King Crimson - Walking On Air (Live At The Warfield Theatre, 1995)
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With this week's video, we are live at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco, with the incomparable Adian Belew delivering one of his achingly beautiful songs. It’s a rare moment of calm that opens a window into the inner Crimson. The song came whole and complete from Adrian. All we had to do was flesh it out a little.
But ‘fleshing it out a little’ is another rather under-rated musical skill. Knowing what to play and when to play it (and what not to play and when to not play it) comes with experience, of course. Robert Fripp and I discussed that topic at length.
Tony Levin’s bass part may or may not be ‘easy’ to play - I have no idea and don’t have to care - but it sounds perfect for the song, as if had it been born with the song. The artist has concealed his art. Similarly, the weight and density of the percussion allows the song to float, to walk on air. I can neither see nor remember what Pat and I were respectively playing, but it was minimal, and none the less important for that.
I often remind myself that the acquisition of a skill, such as a drumkit technique, is, in and of itself, no proof of artistry. The art, or creativity, lies in the application of the skill. Many acquire a skill: fewer use it expressively. Many young players have skills from heaven. Showing me the beautiful tools in your tool box is great - I shall admire them - but then I need to know what you can make with them.
In the visual arts, one common complaint (around here at least) is that “no-one can draw anymore”. Unlike in drumming, it seems that there is a dearth of essential skills, by which the budding young artist might express herself sufficiently well to produce a work of art. In drumming, too many skills; in painting, too few? Seems like the absence of skills is as problematic as their abundance.
Whether you're a musician or visual artist, I don’t want to be any more than subliminally aware of your skills as you express yourself to me. The art is to conceal the art. I don’t care to know how it’s done, I just need the end result on my nervous system. Does it make me cry, laugh, clap, shout, or dance?
Let's say you have a photographic level of realism available to you through your blinding ability to draw. But you will tell me very little about how you view the world if you merely produce a poor facsimile of a photograph, as it were. If you have acquired drum techniques of great skill, but as part of the L & F (Louder and Faster) brigade, you refuse to engage with the many modern developments in contemporary drumming, and continue to serve up lesser-Rich drum solos that sound like they came from 1950; despite their brilliance, I shall reserve the right to yawn.
#billbruford #kingcrimson #paistecymbals #electronicdrumkit #improvisationmusic #drumsolos #adrianbelew #tamadrumsofficial #billbrufordsearthworks
Classic Adrian Belew, some simple chords with some easy changes, some bonkers chords with impossible changes ...
That guy is completely out of this world
Every iteration of K.C. has been astounding but when Belew was there there was something special about the melodies, chord structure, and vocals. Yes, at times his influence took a more pop turn but overall he brought life to a sometimes dour band.
Yeah, as cliched as this may sound - Adrian takes it to another level.
Adrian is the frontman that we never knew we needed. BUT DAMN, he turned out to be so imperative for the sound of this amazing ensemble of talent. So freakin amazing
Perfect example of a beautiful prog rock ballad. Great epoch of King Crimson.
Adrian Belew is a true original. This song is just beautiful, and so beautifully performed.
I think this is one of those songs where when listing track personnel on an album sleeve, Robert Fripp would write "admirable restraint" against Bill's name. Always made me smile. Thanks Bill, hope you're well
Just beautiful. Belew channeling Hendrix “May This Be Love”. The perfect counterbalance to Fripp’s tendency to darker musical expression.
Best song from this era imo. Beautiful!
Adrian makes the world stand still ❤
what a beautiful song, what a rendition. One of my favorite Crimson tunes, I am glad to see in the comments so many other friends recognizing it. And what a beautiful and true concept you're communicating to us in your text transmission too. Thank you a thousand times, mr. Bruford.
Hey Bill, I'm reading your autobiography. I just finished the chapter w/Adrian and this song. So timely. Enjoying the good read, thx!
For those who like this… Adrian put out a solo album at about this same time called “Op Zop Too Wah”. It has a few music moments like this. Overall, eclectic and fun. It is probably in my top ten. I am happy to share.
Thank you for your trenchant comments on acquisition vs application. It's not what you can do, it's what you do do.
Beautiful song indeed!, and great words describing the relationship and fragile balance between Art & Skill to bring this kind of performance, thanks for sharing all this with us
Exquisite musicianship all round. Adrian Belew is masterful and held me spellbound throughout this one-camera clip. That's damn impressive.
Love this song!
