That "cool track" is just one of the most moving song in whole history. A complete heartbreaker and a musical masterpiece. Nothing nonsensical in the words, he's now in a wheelchair and says his wife, that he calls Alifib, is his ladder. It's pure poetry and pure emotion. Wyatt is one of the greatest singer composer who have ever existed.
OMG I love this album. Such a unique and deeply haunting sound, such richness of detail and exquisite strangeness, such fine instrumentation and arrangements - and Wyatt's voice! There's nothing quite like it - it's an album to get lost in, a swirl of eerie, beauty, cacophony, and whimsy. Takes me back, and I go way back with this one. Glad you're liking it too.
Alifib is by far my favourite song on this phenomenal album. A total masterpiece in my opinion. That way the music slowly changes from confused glee to definite melancholy is, for me, the moment on that album where he hits the titular Rock Bottom. And the fact that the song is completely drumless and the only real pulsation is this "alife" whisper, when you know what happened to Wyatt, I mean, that hits real hard. His hanging on by a thread, and I assum that thread is his wife, Alfreda. Most of the lyrics being gibberish also has meaning for me. It's when you get so downtrodden that you're even losing your words. Dumb. Incredible song, and really some of the saddest music I know. Pretty sure the guitar is Mike Oldfield, by the way.
Alfreda Benge (Robert's wife), about "Alifib"/"Alife": “When he started working on the lyric ‘Alife my larder’ he was singing ‘Polly my larder’. I said, ‘Who’s this Polly?’ The next time I heard it, he was singing, ‘Alife my larder’. I thought, ‘Well, I’ve just somehow forced a name change that wasn’t intended.’” “I was pissed and I was listening to this: ‘Oh, you’re my this and my that.’ And I said, ‘No I’m not.’ And Robert said, ‘OK, answer me then.’ So I went away and wrote this thing. It was a slightly tiddly response”. So somehow this gibberish is about his wife!😉
I read someone's interpretation online years ago and it said that Robert's speaking like a child here, maybe because he's now dependent on Alfie to take care of him.
Something about this makes me think again that you need to hear Eno’s Another Green Word. It has so many interesting little instrumental songs that are barely minutes long. It needs to be an album listen.
"Another Green World" is one of the rare albums that could come close to the unique atmosphere of "Rock Bottom". I would add "Before and After Science" too. Wyatt and Eno have collaborated on several albums, including "Taking Tiger Mountain (by Strategy)", "Shleep", "Cuckooland".
@@sunkenindeaf Before and After Science and Another Green World are neck and neck favorites of mine. And I’d hope he could get around to hearing them both. But if he can only get to one I nominate Another Green World.
The title refers to Wyatt's wife and longtime collaborator, Alfreda Benge, who makes a vocal appearance on the next track. You really should listen to "Alifib" and "Alife" all together - they are essentially one long song, and while it might be going too far to say that that they would "make sense" when heard back to back, I do think you'd get more out of them that way.
Absolutely, "Alifie" is the continuity of "Alifib" and I will even go further by saying that it is essential that Justin listens to Rock Bottom in one go to fully immerse himself in the unique atmosphere of this album. Listening to it bit by bit makes no sense. It is an experience to be taken as a whole.
Musically entrancing and laden with the implications of RW's circumstances, particularly at the time. A real pleasure to come back to this - thank you, Justin.
Most songs have five or six components that interact with each other, the components themselves being unremarkable but the combination being what makes the track worthwhile. Here, the five or six components are all remarkable (including the unmistakable voice of Wyatt and the apparent gibberish but ultimately meaningful lyrics) and the combination truly wonderful but this is true of the entire album. I do hope that you did the two tracks together even if they're split like this on TH-cam.
so glad that at long last I'm able to suppress my cynicism and apathy and actually listen to this guy's artistry. I'll buy it one day. So maybe "Shipbuilding" won't be the only Robert Wyatt song in my Fave Songs Ever Chart. Diolch.
Using invented words for lyrics is just as valid as saying something, as far as I'm concerned. The words you make up are little pieces of you. (I have a brother who's always doing this. For things that matter, he'll make up his own words, or use regular words in irregular ways. For instance they had a Corgi, George, who didn't have legs. He had "nubs".) You've sent me reading up, here (I enjoyed the song and the way the lyrics don't proclaim, or pronounce, or make some mark, or do something Important - all fine in their own place, but often the weak point of some otherwise lovely music). I think I've found the answer to the anagram he uses: Alife. That's "Alfie". That's Alfreda Bengh, his girlfriend. And I suppose it's a play on something like "A life"? (A life after a four storey fall, and the loss of the use of his legs, or something of that kind - although it does sound like he hardly missed a musical beat with the accident, and spent his time in the hospital thinking of music, not of what would become of him, or them.) Anyway, more to read. I'm glad you've stuck with the Robert Wyatt, and not let yourself be put off by the controversy around him. (I've heard there's a thing called "Wyatting", where you go to a place with a jukebox, and keep feeding it, so it plays his music all night, that some people do - mainly as a joke of sorts, from what I've read - a prank on the rest of the pub, that doesn't appreciate this music.)
