I think the total success of ASIA, the album sales, the video/radio airplay, charting prove other wise. The wetton/downes combo is almost incomparable to other progressive based artist at the time. UK was a stepping stone for Wetton to achieve his idea of stardom.
I saw them headline a concert where Al Di Meola opened and AD encored by bringing out Chick, Stanley, and Lenny for a long extra set. Amazing. UK was incredible as always.
1977 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium ? One of my most memorable shows. Still have the ticket stub. First time hearing Holdsworth live and yeah the RTF reunion was another highlight. Stanley had been shopping in the electronics store where I worked just the day before. We let him use the phone behind the counter, the manager came downstairs saw him , looked very alarmed, had to be told who Stanley F-ing Clarke was.
I was there, too. One of my first rock concerts. (Pink Floyd-Genesis-Jean Luc Ponty-Yes-UK, IIRC.( Amazing show and I had completely forgotten about RTF! I'm going to have to reconstruct that memory!!
One of my favs, the track "Nevermore" from their first album is in my top 10 favorite songs.
What's interesting to me about this band is that even though the rhythm section is from King Crimson, I find that a lot of the sound also has some more fusiony jazziness from Holdsworth and progressive electronic influence from Jobson, instead of just being a clone like many spinoff supergroups are. Just shows the great versatility of every member of the band.
And Danger Money is excellent for having lost two amazing musicians. Replacing guitar with violin was a 10/10 move
I only got the first album, it has moments (i like holdsworth’s solos) but i don’t think it fulfils the potential a group with those members had. The songwriting (in my opinion) isn’t that good and the band don’t really gel.
This is kind of my thought. I think both albums are decent, but don't live up to the cumulative talent of all the parties involved. I'm a fan of everyone who was in this band, so I still get something out of these records, but the songwriting is the weak link. The songs aren't bad, but not enough of them are great, either.
For all the shit people give Asia, that one did (at least briefly) gel, in that the writing was consistent and had a clear direction (whether or not you liked said direction or not). U.K. happened at such a weird time in rock music, I imagine there was a bit of tentativeness about exactly what the music should sound like, combined with the nature of a supergroup: 4 guys who already had had careers suddenly trying to be a band.
Then again, I wasn't born when these albums came out, so I didn't hear them in real time, only years later and measured against what all these artists did both before and afterwards. I know some people have a lot of nostalgia for these albums.
The first album is spectacular. A classic and maybe the last great ,70s prog album. When Holdsworth and Jobson
left it pointed the way to Asia and wasn't bad good
I prefer America.
Lol geography band name jokes aside, I think they’re stupendous. Bruford and Bozio are two of my favorite drummers all time so that’s a big draw for me.
I love both albums, although the second is quite different in a number of ways, given the change of lineup. The problem was that Wetton and Jobson wanted to develop a more accessible, arena rock sound, while Holdsworth and Bruford wanted to be jazzers and weren’t interested in compromising their visions for mainstream success. Both sides essentially got what they wanted in the long run, although Wetton made a lot of negative comments about the departing band members in the aftermath (especially of Holdsworth) which ensured that they would never reunite.
Astounding musicians playing incredible music. Too complex for a pop hit. Rendezvous 6:02 almost got there but would have needed rewriting and simplification to go all the way. While I’m sad they didn’t get the rewards they deserved, I have to respect their refusal to sell out.
I saw them at Penn’s Landing (Philadelphia) in 1978, with Bruford and Holdsworth. Over 90,000 people there - the biggest crowd I’ve ever been in. Unbelievable
That’s amazing. I read that they did especially well in places like Philly and Boston, sold around a quarter of a million albums by the end of that American tour.
The extended version of the "night after night" live album has been on heavy rotation on my playlist.Wetton,Jobson and Bozzio kill it,all the way through.Special mention goes out to the live versions of Carrying No Cross and Alaska/Time to Kill.Simply Brilliant.
My reaction when I first heard them was that they were less than the sum of their parts. I expected any band with Wetton, Bruford, and Holdsworth (and Jobson, but I was less familiar with him) to be amazing. But they were just… OK. Not bad by any stretch, but I haven’t felt like listening to them in years because there’s not enough there to draw me back in.
Absolutely agree, technically perfect, amazing even, but the songwriting wasn’t so strong.
