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Bill Bruford - The Autobiography: Yes, King Crimson, Earthworks and More
by
Bill Bruford
(Book). Bill Bruford once called "the godfather of progressive-rock drumming" has been at the top of his profession for four decades, playing with Yes, King Crimson, Genesis, Earthworks, and many more. The Autobiography is his memoir of life at the heart of prog rock, art rock, and modern jazz. It is an honest, entertaining, well-written account of life on the road and in
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Community Reviews
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Bruford's autobiography is much more than the story of his life, it's a laying bear of his philosophy of music as well as a fascinating account of the changing face of the music business. Well worth a read, especially if you are a musician.
I SO wanted to give this book by drummer Bill Bruford five stars. The main problem is a couple of dead weight chapters at the beginning and a bit of a draggy ending. That said, this is probably the best rock musician autobiography I have read and sets a sort of gold-standard for that sub- sub- sub-genre.
The book starts off in a scatter-shot manner as Bruford opines on topics near and dear to his heart: being a jazz drummer trapped in a rock drummer's clothes, the superiority of the American work ...more
The book starts off in a scatter-shot manner as Bruford opines on topics near and dear to his heart: being a jazz drummer trapped in a rock drummer's clothes, the superiority of the American work ...more
As close to a "5" as I expect to read in music autobiographies, anyway. Bruford's writing is witty, studious, worldly, and introspective. He has great stories out of school, since he played drums with Yes, King Crimson, UK, Genesis, and others, but his mature career and true love has been jazz, to which he has dedicated most of his energy for the past 20 years. The main subject of this book (maybe more than himself) is the music business and culture, and I haven't read a more comprehensive insid
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If you are a fan of the prog rock era, this book is for you. Bill wrote some very interestings insights into the world of being a professional roack and jazz musician. I am not sure this book is just for
"Anyone". If you are not a fan of music, you may not be to into this book, however if you are a music fan and have enjoyed groups lie Yes, Genisis, ELP, UK, King Crimson, etc, than this book is a must read.
I very much enjoyed reading it, and the paperback is very high quality. The pics are great ...more
"Anyone". If you are not a fan of music, you may not be to into this book, however if you are a music fan and have enjoyed groups lie Yes, Genisis, ELP, UK, King Crimson, etc, than this book is a must read.
I very much enjoyed reading it, and the paperback is very high quality. The pics are great ...more
Dec 31, 2014
Tim
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
nonfiction
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autobiography
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music
,
musicianship
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drumming
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production
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industry
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jazz
,
progressive
,
rock
,
yes
,
king
,
crimson
,
genesis
,
uk
,
earthworks
Bill Bruford came to fame early as the drummer for progressive rock band Yes before leaving to strike out into more challenging musical territory with King Crimson and then various jazz and jazz-rock groups. This is a bittersweet autobiography, as it was written at the point at which Bruford had decided, after forty year's active service, to retire from being a professional musician. Bruford is very much a thinking drummer, and this is a thoughtful autobiography. Much of what he says about the p
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This book is an autobiography of an interesting man, but he intersperses his own story with comments about musicianship, the definition of success, and balancing your life between your family and a very demanding career. I found the latter to be the best parts (:
If you're expecting the usual rock star "let me tell you how great I am" biography, you'll be happily disappointed. Instead, it's a remarkably honest look inside the world of the professional musician. Very entertaining.
Bill Bruford, I have to admit, has fascinated me ever since I got into progressive rock. This guy played in King Crimson! And Yes! AND Genesis, too! Wow.
As it turns out, Bill is an outspoken and well-mannered English gentleman with a lot to say about music, life on the road and the changing seasons of pop, rock and jazz music. Even as someone who fosters no love, just indifference and lack of exposure, to his pet project, the jazz group Earthworks, which takes a very prominent role in the book t ...more
As it turns out, Bill is an outspoken and well-mannered English gentleman with a lot to say about music, life on the road and the changing seasons of pop, rock and jazz music. Even as someone who fosters no love, just indifference and lack of exposure, to his pet project, the jazz group Earthworks, which takes a very prominent role in the book t ...more
Lots of Yes fans, King Crimson fans, jazz-rock fans, and jazz fans know that Bill Bruford is an excellent drummer. But who knew that he's intelligent and articulate enough to write an autobiography in brilliant, literate, and witty prose? Read this book and see for yourself.
