Garry Crimble to All!

Yay! I'm finally vertical again, and about to run around like a crazy lady doing last minute shopping.



Okay, maybe the "war is over" part of those wonderful Lennon lyrics are premature, but I have a lot of hope for 2009.

So far, other than last week's unfortunate Robin Threw Her Back Out and Almost Died Like Elvis incident, this has been a wonderful holiday season which is kind of nice after the year of hell. I tend to talk about only the good stuff here or make the bad stuff funny, but man, another repeat of a year like this one and I'll be in a straight jacket. But the year also had some wonderful moments -- the Adrian Belew Power Trio soared to new heights both musically and professionally and personally; I signed with a new publisher; and finally, I've made some wonderful new friends in another totally unexpected "venture" I've taken on and adore. Anyway, this is the fifth year of the blog now and most of the time I do a year end recap before December 31 but whether I will have the stomach to do it this year remains to be seen. Though it would be nice to revisit the Canada and Russia experiences, and even the Bates Motel in Ohio...

Anyway, one thing I did do last week while I was flat on my back was order presents like crazy via my laptop, and they've all arrived - there are boxes stacked everywhere and I can't even remember what I got and who it's for. All I know is, I will probably be up all night wrapping them...but first Ms. Julie and I are going out this morning on a massive shopping trip for some last minute items, food for our Christmas feast tomorrow (don't worry - I'll spare no detail and post many photos Friday morning)...and as I mentioned, Julie is moving into her new apartment next weekend so we're going to look for some cool furniture, dishes, etc., too.

And we're having lunch at a fabulous new vegetarian restaurant...I don't want to talk anymore about that now because I'm afraid to jinx it...i.e., I'm afraid they might have taken today off since it's Christmas Eve day and if we arrive and they are closed, we're going to be aggravated.

Tonight Julie is working at "her" restaurant for a few hours so the whole family is going out to eat there to keep her company, then we'll head back to our house for the said gift wrapping marathon...and then...and this makes me really happy...everyone is sleeping over here for probably the last time (sob) so that they can wake up and open their presents as they've done for the past 22 years. But yeah, with Julie and Matt in their own place and Eric and Katy in their own place, I sorta think this is probably the last Slick family Christmas morning...oh God...here come the tears...

Nah, it's all good. Life moves on and so must I. Wait. Where did I hear that before? Ha ha - most of you will know.

Anyway, let me end this before I get any more sappy...Garry Crimble to all, which will take care of all religions and non-religions...and I'll be back on Friday morning with the full "what we got for Christmas and more importantly what we ate" report then.

Here's to Peace on Earth...

xo

The Agonizing Pain Post

There will be no pictures with this post today. And if words are spelled wrong or I do not use capital letters, don't shoot me. It's already taken me fifteen minutes to type one sentence while flat on my back using my laptop.

On Sunday, I bent down to pick up a shoe and haven't been able to stand up since without screaming in agony. I either merely pulled a muscle or it's something worse. I prefer to think muscle as there are little glimpses this morning that I may be able to sit up with assistance and actually eat without slobbering all down my face.

Don't even ask about what it's been like to get to the, um, ladies room. At one point when I was here all alone on Monday it took me twenty minutes to walk twelve feet to the powder room and once there, I couldn't get back up.

"Please don't let me die like Elvis," I cried out loud to no one. "I so wanted the Nelson Rockefeller death." (Look it up, youngsters, providing links right now is impossible, too, though I'm gonna try in a second.)

Anyway, a half hour later after a lot of loud screams, I made it back to the sofa and my heating pad, where I consoled myself with a handful of Gary's Christmas cookies. Here's a good hint - don't try to eat cookies while laying down. It's very conducive to choking and then sobbing some more when you realize you didn't also grab a glass of milk to go with them.

Anyway, about that link. I need to post it because Eric has major news. Okay...deep breath...here goes. Wait. Let me just tell you something else first. Today, Eric is being filmed for a secret project I am not allowed to talk about yet but if things go as planned, Eric will be coming to a television set near you all over the U.S. once monthly. And that's all I'm saying.

But for now, I can tell you what he's up to tonight, tomorrow, Friday, and Saturday.

And I can also tell you that last night Eric bumped into Bela Fleck on the street and the band guest listed Julie and Eric ("Where's Julie?" they all wanted to know) and I am guessing they had VIP backstage passes because it was midnight and Gary was baking cookies again and Julie still wasn't home. If I could make a link, or if you dig in my archives from May or June, 2006, you will see that Julie, Eric, and Adrian jammed in Atlanta with Bela's band, including the incredible Victor Wooten, and they are big Adrian Belew, Julie and Eric Slick fans. So if there are any stories from last night, I will edit this, at least in theory, when Julie wakes up.

ETA: Yep, they had backstage passes; went on Bela's tour bus after the show, and hung out with their sax player until 2:30 a.m. at Monk's Cafe. That's all I've got so far -- Julie hasn't had her coffee yet.

