Being a weeklie podcaste from Madison, Wisconsin featuring several remarkable curiosities therein occurring being a compendium of live music from divers artistes
Show #151: Adrian Belew Power Trio
January 30th, 2008
This week and next I’m going to fulfill a request and make a dedication.
First up, I had a request for some Adrian Belew since the Adrian Belew Power Trio will be touring again starting next month. They’ll be stopping in Milwaukee at Shank Hall on 4 March and then they’ll be at Martyr’s in Chicago the following day.
Belew was in at least one Beatles cover band as a teenager and that band’s influence has marked his career ever since. His big break came in 1977 when he was recruited by Frank Zappa for touring duties. David Bowie called next followed by Talking Heads. In 1980 he joined Robert Fripp in Discipline which would become another incarnation of King Crimson. Basically he’s played with everyone – Tori Amos, Trent Reznor, Porcupine Tree, Paul Simon – the list goes on and on. He also has a long and varied solo career which started in 1982 and has been dotted with stints in The Bears. If you’re unfamiliar with his work, the shortest description I can give is The Beatles + Frank Zappa = Adrian Belew. This is, of course, a gross oversimplification but it’ll do in a pinch. His songs are very melodic yet there’s always something off kilter. Belew’s guitar style is, well, unique. I mean, we’re talking about the guy who makes his guitar sound like an elephant. His solos are twisted, manic affairs and he’s never met a twang bar he didn’t like.
This week’s show features the Adrian Belew Power Trio at Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, North Carolina. The date was 21 August 2007 and it’s a really nice audience recording. (My mp3s are now 96kbps – anyone tell the difference?)
(Photos from Out of the Belew.)
This is the second incarnation of teh ABPT:
Adrian Belew – guitars & vocals
Eric Slick – drums
Julie Slick – bass
Setlist:
Writing On The Wall
Dinosaur
Ampersand
Young Lions
Beat Box Guitar
Matchless Man
Madness
Also:
My previous Adrian Belew show
My review of ABPT show from 16 July 2005
My review of ABPT from 11 September 2005
Less than a month later the ABPT were in Redmond, Washington on 15 September. This is “Men in Helicopters v2.0″.
Related posts:
Right on!
Adrian is such a personal favorite of mine. His resume is amazing, and as you mention his just off center approach is so great. As a band leader or support player, he always inspires me. Great show! -Thanks -TGL
You’re welcome.