamming שלום!!

[@thedustofages]

This still moves me after all these decades.....

[@JSTNtheWZRD]

They were so good, when your too good you can never be as big as those who aren't - and while the lesser swim in big pools made of gold encrusted with diamonds, the soft machine is something They would listen to, the musician's musicians. When your that good respect is the only bigtime money you get from your art. But they contribute to a greater part of intellect than the big names that reach so many - and the few are blessed by it and expand in sparks all the better that way.....

[@АлексейПончев]

Скажу честно, я шел к этой музыке почти 30 лет.(начал познавать рок с 11.очень люблю рок и джаз, и особенно когда они вместе) .сейчас 42 года. Переслушал все сливки рока! Но когда узнал эту команду, стал ее фанатом навсегда. Да, эта музыка не для средних умов (не в обиду ,до нее надо дорасти).И самое печальное,люди которым повезло ее понять(эту группу ,и подобную ей) сейчас одиноки в своем взгляде на эту музыку.Всем кто в этом разбирается и понимает , Мое уважение! Сергиев Посад. Меломан и фанат.

[@igorrodrigues97.]

4:43 this transition give me goosebumbs everytime i back here

[@antoniobandeiras3730]

all the time

[@Michael-xw4er]

Saw them at the Round House Chalk Farm , London about this period. Remember Wyatt's presence on stage, topless also. Knew this was something different from anything else I heard at the time!

[@brournemouth]

Long Live, eh! Any and all versions are worth hearing, again and again. I reckon this has been a catalyst for hundreds of thousands of fans finding their way among jazz-rock-prog in the last (dear god) nearly 50 years. Me, anyway :-)

[@juancarlosochoacardenas1108]

To listen Soft Machine U need to free your mind.....Soft like other underrated bands is one of the greatest rock-jazz band ever!!

[@geraividet]

The first record I bought was the first Soft Machine record. I was thirteen and bought it with the money I got for my birthday. Still love that record and play it often. That way about 55 years ago.

[@nicholasbell9017]

Am blown away. Wow, what a find! Thanks. Nick.

[@sergepujol2995]

Je l'écoute toujours

[@ralphmunn1685]

Ratledge's playing here is brilliantly experimental!

[@seanyates9398]

Ratledge looks like a public accountant. Love how he nervously removes his sunglasses when Wyatt fucks up with his tom. Magic, ha-ha!!!

[@KoxxMobilhome]

beautifulbeautifulbeautifullllllllll!!!!!!!!

[@RicardoSiqueira-b7r]

Adoro essa banda!💯👍👏👏👏👏👏

[@igorrodrigues97.]

Hopper was so good here

[@erkjadrek28]

This is creativity at the purest and feels very good. GREAT BAND! Music is walking backwards nowadays thanks to USA entropic models.

[@morbidmanmusic]

Music is fine, your ability to find it in the same old places is the problem. You sound like a pilie of dust.

[@johncalarco3728]

Thanks. Cool Video of the Soft Machine Live the Summer before the 1970 release of “Soft Machine - Third,” some 51 years ago.

[@geraging22]

Soft machine; Rock's original Grunge band !!!!

[@royferguson3909]

I concur,

[@sergechabline7090]

Cette version est une ébauche de ce que deviendra la version studio ; ici, il s'agit juste d'un collage entre les différents thèmes, sans aucune transition. J'ai écouté ce titre tellement de fois que je le connais dans ses moindres détails et que je peux le jouer dans ma tête sans avoir besoin de l'écouter sur ma chaîne hi-fi... Soft Machine est LE groupe que je mets sur un piédestal ; j'ai eu l'immense plaisir d'assister à plusieurs de ses concerts, et même de photographier Mike en train de jouer, à quelques centimètres de lui. Mon souvenir le plus intense est d'avoir discuté avec lui après un concert à Poitiers et posé mes doigts sur les claviers de son orgue Lowrey après avoir fumé un joint avec Roy Babbington. ********************************************************************************* This version is only a draft of what will become the studio version; here, it is just a collage between the different themes, without any transition. I've listened to this track so many times that I know it down to the smallest detail and can play it in my head without having to listen to it on my hi-fi... Soft Machine is THE band that I put on a pedestal; I had the immense pleasure of attending several of his concerts, and even of photographing Mike playing, a few centimeters from him. My most intense memory is talking with him after a concert in Poitiers and putting my fingers on the keyboards of his Lowrey organ after smoking a joint with Roy Babbington.

[@FarRite5921]

That was f... beautiful thank-you for putting this up!

[@reverendbryan]

Nice to see all three playing this live. It was heartbreaking to learn years later that when they came to record Moon In June in 1970, Mike and Hugh wanted nothing to do with it and refused to play on most of it.

[@arcrs40]

AMAZING BAND.......... LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[@MichelleAhern-gr9zl]

Soft machine one of those beautiful bands i forget drift back to with essy indulgence thku Mcconnie & Allie , its their psychedic playfulness thats calls to me again & again o to have seen them live

[@dearpoint]

June 2022, the Moon is still shining...

[@gabchaim8232]

Perfect

[@isaakls3717]

Wyatt's diary-entry-like lyrics are so direct, funny, and pained.

[@vivalapsych]

Amazing. Never seen this.

[@yonikeshet7629]

One of the best groups of all times

[@jorgegonzalez-larramendi5491]

my favorite band

[@andremacleuri]

I love

[@Inferlogist]

Шикарная музыка , впервые слышу , я в восторге !

[@udomatthiasdrums5322]

still love it!!

[@jomacondo]

One day before this date Woodstock was closing. I wish Soft Machine were there.