Re: Adrian Belew/intrusive technology

[sine@zerocrossing.net]

There are a few really good compositions on that album, IMO.  However, a
bunch just seemed like wanking to me.  That's me.  Don't get me wrong, I
LOVE Adrian Belew.  I think I have everything he's released on vinyl or
disk at some point, and I'm psyched to get his first 3 albums in their
re-released form.

I don't have the interview anymore, but in it he did say something like,
"...that album was about me experimenting with a new guitar Synth from
Roland..."  I'm well aware that he had other guitar synths before that.
I've played them.  *I've played *HIS* guitar synth.  I actually got to
know him very well, as I worked for Laurie Anderson during the making of
Home of the Brave.

Anyway, I'm not out to dis him.  He's probably my biggest guitar hero /
influence.

Mark Sottilaro
(guitar synth wanker)

Scott Hansen wrote:

> can someone explain to me why we're trashing
> adrian's "desire" album? i had it on LP, copied
> it to tape to listen/enjoy it (i never owned a
> record player in my life). i always thought it
> was a good album demonstrating what technology
> was available at the time. i thought it certainly
> sounded like adrian belew. had all his quirky playing
> rhythmic sense etc. never thought it was "synth wanking"
> i can't speak for the allan h "sand"album.
> i think technology should be viewed as a tool.
> i certainly like to play w/ reverb and delay, but
> doubt that any of my stuff will sound like fripp/torn/
> frisell/belew in how they use/manipulate those tools. it's like
> using a hammer to build a house. you could decide to not
> use a hammer, and could probably do it w/a  large rock, but
> boy, it will probably take you longer, and might not be
> the most accurate house built on the block, but i bet it will
> still look "somewhat" like a house.
> and didn't the belew "desire" album kill his rep w/ the guitar/
> quirky pop world anyway? hey, he took a chance. probably marked the
> death of experimental music on major labels.
> s---
> ps-when you get a new toy, isn't it fun to play with? same
> w/ a tool-you get it to use it right?
> pps-can you really wank on a synth? wasn't sure if it's possible?
> i don't own one, nor could i play one, so i don't know.
> last qualifier: classically trained in the sense of late 20th century
> idea of fine (visual) arts (and boy what a mess that is)
> --