Bruce, ktorý je považovaný za jedného z najlepších basgitaristov všetkých čias, si udržal sólovú kariéru, ktorá trvala niekoľko desaťročí a hral aj v niekoľkých hudobných skupinách. Bruce, známy ako spevák a basgitarista, bol tiež skladateľom piesní. Hoci sa vyučil ako klasický violončelista a považoval sa za jazzového hudobníka, veľa z jeho katalógu skladieb a nahrávok inklinovalo k blues a rock and rollu.
Od roku 1962 začínal Bruce ako kontrabasista u Grahama Bonda v organizácii Graham Bond Organization , ktorá hrala zmes jazzu, blues a R&B. V tom čase sa zoznámil s bubeníkom Ginger Baker . Po pôsobení s Johnom Mayallom a Manfredom Mannom založil s Bakerom a gitaristom Ericom Claptonom skupinu Cream . Cream mal počas svojej existencie množstvo hitov, väčšinu z nich napísal Bruce s textárom Petom Brownom .
V rokoch od rozpadu skupiny Cream v roku 1968 vydal Bruce množstvo sólových albumov, väčšinou v experimentálnejšom duchu, a spolupracoval so širokou škálou hudobníkov v mnohých žánroch. Na zozname sú Robin Trower , Tony Williams , John McLaughlin , Carla Bley , Allan Holdsworth , Ringo Starr a Frank Zappa . Bol tiež členom kapely West, Bruce and Laing .
V roku 1994 vydal album pod názvom kapely BBM (Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker a Gary Moore) s názvom Around the Next Dream.
Bruce vydal nový štúdiový album Silver Rails v marci 2014 na Esoteric Antenna, jeho prvý sólový štúdiový album za viac ako desať rokov.
Discography
Songs for a Tailor (1969)
Things We Like (1970)
Harmony Row (1971)
Out of the Storm (1974)
The Jack Bruce Band Live ’75 (vydáno 2003)
How’s Tricks (1977)
Jet Set Jewel (nahráno 1978, vydáno 2003)
I’ve Always Wanted To Do This (1980)
Automatic
Inazuma (1987)
Willpower (1989)
A Question of Time (1989)
Somethin Else (1992)
Cities of the Heart (1993)
Around the Next Dream (1994)
Monkjack (1995)
Shadows in the Air (2000)
Rope Ladder to the Moon (2003)
More Jack Than God (2003)
Silver Rails (2014)
Rope Ladder To The Moon
Jack Bruce Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To a house just by the moon
You gave me silver loving
The end was all too soon
You asked me to the theater
In a place quite near the sun
You gave me golden sunbeams
Rope ladder, rope ladder
Rope ladder to the moon!
You asked me to a meeting
In a cottage in the snow
You gave me central heating
I can't forget the glow
You asked me to a weekend
Down by the stormy sea
You took me to a ceremony
And the sacrifice was me!
You asked me to a storm cloud
Up near the rainbow's end
Then you threw away the ladder
And gave me to your friend
You took me to a prison
And you said its chief was me
Then you locked me deep inside you
And thew away the key
Rope ladder, rope ladder
Rope ladder to the moon!
The lyrics to Jack Bruce's "Rope Ladder To The Moon" are quite poetic and open to interpretation. The song seems to describe a series of different experiences that the singer has with a lover or companion. Each verse describes a different scenario, with the first three involving invitations to various locations in different parts of the sky - a house by the moon, a place near the sun, and a storm cloud near the rainbow's end. In each of these scenarios, the singer seems to be enjoying their time spent with the other person, but ultimately the experiences end too soon.
The fourth and fifth verses take a darker turn. The singer is invited to a cottage in the snow, with promises of central heating and a warm, glowing atmosphere. Then, they are taken to a ceremony that turns out to be a sacrifice, with the singer as the victim. Finally, the last two verses describe the most sinister scenario of all. The singer is taken to a prison and told that the chief prisoner is them. They are then locked away and the key is thrown away.
