This song is a bassline, by one of the world's most underrated bassists. Mike Howlett is a master of economical, but complex at the same time - bass.. nobody quite like him anywhere.
Mike Howlett is great, but Bill Bruford wrote the eight note middle bass part for King Crimson's "Starless" right before this, so I think he was pretty "in Tune".
so many great comments on this page - may interest some that I saw Daevid Allen in very small gig, talked to us as much as sang, and he said Bill Bruford was terrific but it annoyed him that after the first time they ran through the set for this tour, he played the entire set exactly the same way, to the beat, every single night after that!
I've heard Daevid say that too, but I don't believe it! The thing is, Bill was an improviser while also being so in command of his drumming that he could improvise and mix it up while maintaining great control and precision. So maybe there was little to no danger in Bill's playing - everyone knew he was solid and was going to nail it every time - but within that I'm sure he mixed it up a bit. He certainly did with Yes and KC, so why wouldn't he with Gong? On the other hand, I've heard that both Steve and Didier loved having Bill in the band.
@@jackal59 actually what I think you mean is that he didn't like his views or opinions expressed then remisinterpreted back at him and so would always appear contrary to people that weren't ready for him. That was the way he was and if you didn't know better you would assume that he was 'full of shit' as it were. Peace and love and out
Awesome version of an always epic tune. Great to hear a different interpretation and colour on top of the usual high class playing of the more usual (and totally brilliant!) line up through the mid 70s. Bruford certainly gives it more of a brutal and agressive edge. A fascinating comparison in terms of his interpretation to this peek period of his 'King Crimson-ality'.
Steve Hillage is perfect for Gong. Robert Fripp, a brilliant and great musician, imo wants to challenge His musicians and audience. Daevid Allen was different. A conduit, who wanted to take His musicians and audience to Planet Gong, and back.
Can't agree more. Laurie Allen and Bruford were tremendous but Pierre was a wonderful all round percussionist who was perfect for Gong. My ex-wife and I adored his playing. But the Chateau Neuf bootleg with Bruford is an excellent document of the only tour he did with Gong.
Bruford once said something like, "Rick Wakeman doesn't have a jazz bone in his body". Well, Bill doesn't have a hippie bone in *his* body. In the stoner context of Gong, Bill's precision drumming sounds almost military. A mismatch if I ever heard one.
haha, you're all right! he is a little forceful and out, but makes it have more backbone. So much Ozric Tentacles vibe coming off this one. Great band!
Although Before is one f my favourite drummers of all time he just doesn't blend with the feel of Gong like Moerlen does. It's like he pushes it all along instead flowing. Before/Hillage is an amazing combination, though. Glad to have heard this
Great solos, sounds like bill has a wonderful time here. His short run with Gong was during a tumultuous time for the band, that they would not really recover from. Their music is so important to me!
Funny how, to this day, the bands that blossomed out of The Wildeflowers (pun intended) remain so little known in the U.S. despite their obvious familiarity to, and influence on so many of the the musicians associated with what used to be called "Prog" (as well as English fusion bands). Ah, well. Some of us know. Thanks for posting!
I had to turn my American musician friends on to Gong and the Steve Hillage Band, while i was living in the USA thru the 1990s. A number of them totally blown away by it!
Bill kinda got slapped around in Daevid's latest Gong Dreaming 2 book. He paints him like a pretentious, twit. I don't care; Bruford is awesome! Moerlen was the best drummer Gong had, hands down, though. Thanks for posting this!
@syr1811 Unfortunately Bill Bruford was only touring with them for a few months, but Mike Howlett said he was one of the grooviest drummers he's ever played with. I've got the whole show somewhere on MP3, it's pretty awesome after a bit of EQing :-)
On a reflected image, I recalled having read or heard Brufford saying that he was referred to by Daevid as the "professional musician" unlike the others in the band...
