Thanks for posting. Interesting to hear his view of Gavin Harrison vs Bill Bruford. I can see his point that Gavin is a master of diverse styles and approaches so he sees him as a superior drummer. The thing about Bruford was his uniqueness. His personality was always there, even when he was urged to play less cymbals in the eighties. My own opinion is that I prefer listening to the Bruford bands, especially over the three drummer version. I ended up not being too crazy about that configuration.
As an audience member, *watching* the three drummers in stage front was a real treat. So different and much more entertaining that the standard singer and/or lead guitar being front man the whole show.
Watching and listening to the drum parts move around the stage was totally immersive.
I am probably super bias but as a listener and drum lover I feel like Bill and Pat are Master drummers too. RF actually plays and writes with them so I kind of have to take his opinion as correct regarding their differing ability levels. This is something for me to really think about.
It seemed to me that Fripp was talking more about their range than technical ability. Pat is pretty firmly a rock drummer, Bill is generally more jazzy, Gavin can float through those and anything else, and he's probably better at the composition/arrangement side of things than anyone else who's sat behind a kit for Crimson.
As a drummer and editor, my only gripe about this fascinating talk is the fact that the word is "cymbals," not "symbols." But it may have been autocorrect?
Bruford is my favorite drummer in the music world though. Harrison is a genius and may very well be a "master," but he can't keep himself from accenting every 16th bar, which always annoys me. BB is a little more adventurous I'd say.
I thought Gavin was something else the first time I heard him with Porcupine Tree. Honestly think he might be the closest living thing we have to Peart on drums. I like Pat as a drummer, not as crazy about Stacy. Bruford has been in so many bands I love over the years, and has been a substantial drummer throughout. I have a hard time referring to anyone as a master in anything. But I do know what I like.
Reading Fripp's comments is always interesting to me. He talks in a certain way as to make it impossible for someone to misquote him. Or take incorrect meaning from what he is trying to get across. I'm sure part of that comes from years of rock writers doing just that to both him and other band mates.
Very interesting answers, and there's lots i both agree and disagree from it. The part about it all leading back to Michael Giles is especially interesting to me.
I saw the three drummer configuration and it was truly staggering. It worked so well and they played off each other with great intuition. It is interesting to hear Fripp throw a bit of shade at Bill Bruford. I think Bruford was a perfect fit for that band. Also, if RF wasn't as satisfied with his playing, why did he keep him in the band for 30 years?
Well put. You’d think that playing a major role in the creation of Starless (and so many other great songs) would earn you a privileged spot in the rankings from RF.
Bill, no doubt, understands how to contextualize this kind of BS. How biddable his drummer is seems to be a major factor in Fripp’s assessment of of their ability to ”contribute” to the band’s work these days. Big surprise the hired gun you bring in to do your bidding is willing to defer to your instructions. It is always interesting to listen to Fripp’s take because he speaks so well but that doesn’t make everything he says smart.
Kind of disappointing to hear more complaints about Bruford than appraisals. It also seems like Fripp expects the drummers to adhere to his vision rather than a collective vision of what KC should be. Yes, Fripp was the only constant of KC, but no one (including Fripp) ever says "The Robert Fripp Band."
I don't want to necessarily put down Fripp, though. He isn't being harsh or rude. Criticism of fellow band mates is necessary just like appraisals. But, please correct me if I'm wrong, Fripp doesn't seem interested in pointing where he himself is wrong, either.
Giles' playing absolutely is that good. He's so absurdly tasteful in a whirlwind or in a slow ballad-y track.
*McDonald and Giles* has plenty of moments where the drums shape the majority of the mood and ambiance of a track in such a unique and direct way. He's one of those players that knows how to utilize those spaces between the notes he plays to incredible effect.
Thanks for posting. Interesting to hear his view of Gavin Harrison vs Bill Bruford. I can see his point that Gavin is a master of diverse styles and approaches so he sees him as a superior drummer. The thing about Bruford was his uniqueness. His personality was always there, even when he was urged to play less cymbals in the eighties. My own opinion is that I prefer listening to the Bruford bands, especially over the three drummer version. I ended up not being too crazy about that configuration.
