Re: adrian belew / david torn videos / NAMM story

[KILLINFO@aol.com]

All,

Adrian Belew Electronic Guitar (60 mins.)
Copyright 1984 DCI Music Video Productions
available at: http://www.gtrheaven.com/videos.htm

David Torn Painting with Guitar (2 tape series / total time: 130 mins.)  
Copyright 1993 Homespun Tapes Ltd. available at: 
http://www.homespuntapes.com/prodpg/prodpg.asp?prodID=564

I own both of these and while I have enjoyed both and have benefited 
from both I'd still have to say that the later has been more useful. 

Belew's video is mostly built around getting specific, signature, oddball 
sounds from various devices that are no longer available. He does 
explain a small number of physical playing techniques too, but these 
are few and far between as I recall. It's also a gas to see him experiment
live on camera. But, while it is a terrific peek at the "wizard" behind 
the 
curtain (so to speak, for anyone who has ever heard his music and 
wondered "how the heck did he do that?") it doesn't translate much 
beyond that in overall usefulness.

On the other hand, while Mr. Torn in his videos also makes use of a number 
of similarly esoteric (and probably no longer available) devices, the 
explanations he gives of his techniques are generally more transferable 
to other devices and styles of music. His demonstrations seem to reveal 
at least as much of the "architecture" as it does of the "hardware" 
behind his approach. This is more useful in my opinion. And there's still 
the 
same "peek behind the curtain" aspect of it too -- and, as expected, the 
playing
is fascinating to listen to/watch as well.

As an aside: I bought the DTPWG video at one of my first NAMM shows (in 
the 
early '90s when I was working for Seymour Duncan). It was at the end of 
the 
day and not 5-10 minutes after making my purchase -- when I was rushing 
back 
across the hall to meet up with my coworkers to head out for the evening's 
activities -- and just who should I almost physically run into rounding a 
corner 
(whilst not looking and concentrating on other things) but Mr. Torn 
himself. 
Of course, like the doofus I am, I said: "Excuse me, uh, err.... Hi, 
aren't 
you 
David Torn? I reeeeeally like your stuff. Keep it up (or some other 
silliness). 
Have a great show!" Then I hurried off like the happy, harried idiot I 
was. 
He 
probably wondered "What the _____ was that all about?" Anywho, it didn't 
occur 
to me that I had his videos in a bag under my arm (and might have gotten 
them 
autographed). I was too embarrassed by the situation of almost having 
bumped 
into a fellow struggling along with a walking stick (not to mention that 
it 
turned 
out to be an artist who's work I happen to think rather a very great deal 
of).
Ah . . . so it goes. 

Anyway, if you go to NAMM, watch out where you are going. You never know 
just who you may bump into.

Best,

Ted Killian

www.mp3.com/TedKillian
www.pfmentum.com/flux.html
www.mp3.com/Ophelia_Pancake