On a single date in the country, a band that unites a musician to Steve Vai, Danny Carey and Tony Levin celebrates the albums Discili, Beat and Three of a Perfect Pair
Adrian Belew is really excited with the Beat. The vocalist and guitarist even says in an interview with Rolling Stone Brazil: “I think this particular show is probably the best thing I have ever been able to bring to South America fans”.
Could. It is a supergroup that does justice to the title “Super”. Belew gathered some of the best in their respective instruments on the planet to honor one of its stages with the King Crimson; more specifically the three albums released in the 1980s: Discipline (1981), Beat (1982) and THREE OF A PERFECT PAIR (1984).
The task – not easy, in view of the complexity of the repertoire – to accompany Adrian in this initiative Steve goes (guitar), Danny Carey (Battery, member of Tool) and Tony Levin (low). The last mentioned joined the band responsible for the records in question and also made a career playing with Peter Gabriel, Liquid Tension Experimentbetween others. That is: it has only a beast.
The quartet may be honored by Brazilian fans on a single date in the city of São Paulo. The show takes place at Espaço Unimed, on May 9th. Tickets are for sale on the EVENTIM website. The production is from Mercury Concerts.
In reflecting on the public’s reaction to the project, which passed 2024 exciting through North America, Belew admits: neither did he expect such a good reception. Hence interest was born in promoting a world tour. After South America – the first destination in this new stage – Beat will travel to Asia later this year. In 2026, they will be on the Europa route and, again, United States.
“It took me five years to form this. This is exactly the band I wanted to play this work. I think it’s a fantastic band. Everyone loves the work and are very involved. We had a lot of fun on stage. I think there is more fun than King Crimson has had.”
According to Adrian, one of the secrets to Beat’s success is in freedom granted to Steve Vai and Danny Carey in the execution of the repertoire. No one wanted to play the songs exactly how they were recorded, which, in the end, brought a lot of freshness.
“From the beginning, I talked to each of them and made it clear that I just wanted them to learn the essentials of the songs – the things everyone wants to hear. Other than that, I really want to hear a lot about Steve goes a lot of Danny Carey. I wanted the band to just play the albums. The idea is to explore the spirit of music. They play. And I have never seen Tony so happy.
This band has only one problem, in Belew’s opinion. As we are talking about some of the best musicians on the planet, they are all, according to Frontman, “Very busy”. “Because of this, you have to enjoy time with the four together and use to play around the world. That’s what we are doing”says.
A parallel reality
Beat has support from ROBERT FRIPPKing Crimson leader over all these years. In order not to leave doubts, the 78-year-old guitarist-who in 2019 retired from the road and has enjoyed his life by posting humorous videos with his wife, the singer Toyah Wilcox – He even released the project on his social networks.
Adrian Belew, three years younger, said earlier that, before Steve Vai and Danny Carey, invited Fripp and the original drummer of those albums, BILL BRUFORDto participate. Both refused. Bruford, now 75, has been retired since 2009. He sold all his equipment and only recently re -performing small performances.
What would it be like if Robert and Bill had accepted the invitation? Adrian says he has already thought of it a few times – and in a rare moment where he leaves the political tone aside, points out that his colleagues “Let the opportunity pass”.
“I think speaking only on the financial side, it would have been unbelievable. We would have made a lot more money. I’m not complaining, I’m happy with what I’m making. I just think they let the opportunity go. I think people would have been even more excited.”
In the end, Belew found such a good solution that the reactions generated seem enthusiastic at the same level. Would it have been nice to see him play with fripp again? No doubt. Take Bruford from home? Too much. And still playing those songs? No comments. But it is also insane to be able to watch Steve Vai and Danny Carey thrashes the acclaimed three King Crimson albums in the 1980s. He comments:
“People also got excited about Beat. I think it’s even better for me, because it’s more fresh that way. It’s something new. It has a different feeling. There’s a swing, more groove. I think chemistry changes because it has all the musicians from the United States. Some people told me that they like it more.”
Plans for the Future
For fans of King Crimson, it’s hard not to think about the possibility: Can Beat soon change the stages for the studios and release unreleased songs? Adrian Belew does not seem willing, even though he never says “never.” The singer and guitarist states that the focus is on a world tour that “reaches as many people as possible with these three albums of the 1980s.”
“We’ll take up to the end of next year to finish the tours. I don’t think we want to define any goal beyond that. But who knows? After doing everything on the world tour, we can sit together and decide if it’s something each of us can devote enough time. I would love it, but if it doesn’t, I won’t be very disappointed. I’m already thrilled with what we’re doing.”
Even on tour, there are other possibilities that the band can – but at least for now it does not intend to contemplate. In addition to eighty -time crack, Belew recorded three more albums with King Crimson: Thrak (1995), THE CONSTRUCKTION OF LIGHT (2000) and THE POWER TO BELIEVE (2003). The first album quoted was conceived in the unusual formed “Double Trio”, with two guitarists, two bassists and two drummers. It is not absurd to think about the chance of songs of these works enter the repertoire, but the frontman takes cautious tone:
“There are some songs from other albums that I would love to see us playing. We love what we are doing, we don’t feel we need to change. But if we have time to rehearse somewhere, maybe I want to play some of the songs that don’t require the band to be of six members. There are ways to play a song like ‘Dinosaur’ without two drummers and two drummers. Some songs. ”
Legacy of the eighty crack – and the most complicated partner
Discipline, Beat and THREE OF A PERFECT PAIR They are unique albums in the King Crimson catalog. Are distant in almost a decade of the previous album, Red (1974), and more than a decade of the next work, Thrak. The group was broken before and after the short time that generated them. The influence of the New Wave perceived in this crack would no longer be addressed in the future.
According to Adrian Belew, several fans cite this phase as their favorite, whether on online publications or in conversations in person. Instigated to reflect on the legacy of the three albums of the 1980s, he says:
“I think the legacy of this phase is still the fact that this band came up and has done something sounding like no one has ever done before. And still sound modern today. I think this is the legacy: it’s timeless. It has its own place, because no one has ever done that before or after.”
Such records marked only the beginning of a long partnership with Robert Fripp, which, after the hiatus between 1984 and 1994, would last until 2008. Considered as genius as genius, guitarist and leader of King Crimson was notable as someone not easy to work – at least within his band, as he collaborated with dozens of other artists and built a discography of over 700 works.
In addition to Fripp, Belew joined through his career David Bowie (1978-1979), David Byrne (node Talking Heads1980-1981; in the singer’s solo career, 1990-1991) and Frank Zappa (1977-1978). All very genius, such as the creative chief of King Crimson. Which one was harder to work together? He replies:
“None. When you develop a work relationship, you create a friendship. Before you realize, you are best friends. That way you can disagree with something said, but that means nothing for your friendship. Many people think Robert is very difficult-and I think he can be-but he gave me complete encouragement to do what I thought for the songs. We do well, but not true, we are great friends.
Similar words were shared about Byrne, with whom he recorded the albums Remain The Light (1980, Talking Heads), The Catherine Wheel (1981), The Name of This Band is Talking Heads (1982, Talking Heads) and WALK ON WATER (1990). The vocalist and guitarist said:
“I don’t see David Byrne so much, but my relationship was very close. I made two tours around the world with David. The second time, in 1990, we had a lot of fun as friends because we played every three days because of stage assembly. It took two days to set the stage. Wherever we were, we had two days off. friend.”
*Beat performs at Espaço Unimed, in São Paulo, May 9th. Tickets are for sale on the EVENTIM website.
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Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
