New interview with Bill Bruford

[Yellow Jester]

A Conversation with Bill Bruford

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/...b0cf2548b335b1

[Koreabruce]

Really good interview... but that would probably describe any interview with Bill Bruford. He acknowledges that he grew up at just the right time to be doing the kind of music that he is associated with:

"Starting out in the late ’60s, we progressives had a fair wind, propelled by 24-track stereo, the development of FM radio in the US, and wildly expanding record sales. When there is money around, promoters, musicians, radio stations and labels can afford to take risks, look at new things. It’s all timing. I’ve often said the only and smartest thing I’ve ever done was to be born in 1949. It was like being given pole position in a Formula 1 race."

I also like his response the the question about jazz fusion and developing a preference over the years for playing acoustic rather than electronic drums. I'll post his whole response here. And to our member Skullhead: you must be pleased to no end on reading Bill's comment regarding laptops:

"All of jazz was a fusion so there’s a redundant term if ever I heard one. Perhaps now a more useful distinction within instrumental performance is between the electric/electronic and the predominantly acoustic domains. I much prefer the acoustic now. The broad palette of sounds afforded by the former is temporarily very seductive but it comes at the cost of a more intimate relationship between player, sound and listener. In my experience, plugging my drums into electricity felt like a thin veil descending to separate me from my instrument. It constrained me in a profound way and made the music seem less meaningful—others will have another view—which is why my later group Earthworks eventually became an acoustic group. With respect to separation of performer from sound generation, I can only imagine what it must be like playing a laptop on stage. My idea of fusion now is perhaps Nik Bartsch’s Ronin or Snarky Puppy with Jacob Collier."

Yellow Jester, thanks for posting this!

[arturs]

Nice interview but he's not a good self-promoter. He should have been regularly circling back to the box set in every answer!

[Koreabruce]

Nice interview but he's not a good self-promoter. He should have been regularly circling back to the box set in every answer!

That would be so "unjazz" of him...

[rickmoraz]

Stiil one of the most interesting musicians around...

Ed

[Progatron]

Thanks for posting this, I always love his interviews!

What a great quote: I’m not good company at a concert or gig. If the music is any good, I want to play. If it isn’t, I want to leave.

[Zeuhlmate]

Nice interview (as usual), thanx.

[Dedatolo]

it's not an interview, it's a cut&paste of old stuff, his biography, same phrases....

[fiberman]

That could be, but still nice to read Bill. I may have missed it before, or not remembered, still I enjoyed it, and I do not go to Huffington anymore. I used to read it on a daily basis.

[Dave (in MA)]

Sadly, it appears he's sticking with the whole silly retirement thing.

[Koreabruce]

And why wouldn't he? If you've read his autobiography, he is quite explicit about why he's given up playing and recording. Despite this fact, he's still actively involved in music through lectures and writing and other public appearances, so it's not as though he's gone off to the countryside to play golf all day, etc. I say "hats off" (pardon the pun) to the man for doing what he wants to do.

[dgtlman]

"Couldn't wait on Chris Squire"? What was that about?

[Progatron]

"Couldn't wait on Chris Squire"? What was that about?

Bruford has many times over the years commented on how Squire kept everyone waiting all the time, always being late for rehearsal or hotel lobby calls, and even gigs if I recall.

[Dave (in MA)]

And why wouldn't he? If you've read his autobiography, he is quite explicit about why he's given up playing and recording. Despite this fact, he's still actively involved in music through lectures and writing and other public appearances, so it's not as though he's gone off to the countryside to play golf all day, etc. I say "hats off" (pardon the pun) to the man for doing what he wants to do.

Because we want more! I guess I needed a smiley in there for some people.

[Zeuhlmate]

Bruford has many times over the years commented on how Squire kept everyone waiting all the time, always being late for rehearsal or hotel lobby calls, and even gigs if I recall.

He also mentioned this behaviour when he recorded with Al DiMeola (on Scenario). He and Levin waited hours before Al showed up.
https://www.quora.com/Is-the-guitari...his-interviews

[infandous]

Bruford has many times over the years commented on how Squire kept everyone waiting all the time, always being late for rehearsal or hotel lobby calls, and even gigs if I recall.

I think all of the "classic" Yes members have said that about Squire, more than once. Wakeman certainly has, and I'm pretty sure I've seen Howe and Anderson mention that in interviews as well.

[arabicadabra]

I love him saying that he couldn't hear what was next. That honesty, and retiring on account of it, we could all use more of.

[cazz]

Regarding the Al references (Scenario), I believe the album was commissioned and not Al's "latest". It's evidence that you can't just put musicians together from different walks of life just cause you think they would be great together. Looks like it is out of print too. Not his best.

[regenerativemusic]

Bruford has many times over the years commented on how Squire kept everyone waiting all the time, always being late for rehearsal or hotel lobby calls, and even gigs if I recall.

I had a friend like that. He would always keep us waiting on him when we were hanging out. He's the only person that I've ever known that was chronically that way, and probably unless you've actually met this type of person, you wouldn't know how it would make you feel.

[pb2015]

Regarding the Al references (Scenario), I believe the album was commissioned and not Al's "latest". It's evidence that you can't just put musicians together from different walks of life just cause you think they would be great together. Looks like it is out of print too. Not his best.

It's streaming, so maybe I'll listen to it again sometime soon. It was Al with Jan Hammer, and from what I remember from hearing it in the 80's it sounds like an early draft of the Miami Vice soundtrack.

[Zeuhlmate]

Scenario is actually one of my favorite DiMeola albums.
Not because of Bruford, he only plays on 2 tracks, and doesnt fit particularily well, but because of Jan Hammer and the compositions that is different from what DiMeola use to do.

[Supersonic Scientist]

Scenario is actually one of my favorite DiMeola albums.
Not because of Bruford, he only plays on 2 tracks, and doesnt fit particularily well, but because of Jan Hammer and the compositions that is different from what DiMeola use to do.

I too think that Scenario is a strong, albeit, different album for Al D....I revisit it just as regularly as I do: Casino, Electric Rendezvous, Elegant Gypsy, etc...

[pb2015]

If I read the credits right, Levin and Bruford are only on one track from Scenario (Bruford mentions two in his book, so maybe one was left off). Phil Collins is on another track.

[llanwydd]

I had a friend like that. He would always keep us waiting on him when we were hanging out. He's the only person that I've ever known that was chronically that way, and probably unless you've actually met this type of person, you wouldn't know how it would make you feel.

I knew someone like that too. He kept everyone waiting for the sake of keeping everyone waiting. It was kind of a power trip. It made him feel important. He was like that for many years and probably still is. Hard to imagine Chris Squire doing that for the same purpose, though.

[Dave (in MA)]

Speaking of retired UK members, Eddie Jobson has announced that he's retiring from performing but not from music altogether. http://www.zealotslounge.com/ejs-notes