Diversified and relentlessly creative – giving space to new artistic and emotional expression – this second solo album from guitarist Adrian Belew expands upon his already remarkable solo debut, though more than a few will be confused and put off by the opener, the Beatles' classic "I'm Down." …
e or Planet e, as it was originally titled, is roughly divided into five different sections where each one, except for c, is split into one or more sub-sections. According to Adrian Belew the compositions can be listened to as individual pieces of music, but they do interact through the overall theme that binds them together…
As a member of the '80s edition of King Crimson, vocalist-guitarist Adrian Belew established himself as a progressive musician with a quirky stage persona and a head full of ideas…
Adrian Belew is one of the world's most underrated guitarists, and his unique talents truly deserve more attention. He's played guitar with Frank Zappa and David Bowie, and also handled lead vocal duties with King Crimson. On his 1994 solo release Here, Belew not only wrote all of the material himself (co-writing one with Ross Rice), he also played every single instrument and served as the album's producer…
The Experimental Guitar Series Volume 1: The Guitar as Orchestra is the ninth solo album by Adrian Belew, released in 1995). It was his first all-instrumental/experimental album since 1986's Desire Caught By the Tail…
Young Lions is as solid an album as Adrian Belew had put out in some time, including his work with the Bears. Apparently, the relative chart success he had with his last effort fueled the desire for another single, and no less a luminary than former employer David Bowie was brought in to write and duet with Belew on "Pretty Pink Rose" (they even did a video to support it)…
The first solo album from monster alternative guitarist Belew comes in the middle of Robert Fripp's early-'80s reformulation of King Crimson, so it's no surprise that many a Crimson-esque herky-jerky guitar run and melody line pops up among Belew's other trademark sound, that of the animal-turned-guitar wail…
Packaged in a sleeve that (not accidentally) reminds one of the Beatles' White Album, this first released collection of Belew's acoustic renderings is all around a pleasant listen. The classic Adrian Belew songs are great. It is refreshing to hear songs like "The Man in the Moon" and "The Rail Song" with new life breathed into them. Belew's delivery is a little subdued, which at times can have a postured to be included on an acoustic release feel to it at times, but, for the most part, the music sounds fresh and revitalized. He does include a couple treats on this outing. The first of these is a cover of the Beatles "If I Fell," which sounds like a dead-on impersonation of the John and Paul vocal harmonies from the original. Very cool. Also included is a Roy Orbison's "Crying," which is a nice as well. King Crimson's "Matte Kudesai" has some issues here – the verses are accompanied by a low somewhat seasick two-note guitar riff that at best is not very appropriate for the song. The final number on this collection is a tune called "Martha Adored," which is recording of "Dream Life" played backwards in its entirety. Unexpectedly and astonishingly beautiful. This track alone makes the whole set worthwhile. AMG
Here's to adversity. This album was recorded after a difficult divorce and shows Belew in a moment of self-actualization – taking positive steps to overcome pain and hardship…