Search - Adrian Belew :: Acoustic Adrian Belew

Interesting overview and reinvention of Belew's songs

Tammi | 06/11/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Polymath. The word certainly describes Adrian Belew. His credits include a stint with Zappa, Bowie, Talking Heads, King Crimson and The Bears. Where he wasn't a sideman (Crimson & The Bears) he brought his unique songwriting style to (pardon the pun)bear.This acoustic reinvention of previously released songs and new tunes is one of Belew's finest recordings. His covers of If I Fell (the Beatles tune), Roy Orbison's Crying and his own work with Crimson (Matte Kudasi)and Bears tunes gives you an idea of the man's talent and depth.He's taken a lot of heat from hardcore Crimson fans (I happen to be one having purchased their first album in 1969 at the ripe old age of 9) for bringing humor and his hook filled songwriting style to the band. Fripp recognized that Belew would help revitalize and reinvent Crimson. Here Belew reinvents himself. Classic."

No need for gizmos

Doug Pearson | 07/01/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this cd from adrian himself after a show (also featuring the psychodots..check em out !). This album proves that Adrian can write good songs without the aid of expensive doo-dah gadgetry.
Amaze your friends sitting around a campfire with your trusty old acoustic..(dont forget to crank that string up to an A..a common Belew tuning).."

Fantastic reinterpretations.

Michael Stack | North Chelmsford, MA USA | 07/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The best of all of Adrian Belew's acoustic releases, this brief record contains eleven songs-- a handful of old tunes rerecorded, some material from the then forthcoming "Here", and three covers, including a Crimson piece. Each piece is essentially Belew with an acoustic guitar and an occasional vocal overdub.



The early material is reinterpreted to great effect, particularly "The Lone Rhinoceros", "The Man in the Moon", and "The Rail Song", where I really felt that the early record arrangements got in the way of the pieces-- "The Man in the Moon" really benefits from the stripped sound. The newer stuff from "Here" doesn't do quite as well, although I'm rather fond of that album's arrangements-- even still, "Dream Life" is superb on here, getting a fantastic delicate arrangement. Also of note is the cover of "Matte Kudasai" that really gets inside the piece and deconstructs it.



This one is a little tough to find, but its well worth the effort. Highly recommended."