U.K. - First Album vs. Danger Money

[vmartell]

Hi all - apologies if the thread is dumb - but I am insanely curious - Have come to the realization that while the Prog Snob in me *claims* to prefer U.K.'s first album - I mean - Bruford! Holdsworth! The instrumental prowess!

BUT

I have just realized that when I reach for U.K., it's always "Danger Money"... First of all, thinking it was Wetton's finest hour as a songwriter - as in SONG writer - yes, "Red" is definitely a better album, but man, the songs in Danger Money - Rendezvous 6:02 - that tune is just bewitching. Carrying No Cross epic, sombre, majestic and yes, catchy! Only Thing She Needs - perfect balance between Prog and Pop - well, I am now talking about Jobson's writing too... And Bozio - no slouch - an undeniable replacement. And Jobson now let loose, he actually achieves what in writing seems difficult - a Prog keyboard trio that sounds nothing like ELP.


I am alone in this? Any love for "Danger Money" over the first album?

v

[Rick L.]

Are we talking fists only, or will one or both albums be using weapons?

[Boceephus]

The into to Nevermore on the s/t is my single most favorite, spine tingling moment in all of rock. I can listen to the first album start to finish without being tempted to hit skip, as I do on Danger Money. I prefer the lyrics on the s/t too. There are some clunkers on DM.


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[JJ88]

I am alone in this? Any love for "Danger Money" over the first album?

You're not alone- I also prefer it. I never thought 'Nothing To Lose' was up to much- Wetton did better 'commercial' tracks on Asia's debut- but the rest of the album is very good.

I always felt the UK debut was somewhat awkward, myself. I do like 'In The Dead Of Night' and 'Alaska'...the rest, not so much. I prefer Bruford and Holdsworth in the context of Bruford's work of that time.

[Man In The Mountain]

I usually have to hide out for a few months after admitting such blasphemy, but I do indeed like Danger Money more than the s/t. Carrying No Cross is enough said for me. Although, the live Night After Night, has always been a favorite, now even more with Eddie's extended version. I am a big Jobson fan, and not really a follower of Holdsworth (no offense to his majesty). So, the more Jobson the better in my book.

[Dave (in MA)]

Not sure how you can listen to Carrying No Cross and to a lesser extent The Only Thing She Needs and some other bits here and there, and say it sounds nothing like ELP.

To step aside the original question, these days I'm more inclined to reach for one of the many UK quartet live recordings( or Bruford).

[JJ88]

Yes, I think ELP were the model for Danger Money. It was certainly better than what ELP themselves were doing at the time...though not even close to ELP's best work at their peak. IMHO.

[vmartell]

You're not alone- I also prefer it. I never thought 'Nothing To Lose' was up to much- Wetton did better 'commercial' tracks on Asia's debut- but the rest of the album is very good.

I always felt the UK debut was somewhat awkward, myself. I do like 'In The Dead Of Night' and 'Alaska'...the rest, not so much. I prefer Bruford and Holdsworth in the context of Bruford's work of that time.

Indeed - that conflict between their approach and Jobson/Wetton did not always yield memorable results - I mean the album is excellent - on its own is a Prog classic... but again, is a matter of what touches you...

v

[Man In The Mountain]

Not sure how you can listen to Carrying No Cross and to a lesser extent The Only Thing She Needs and some other bits here and there, and say it sounds nothing like ELP.

The horror!!

[vmartell]

Not sure how you can listen to Carrying No Cross and to a lesser extent The Only Thing She Needs and some other bits here and there, and say it sounds nothing like ELP.

To step aside the original question, these days I'm more inclined to reach for one of the many UK quartet live recordings( or Bruford).

Maybe I overstated - however I believe that it has enough of its own personality to sidestep any accusations of being a clone.

v

[gearHed289]

I'm more of a fan of the three piece. Night After Night is my favorite, and I will generally take DM over the s/t. I think they were better off with Bruford and Holdsworth doing the Bruford albums, and Wetton and Jobson doing UK. The box set has a lot of great live stuff from both versions, including the expanded NAN, and their final show in its entirety.

[dropforge]

I love Danger Money. I think as far as musical intent goes, U.K. Mk. II was more successful. Yeah, they were an "ELP-style" trio, but that's where the comparison should stop. It was 1979, not 1971-3, and the musical climate was already wildly different. The mere fact that that album came out in a time when even Yes and Tull were poised to alter the sound that made them famous is an achievement unto itself.