The repetitive aspect of this piece - the breathy 'oh's (sorry I don't know how to denote that sound in text - D'oh minus the 'D'??) are very reminiscent of Roberts first solo LP (End of an Ear). I half love this LP and I quite enjoyed hearing this song here in isolation but this and the follow on song are ones I normally tend to skip. The 'guitar solo' thingy bit is a bass guitar played by Hugh Hopper - I had thought that this called into question that RW played all of the instruments on the first segment of 'Moon In June' on Soft Machine Third as the bass solo on that segment sounds pretty similar in approach to the bass here but then RW could have have played the bass on this and indeed every instrument on this LP as he could play almost any instrument.
The only way to listen to this cut and be totally in it is to make love on it...that,s it..then you are 3 in one...the spiritual reaches the flesh and then time and distance are lost ...the music liberates everything...
Please, please keep silent during the piece! Your commentary both interrupts and prejudices those listening. By all means offer your observations and comments after - they are usually perceptive and as an experienced listener are interesting to those who are hearing it for the first time. Back to the music: ‘Rock Bottom’ is raw and emotional it being Wyatt’s first album after his crippling injuries. The lyrics are in the very English style of Edward Lear (‘The Owl And The Pussy-Cat’) using the intimate and affectionate language of a devoted couple.
That "cool track" is just one of the most moving song in whole history. A complete heartbreaker and a musical masterpiece. Nothing nonsensical in the words, he's now in a wheelchair and says his wife, that he calls Alifib, is his ladder. It's pure poetry and pure emotion. Wyatt is one of the greatest singer composer who have ever existed.
That is actually a bass guitar solo played by Hugh Hopper. Sped up to reach a higher register. Works so well.
Hugh plays two bass lines on this.
OMG I love this album. Such a unique and deeply haunting sound, such richness of detail and exquisite strangeness, such fine instrumentation and arrangements - and Wyatt's voice! There's nothing quite like it - it's an album to get lost in, a swirl of eerie, beauty, cacophony, and whimsy. Takes me back, and I go way back with this one. Glad you're liking it too.
One of the great non singers.
This is just immensely beautiful. So sad, so tender, so full of loving for Alfie. And the production (by Nick Mason) is exquisite.
Alifib is by far my favourite song on this phenomenal album. A total masterpiece in my opinion.
That way the music slowly changes from confused glee to definite melancholy is, for me, the moment on that album where he hits the titular Rock Bottom. And the fact that the song is completely drumless and the only real pulsation is this "alife" whisper, when you know what happened to Wyatt, I mean, that hits real hard. His hanging on by a thread, and I assum that thread is his wife, Alfreda.
Most of the lyrics being gibberish also has meaning for me. It's when you get so downtrodden that you're even losing your words. Dumb.
Incredible song, and really some of the saddest music I know. Pretty sure the guitar is Mike Oldfield, by the way.
I don't see so much sadness on it, instead I see peace and deep awareness. My personal favourite is Little Red Riding Hood, the triumph of chaos
Alfreda Benge (Robert's wife), about "Alifib"/"Alife": “When he started working on the lyric ‘Alife my larder’ he was singing ‘Polly my larder’. I said, ‘Who’s this Polly?’ The next time I heard it, he was singing, ‘Alife my larder’. I thought, ‘Well, I’ve just somehow forced a name change that wasn’t intended.’” “I was pissed and I was listening to this: ‘Oh, you’re my this and my that.’ And I said, ‘No I’m not.’ And Robert said, ‘OK, answer me then.’ So I went away and wrote this thing. It was a slightly tiddly response”. So somehow this gibberish is about his wife!😉
I read someone's interpretation online years ago and it said that Robert's speaking like a child here, maybe because he's now dependent on Alfie to take care of him.
@@michaelhudson2912 Yes I think it's plausible, even if Robert Wyatt never confirmed it, but everything suggests that.
Something about this makes me think again that you need to hear Eno’s Another Green Word. It has so many interesting little instrumental songs that are barely minutes long. It needs to be an album listen.
"Another Green World" is one of the rare albums that could come close to the unique atmosphere of "Rock Bottom". I would add "Before and After Science" too.
Wyatt and Eno have collaborated on several albums, including "Taking Tiger Mountain (by Strategy)", "Shleep", "Cuckooland".
@@sunkenindeaf Before and After Science and Another Green World are neck and neck favorites of mine. And I’d hope he could get around to hearing them both. But if he can only get to one I nominate Another Green World.
@@sunkenindeaf and Ambient 1 Music for Airports! Wyatt co-wrote the first track and that's him playing piano on it.
I’m ready for some more Robert Wyatt.
Ruth Is Stranger Than Richard
The title refers to Wyatt's wife and longtime collaborator, Alfreda Benge, who makes a vocal appearance on the next track. You really should listen to "Alifib" and "Alife" all together - they are essentially one long song, and while it might be going too far to say that that they would "make sense" when heard back to back, I do think you'd get more out of them that way.
