Top 20 Long Prog Masterpieces #14: Carrying No Cross, by U.K.

Album: Danger Money
Year: 1979
Country: United Kingdom / USA
Running time: 12 mins. 20 secs.
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Where should I begin? U.K. was a regrettably short-lived yet simply fantastic progressive rock group from the late 1970's, who are now attempting to regroup at this very moment.

U.K's original lineup was already a real Who's Who of British prog heroes. John Wetton, vocals and bass guitar: formerly of King Crimson and Roxy Music, later of Asia. Eddie Jobson, keyboards and electric violin: formerly of Curved Air, Roxy Music and Frank Zappa's band. Allan Holdsworth, guitars: formerly of Gong and Soft Machine. And last but not least, Bill Bruford, drums and percussion: formerly of Yes and King Crimson.

This lineup released the group's debut album U.K. in 1978, which I suppose could already be called a classic. Elements of progressive rock were as much present as those of jazz fusion, which I think is the main reason I have never been a big fan of this particular album. Sure, In the Dead of Night is an excellent track, but there is little else to get excited about.

In my opinion, it was only after the debut album that things really clicked. Holdsworth and Bruford left the group, and Holdsworth was not replaced, which means we were left with a progressive rock group without a lead guitarist. Bruford was replaced by, and I know this is a personal opinion and statement, possibly the single greatest drummer alive: Terry Bozzio, formerly of Frank Zappa's band and later of Missing Persons. This is the exact same lineup that has now reformed for a world tour.

Wetton, Jobson and Bozzio recorded and released U.K's second album Danger Money in 1979, and the result was an instant symphonic prog masterpiece. A couple of the tracks are maybe slightly weaker than others, but overall, the dynamic trio do an excellent job. The real highlight is the closing track of the album. Carrying No Cross clocks only 12 minutes and 20 seconds but has the feel of a 20-minute prog epic.

Like the rest of the album, this track represents symphonic prog in its truest form, yet the kicker is that it is also clearly separated from the rest because of the very lack of the lead guitarist. Since there is no guitar hero taking centre stage, it is Eddie Jobson's keyboards and electric violin that end up being the solo instruments. This brings a unique feel to the complicatedly woven passages of instrumental sequences which take most of the track's second half. Wetton is also at his best, bringing genuine feeling to his vocals, not only in this song but also in others on the same album.

There should be no need to mention Terry Bozzio separately... His performance on this entire album should earn him a place in the Hall of Fame of TRULY INCREDIBLE rock drummers. His crowning achievement is in fact another track on this same album, The Only Thing She Needs, but Carrying No Cross also challenges young, beginning percussionists. I hope they dare try to achieve the same level without losing their nerve. Drummers like this are needed also in the future!