It's got poetic descriptions of drumming and good jazz gigs, a sprinkling of musical disaster stories, wry observations on the music industry, and tons of thought-provoking philosophy about music and its relationship to the ...more
It's got poetic descriptions of drumming and good jazz gigs, a sprinkling of musical disaster stories, wry observations on the music industry, and tons of thought-provoking philosophy about music and its relationship to the ...more
Acerbic wit jumps out from the page at you. Thrill to stories concerning Chris Squire's tardiness, Be taken aback that Mr. Bruford actually bravely ended his tenure with The Almighty Crim, Savor the knowledge in hushed tones concerning the elusive "He Who Could Give Them Life"
(Actually Mr. Bruford does not come across as "acerbic" at all, the word just sounds fitting before "wit")
Bill Bruford has written a Fabulously Marvelous Terrific and Thoroughly enjoyable autobiography from his very unique ...more
(Actually Mr. Bruford does not come across as "acerbic" at all, the word just sounds fitting before "wit")
Bill Bruford has written a Fabulously Marvelous Terrific and Thoroughly enjoyable autobiography from his very unique ...more
When I bought this book, I was expecting it to be an amusing but forgettable account of Bill's Bruford's life. What I was not expecting was a brilliantly-written book not only about his life, but about the music industry and the nature of music itself. Whether you're a fan of his or know nothing about his life and work, you can appreciate this book if you truly love music.
Bill can certainly write-- he counters heavy material with his signature brand of arrogant, sardonic humor, and often pokes ...more
Bill can certainly write-- he counters heavy material with his signature brand of arrogant, sardonic humor, and often pokes ...more
Thoroughly enjoyable, though probably only for music enthusiasts. Bruford tells his story more or less chronologically, in chapters titled as questions he's been asked over the years: "What do you do during the day?", "What do you really do?", and so on. A bit over half the book, perhaps, is Bruford's story. The remainder, interspersed with his recollections, are musings on the nature of music: music history, music philosophy, the difference between the music business and the music industry. Sur
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Unlike many rock autobiographies, this one appears to have an author who has both some skill at writing and some thoughts about the bigger picture of music. Bruford also has taken the time to examine other sources and uses these as support for his points or as springboards for considering topics he has encountered. It might have been nice to have more discussion of specific music, however, since it is rare to find such an articulate voice with first-hand experience.
Harvinaisen rehellinen ja raavas näkemys muusikon urasta tämä Bill Brufordin elämänkerta. Erinomaisen virkistävää vaihtelua niiden ainaisten hehkutuskirjojen jälkeen. Bruford avaa verhoa myös rock-muusikoiden tabuista: todellisesta suhteesta rahaan, perheenisän syyllisyydestä, aviomiehenä olemisen vaikeudesta, soittotaitojen riittämättömyydesta. Erittäin virkistävää luettavaa! Jokaisen, joka haluaa rokkistarbaksi tulisi ehdottomasti lukea tämä opus.
As a huge King Crimson fan, specially regarding the rhythmic section, Bruford became one of my personal idols.
This book, so well written, is a masterpiece for drummers and non-drummers. It shows what music is really about and, in case you are a musician, it leaves a legacy of unprecedented knowledge for a future musical development.
This book, so well written, is a masterpiece for drummers and non-drummers. It shows what music is really about and, in case you are a musician, it leaves a legacy of unprecedented knowledge for a future musical development.
I couldn't decide whether to rate this 2 or 3 stars. Ultimately, I guess I enjoyed it, but I was hoping for more nitty gritty chatter about drums and rhythm and such. The book reads more like a late-night conversation with a friend where you meander from topic to topic. Probably only for super fans.
As a King Crimson and Yes fan I was obviously going to like this. The views of the inner workings of these bands are fascinating. However I'll remember the book more for the insights into the life of a professional musician. It is an honest account that isn't trying too hard to please anyone.
As a drummer, I was excited to read this but I think Mr. Bruford gives a much larger perspective into what it is to be a musician, and deeper still, the very nature of music & it's relationship to the listener. Can't recommend this book enough to my musician and non musician friends alike.
Enjoyed it but struggled at times with BB's slightly preachy style and found that he came across as rather smug at times. This is just my view and I was clearly interested enough to finish the book so that says something, I suppose.
Interesting look into Bruford's life as a drummer. Very well written. If you expect to learn about drumming you'll be disappointed, but it gives you an behind the scenes look at the music industry from his perspective.
recommended by a good friend of mine )also a drummer). I put it on Hold at the library and it became available immediately.
was hoping for more inside stuff. Bright guy, excellent drummer who can write...
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