My fave one-two punch after maybe Davis and McLaughlin, but it's all of that sacred beauty- THEY ALL "GO TO ELEVEN"- thank you so much- I had no idea they ever played together! I saw gong in 2000 trippin my nuggies off an they were special-Tied for #1 on my list
Bill´s drumming doesn´t sound so/that (?) different from Pip Pyle´s. I think the problem with GONG and Bill (William Bruford) was a personal one. For all the Gong albums Pierre Moerlen ´s drum playin´style fited best to the band (musically and personally). Who is the recent drum player with Gong?
I adore Bruford's works, specially those at KC.....but (with all respect) Bruford on Gong to me sounds as if Terry Bozzio would be instead of Ringo at the Beatles or Manson on Pink Floyd. In my humble opinion the best drummers for Gong's music were by far Pierre Moerlen and Pip Pyle. To my ears Bruford's entrance on this track is quite offset, not in the right mood and tempo, all of that in despite of his amazing rimshots and unique style of playing.........but If you guys check any Moerlen's recordings of this song, you will realise how well he knew to literally "Glid" on the drums..... Still this is an amazing recording.
Daniel Quiroz Love them both, but you're right. Bill fit Gong as well as Pierre would've fit King Crimson. I think it has less to do with either one's musicianship or professionalism so much as just the mindsets of the respective bands and both drummers' approach to the music.
Agreed Pierre starts off this one much better. Bill just comes in with no "build up" or tension and release. My favorite drummer of playing any "Master Builder" is the all instrumental one, made by Steve Hillage as "Glorious Om Riff" some years later on his "Green" album. The drummer (I think, Joe Blocker) tears it up with a huge kit, and double bass drums, but I like that he juxtaposes the counterrhythms and switches between "triplet blues shuffle" and "straight rock beat" at the drop of a hat. Never understood Master Builder as a straight 4/4. Bruford was only with Gong this tour I think. BTW I'd never thought a bootleg recording that old, where this good. Maybe fixed later on but anyway.
Daniel Quiroz Es una cuestion de gusto......Ya que todos son exelentes bateristas y desde ya cada uno tiene su estilo personal. Pero en esta Brufor es espectacular, como siempre. Pero al uno tener grabado en el melón (cabeza) los toques de Moerlen, suena raro. Además de ser un poco más crudo Bill con la bateria.
+Daniel Quiroz yes .. Bill is on the top 5 of my all time favourite drummers - but this style isn't compatible to his approach .. he was brilliant everywhere else so we can gladly forgive : - )
Yes I think this is great Bruford but typical Bill in that it doesn't feel exactly right for Gong as Pierre. Man! Bruford must have played with everyone for at least a day! jeez!
Between the break-up of King Crimson in 1974 and the creation of Bruford (the band) in 1977, Bill did a bit as an itinerant 'session' drummer (including that one tour with Genesis in 1976). It wasn't really for him, though - he's far too creative.
Read Bruford's Bio and you might have the same thought. At least, That's the feeling I had while reading it. But you're right. TOTALLY awesome drummer.
It is boring to hear Bruford was not the best choice for this band or this band... If any band asked for Bruford , it is because they asked for someone who can do the job "tomorrow" and go I don't compare him to Moerlen (I don't know why he is not here) or any drummer he replaced for any reason. But , listen to Bruford anytime and try to say he is not a fantastic drummer. He is little egocentric and can't be controled , but you need "fantastic" drummer to replace your "fantastic" drummer and can't wait a year. Bruford can do that, so he did.
is Bruford using the same kit configuration that he used with King Crimson? you know, the Ludwig/Haynor kit with all of the percussion racked up behind him?
@ksjoyjespeace Yeah. I just finished Bruford's book. He doesn't speak to highly of this phase in his career, even taking a jab or two at Daevid Allen and his musical and spiritual philosophy. But hey, I guess Planet Gong isn't for everybody.
Daevid Allen was like a magical force... i have seen him play many times (sometimes inspired, sometimes dreadful), even spoken to him briefly, polite, friendly, stoned and endearing..... Gong is an energy as much as music, Bruford is overplaying and his touch is too heavy for this music.