This line of gossip, direct from Julie's mouth first thing in the morning, will be ending in two weeks as my daughter has just signed a Lease for her very first apartment and will be moving out January 1. Wah! But luckily it's nearby -- well, a ten minute car ride -- and in what's probably the hippest area in Philadelphia right now and though I haven't seen it yet, I hear it's amazing - bi-level, with skylights, and able to accommodate her entire recording studio on one floor so if there are any bands out there looking for a great engineer/producer and recording studio, Julie is your woman. To reach her, visit her at her blog which she just updated to include the lovely lunch she made her poor sick mother on Monday. Okay, that link I could do cos' I know it by heart. But let me try to Google some links I'll be needing for my son.

It has now taken me an hour to type this much. I just wanted you all to feel my pain. Normally this would take me five minutes and include photos.

But back to Eric. Tonight he has a major, major gig in New York City at a benefit for the Bowery Poetry Club. Oh man, look who is on the bill. If only I could link every one of their names:

Downtown Music Gallery Benefit show on the December 17th at The Bowery Poetry Club featuring:

10pm - ISZIJI MUNOZ HEART-BURN TRIO w/ special guest JOHN MEDESKI on organ.
11pm - ROBERT MUSSO ENSEMBLE w/ special guest RAOUL BJORKENHEIM
12pm - ELLIOTT SHARP POWER TRIO

Robert Musso - Guitar
Raoul Bjorkenheim - Guitar
Elliott Levin - Sax, Flute, Poetry
Keith MacSoud - Bass
Eric Slick - Drums

The Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery
New York, NY
212-614-0505

If you click on the link for the Bowery Poetry Club, you'll see Bob Moses is also on the bill, and he's not listed above, but you won't see John Medeski, because if that word gets out, they'll have to turn people away. Oh well, I let the cat out of the bag. If you are in NYC, buy your tickets NOW. This will sell out in a couple of hours as soon as people start realizing just how big this gig is.

Tomorrow night Eric plays his usual weekly gig with the ultra-cool (arghh...another link...a ten minute exercise on trying to get Google with a laptop perched on your chest) Black Lodge Ensemble and if you click on that link, and you'd better after all the hell I just went through to post it, anyway, that link will also tell you that Eric will be playing with another side project of his..and wait...I think I just figured out an easy way to post a pic which will tell you:



Eric plays with **PRFSR*DRSZ**, and the band includes the man who taught Julie most of which she knows on bass, Dylan Sherwood McConnell, who is also one of the founding members of the School of Rock.

So that's Friday night, and then Saturday, another biggie. Eric on drums, Chris Harford on guitar and vocals, the incredibly talented Mickey "Dean Ween" Melchiondo of Ween on lead guitar, and bassist Matt Kohut. Where will they be playing? Ha ha, good one - a venue called Hillbilly Hall in Hopewell, New Jersey. Those are four amazing musicians but unless a miracle occurs, I'll never be able to make that gig as I'm freaked out enough that I can't do Christmas shopping or bake cookies this week due to my "condition" and if I'm not better by next week, I may jump out a window.

Oh, I'm kidding, but this is so damn frustrating. It's my favorite time of the year and I can't even decorate the tree properly. J&E and Gary started it but it's still not done and since they are doing absolutely everything else for me, I'm not about to nag them about that. Besides, I really want to do it myself so here's hoping that if I continue to lie flat for the rest of the week, this old back of mine will repair itself. If not, oh God, I may have to see a doctor. I just had a vision of myself in a hospital bed in traction.

Arghhhhh....

Anyway, if in NYC, go see Eric tonight. It's major. If not, check him out Friday or Saturday night...also major...and a lot of fun.

More news on the Adrian Belew Power Trio soon - got some huge news there as well.

Back to sleep for me now. I started this post at 5:00 a.m. and it's now 7:23 a.m. Two and a half hours to type a couple of paragraphs. Ouch, ouch, ouch.

Later,
xo

The Adrian Belew Power Trio - Back from Oz

A bubbly Julie Slick arrived home from Australia late last night (well, Eric did, too, but he went straight to his digs and I haven't seen him yet...and from what I understand...Julie will soon have new digs as well so...sob...empty nest syndrome, here we come!)...anyway, she came bearing vast quantities of Tim Tams and oh my God, it's a good thing we don't have them here in the U.S.



Anyway, the bottom line is, the ABPT had an amazing, amazing time in the Land Down Under, the weather was warm and beautiful; the fans friendly and incredibly supportive, and basically was a fantastic way to end what has truly been one hell of a year for these three talented musicians. And to think it can only get better in 2009...

Here's a way cool radio review Adrian did whilst in Sydney - he touches on everything from the Adrian Belew Power Trio to Frank Zappa, David Bowie, Talking Heads, and King Crimson. You don't have to download anything - just click on the play button.

