Bill Bruford’s Earthworks Reissue Series

Artist: Bill Bruford’s Earthworks (Reissue Series w/Bonus Tracks & Interview Discs)
Titles: Earthworks, Feels Good To Me, One Of A Kind, Gradually Going Tornado, Dig?, All Heaven Broke Lose
Genre: Progressive-Rock-Jazz-Fusion
Label: Summerfold & Winterfold Records

Bill Bruford needs no introduction. His legacy began many years ago with Yes, Genesis briefly, and King Crimson, before he went solo, and the rest as they say, is history. If you look at those three bands alone, they are probably the most influential of their time in regards to the development of progressive rock. A good chunk of that development and its progression over the years is right here in these six fine albums. Earthworks, Feels Good To Me, One Of A Kind, Gradually Going Tornado, Dig?, and All Heaven Broke Lose are all repackaged and remastered with bonus tracks and an interview disc. Bruford’s interviews are very intellectually stimulating as he comments on his progressive-jazz-rock fusion recordings, and how they came to be with each album.

There is far too much music and variety to generalize anything on this amazing presentation of a solo career. I think it goes without saying how important Bill Bruford has been to progressive music. You can look back to his days with Yes and King Crimson, which are quite relevant, however if you want to get more into the present day, these six albums sum up a large portion of his solo work.

I particularly enjoyed the instrumental tracks, which predominant on every CD. The few offerings that provided vocals sounded out of place in Bruford’s arena. There is no question that the music of Bruford was designed for purely instrumental listening pleasure. The complex fusion of rock, jazz and progressive makes for mind wandering voyages to worlds you have never visited before; it invites your imagination to take flight.

These CDs are an absolute necessity for those that are fascinated with the intricacies of complex arrangements, featuring some of the most incredible drumming you will ever hear on the face of this earth. Need I say more? Buy one of these CDs and I guarantee you will want them all, better yet, do not waste your time and prolong what is inevitable, buy all six now.

To encapsulate what could be a very long and boring overview of six great albums…I did not have a favorite, each CD stood on its own as a singular work of art and expression through music. I am sure listener’s familiar with the genre and Bruford’s work will agree that every album needs the attention of the listener and each one offers different fusions of styles. Enjoy the journey with Bill Bruford and his incredible band Earthworks; I know you will not be disappointed.

© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck-http://www.muzikreviews.com

August 13, 2005

Overall Rating-9/10

One Of A Kind

01. Hell's Bells
02. One of a Kind, Pt. 1
03. One of a Kind, Pt. 2
04. Travels With Myself -- And Someone Else
05. Fainting in Coils
06. Five G
07. Abingdon Chasp
08. Forever Until Sundary
09. Sahara of Snow, Pt. 1
10. Sahara of Snow, Pt. 2
11. Manacles-Bonus Track

All Heaven Broke Loose

01. Hotel Splendour
02. Forget-Me-Not - Bill Bruford's Earthworks L
03. Candles Still Flicker in Romania's Dark
04. Pigalle
05. Temple of the Winds
06. Nerve
07. Splashing Out
08. All Heaven Broke Loose: Psalm/Old Song
09. Libreville-Bonus Track
10. Pilgrim's Way-Bonus Track

Feels Good To Me

01. Beelzebub [Instrumental]
02. Back to the Beginning
03. Seems Like a Lifetime Ago (Pt. 1)
04. Seems Like a Lifetime Ago (Pt. 2)
05. Sample and Hold [Instrumental]
06. Feels Good to Me [Instrumental]
07. Either End of August [Instrumental]
08. If You Can't Stand the Heat... [Instrumental]
09. Springtime in Siberia [Instrumental]
10. Adios a la Pasada (Goodbye to the Past)
11. Joe Frazier-Bonus Track

Dig?

01. Stromboli Kicks
02. Gentle Persuasion
03. Downtown
04. Pilgrim's Way
05. Dancing on Frith Street
06. Stone's Throw
07. Libreville
08. Corroboree
09. Emotional Shirt-Bonus Track
10. Pigalle-Bonus Track

Earthworks

01. Thud
02. Making a Song and Dance
03. Up North
04. Pressure
05. My Heart Declares a Holiday
06. Emotional Shirt
07. It Needn't End in Tears
08. Shepherd Is Eternal
09. Bridge of Inihibtion
10. A Stone's Throw-Bonus Track
11. All Heaven Broke Loose-Bonus Track

Gradually Going Tornado

1. Age of Information
2. Gothic 17
3. Joe Frazier
4. Q.E.D.
5. Sliding Floor
6. Palewell Park
7. Plans for J.D.
8. Land's End 9. 5g-Bonus Track

Bill Bruford’s Website
Artist Site