Making a Song and Dance

Bill Bruford's career is like his drumming sound -inimitable. Known for his ringing metal snare drum, crisp cymbal work, and knack for complex time signatures, a young Bruford came to prominence in the late '60s with Yes. 

The drummer completed his British art rock trilogy by briefly joining Genesis in the 1970s and spending a quarter-century with King Crimson through the late '90s. In between King Crimson dates, Bruford led a dazzling self-titled jazz fusion solo band from 1978 to 1980. 

This 6CD box set covers Bill’s musical journey throughout the years; CD1&2, titled ‘The Collaborator’ – is a collection of songs from Yes, King Crimson, UK & National Health displaying Bill’s formidable talent. CD3&4 titled ‘The Composing Leader’ is where Bill demonstrates his composing ability from his solo career and musical project ‘Earthworks’. The last two CDs titled, ‘Special Guest & Improvisor’ showcase Bill’s natural talent for writing and improvising with a plethora of musicians. Including, Roy Harper, Akira Inoue, Kazumi Watanabe, Steve Howe & many more. 

There is a detailed biography written by Bill included within the box that features rare and unseen photos. The outer box artwork, gatefold CDs and booklet have been designed by the incredible artist and graphic designer Dave McKean.

Tracklist

 

THE COLLABORATOR (2CD)

CD1

1. Yes  - I’ve Seen All Good People 
2. Yes  - Heart of the Sunrise 
3. Yes  - And You & I 
4. King Crimson - Great Deceiver
5. King Crimson - Fracture
6. King Crimson - One More Red Nightmare  
7. King Crimson - Starless
8. UK - Nevermore

CD2

1. King Crimson - Frame by Frame  
2. King Crimson - Neal And Jack And Me 
3. King Crimson - Heartbeat
4. King Crimson - Waiting Man
5. Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe - Brother of Mine 
6. King Crimson - Sex Eat Sleep Drink Dream
7. National Health - Paracelsus  
8. King Crimson - Larks Tongues in Aspick Pt 2
9. King Crimson - 3 of a Perfect Pair
10. King Crimson - Man With An Open Heart
11. King Crimson - Elephant Talk
12. King Crimson - Indiscipline
13. King Crimson - Big Funk  

The Composing Leader (2CD)

CD3

1. Bruford - Seems Like a Lifetime Ago: Pt 1
2. Bruford - Seems Like a Lifetime Ago: Pt 2
3. Bruford - One of a Kind: Pt 1
4. Bruford - One of a Kind: Pt 2
5. Bruford - Palewell Park
6. Bruford - Joe Frazier
7. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - It Needn’t End in Tears
8. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - My Heart Declares a Holiday
9. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Downtown
10. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Pilgrims’ Way
11. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Temple of the Winds
12. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Candles Still Flicker in Romania’s Dark
13. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Nerve 
14. Bruford, Towner, Gomez - Thistledown

CD4

1. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Beelzebub
2. Bruford-Levin - Original Sin
3. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Revel Without a Pause
4. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Triplicity
5. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - The Sound of Surprise
6. Earthworks Underground Orchestra  - Speaking in Wooden Tongues
7. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - Modern Folk
8. Bill Bruford’s Earthworks - White Knuckle Wedding
9. Earthworks Underground Orchestra  - Footloose and Fancy Free
10. Heavenly Bodies - Thud!

Special Guest & Improviser (2CD)

CD5

1. Roy Harper - Grown Ups Are Just Silly Children
2. Roy Harper - Hallucinating Light
3. Chris Squire - Lucky Seven (single edit)
4. Annette Peacock - Real and defined Androgens
5. Al Di Meola - Calliope
6. Akira Inoue - Pointille City
7. Kazumi Watanabe - Andre
8. Kazumi Watanabe - Small Wonder
9. Steve Howe - The Inner Battle
10. Buddy Rich Big Band - Lingo
11. Pete Lockett’s Network of Sparks feat Bill Bruford - Prism
12. Gordian Knot - Singing Deep Mountain
13. Colin Riley feat Bill Bruford -Achilles Feel

CD6

1. Moraz-Bruford - Galatea
2. Moraz-Bruford  - Symmetry
3. Moraz-Bruford - Blue Brains
4. King Crimson - No Warning
5. Moraz-Bruford - Flags
6. Moraz-Bruford -Split Seconds
7. David Torn - Previous Man
8. David Torn - Three Minutes of Pure Entertainment
9. Bruford-Borstlap - 16 Kingdoms of The 5 Barbarians
10. Bruford-Borstlap - Stand on Zanzibar
11. Earthworks - With Friends Like These…
12. Bruford-Borstlap - Low Tide, Camber Sands
13. Bruford-Borstlap - Kinship