@@ElCharvo yo thanks for the reply to my 10 year old comment lol. I appreciate being taken back to this vid, I was listening to the album version of Master Builder just yesterday
well, Bruford is of course the better drummer but he sounds a little odd in Gong thats true, probably he's a bit frustrated being in this hippy organisation and speeding things up.
Having worshiped Bill In the mid 70s with his work with King Crimson, I have to admit he has no swing whatsoever not then not now. I think deep down he always wanted to be a jazz drummer but at least as far as my ears are concerned his sense of swing was always very stiff. His loud trademark rim shot backbeats have no place in this groove. He fits in much better with traditional prog like Crimson. He really is no substitute for Pierre IMHO.
Brueford did not hang round that long with Gong....can you really see it lasting? For me L. Allen was the best drummer they had, it takes something more than technical brilliance to play this Music ( is that the right word) unfocused drivel might come closer, but saying that YOU wasn't half bad.
This song is a bassline, by one of the world's most underrated bassists. Mike Howlett is a master of economical, but complex at the same time - bass.. nobody quite like him anywhere.
Yeah man, he’s a master. The trilogy is so amazing to me.
Mike Howlett is great, but Bill Bruford wrote the eight note middle bass part for King Crimson's "Starless" right before this, so I think he was pretty "in Tune".
redline2115 I think howlett was still a better composer for the bass guitar.
Howlett is really good on the bass
Too true. Mike Howlett is the bass hero, his playing has such power and warmth, and drives this runaway train of a song, fearlessly!!
Bill is pounding out his frustrations after having to live with these hippies in a van for 3 weeks. Thanks, Bill!
This hippies are very good musicians. If BB came it is because they are not bad and he was young.
It was a fun part of his life nothing terrific.
redline2115: qué gran aportación la tuya, cuánto sabes de sociología
LOL yeah, I can’t imagine how he felt about pot head pixies and the like at the time.
I always wanted to read an extensive recount of that time of his life, he doesn't tell that much on interviews.
@@graxjpg I imagine if he had a sense of humour, it was a cosmic giggle!
Bruford gives this song enormous energy and everybody goes into space because they have to keep up with him.
so many great comments on this page - may interest some that I saw Daevid Allen in very small gig, talked to us as much as sang, and he said Bill Bruford was terrific but it annoyed him that after the first time they ran through the set for this tour, he played the entire set exactly the same way, to the beat, every single night after that!
I've heard Daevid say that too, but I don't believe it! The thing is, Bill was an improviser while also being so in command of his drumming that he could improvise and mix it up while maintaining great control and precision. So maybe there was little to no danger in Bill's playing - everyone knew he was solid and was going to nail it every time - but within that I'm sure he mixed it up a bit. He certainly did with Yes and KC, so why wouldn't he with Gong?
On the other hand, I've heard that both Steve and Didier loved having Bill in the band.
saw daevid ina berkeley hole in the wall. all he said about Bru was "you guys are too wyrd!"
Daevid Allen was wonderful, but he was also full of shit (and probably would have been the first to admit it).
@@jackal59 actually what I think you mean is that he didn't like his views or opinions expressed then remisinterpreted back at him and so would always appear contrary to people that weren't ready for him. That was the way he was and if you didn't know better you would assume that he was 'full of shit' as it were. Peace and love and out
Interesting because this is exactly the same reason B Bruford allegedly left Genesis. (Well, among other reasons). He wanted to improv, others didn't.
Bruford "Crims-ifying" Gong !!! Lol Gives it a hole New Proger Space-Fusion Sound !!
Awesome just Love it !! : )
Gives it more like a harsh industrial hammer -sound, in a good way😄 Bill said that Crimson at the time was all about being industrial and harsh.
Howlett added the funk to Gong's music. The bass lines on Isle of Everywhere are just gorgeous.
GONG with bill bruford.