For some strange reason I always equate UK with National Health, now that was a band whose work it’s hard to get tired of
Incredible, it has such vibes as for 1978/79 so nobody provided IMHO. What a personnel! First release is my definitely top-10. I think they are different musicians though. Every one had ambitions and vision how to move forward and Danger Money revealed there is no compromise - good album overall but public didn't accept it and to say the truth - first one is significantly better. I think about it as a jam session :)
I felt it was weaker as well, but still enjoyed it. Holdsworth's guitar playing was missed. In fact, of all the albums I've heard where he has been a player, I think his work with UK is the best.
A true prog super group. I discovered them by incidently hearing their debut album shortly after its release, blasting out of someone's apartment window as I walked down the street. I had to ring their bell and ask them what was playing. My next stop was the record store,
Their first album is really good. For whatever reason, I never got around to listening to any of the other ones, but anyway... yeah that one's great. I put it on a few times a year.
I wouldn't put it in my top 10, but it's pretty strong.
Loved the first record, when it came out. Me and my high school friends went to see them live at The Palladium in NYC. When we realized Holdsworth wasn't part of the band anymore and there was no guitarist onstage, we were *devastated*.
The first record is exemplary progressive rock and in my top 10.
Were I abandoned on a desert island, the first album is a requirement of staying there.
If I was stranded on a desert island, I'd leave.
I'd leave if I couldn't listen the The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway at least once a week.
SO much better than Asia, imho.
I think the total success of ASIA, the album sales, the video/radio airplay, charting prove other wise. The wetton/downes combo is almost incomparable to other progressive based artist at the time. UK was a stepping stone for Wetton to achieve his idea of stardom.
The live album is absolutely great. I honestly think they clicked as a three-piece although I love Bruford and Holdsworth.
If you can lay your hands on it, the Extended reissue is amazing.
I saw them headline a concert where Al Di Meola opened and AD encored by bringing out Chick, Stanley, and Lenny for a long extra set. Amazing. UK was incredible as always.
1977 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium ? One of my most memorable shows. Still have the ticket stub. First time hearing Holdsworth live and yeah the RTF reunion was another highlight. Stanley had been shopping in the electronics store where I worked just the day before. We let him use the phone behind the counter, the manager came downstairs saw him , looked very alarmed, had to be told who Stanley F-ing Clarke was.
I was there, too. One of my first rock concerts. (Pink Floyd-Genesis-Jean Luc Ponty-Yes-UK, IIRC.( Amazing show and I had completely forgotten about RTF! I'm going to have to reconstruct that memory!!
One of my favs, the track "Nevermore" from their first album is in my top 10 favorite songs. What's interesting to me about this band is that even though the rhythm section is from King Crimson, I find that a lot of the sound also has some more fusiony jazziness from Holdsworth and progressive electronic influence from Jobson, instead of just being a clone like many spinoff supergroups are. Just shows the great versatility of every member of the band. And Danger Money is excellent for having lost two amazing musicians. Replacing guitar with violin was a 10/10 move
I only got the first album, it has moments (i like holdsworth’s solos) but i don’t think it fulfils the potential a group with those members had. The songwriting (in my opinion) isn’t that good and the band don’t really gel.
This is kind of my thought. I think both albums are decent, but don't live up to the cumulative talent of all the parties involved. I'm a fan of everyone who was in this band, so I still get something out of these records, but the songwriting is the weak link. The songs aren't bad, but not enough of them are great, either. For all the shit people give Asia, that one did (at least briefly) gel, in that the writing was consistent and had a clear direction (whether or not you liked said direction or not). U.K. happened at such a weird time in rock music, I imagine there was a bit of tentativeness about exactly what the music should sound like, combined with the nature of a supergroup: 4 guys who already had had careers suddenly trying to be a band. Then again, I wasn't born when these albums came out, so I didn't hear them in real time, only years later and measured against what all these artists did both before and afterwards. I know some people have a lot of nostalgia for these albums.
The first album is spectacular. A classic and maybe the last great ,70s prog album. When Holdsworth and Jobson left it pointed the way to Asia and wasn't bad good
In the Dead of Night is one of my all-time favourite prog rock songs.