Cada día me sorprende más la calidad de Adrian Belew, es un gran compositor, canta magistralmente , es un guitarrista supremo y además con muy gusto muy sofisticado para los solos, cuando KC era Wetton, Bruford, Fripp y Cross, creí que no se podía superar. Me equivoqué. Este tema es una gran muestra . Y Adrian siempre se muestra feliz
KC una de mis bandas predilectas,todas sus etapas,Bill uno de los grandes de todos los tiempos en percusion.
Im very hyped for this! I hope there's a performance of People aswell coming soon.
Thank you Bill - my favourite KC tune.
Thank you very much for uploading this video of beautiful music, it’s just down right wonderful 🤩😍🤗😘!
Hey Bill, we met too many years ago backstage at the Armadillo World Headquarters 😎✌✊ Always soundin good
ty for the gem
Just perfect. Thank you Bill.
I love Crimson ballads! For me, Wetton and Belew have delivered the most beautiful of them. Wetton, very british, and Belew, mixing american country with chinese music.
Admirable restraint from Bill indeed.
And admirable restraint from Adrian as well. In KC Adrian's wild and sometimes disorganised ideas found a wadi where beautiful expressions like this were possible.
My favourite song from THRAK.
I wish i had a magic spell at my disposal. That would, just for once, have Greg Lake sing this beautiful song. Things would come full circle...
Bill !!!
What a voice!! First time I heard Adrian in my life was on Mike Oldfield's 'Holy' - has been utterly mesmerised by his angelic vocals ever since 🥹
fantastic.
Outstanding mix in my earbuds
Very Nice
Great finding this
Thank you for sharing this with us
Hey Bill, Im a big fan from Brazil.
Cheers!
Thanks, Mr. Bill - it's a lovely song.
Great commentary. That should make a few curious enough to get your autobiography, I would hope.
BEAUTIFUL SONG ❤ CONGRATS KING CRIMSON 👋 ONE OF MYS FAVORITES BANDS PROG .CHEERS 👋
Wow thanks for this one. Lovely rendition of one of my favorites from this era. When I first heard it, it took me back to the first album and "I talk to the wind" in parts, with a little "Matte Kudasai" sprinkled in. THRAK obviously harkens back thematically to the different eras of KC.
Love this song! I always love your contemplative comments Bill! I agree, the best art, I find, is behind the curtain so to speak.
Thank you
Thank you for the lovely song and the text that invites me to think.
Im floating on this....
Thanks Bill. That was wonderful. Hope you are well!
What a beautiful performance. Also, must say great podcast with Vinnie Colauita Mr Bruford.
this video brings back good memories. I saw the Cleveland show on the 95 tour.
Beautiful
Immense.
this is just absolutely beautiful. Can't find anything to say other than that
Wow!!
Absolutely stunning. Belew's melodies consistently hit right to the heart, and the rest of the band shows the restraint to just lay down the air. Great thoughts in the description; something I've had to learn as a listener (and reader) is to not focus so much on the technical chops of musician/writer/artist and just taken in the actual work. It makes artistic appreciation both less stressful and more rewarding.
love it!!!!!!!!
Adrian belew in such a great guitarist.
At around 1:50, Adrian's vibratos look/sound similar to Eric Johnson.
Great video.
Belew is so great that I laugh , uplifted
Its like they listened to "Don't Let Me Down" a few weeks before writing this song , wrote it a few weeks later, and WHOOPS the theme of the song i might as well sing "Dont let me down! Dont let me down!"
🔥🔥🔥
Wow to think that new Crimson album is 30 years old now.
The guitar solo is played backwards so his reverse delay can play it properly. Mind blowing!
Always felt like he was channeling Lennon on this track. So good
This was the most accessible lineup of Crim.
I wish I knew what this song was about. My gut reaction was that it was about someone being a caregiver of someone who cant speak, or is infirmed, perhaps old. If you can't speak, don't worry, we know each other.
❤
For those of you who think Belew is a special effects guitarist...
Can the young drummer play quarters on the ride or on the snare with brushes for a 5 minute song and not interject commentary? A greater challenge than wailing away unthinkingly. Love this tune.
Great song, Bill can have brushes to play.
dear Bill does exist the italian version of your autobiography?
Si, "Bill Bruford. Autobiografia alla batteria. Yes, King Crimson, Earthworks e non solo". Ciao!
Adrian doesn't play notes so much as create new sounds.
Saw him last year with his trio and he's still fantastic.
Albatross V2
Beatles
Such a pity whoever filmed this seemed to think KC was the Adrian Belew band.