Bill Bruford autobiography

**alucard** · 09-02-2018

I just finished Brufords autobiography (translated into French by Aymeric Leroy) excellent read , lots of humour and sometimes frightening (in terms of disillusion) inside into the music business. The chapter about prog is one of the best analysis of the "phenomenon" ever written imo.
One of my favourite passages about the Close To The Edge sessions where he compares the efficency of jazz musicians who record on half a day several tracks while
it took half a day for the Yes members to know which day it was, Lol

**happytheman** · 09-02-2018

Originally Posted by alucard

I just finished Brufords autobiography (translated into French by Aymeric Leroy) excellent read , lots of humour and sometimes frightening (in terms of disillusion) inside into the music business. The chapter about prog is one of the best analysis of the "phenomenon" ever written imo.
One of my favourite passages about the Close To The Edge sessions where he compares the efficency of jazz musicians who record on half a day several tracks while
it took half a day for the Yes members to know which day it was, Lol

Great book.. I seem to remember a thread some time ago on this topic..

**Steve F.** · 09-02-2018

It was a very, very entertaining book.

**Progatron** · 09-02-2018

Excellent read, I went back to it several times... and it was all his writing, too. Not the usual ghost-written musician autobio. And whenever the subject comes up, I can't help but mention my favourite quote:

"Adrian Belew is a father; Robert Fripp is not. When my children were small, there was always a cookie monster in Adrian's suitcase when he came to visit. When Robert came to visit, his idea of fun was to tell the same children at the same age that their necks were so pretty and appealing that he'd like to sink his teeth into them and lick their blood. Their mother was speechless for days."

**Fracktured** · 09-02-2018

I have still to get to this. I picked it up awhile ago. Thanks for bringing back to my attention. Everyone seems to rave about it. Sounds like an excellent book.

**Crawford Glissadevil** · 09-02-2018

A very funny guy...

**No Pride** · 09-02-2018

Great read and practically the official musician's handbook.

**Dave (in MA)** · 09-02-2018

Originally Posted by Progatron

And whenever the subject comes up, I can't help but mention my favourite quote:

"Adrian Belew is a father; Robert Fripp is not. When my children were small, there was always a cookie monster in Adrian's suitcase when he came to visit. When Robert came to visit, his idea of fun was to tell the same children at the same age that their necks were so pretty and appealing that he'd like to sink his teeth into them and lick their blood. Their mother was speechless for days."

The subject of Fripp's vampirism?

**Zeuhlmate** · 09-02-2018

That kind of sense of humor would work fine on bigger kids (mine), but small kids would rightly find it out of place.

**chalkpie** · 09-02-2018

Originally Posted by Progatron

Excellent read, I went back to it several times... and it was all his writing, too. Not the usual ghost-written musician autobio. And whenever the subject comes up, I can't help but mention my favourite quote:

"Adrian Belew is a father; Robert Fripp is not. When my children were small, there was always a cookie monster in Adrian's suitcase when he came to visit. When Robert came to visit, his idea of fun was to tell the same children at the same age that their necks were so pretty and appealing that he'd like to sink his teeth into them and lick their blood. Their mother was speechless for days."

Ha - holy shit! wow

**Garden Dreamer** · 09-03-2018

I guess he tells the story about the CTTE sessions where he falls asleep and wakes up in the middle of the night to find Chris still talking to the sound engineer about whether a specific note in a specific measure should be F or F# (or something like that)... either way, thanks for the reminder, I gotta get this book...

**interbellum** · 09-04-2018

To get an idea of Bill's writing you can read the first chapter here.
Look at http://www.billbruford.co.uk/ for all the different versions ( four languages, standard or deluxe editions, etc.).
I have the first English edition, but when I saw the deluxe edition with the two 10" albums I bought that one two.

**Rarebird** · 09-04-2018

I have the book as well. My dad ordered it for me as a Christmas present, but first got a completely different book. Not about music and not by Bill Bruford. Not sure who the author was. It might be a Buford.

