BRIAN ENO - "ST. ELMO'S FIRE" (reaction) 

One of the greatest albums ever made

Robert Fripp of King Crimson on guitar. Brian Eno and Robert Fripp made two classics of ambient music around this period "No Pussyfooting" in 1973 and "Evening Star" in 1975. They have worked together multiple times through the year and made other records, too. "The Equatorial Stars" was done in 2004, some 32 years after their first two albums.

The whole album is breathtaking

This has actually always been one of my favorite Robert Fripp guitar solos. I was a huge King Crimson fan back in the day (late 70's / early 80's) and I tried to grab everything Fripp I could find. I had both "Evening Star" and "Another Green World" on vinyl back then. "No Pussyfooting" is what you hear on King Crimson "USA" just before the first song takes off.

This has been my #1 favorite album for the past 40+ years! Thanks for reacting to this song. I suggest reviewing the whole album - it’s amazing through and through.

Sky Saw also from this album with Phil Collins on drums and the amazing Percy Jones on Fretless Bass.

Eno is a Huge talent outstanding in every way ,

Robert Fripp on guitar from the mighty King Crimson. This track is the tip of the iceberg of Brian Eno's awesome material.

The first time I heard this song, and the "Another Green World" album, back in the 1970s (I'm dating myself) I didn't know how to place it. I wasn't really listening to Roxy Music at that point, and didn't have a concept of 'Art Rock', exactly. I got that it was a kind of personal music, and the creator had an affinity for Rock instrumentation and tempos, as well as experimental musics. The lyrics seemed very literate - more like humorous poem excerpts than Pop song lyrics. So I was really wowed by how well Eno managed to elude classification, and not get stuck in the usual genres like Blues, R&B, Rock, Jazz, etc. He was lucky to be with a record company (Island) that would even put out a record of this type. Eno sometimes likes to use descriptive titles for instrumentation. In the album notes for "St. Elmo's Fire", the musicians are: Robert Fripp - Wimshurst guitar* Brian Eno - organ, piano, Yamaha bass pedals, synthetic percussion, desert guitars, vocals *"Eno asked Fripp to improvise a lightning-fast guitar solo that would imitate an electrical charge between two poles on a Wimshurst high voltage generator. This was the basis for Eno crediting Fripp's solo on this track as 'Wimshurst Guitar'." Another great track from the album featuring Fripp is "Golden Hours": Robert Fripp - Wimborne guitar John Cale - viola Brian Eno - choppy organs, spasmodic percussion, club guitars, uncertain piano, vocals I don't know exactly what Eno was thinking of with the "Wimborne guitar" reference, but Fripp was born in Wimborne, I believe, and first learned guitar there.

Robert Fripp. Leader of King Crimson and master guitar teacher gave us that incredible solo. Very thoughtful review/reaction.

That's my old chum Robert Fripp on guitar. I studied with him for a good while and still keep in touch with him. He's currently on tour with King Crimson in the U.S. I believe they have some NYC shows coming up. Sifa's right about the harmoniousness of this track rather than anyone grandstanding, but in such harmonic syncopation. And also right about this being NYC influential.

Eno-'Baby's On Fire'. Thank you.

Big Eno fan and have all his early stuff. Him and Fripp together are special.

You perhaps gathered from some of the comments below that Eno first came to fame as the 'keyboards' player with Roxy Music, an art-rock group of the early 70s that featured Brian Ferry as lead singer. I was never a huge fan but my brother was, having all Roxy's albums, so I've heard them a lot! When Roxy split up Ferry was the first to produce solo work, as a kind of hip crooner, slicked-back hair, nice suits. Then after a while Eno came back with his ambient music albums and some more stuff like this such as Bring on the Warm Jets. He had a bit of solo success but I think he preferred producing and being a Thinker, so he moved out of the public eye and kept a low profile (though I think he did some work with David Byrne of Talking Heads a couple of years ago.) You should try Roxy Music's Virginia Plain, which was their first solo hit and made their name. Pop weirdness, but good dynamics and great sax playing.

This is one of the best records of all time!

Brion Eno. Wrote lots of ambient as lift/elevator and airport music... people were losing flights as they stayed to listen. Love Apollo (if you have heard weird space music as Apollo went to the Moon - that's Brian Eno)

How can I be expected to wait 4 days for this reaction? I love Eno's pop albums and this song is my favorite by him. Plus it has my #1 favorite guitar solo provided by Robert Fripp (King Crimson) which moves me. Outstanding choice!

EPIC and LEGENDARY Album........

You can hear Eno on earlier Roxy Music. His first solo LPs were a mix of Roxy like material and his bent towards doo Wop. He had hints of atmospheric pieces, but this album, Another Green World, seems to be the transition towards his ambient works. He never really abandoned the pop tunes, but his ambient work took off with another audience.

Shattering. I have loved his work forever. I'm a guitar driver. Have tried to play this umpteen gazillion times. On the best day ever, I might be able to sustain my notion of this. For about 30 seconds. Met Mr. Fripp once. Not actually a nice man. But took a moment to correct certain misinformation I carried about guitars. Changed my life. Thank you, sir.! And... Thanx!!!!!

