Footloose and Fancy Free by Bill Bruford's Earthworks on Rock Band Network

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Footloose and Fancy Free by Bill Bruford's Earthworks on Rock Band Network

Mark Ranich
I'm sure if you have teenagers you've seen the music video game Rock Band.  Most of the music available is pop or rock.  Here is the first jazz song available by one my favorite drummers Bill Bruford.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mjqNMcMtpE


-Mark R
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Re: Footloose and Fancy Free by Bill Bruford's Earthworks on Rock Band Network

Mark M
Administrator
I've never played the Rock Band game but I've seen my nephue play it before. He demonstrated his skills to me using some metal songs as well as some classic hard rock songs.

It's almost unfathomable that Rock Band would use a jazz song from Bruford's "Earthworks" because that music IMO is listened to by hard core Bruford fans and is very non-commercial (at least the stuff I know of).

Very cool that the kids are getting exposed to some great music by playing the game. Who could imagine that a few years ago.

Anyway, Bruford was at one time my favorite drummer and I think that the Bruford band was the best thing going back around 1980 after the demise of the band "UK." Every member of the band was a master of their craft and they were definitely a prog "super-group" that didn't really get their due.

Bruford: drums
Allan Holdsworth: guitar
Jeff Berlin: bass
Dave Stewart: keyboard

Heres an early vid od the Bruford band shot circa 1979:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4cTA6D6Jk8&feature=related

Enjoy!

Mark
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Re: Footloose and Fancy Free by Bill Bruford's Earthworks on Rock Band Network

Mark Ranich
Very cool video Mark!

I was surprised that Rock Band didn't use a more mainstream jazz/rock artist like George Benson.

-Mark R
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Re: Footloose and Fancy Free by Bill Bruford's Earthworks on Rock Band Network

Edman
There was a time when part of the magic of rock was development and progression of a concept. It was known as "album atmosphere" such as the first really powerful example "Dark Side of the Moon" by Pink Floyd.  Most of the music heard now gets to "the hooks". It is rare to find any new contributors to "Symphonic Rock". Bruford was apart of quite a few really good "Symphonic Rock Masters" collaborations. Until recently, I was unaware he was a part of Genesis. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FrFytItybk  Notably, he is also know for being a part of Yes- and when you think of Yes, there is always the debate of who the best drummer for Yes was... until Union http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FwBU7pRQLY  I lean towards Bruford because of the tunes he was apart of, most notably  "Long Distance Runaround" (be sure to watch in 480p)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXdn1c-R1kU  And as a matter of preference,  "Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman and Howe" was my favorite line up. Many may prefer acoustic to electric, but in this case, I am amazed at the setup not only competing with the Real Estate Wakeman uses, but the technical programming needed and the ability to remember what is programmed - those synth drums all look alike! Bruford has also maintained a "sound" as well as a style- he seems to favor a very clear, distinct, punchy sound, that doesn't get smoothened out during a solo. Every beat of the drum is distinctly heard, never lost in the "snares".

Loved this Vid of the Week!
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Re: Footloose and Fancy Free by Bill Bruford's Earthworks on Rock Band Network

Mark M
Administrator
Edward... excellent response. I also never realized that Bruford played with Genesis but now that I've seen it he totally fits right in and sounds really good. Great lineup of Collins, Bruford, Hackett, Ruthurford and Banks.

The drum duo was quite interesting and I'm sure was a treat to experience live. My fav Yes lineup was also Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, and Howe not only because of the songs they did together but because, not only did they gel, but each is uniquely identifiable eather together or apart. yep, that band requires a HUGE stage, Ha!
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Re: Footloose and Fancy Free by Bill Bruford's Earthworks on Rock Band Network

Seymouro
In reply to this post by Edman
Home run Edward!

This selection represented yet more incredible work by Bill Bruford. The sax was incredible. Bruford is an all-time jewel. I did not know he was ever in Genesis either. He could make a home anywhere though!

Also, I agree that the best YES lineup was clearly Anderson, Howe, Squire and Bruford (Love Ricky Wakeman too).

Your thoughts on putting together an album are spot on.
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Re: Footloose and Fancy Free by Bill Bruford's Earthworks on Rock Band Network

Seymouro
In reply to this post by Mark M
A HUGE shout-out to ROCK BAND as well for making this available, and a big cheer also for Mr. Allan Holdsworth!
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Re: Footloose and Fancy Free by Bill Bruford's Earthworks on Rock Band Network

Singin Jimmy
In reply to this post by Mark Ranich
Wow, took a while to catch up, but I'm glad I did.
I've never seen Rock Band played but it looks addicting!
My first memory of Bruford was with Yes when we saw them at the Eastown Ballroom in 1971 with Emerson, Lake & Palmer.

I like your "Symphonic Rock Masters" reference and liked one of the next bands that came out of this core group - Asia with Geoff Downes, John Wetton, Steve Howe and another great drummer - Carl Palmer.  I did a quick search but didn't come up with a good vid.  Maybe I'll check back later.

So, who's got Rock Star?  Mark - you should get the game so we can REALLY have a good jam next time (does it come in 5 player version?)

JP
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Re: Footloose and Fancy Free by Bill Bruford's Earthworks on Rock Band Network

Paul Wargo
In reply to this post by Mark M
I remember going to the Detroit concert that featured Bruford with genesis. It was the first tour after Gabriel left and Collins came up front. A Tick of The Tail album. I don't think we knew at the time that BB was going to be sitting in so you can imagine our delight. Maybe Big Jer can back me up on that as I think he was there too.
It was a long time ago so details are a little foggy