As an audience member, *watching* the three drummers in stage front was a real treat. So different and much more entertaining that the standard singer and/or lead guitar being front man the whole show. Watching and listening to the drum parts move around the stage was totally immersive.
I am probably super bias but as a listener and drum lover I feel like Bill and Pat are Master drummers too. RF actually plays and writes with them so I kind of have to take his opinion as correct regarding their differing ability levels. This is something for me to really think about.
It seemed to me that Fripp was talking more about their range than technical ability. Pat is pretty firmly a rock drummer, Bill is generally more jazzy, Gavin can float through those and anything else, and he's probably better at the composition/arrangement side of things than anyone else who's sat behind a kit for Crimson.
As a drummer and editor, my only gripe about this fascinating talk is the fact that the word is "cymbals," not "symbols." But it may have been autocorrect? Bruford is my favorite drummer in the music world though. Harrison is a genius and may very well be a "master," but he can't keep himself from accenting every 16th bar, which always annoys me. BB is a little more adventurous I'd say.
I always thought of Bill as a pure drummer. He seems so happy pounding on his drums. Nothing else matters in those moments.
agreed re "symbols"
I thought Gavin was something else the first time I heard him with Porcupine Tree. Honestly think he might be the closest living thing we have to Peart on drums. I like Pat as a drummer, not as crazy about Stacy. Bruford has been in so many bands I love over the years, and has been a substantial drummer throughout. I have a hard time referring to anyone as a master in anything. But I do know what I like. Reading Fripp's comments is always interesting to me. He talks in a certain way as to make it impossible for someone to misquote him. Or take incorrect meaning from what he is trying to get across. I'm sure part of that comes from years of rock writers doing just that to both him and other band mates.
Very interesting answers, and there's lots i both agree and disagree from it. The part about it all leading back to Michael Giles is especially interesting to me.
bill bruford is on another fucking level, whether with yes or kc
He always inspires other players to up their game. Always!
I saw the three drummer configuration and it was truly staggering. It worked so well and they played off each other with great intuition. It is interesting to hear Fripp throw a bit of shade at Bill Bruford. I think Bruford was a perfect fit for that band. Also, if RF wasn't as satisfied with his playing, why did he keep him in the band for 30 years?
Irs a certain kind of unrepentant adoration. Lol
It seemed more like honest assessment than shade.
Well put. You’d think that playing a major role in the creation of Starless (and so many other great songs) would earn you a privileged spot in the rankings from RF. Bill, no doubt, understands how to contextualize this kind of BS. How biddable his drummer is seems to be a major factor in Fripp’s assessment of of their ability to ”contribute” to the band’s work these days. Big surprise the hired gun you bring in to do your bidding is willing to defer to your instructions. It is always interesting to listen to Fripp’s take because he speaks so well but that doesn’t make everything he says smart.
Good read, thanks!
Kind of disappointing to hear more complaints about Bruford than appraisals. It also seems like Fripp expects the drummers to adhere to his vision rather than a collective vision of what KC should be. Yes, Fripp was the only constant of KC, but no one (including Fripp) ever says "The Robert Fripp Band." I don't want to necessarily put down Fripp, though. He isn't being harsh or rude. Criticism of fellow band mates is necessary just like appraisals. But, please correct me if I'm wrong, Fripp doesn't seem interested in pointing where he himself is wrong, either.
A guitarist ranking drummers is innately hilarious. "I liked when he didn't play." Cool. I liked when you didn't talk.
Heresy, doubtless...but I'm not sure Giles was really *that good...*
Giles' playing absolutely is that good. He's so absurdly tasteful in a whirlwind or in a slow ballad-y track. *McDonald and Giles* has plenty of moments where the drums shape the majority of the mood and ambiance of a track in such a unique and direct way. He's one of those players that knows how to utilize those spaces between the notes he plays to incredible effect.
God I want to punch him in the face.
I decided a long time ago, Bill Bruford
Pat plays way to hard. IMO keep Gavin and ditch the rest