Adrian Belew: Side Three (2006)

Glenn Astarita

Senior Contributor since 1997

Longtime contributor to AAJ and Downbeat, Jazz Review, EjazzNews, Radio DirectX.

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Published: May 26, 2006

Amid stints with King Crimson, guitar hero Adrian Belew has continued his solo career with his Side One and Side Two recordings, recently adding this final installment. Following suit in numerical title only, this set finds Belew grouping stylistic pieces that didn't fit into the motifs presented on the previous albums. Though much acclaimed for his work as an experimental guitar-slinger, the artist is also a strong vocalist and crafty multi-instrumentalist.

With the opening "Troubles," Belew incorporates twisted blues motifs to complement a deadpan bluesy narrative by someone who calls himself "The Prophet Omega. Bassist Les Claypool (Primus) and drummer Danny Carey handle the thrusting rhythms, while fellow guitar hero and King Crimson founder Robert Fripp performs on flute guitar during "Water Turns to Wine. Belew's howling and shrieking guitar lines coalesce with turntable scratches, witty lyricism and layered EFX. Elements of space-rock, funk and Beatles-like vocal overlays account for the complexities of this quite accessible affair. Then on "Whatever, Belew rattles the senses with glaring fuzz-drenched notes, loops and elephantine sounds.

Variety is the spice that transforms this final recording of the triad into the best of the bunch. Recommended.

Track Listing: Troubles; Incompetence Indifference; Water turns To Wine; Crunk; Drive; Cinemusic; Whatever; Men In Helicopters v4.0; Beat Box Car; Truth Is; The Red Bull Rides A Boomerang Across The Blue Constellation; &.

Personnel: Adrian Belew: all instruments & vocals; Les Claypool: bass; Danny Carey: drums (#7, #8); Robert Fripp: flute guitar (#3); Mel Collins: saxophone & flute (#9, #10); The Prophet Omega: voice (#1); Martha Belew: telephone message on #2)

Record Label: Sanctuary Records
Style: Fusion/Progressive Rock