Eno did four "pop" records under his own name -- all of them are great. Fripp's guitar is killing on this -- also killing on "Baby's On Fire" from Eno's first record, and on "King's Lead Hat" from Before and After Science.

utterly timeless and transcendent........

Another Green World is a masterpiece and Robert Fripp's solo on this is one of my favorites and that's hard to pick because Fripp kills it every time. Desert island disc for me

Robert Fripp on guitar. Legendary. No one could produce "atmosphere" like Eno could, which made his solo work and his collaborative work phenomenal, but is also why he was such an amazing producer. His flavor is unmistakable with a little familiarity. This soothing song and that Fripp solo have been an eye in the storm song for me that got me through high school in the '70's and always, always gives me a sense of peace and well being. Great song. You'll enjoy exploring Eno, and I hope you do more. From this album, from "Before and After Science", and collaborative work like with Phil Manzanera's 801, "My Life in the Bush of Ghost's" with David Byrne of Talking Heads, and for a real "challenge", try out "No Pussyfooting", an album of just him and Robert Fripp on guitar and "Frippertronics". Deep, deep well to drink from! If you aren't going to get around to doing actual reviews? At least pick out a song or album here and there to listen to for yourselves. Blessings.

Brian Eno. A truly unique pioneer who is STILL making and producing music. Notably, he produced the Talking Heads "Remain in Light" and U-2's "The Unforgettable Fire", both albums that put those bands at the top. His work with "ambient music" is well renowned. But his prog-rockin' stuff is of course the most fun. Consider also "No One Receiving" or "King's Lead Hat" (an anagram for Talking Heads) from his "Before And After Science" album. Eno is a great deep dive. Lookin' forward. Blessings.

Aww, very nice that you picked St Elmo's Fire

Brain Eno Created ambient and newage music. He was the father of ambient music in the 70's when people thought it was a joke. He produced and played with several David Bowie albums including most of his most famous songs like Heroes. ENo was the foundation of Heroes. Brian ENo produced, engineered and studio mixed, largely repsonsible for the sound of U2, Coldplay, Bowie, King Crimson, and others. Listen to No pussyfooting and understand this was made at a time when he ran a single tape through 6 -tape players to create the delay that made this album which is all guitar. Its a masterpiece.

Hey, I was in Baltimore Md. listening to this when it first came out in the 70,s and would have seen Eno live with Roxy Music in 74 if he would have stayed with the band for thier American tour of thier album Stranded

Found you searching for a review of this song. Nice to hear an intelligent reaction - not all youtube reaction people are as interesting and eloquent. Subscribed! :)

Excellent song! Much better than the brat-pack movie.

Ornette Coleman- "What Reason Could I Give"? Mind-blowing female vocal. Thank you.

First time watching a reaction video. You two have a great rapport and your love of music is infectious. An Cat Dubh made a perfect choice. The entire Another Green World album is full of gems. also check out Before and After Science. Eno now does "ambient music" which is a heavy influence on electronica. Y'all are bangin!

So frustratingly short you want to play it over and over again. JJ Cale's Grasshopper's the closest comparable I can think of right now.

Fripp on guitar. So recognizable in this period.

I like a lot of Eno’s stuff but I’m not very familiar with this album or track - talk about someone who is experimental! I especially like his albums “Before and After Science”, “Taking Tiger Mountain” and “Here Come the Warm Jets”.

Wht is funny is that I am talking to the present tense through the past tense, because this is half a year ago, and you hadn't listened to Brian Eno and David Byrne yet which freaks me out because I know how you will have reacted to their collaboration. Back to the song: it somewhat reminds me of Pink Floyd in the Meddle and Atom Heart Mother phase, or even Obscured By Clouds. Nobody appears to know the Pink Floyd of that time. And one last remark: you are perfect for reacting because you are always so enthusiastic about any music that comes across your ears

I've missed you guys I have been listening all year to REn's output (like everyone else) , If you haven't listened to REN (WElsh artist, living in Brighton and being treated for some brain/immune things in Canada ) you are in for a treat. His versatility , insight and feel across many genres are what is taking RU-vid by storm this year . Anyhow i wanted to say hello to the most intelligent and beautiful woman on U tube alongside a quietly handsome man sporting 'japanese' ? tattoos ? Hi , Ish

Highly energetic music with a wonderful positive vibe !

Fripp & Eno, two great tastes that taste great together. Check out their collab on Baby's on Fire. Also check out Fripp's work with Andy Summers from the Police on I Advance Masked. I've always suspected Fripp of being digitally enhanced. Not talking about effects - though sure, whatev - but I swear the guy's fingers are solenoid controlled. There's an algorithmic quality to his playing that's like Bach if Bach wrote in binary.

Eno is the musician musicians listen to

"Blank Frank is the messenger of your doom and your destruction"

Nice reaction. So glad you liked it. Dead on about catching his influence in NYC that lingers to his day. Anything Eno has his fingerprints on is worth a listen...even if others might consider it unlistenable experimental crap. Eno called his first four albums in which he sung his "idiot energy" albums or "singing with idiot glee". Another Green World was used to great effect as the soundtrack on the movie Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl a few years ago. His album, "Before and After Science" was released in 1977--that magical year for Rock and Roll. It's definitely worth checking out. Thanks again as usual. Always enjoy your channel.