Overall, the song seems to be exploring different experiences and emotions in a metaphorical way. The rope ladder to the moon may represent the romantic or emotional highs of a relationship, while the prison may represent the lows. The use of vivid imagery and poetic language adds to the dreamlike quality of the song, and allows listeners to interpret the lyrics in their own way.
Line by Line Meaning
You asked me to a party
You requested my presence at a celebration or gathering
To a house just by the moon
At a residence located very close to the moon
You gave me silver loving
You showed affection and attention while in a romantic relationship
The end was all too soon
The relationship was brief and ended too quickly
You asked me to the theater
You invited me to attend a live performance
In a place quite near the sun
At a venue located very close to the sun
You gave me golden sunbeams
You provided happiness and warmth in the relationship
Your act was all in fun
Your behavior was done in jest and not to be taken seriously
Rope ladder, rope ladder
Repetition for emphasis on the object of the song
Rope ladder to the moon!
Desire for the rope ladder to reach the moon
You asked me to a meeting
You requested my presence at a gathering or assembly
In a cottage in the snow
At a winter residence amidst snowy surroundings
You gave me central heating
You provided warmth and comfort in the living quarters
I can't forget the glow
I have fond memories of the warmth and comfort provided
You asked me to a weekend
You requested my presence for a short vacation
Down by the stormy sea
At a location near the turbulent ocean
You took me to a ceremony
You brought me to a formal event or ritual
And the sacrifice was me!
I was the one who suffered loss or was used for a purpose
You asked me to a storm cloud
You requested my presence in a volatile and unstable environment
Up near the rainbow's end
At a location near the end of a rainbow, which is symbolic for a magical or unobtainable place
Then you threw away the ladder
You abandoned the means by which I could escape or leave the situation
And gave me to your friend
You betrayed me to someone you considered a companion
You took me to a prison
You put me in an oppressive, restrictive situation
And you said its chief was me
You made me the leader or most important person in the penal institution
Then you locked me deep inside you
You imprisoned me within yourself, emotionally or psychologically
And threw away the key
You permanently kept me from escaping or moving on from the situation
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JACK BRUCE, PETER CONSTANTINE BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Arthur F. Scaltrito
@Leslie Sylvan Saw WBL Twice @ Phila Spectrum
Fleetwood Mac
Spirit
WBL Nov ,72
Foghat
WBL Spring '73
With Ginger Baker & Dweezil Zappa 1989
Main Line Cafe Suburban Phila.
We are fortunate.
Saw Jimi Hendrix in May 1970
Sept he was gone.
Jason Montz
The more I listen to Jack Bruce's songs and bass playing, the more amazed I am at how terrific a musician he was. Still affects me that he has passed. Like losing a family member. Rest in Peace Mr. Jack.
@GNES $TECK
Exactly, today in listening to SONGS FOR A TAILOR discovered have I for the first time HARMONY ROW, and ...holy WOW. Such a massive talent that God loaned to us mere mortals who are fortunate enough to encounter him, Cream was only the entry point to Jack. Love also his work with Leslie West and Robin Trower.
JamZorro
Absolutely Love This Song... "Songs For A Tailor" was one my favorite albums (still is)... So Haunting and Fabulous... Thank you uploader 👍
Carolyn Zaremba
Effing brilliant album. Time cannot take away one damned thing from it.
Arthur F. Scaltrito
Bought this in 1969. Still have it.
Saw Jack 3x's live.
Was never disappointed.
RIP Jack
Ginger joins you...
todd gakk
It's a shame that Jack Bruce didn't make music that is played in grocery stores and elevators... An all time legend few even know about
amsedelm
Love love love solo Jack Bruce music. Maybe what Cream would have sounded like if they had continued. Jack was the man. RIP.
tuxguys
Imagine if Blind Faith had been Cream + Winwood...
Tim Hancock
I've had the album since 69. It still stands any scrutiny and I still love it.
jeff stratton
This is one of my favourite songs of all time, and certainly my fave J B track - from his fantastic SONGS FOR A TAILOR first solo album from 1969.........I just love the bass lines in this !