Awesome version of an always epic tune. Great to hear a different interpretation and colour on top of the usual high class playing of the more usual (and totally brilliant!) line up through the mid 70s. Bruford certainly gives it more of a brutal and agressive edge. A fascinating comparison in terms of his interpretation to this peek period of his 'King Crimson-ality'.
I will Agree with Daniel...... Pierre Was the best Drummer ( Pip Pyle second ) for the feel and vibe for Gong!
yeah,i just discovered Bruford played with Gong ,awesome discovery,Gary would have enjoyed that!
Damn, Bil Bruford played with Gong? Now can you imagine if Robert Fripp were to play here as well??
the name of the bang would be named "KIng Gong" ……(not so bad 😊)
yorgl I know right? XP
It would ruin it
It would be a total disaster,
This is a total hippy band
(A European Grateful Dead, if you will)
Fripp was not really a hippy I don’t think 🤔
Steve Hillage is perfect for Gong.
Robert Fripp, a brilliant and great musician, imo wants to challenge His musicians and audience. Daevid Allen was different. A conduit, who wanted to take His musicians and audience to Planet Gong, and back.
Bruford has a sort of staccato style- gives everything an edge.
How does one achieve 'legato' drumming?
@@DeliciousManager Bill didn't have to. He simply recruited the best legato guitarist in the world - Allan Holdsworth.
Can't agree more. Laurie Allen and Bruford were tremendous but Pierre was a wonderful all round percussionist who was perfect for Gong. My ex-wife and I adored his playing. But the Chateau Neuf bootleg with Bruford is an excellent document of the only tour he did with Gong.
Bruford once said something like, "Rick Wakeman doesn't have a jazz bone in his body". Well, Bill doesn't have a hippie bone in *his* body. In the stoner context of Gong, Bill's precision drumming sounds almost military. A mismatch if I ever heard one.
On the nail my man.
I Don't agree.
I think Bruford Kills it on this tune, bring a real Heavy Prog edge sonically to this great song !!! : D
haha, you're all right! he is a little forceful and out, but makes it have more backbone. So much Ozric Tentacles vibe coming off this one. Great band!
Absolutely. Bruford does a great job depping for Moerlen here, which just serves to show what a great drummer Moerlen was.
Although Before is one f my favourite drummers of all time he just doesn't blend with the feel of Gong like Moerlen does. It's like he pushes it all along instead flowing. Before/Hillage is an amazing combination, though. Glad to have heard this
Great solos, sounds like bill has a wonderful time here. His short run with Gong was during a tumultuous time for the band, that they would not really recover from. Their music is so important to me!
Favorite moment is at 5:13, where it sounds like bill’s happily smashing away at a sheet of corrugated iron!
It must be the broken crash cymbal from the Red sessions
Greatest Gong line up ever, too bad it didn't last. Bruford at 3:50 - 4:00 with Hillage is priceless!
Thanks for uploading, this really is a corking version of this little ditty.
Burford is playing lead on drums for me as he draws your attention throughout.
Never heard of that, what a buster Billy
Drummer Bill Bacon and Gong fit like a glove in 1979 if I do say so myself.. New York Gong that is ;)
Funny how, to this day, the bands that blossomed out of The Wildeflowers (pun intended) remain so little known in the U.S. despite their obvious familiarity to, and influence on so many of the the musicians associated with what used to be called "Prog" (as well as English fusion bands). Ah, well. Some of us know. Thanks for posting!
I had to turn my American musician friends on to Gong and the Steve Hillage Band, while i was living in the USA thru the 1990s. A number of them totally blown away by it!
superbe contribution de Bill Bruford au génial Gong !
Aqui se demuestra porque Bill Bruford es de los mejores bateristas de la historia
BRUFORD:MASTER DRUMMER
Great version. Rowdy psychedelic groove of the finest kind.
Bill kinda got slapped around in Daevid's latest Gong Dreaming 2 book. He paints him like a pretentious, twit. I don't care; Bruford is awesome! Moerlen was the best drummer Gong had, hands down, though. Thanks for posting this!
the only reason Bruford sticks out so much is because of the mix, theres a ton of high end coming through from the drums
Bruford is more edgy than Pip or Pierre, and is a bit Alpha Dog wherever he plays, but I like the sauce he puts on Gong.