Nice, more of the good stuff! Fripp destroys on this one.

When Brian Eno left Roxy Music some folks had to be pissed, but Roxy was just fine, and Eno was too. About 15 years ago I started listening to different types of stuff that was new to me and this album spearheaded that. Great pick.

I'll come running ...check it...my personal fav off Green World

Maybe it's because of the work Eno did with David Byrne on My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, or maybe it's because of the way Aesop Rock built "None Shall Pass" out of a sample from "By This River", but it really seems like you could turn any of his ear candy into a great hip hop track.

I suspect there's been 'cross-pollination' of UK and US music for some time; just as here in Aus, there's been plenty of UK as well as US musical and cultural influences since the goldrush days of the 19th century when many 'panhandlers' from Cali (and other states) headed down under along with fortune seekers from elsewhere on the globe. Sometimes; we find out that we share more than we knew!! Perhaps, the fact that NY is and sees itself as an art/cultural 'hub', made those creative types who live there or associate themselves with 'the scene' there, more open to what was being currently produced by artists in the "old world"... and given so many bands/musicians from the 60's/70's out of the UK (and here in Aus as well!) came out of art schools where 'traditional/classical' conservatorium based musical training was less important than creating sounds that helped 'paint the picture'; the innovative nature of what was put down on vinyl (along with the album cover art!!) made Pommie stuff more likely - as Sifa so eloquently put it "digging in the crate", to be taken out and given a listen to in NY just as it was here in Sydney and Melbourne by art student musicians hungry for sounds that were relatable and 'new'! Have a Goodie guys! 👍

So much amazing music on this channel. Eno is very influential. Maybe try his song “Kurt’s Rejoinder”.

Such a great, iconoclastic artist, love stuff w/ Roxy where he's processing other instruments thru his synths, his virtually inventing, or at least hijacking/appropriating the term ambient music ...I mean, 'Music for Elevators' vs. Muzak, 'Music for Airports', and Oblique Strategies, a 'Community Chest' of cards offering semi-cryptic routes around or through a creative impasse. Available at the Brian Eno Shop, lololol. Groundbreaking production work /collabos with Bowie, Robert Fripp(another couple of relentlessly forward looking artists),Talking Heads, U2, hoo boy! ✌😘🎶🎹🎸💞 More great and/or fun Eno to check out include 'Cindy Tells Me', 'Baby's On Fire' and 'Needle In the Camel's Eye'.

I wore out a cassette tape of Another Green World back in the day... IF you don't want St Elmo to stop, just play the whole lp, which is full of great tunes! Thanx for this great reaction!

I love the flow of this song, like a never-ending river and the lyrics are intriguing. As I already said that guitar soloing by master King Crimson guitarist is my #1 favorite, nothing else comes close. He and Eno have made several ambient albums together, the most recent was the double disc "Beyond Even" in 2006. Eno's work with David Bowie is also excellent (though he did not produce) on "Low, "'Heroes'" and "Lodger". He's worked with Robert Calvert too, a member of space-rock band Hawkwind before his death of a heart attack in 1988. They're a band worth looking into, been going since 1969 playing nothing but sci-fi and fantasy rock music led by Dave Brock. Caution: that is a VERY deep well of off-shoots and side projects, Lemmy was their bass player before forming the power trio Motorhead. Nik Turner has a long solo career as well and sci-fi author (creator of Elric of Melnibone and other sword & sorcery heroes) Michael Moorcock has written lyrics and performed with them. All 4 of Eno's 'pop' albums from 1973-1977 are worth hearing, his ambient work is more specialized but he practically pioneered the genre.

One of my favourite LP,s and songs of all time , and one of Fripp's best solos

He's produced so many great records for Talking Heads, Peter Gabriel, Bowie, Devo, Fripp, Daryl Hall... But his solo work is also very diverse from atmospheric music to pop. This one is a great pick. Also check out "Baby's On Fire."

Takes me back to late night studies at University of Liverpool 1980 , Eno’s albums were my early hours soundtrack, and Fripp on guitar what can you say … you’re right perfection. Listen to the whole album . I’d say more but hate texting

Robert Fripp!

Best pairing on RU-vid after Robert Fripp and Toyah Wilcox

OMG, try "kings lead hat" by ENO. rearrange the letters to spell :Talking Heads"

Great song and great insights. The album is mostly instrumental and is a classic. Highly recommended Also, sounds like you need more King Crimson in your life cuz that was Robert Fripp !

Listen to 801 live and the song TNK

This is one of my top 10 favorite songs and the solo by Fripp is my #1 favorite of all time. No other solo moves me the way this one does. The lyrics have a yearning to them that I can't describe. I curious why you were talking during the 1st verse and laughing, ignoring the brilliant song playing.

guess I like it......................

Eno's own albums are on another PLANET compared to any stuff he has produced for countless artists!