Bruford - Back To The Beginning (Rock Goes To College, March 17th, 1979)

Annette Peacock is one of those artists whose vocal approach polarises people. You either love her or hate her. Bowie loved her; Peacock allegedly turned down Bowie’s request that she appear on ‘Aladdin Sane’. But bear in mind where she’s coming from, namely a 1960s New York City background of blues, jazz, avant-garde electronic music, rap and free-form poetry. Check her out on her first album ‘I’m the One’, described by John Fordham of the Guardian as “seismically influential”. Like all artists, in 1979 she was a work in progress – half-singing, half speaking her way to her own identity. Think Jack Kerouac’s ‘On the Road’, Gil Scott-Heron’s ‘The Revolution Will Not Be Televised’ and Allen Ginsberg’s ‘Howl’. This last one connects you of course to King Crimson’s ‘Beat’, and the track ‘The Howler’. Before Annette, female singers sang the given melody. After Annette, they could sing whatever the heck they wanted. Annette Peacock - Vocals Bill Bruford - Drums Dave Stewart - Keyboards Allan Holdsworth - Guitar Jeff Berlin - Bass Audio and video have both been sourced and restored from the original broadcast master. Footage licensed from BBC Studios Distribution. All rights reserved. Remember to subscribe: #BillBruford #Earthworks