Good sound , it would have being amazing to have the video recording too . Very Keith Moon .
Pierre Moerlen was more suited for Gong -music IMO
@syr1811 Unfortunately Bill Bruford was only touring with them for a few months, but Mike Howlett said he was one of the grooviest drummers he's ever played with. I've got the whole show somewhere on MP3, it's pretty awesome after a bit of EQing :-)
On a reflected image, I recalled having read or heard Brufford saying that he was referred to by Daevid as the "professional musician" unlike the others in the band...
Depends how recent you mean. Chris Taylor (Soul to Soul?) took the stool for several years but Orlando Allen played on the last tour.
Un document sonore à la portée historique unique, incomparable!!!!
Bruford Rocks! Great version!
Agreed, he was the best for gong...Bruford's not too shabby tho...Would like to hear Bozzio with gong...
My fave one-two punch after maybe Davis and McLaughlin, but it's all of that sacred beauty- THEY ALL "GO TO ELEVEN"- thank you so much- I had no idea they ever played together! I saw gong in 2000 trippin my nuggies off an they were special-Tied for #1 on my list
Bill´s drumming doesn´t sound so/that (?) different from Pip Pyle´s. I think the problem with GONG and Bill (William Bruford) was a personal one. For all the Gong albums Pierre Moerlen ´s drum playin´style fited best to the band (musically and personally). Who is the recent drum player with Gong?
bruford was in national health, too; he was their first drummer...
Bruford is "So Great" here !!!!
much appreciated!
bruford hitting that cymbal is certainly out of place in that song! and his whole mindset sticks out! you can hear it!!
Yes... thanks for posting this! (No pun intended :)
Amazing recording.
Very good!!👏🏽👏🏾👏🏻👏🏿
They’ve never glid so well before
I adore Bruford's works, specially those at KC.....but (with all respect) Bruford on Gong to me sounds as if Terry Bozzio would be instead of Ringo at the Beatles or Manson on Pink Floyd. In my humble opinion the best drummers for Gong's music were by far Pierre Moerlen and Pip Pyle. To my ears Bruford's entrance on this track is quite offset, not in the right mood and tempo, all of that in despite of his amazing rimshots and unique style of playing.........but If you guys check any Moerlen's recordings of this song, you will realise how well he knew to literally "Glid" on the drums..... Still this is an amazing recording.
Daniel Quiroz Love them both, but you're right. Bill fit Gong as well as Pierre would've fit King Crimson. I think it has less to do with either one's musicianship or professionalism so much as just the mindsets of the respective bands and both drummers' approach to the music.
Agreed Pierre starts off this one much better. Bill just comes in with no "build up" or tension and release. My favorite drummer of playing any "Master Builder" is the all instrumental one, made by Steve Hillage as "Glorious Om Riff" some years later on his "Green" album. The drummer (I think, Joe Blocker) tears it up with a huge kit, and double bass drums, but I like that he juxtaposes the counterrhythms and switches between "triplet blues shuffle" and "straight rock beat" at the drop of a hat. Never understood Master Builder as a straight 4/4. Bruford was only with Gong this tour I think. BTW I'd never thought a bootleg recording that old, where this good. Maybe fixed later on but anyway.
Daniel Quiroz
Es una cuestion de gusto......Ya que todos son exelentes bateristas y desde ya cada uno tiene su estilo personal. Pero en esta Brufor es espectacular, como siempre. Pero al uno tener grabado en el melón (cabeza) los toques de Moerlen, suena raro. Además de ser un poco más crudo Bill con la bateria.
+Daniel Quiroz yes .. Bill is on the top 5 of my all time favourite drummers - but this style isn't compatible to his approach .. he was brilliant everywhere else so we can gladly forgive : - )
I love Bill, but he's never ever glid before.