[Boceephus]

Having missed the original back in 1978, because I decided to work instead, I finally saw the 2012 Jobson, Wetton, Bozzio line up in San Fran.


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[Polypet]

Are we talking fists only, or will one or both albums be using weapons?

LOL

I like them both. I think the first wins for me *as an album* because there is literally zero filler from beginning to end. Danger Money.... still, great opening and a fine set overall. Carrying No Cross kills seriously and, as you say, the concept - a rather advanced rock organ trio with their own sound AND electic violin? It's sick for sure. They were deadly live too in that format. Oh man. Yes.

Anyway, both great. The live album Night After Night also shows off how brilliant those tunes were. Ceasar's Palace Blues? Whoa. Amazing stuff

[Brian]

Danger Money. One of my favorite concerts ever was seeing the Danger Money line up in Chicago 2012. Not playing together since 1979 and only having the weekend to reherse they were incredible. Bozio's drum set, if memory serves had six bass drums remot triggered and over one hundred cymbals, it occupiedhalf the stage.

[MudShark22]

So he used his portable set!

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[AncientChord]

Hi all - apologies if the thread is dumb - but I am insanely curious - Have come to the realization that while the Prog Snob in me *claims* to prefer U.K.'s first album - I mean - Bruford! Holdsworth! The instrumental prowess!

BUT

I have just realized that when I reach for U.K., it's always "Danger Money"... First of all, thinking it was Wetton's finest hour as a songwriter - as in SONG writer - yes, "Red" is definitely a better album, but man, the songs in Danger Money - Rendezvous 6:02 - that tune is just bewitching. Carrying No Cross epic, sombre, majestic and yes, catchy! Only Thing She Needs - perfect balance between Prog and Pop - well, I am now talking about Jobson's writing too... And Bozio - no slouch - an undeniable replacement. And Jobson now let loose, he actually achieves what in writing seems difficult - a Prog keyboard trio that sounds nothing like ELP.


I am alone in this? Any love for "Danger Money" over the first album?

v

I'm with you 100%, as it's a no brainer! Danger money is good, but you can't beat the original members with Bruford and Holdsworth. I attended the only show in Los Angeles at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in 1978. The band played two sets, and my friends and I stayed for the second set too. And boy am I glad we did!

[Myried]

Love both of these releases, but, they do stand apart. Also, being that I never had the pleasure of seeing either one of these line-ups back in the day, I did have the pleasure of seeing the reformed reunion tours from 2011-2015 (all 4 in NY). Each show was an experience all on its own. Also, as a side note, it was interesting to see each line-up during this time with a different drummer (2011-Minnemann, 2012-Bozzio, 2013-Donati & 2015-Mangini), with Alex Machacek playing guitar at each one, except when Bozzio was with them in 2012, as a trio. Awesome stuff, excellent memories, and, thankfully, they did release two cd/dvd sets from 2011 and 2013. I bet we will never see any other releases from those years, which really is a shame, especially with John Wetton now gone.

Ed
-------------
www.myriadtrio.com
www.facebook.com/MyriadtrioNY

[polmico]

The into to Nevermore on the s/t is my single most favorite, spine tingling moment in all of rock.”

Oh man. It’s a good moment, isn’t it. Love it

[Splicer]

Holdsworth's solo kicking in "In the Dead of Night". That moment. I like the first album but some of the vocals are a bit rough. Wetton improved by Danger Money and the live album that followed. By the time Asia rolled around, he was quite good.

[Sean]

I enjoy them equally. For different reasons.

[iguana]

#1 for me – a very special album with a unique and unrepeatable atmosphere. #2 is definitely strong, but almost proto-ASiA in places.

[Udi Koomran]

The 1st is perhaps the last of the progressive rock masterpieces
The 2nd shows the path towards a new era of the 80’s were progressive talents were forced to adjust with the times
Asia , ELP Yes Gentle Giant Genesis some of them did good ( yes Genesis) others ELP Gentle Giant failed

[JJ88]

Take away 'Nothing To Lose', and I don't hear the alleged commercialism on Danger Money. It's slick but so was the UK debut, in my view, compared to previous bands these guys had been in.

[Zeuhlmate]

Its two different bands. Both have something to offer, but I way prefer the first due to the versatility.

The chase between Holdsworth and jobson in "Nevermore" is fantastic !