Featuring members of Yes, King Crimson, Roxy Music, and Soft Machine, U.K. was one of the most prominent progressive rock supergroups of the late ’70s. Various members of U.K. — guitarist Allan Holdsworth, keyboardist/violinist Eddie Jobson, bassist/vocalist John Wetton, and drummer Bill Bruford — had all played together in their previous bands, but when the group formed in 1977, it was the first time all of the musicians had played together. Although the lineup was unstable — Holdsworth and Bruford left after one album, with former Frank Zappa drummer Terry Bozzio replacing Bruford — and the group was short-lived, the band maintained a dedicated cult following years after their early-’80s breakup.
Prior to the formation of U.K., Bruford and Wetton had recently played together in King Crimson, and Holdsworth had played guitar on Bruford’s debut album, 1978’s Feels Good to Me. Shortly after the recording of Feels Good to Me, Bruford, Holdsworth, and Wetton formed U.K., adding former Roxy Music member Eddie Jobson to the lineup.
U.K. released their eponymous debut in 1978 and the album captured the attention of progressive rock and jazz fusion fans, as did the record’s supporting tour. At the conclusion of the tour, Holdsworth and Bruford left the group to form Bruford, leaving keyboardist Jobson as the band’s leader. U.K. didn’t hire another guitarist, but they did have Terry Bozzio replace Bruford. The new lineup of U.K. released Danger Money in 1979 and followed the album with a tour. Once the tour was completed, the group broke up. The posthumous live album Night After Night was released shortly afterward. Following the disbandment of U.K., Eddie Jobson became a member of Jethro Tull, Terry Bozzio formed Missing Persons, and John Wetton formed Asia with fellow progressive rock stars Steve Howe, Carl Palmer, and Geoffrey Downes. (by Stephen Thomas Erlewine)
And here´s an excellent broadcast recording.
Throughout their brief existence, U.K.’s music was characterised by skilled musicianship, jazzy harmonies, close harmony vocals, mixed meters, electric violin solos, and unusually varied synthesiser (Yamaha CS-80) sonorities. Relative to specific styles, the band spans various genres ranging from progressive rock to jazz fusion. (wikipedia)
So … listen and enjoy !
Recorded live at Agora Ballroom, Cleveland, Ohio, USA on 9th November 1978 (stereo soundboard)
Personnel:
Bill Bruford (drums, percussion)
Allan Holdsworth (guitar)
Eddie Jobson (keyboards, violin)John Wetton (bass, vocals)
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Live Long Beach:
Terry Bozzio (drums)
Eddie Jobson (keyboards, violin)
John Wetton (bass, vocals)
The official BBC Transcription Services record:
Tracklist:
01. Introduction 0.28
02. Alaska (Jobson) 4.28
03. Time To Kill (Jobson/Wetton/Bruford) 5.53
04. The Only Thing She Needs (Jobson/Wetton)
05. Carrying No Cross (Jobson/Wetton)
06. Forever Until Sunday (Brudford)
07. Thirty Years (Jobson/Wetton/Bruford)
08. By The Light Of Day (Jobson/Wetton)
09. Presto Vivace And Reprise (Jobson/Wetton)
10 In The Dead Of Night (Jobson/Wetton) 7.35
11. Caesar’s Palace Blues (Jobson/Wetton)
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Live at the Long Beach Arena, Long Beach, CA; November 14, 1979:
12. Nostalgia (Jobson) 4.20
13. Rendezvous (Jobson/Wetton) 6:02
14. Night After Night (Jobson/Wetton) 4.38
15. The Only Thing She Needs (Jobson/Wetton) 9.43
16. Waiting For You (Jobson/Wetton) 5.46
ManyFantasticColors 