Yes I think this is great Bruford but typical Bill in that it doesn't feel exactly right for Gong as Pierre. Man! Bruford must have played with everyone for at least a day! jeez!
Between the break-up of King Crimson in 1974 and the creation of Bruford (the band) in 1977, Bill did a bit as an itinerant 'session' drummer (including that one tour with Genesis in 1976). It wasn't really for him, though - he's far too creative.
Read Bruford's Bio and you might have the same thought. At least, That's the feeling I had while reading it. But you're right. TOTALLY awesome drummer.
It is boring to hear Bruford was not the best choice for this band or this band...
If any band asked for Bruford , it is because they asked for someone who can do the job "tomorrow" and go
I don't compare him to Moerlen (I don't know why he is not here) or any drummer he replaced for any reason.
But , listen to Bruford anytime and try to say he is not a fantastic drummer.
He is little egocentric and can't be controled , but you need "fantastic" drummer to replace your "fantastic" drummer and can't wait a year. Bruford can do that, so he did.
His tone is just the funkiest - you're right.
is Bruford using the same kit configuration that he used with King Crimson? you know, the Ludwig/Haynor kit with all of the percussion racked up behind him?
Dear Bill sounds just to professional. Great track from Gong, but they don't mix together well.
I'come froom ap, marche, Italia: la musa... *gong* vibrations
Right after King Crimson's el-foldo , right ?!
@selfwilly some band once congratulated me for being good enough to be in their band. I answered by saying they were too big headed to be in mine
Great line-up
Bruford's badass
❤
aneh tp nyata ....ini yg gue suka
@ksjoyjespeace Yeah. I just finished Bruford's book. He doesn't speak to highly of this phase in his career, even taking a jab or two at Daevid Allen and his musical and spiritual philosophy. But hey, I guess Planet Gong isn't for everybody.
Daevid Allen was like a magical force... i have seen him play many times (sometimes inspired, sometimes dreadful), even spoken to him briefly, polite, friendly, stoned and endearing..... Gong is an energy as much as music, Bruford is overplaying and his touch is too heavy for this music.
I mean the last 5 years (ca.) Are you THE Dave Sheen, who played with Hugh Hopper and Elton Dean in 1978 ? (not kidding pls.)
his playing is great, but it just kinda sticks out, you know?
does not gel with Howletts fluid bass playing.
@@ElCharvo yo thanks for the reply to my 10 year old comment lol. I appreciate being taken back to this vid, I was listening to the album version of Master Builder just yesterday
i couldn't finish listening to this.bruford is great dont get me wrong but hes to ridged for gong.hes never been to everywhere.
este 👉 bill bruford era como jhon wetton con kien no tocaron
Best version of this of Master Builder . Just sayin'
Where was the Good Witch Yoni?
@theprisoner6666 where did you get the show?? i want it!! GONG is the greatest!!!
love bill but turn down your volume a bit. yikes
cant even come close to moelern
well, Bruford is of course the better drummer but he sounds a little odd in Gong thats true, probably he's a bit frustrated being in this hippy organisation and speeding things up.
:)
I wish I could say yes but sadly not!
Having worshiped Bill In the mid 70s with his work with King Crimson, I have to admit he has no swing whatsoever not then not now. I think deep down he always wanted to be a jazz drummer but at least as far as my ears are concerned his sense of swing was always very stiff. His loud trademark rim shot backbeats have no place in this groove. He fits in much better with traditional prog like Crimson. He really is no substitute for Pierre IMHO.
Phil Collins all has (had) more swing than Bill.
Lysergic Triptamine
Brueford did not hang round that long with Gong....can you really see it lasting? For me L. Allen was the best drummer they had, it takes something more than technical brilliance to play this Music ( is that the right word) unfocused drivel might come closer, but saying that YOU wasn't half bad.
bruford too stiff for this. Great in Yes and KC, (moreso in Yes) but one of those drummers that is technically good but has no soul or groove
Mike Howlett didn't agree with that.
I hope you resigned immediately..from the original band and the new imaginary one
Worst version I have ever heard