Bill Bruford to stop performing live

[Bassgrinder77]

+1 on the tuning. His kit always sounded LEAGUES ahead of just about everyone. I was always impressed with how he mixed different brand drums, etc. - like each piece was deliberately and specifically picked for its SOUND alone.
An amazing player too. Very inventive, very musical, fantastic sense of time and ... mathematics. A real original.

Just the way Bruford's kit sounded was amazing, much less the things he did to it. Seriously, though, he was a better drum tuner than anyone else I can think (although Steward Copeland was good in this department, too).

And those long, weird, melodic lines he would play. Wow.

 

[Baryonyx]

No offense intended Baryonyx, I can simply see from your profile that we come from completely different perspectives.

None taken.

 

[Jools4001]

One of the few compensations for being 53 is that I've had the good fortune to see some of the world's best musicians in their prime, as well as still being able to appreciate up and coming new talent.

Bill Bruford is one of my favourite drummers and I have been fortunate enough to see him perform with Yes, King Crimson, Genesis, UK, Bruford, Earthworks - I even got a signed copy of "A part, and yet apart" - although he was a bit grumpy when he signed it for me. I think at that time he was a bit frustrated at being labelled "Too Jazzy" when he played rock and "Too Rocky" when he played jazz - I also think he was a bit miffed that half the audience turned up to see 'Bill Bruford's Earthworks" expecting them to sound like Holdsworth/Berlin/Stewart etc...

I've also got quite a bit of his recorded work from the above bands but also some of his jazz collaborations, so as long as he keeps churning out recordings, that's fine by me

 

[dave64o]

Bruford is good, no doubt, but I don't think he has anywhere near the level of innate ability to even play like Neil, let alone write parts like he does. Bruford is good though.

Don't get me wrong, I bought 2112 when it first came out back in '76 or so and have been a HUGE fan of Rush as a whole and of each member of the band individually as well ever since then. They're easily my favorite band.

Not sure I'd say that Bruford doesn't have the innate ability to play like Peart and, whether he does or not, I wouldn't say that's a good measure of his greatness or lack of it. I'm not sure I'd say Peart has the innate ability to play like Bruford, either.

However, I do commend Peart on his recent foray into jazz techniques and his discipleship of Buddy Rich. It's really cool to see someone who's accomplished so much and reached the levels he's reached expanding his horizons and learning something totally new. That's yet another reason to like the guy (like I said, I *am* a huge fan).

But really, arguing about which is greater is probably pointless. They're both EXTREMELY talented and have reached levels far beyond those most of us here will ever reach in anything we do.

 

[KrisH]

I only got to see Bruford once in the early 70s with Yes. Saw Peart once in the mid-70s (smaller venue). Both are great drummers, each with their own unique styles. Neither has the "innate ability" to be each other -- because they are exquisitely best being themselves.

 

[Baryonyx]

But really, arguing about which is greater is probably pointless. They're both EXTREMELY talented and have reached levels far beyond those most of us here will ever reach in anything we do.

I hear you there.

I think despite the fact that their playing styles are very different, they are similar in the sense that they are held in extremely high regard as drummers and both are very versatile. Bruford has done rock, fusion and jazz (and more!) and similarly, Neil has done rock and fusion and so on!

In fact, when Neil drummed on Jeff Berlin's "Champion" record, he gave a bombastic performance in a fusion setting! Really excellent stuff!

 

[jerry]

I don't remember seeing it mentioned in this thread but, Bruford has his autobiography coming out later this week, should be a great read!