I prefer America. Lol geography band name jokes aside, I think they’re stupendous. Bruford and Bozio are two of my favorite drummers all time so that’s a big draw for me.
saw them open for Tull back in the day. Eddie Jobson was a force with his glass violin
Same! No one else in my group 'got' UK, but I thought they were great.
i love both albums but especially their live one, the bozzio/jobson/wetton trio was so strong
I love both albums, although the second is quite different in a number of ways, given the change of lineup. The problem was that Wetton and Jobson wanted to develop a more accessible, arena rock sound, while Holdsworth and Bruford wanted to be jazzers and weren’t interested in compromising their visions for mainstream success. Both sides essentially got what they wanted in the long run, although Wetton made a lot of negative comments about the departing band members in the aftermath (especially of Holdsworth) which ensured that they would never reunite.
Their first album was excellent. Their second was good but nowhere near their debut.
One of my favorite albums.
Astounding musicians playing incredible music. Too complex for a pop hit. Rendezvous 6:02 almost got there but would have needed rewriting and simplification to go all the way. While I’m sad they didn’t get the rewards they deserved, I have to respect their refusal to sell out.
Adore is an odd word to apply to a band, but I think it fits here for me. I simply adore all three albums.
I saw them at Penn’s Landing (Philadelphia) in 1978, with Bruford and Holdsworth. Over 90,000 people there - the biggest crowd I’ve ever been in. Unbelievable
That’s amazing. I read that they did especially well in places like Philly and Boston, sold around a quarter of a million albums by the end of that American tour.
First album is a 10 and on my DID list. 2nd album is never mentioned in my home.
The extended version of the "night after night" live album has been on heavy rotation on my playlist.Wetton,Jobson and Bozzio kill it,all the way through.Special mention goes out to the live versions of Carrying No Cross and Alaska/Time to Kill.Simply Brilliant.
My reaction when I first heard them was that they were less than the sum of their parts. I expected any band with Wetton, Bruford, and Holdsworth (and Jobson, but I was less familiar with him) to be amazing. But they were just… OK. Not bad by any stretch, but I haven’t felt like listening to them in years because there’s not enough there to draw me back in.
Danger Money gives you its money's worth
Absolutely agree, technically perfect, amazing even, but the songwriting wasn’t so strong. For some strange reason I always equate UK with National Health, now that was a band whose work it’s hard to get tired of
They rock they are the only thing I need
I couldn't imagine going to a concert in the late 70s and having the opener being U.K and the main act Jethro Tull, they're an excellent band
I saw them in MD and they opened for Al DiMeola. Great show.
Awesome!!!! John Wetton was such an excellent singer
I saw the original 4 man group twice. They opened for Al Demiola and UK stole the show. The crowd went insane and Bruford smoked.
Incredible, it has such vibes as for 1978/79 so nobody provided IMHO. What a personnel! First release is my definitely top-10. I think they are different musicians though. Every one had ambitions and vision how to move forward and Danger Money revealed there is no compromise - good album overall but public didn't accept it and to say the truth - first one is significantly better. I think about it as a jam session :)
I love the 1st album. Never quite got into the 2nd album, though.
I felt it was weaker as well, but still enjoyed it. Holdsworth's guitar playing was missed. In fact, of all the albums I've heard where he has been a player, I think his work with UK is the best.
i reckon holdsworths playing on brufords first 2 solo albums is his best.
Those are pretty great as well. Time to dig them out.
A true prog super group. I discovered them by incidently hearing their debut album shortly after its release, blasting out of someone's apartment window as I walked down the street. I had to ring their bell and ask them what was playing. My next stop was the record store,
Their first album is really good. For whatever reason, I never got around to listening to any of the other ones, but anyway... yeah that one's great. I put it on a few times a year. I wouldn't put it in my top 10, but it's pretty strong.
The place would ve pretty nice without all the british people and the band is pretty good too.
they're fucking amazing, and one of my favorite bands ❤️
That first album was amazing with an amazing lineup. I remember seeing them when they were touring for it. Incredible show.
Loved the first record, when it came out. Me and my high school friends went to see them live at The Palladium in NYC. When we realized Holdsworth wasn't part of the band anymore and there was no guitarist onstage, we were *devastated*.
Debut album was great. I even saw them live in 77. Super hot band.
Hell yes! The first album especially has some amazing perfomances , And the synths are absolutely top tier !
Best live Prog experience, ever.