Absolutely, "Alifie" is the continuity of "Alifib" and I will even go further by saying that it is essential that Justin listens to Rock Bottom in one go to fully immerse himself in the unique atmosphere of this album. Listening to it bit by bit makes no sense. It is an experience to be taken as a whole.
@@a.k.1740 You got that JP? These folks are right - you have to give the whole disc a sit-down in headphones after the reactions are done...
@@DavidImiri 👍It's obvious ! Rock Bottom cannot be fully appreciated otherwise.
Musically entrancing and laden with the implications of RW's circumstances, particularly at the time. A real pleasure to come back to this - thank you, Justin.
Thanks George :)
Love Robert Wyatt. Thank you.
Most songs have five or six components that interact with each other, the components themselves being unremarkable but the combination being what makes the track worthwhile. Here, the five or six components are all remarkable (including the unmistakable voice of Wyatt and the apparent gibberish but ultimately meaningful lyrics) and the combination truly wonderful but this is true of the entire album. I do hope that you did the two tracks together even if they're split like this on TH-cam.
best album ever
This guy should be a national treasure here in England. Instead, he's a legend in his own lunchtime! 🤔
so glad that at long last I'm able to suppress my cynicism and apathy and actually listen to this guy's artistry. I'll buy it one day. So maybe "Shipbuilding" won't be the only Robert Wyatt song in my Fave Songs Ever Chart. Diolch.
You're right with the Gong connection....
Nice. Do some tom newman stuff for example faery Symphony
Mike oldfield is not credited for some reasons but plays the guitar.
Double speed electric bass
Very interesting album, I kinda like it.
Using invented words for lyrics is just as valid as saying something, as far as I'm concerned. The words you make up are little pieces of you. (I have a brother who's always doing this. For things that matter, he'll make up his own words, or use regular words in irregular ways. For instance they had a Corgi, George, who didn't have legs. He had "nubs".)
You've sent me reading up, here (I enjoyed the song and the way the lyrics don't proclaim, or pronounce, or make some mark, or do something Important - all fine in their own place, but often the weak point of some otherwise lovely music).
I think I've found the answer to the anagram he uses: Alife. That's "Alfie". That's Alfreda Bengh, his girlfriend. And I suppose it's a play on something like "A life"? (A life after a four storey fall, and the loss of the use of his legs, or something of that kind - although it does sound like he hardly missed a musical beat with the accident, and spent his time in the hospital thinking of music, not of what would become of him, or them.)
Anyway, more to read. I'm glad you've stuck with the Robert Wyatt, and not let yourself be put off by the controversy around him. (I've heard there's a thing called "Wyatting", where you go to a place with a jukebox, and keep feeding it, so it plays his music all night, that some people do - mainly as a joke of sorts, from what I've read - a prank on the rest of the pub, that doesn't appreciate this music.)
Robert thought this was rather amusing. Alfreda had a very different opinion! 😊
The repetitive aspect of this piece - the breathy 'oh's (sorry I don't know how to denote that sound in text - D'oh minus the 'D'??) are very reminiscent of Roberts first solo LP (End of an Ear). I half love this LP and I quite enjoyed hearing this song here in isolation but this and the follow on song are ones I normally tend to skip. The 'guitar solo' thingy bit is a bass guitar played by Hugh Hopper - I had thought that this called into question that RW played all of the instruments on the first segment of 'Moon In June' on Soft Machine Third as the bass solo on that segment sounds pretty similar in approach to the bass here but then RW could have have played the bass on this and indeed every instrument on this LP as he could play almost any instrument.
You'll have to check out Odeia doing their cover version of Alifib, you will be seduced by Elsa Birge, 😮😮😮😊😊😊
Does a thumbs up from me, for myself count😅😅😅😅
@alanknox9914 Thank you so much Alan, for sharing that recommendation. Absolutely outrageous!
The only way to listen to this cut and be totally in it is to make love on it...that,s it..then you are 3 in one...the spiritual reaches the flesh and then time and distance are lost ...the music liberates everything...
It's about his infantile-like dependence on Alfi after his accident left him in a wheelchair
Certainly interesting, but I started to feel hyperventilated. The thready singing voice and "dirge" atmosphere also worked.
Please, please keep silent during the piece! Your commentary both interrupts and prejudices those listening. By all means offer your observations and comments after - they are usually perceptive and as an experienced listener are interesting to those who are hearing it for the first time. Back to the music: ‘Rock Bottom’ is raw and emotional it being Wyatt’s first album after his crippling injuries. The lyrics are in the very English style of Edward Lear (‘The Owl And The Pussy-Cat’) using the intimate and affectionate language of a devoted couple.
One of my favourite albums apart from Mike Oldfield.
As much as I'd like to, I cannot really get into Wyatt's music.
You poor thing, it must be terrible to know you lack taste and an open mind.
Most of it I really like.....