**Trane** · 09-04-2018

Still yet to read it , as I'm currently working on Aymeric's Canterbury book (reaching halfway through), which I'd stopped about a year ago.

I know Aymeric won't be shocked if I treat both of those books as "medium priority' (I read his Yes book last spring), but I keep having more urgent readings, ones that don't require music playing along.
Also currently reading in parallel, John Sinclair's Guitar Army (MC5) in the light of the 68 uprisings that shook the planet solme 50 years ago.

**kid_runningfox** · 09-04-2018

Definitely a very entertaining, well-written and researched read - certainly not your average rocker's autobiography, that's for sure. Amazing to think it's almost 10 years since it was first published.

**calyx** · 09-04-2018

Originally Posted by Trane

I'm currently working on Aymeric's Canterbury book (reaching halfway through), which I'd stopped about a year ago.

I know Aymeric won't be shocked if I treat both of those books as "medium priority' (I read his Yes book last spring)

Actually, what I'm shocked by is the concept that you're "working" on one of my books. This is actually quite frightening. ;-)

**Trane** · 09-04-2018

Originally Posted by calyx

Actually, what I'm shocked by is the concept that you're "working" on one of my books. This is actually quite frightening. ;-)

"j'y travaille" en franglish dans le texte

**Polska** · 09-04-2018

I loved the biography! A lot of people harped on the supposed negative attitude he had to performing, but you need to take the book as a whole to understand. As he indicates, 30+ years in the business with much of the time spent doing the business side of things, I can see it getting old just like any other job. Very entertaining and enlightening. My favorite section was the recording session with Levin on an Al DiMeola record. Hours spent sitting around waiting for Al to show up, they finally get up and running, Levin knocks out one perfect take, packs his bass and just walks out while Al and the engineer are waiting and expecting him to do some more takes. Obviously told much better by Bruf, but hilarious!

**Zalmoxe** · 09-04-2018

Originally Posted by alucard

I just finished Brufords autobiography (translated into French by Aymeric Leroy) excellent read , lots of humour and sometimes frightening (in terms of disillusion) inside into the music business. The chapter about prog is one of the best analysis of the "phenomenon" ever written imo.
One of my favourite passages about the Close To The Edge sessions where he compares the efficency of jazz musicians who record on half a day several tracks while
it took half a day for the Yes members to know which day it was, Lol

Enjoyed it tremendously when it came out, several years ago. I've been floored by how well articulated and how funny Bill is. I am fairly sure I would get another kick just by reading it again.

**Mascodagama** · 09-04-2018

Oddly there doesn't seem to be an e-book edition - perhaps Bill doesn't approve of such? Keep meaning to read this, but will mean lugging the damn thing around in my backpack.

**gearHed289** · 09-04-2018

Bought this for my bro-in-law years ago. Probably time for me to ask to borrow it!

**jkelman** · 09-04-2018

For anyone interested:

1. A review of the book;
2. An excerpt, which Bill kindly allowed us to run, from the chapter Chapter 10: Is it different, being in jazz?

**Trane** · 09-05-2018

Originally Posted by Zalmoxe

Enjoyed it tremendously when it came out, several years ago. I've been floored by how well articulated and how funny Bill is. I am fairly sure I would get another kick just by reading it again.

in the mid to late 90's, my buddy taped a France Culture radio interview (or is it France Inter or Europe1) where Bill and the interviewer are having a ball, the interviewer not being the last to get Broof laughing.
A few weeks later the interviewer managed to do Peter Hammill that made a point of having the interview in French.

**Yodelgoat** · 09-10-2018

I tried to buy this but its out of stock everywhere I try. I guess I'll have to get it used. Too bad, I wish he'd get it for Nook books. Its like free for him to allow it, and I'd still gladly pay the full 29 bucks for it. - Apparently he already has enough money and doesn't need my humble contributions to his coffers. I am both impressed and dissapointed.