And of course my life would not be complete if I didn't come downstairs this morning to yet another fabbo email and review from a fan who just saw them play in the Land of Oz:

Mrs Slick,

My name is Sam, I am from Wollongong, Australia, I saw the power trio a few nights ago on their last stop of the Australian tour, and I have to say how amazing it was, your son and daughter blew me away with their musical skills, and their hospitality when I met them, I typed a review, it’s a bit long, but I hope you enjoy my opinion on it, it might not be grammatically perfect, but it’s true and 100% honest.

“Adrian Belew Power Trio – Heritage Hotel, Bulli NSW Australia - December 11, 2008

Gigs come and go, musical revelations come once in a life time, well that was one of those, that’s for sure….

It was probably one of the most amazing gigs I have ever seen in my life.



Arriving with my good friend John at this lovely venue which was an amazing small pub, with heaps of gig posters up, I just felt the atmosphere as I walked in. Lovely staff, really friendly, one was nice enough to give me and John a poster each of the show, we hung around for a while, went and sat down at a table and about 20 mins later, the Trio walks in to the venue, now call me a fanboy, I admit it 100%, but I was extremely nervous to meet a man whose music has inspired me and touched me in a lot of ways, walking up to him, he had a big smile on his face and I handed him the poster and he graciously signed it, he said to me would you like the other members to sign it, I said "yes, that would be great", as they were signing it, I said hello and remarked to the Slicks - Julie (the bassist) and Eric (the drummer) on how much I appreciated their work on Side Four, and they were extremely friendly and introduced themselves which made me at ease. I then went on my way back to the table with a huge smile, still trying to get a grip what had just happened. Yet, the best was yet to come.



Time passed by and more and more people arrived into the venue, was a bit strange being at a venue with tables as I am normally jammed down in the moshpit, but it made for the atmosphere.

8:45, the show started with Writing's On The Wall, and you could not wipe the smile from my face, I was singing, smiling, air guitaring - drumming along with the music, just getting to see Adrian Belew for the first time especially in a venue not that far away from my home really made me happier than a pig in, well you know the rest.

The 1st set blazed along with so many aweome songs, Dinosaur, Young Lions (with a breathtaking drum solo from Eric), Beat Box Guitar, A Little Madness and then ending with the most awesome version of Elephant Talk I have ever heard, Julie owned this song, nailing chapman stick parts on a 4 string bass, simply stunning.

There was a half hour break, I spent most of that time talking to John and my other friend Richard on how amazing that was, we all decided to go down to the front of the stage and catch the rest from there.

Set 2 came, and the first blew me away, the second just knocked me down, they really got into it so much more, you could not wipe the smile from Adrian’s face, Eric was going like a madman, beating the life out of the drums, Julie was in her zone, chilling back, going in and out of the pocket.

Songs like Neurotica, Of Bow and Drum, Futurevision et al were absolutely amazing, their newest piece E was like a musical rollercoaster, up and down, side to side, I was astounded.

But the fun really came with the last few songs, classic Crim with 3 Of A Perfect Pair, made my night, really hit home that I am seeing Adrian Belew with the last band he ever needs, big call, but it all came together.

The Australian national anthem was next, and what better than Back In Black, with Andre Cholmondeley, road manager, technician and nice dude extrordinaire doing an excellent Brian Johnson impression, hit it out of the park hands down.





Last song was Thela Hun Ginjeet, great song to end the night, and the end of their last show of their Australian tour in style.



A little bit after, the Trio came out and signed cd’s, took photos and took the time to meet the people, I got to talk to Eric and Julie a bit more, they are so nice and deserve every bit of exposure and success they get. Thanks for the photos and the signatures.







Adrian, what can I say, getting to meet a legend that has been there and done that, yet will still play little clubs for the love of music in a little town in Australia, thank you for taking the time to talk with me, take photos and play one of the greatest gigs I have ever seen in my life.

Andre, thank you for having a chat, you are a really nice dude (wish I had got a photo with you…)

Thank you Adrian, Eric and Julie, I hope to see you all back in Australia very soon, now I just gotta wait for that to happen…."

Thank you for your time, if you would like some photos, please let me know and if you decide to put this in your blog, please feel free to, I would love to see it there!

Regards,

Sam Radojcin"

Of course I wrote back to Sam immediately, thanking him and asking for those pics! So other than the Tim Tams, all of the photos in today's post are from him. When Sam wrote back to me with the official "okay" and pics, here's what else he had to say, and he included a link (which I asked him for) to his MySpace site:

"...Once again, thank Eric and Julie for me, I hope I get to run into them again one day over here. I guess because I am a similar age and a musician myself, I really had a great time, a friend of mine who had not heard Adrian or KC before was blown away, he said Eric was the best drummer he has ever seen live.

No other blogs, I have a MySpace (doesn’t everyone? LOL) (I don’t know why I chose that as a handle as I am a bit more eclectic in my tastes although I love the heavy stuff.)(Note from our author: Ha ha - Sam is known as "Aussie Metalhead")

Anyway, thanks for the reply!

Sam"

So that was extremely cool and gracious of Sam, and I'm really starting to think I want to write a non-fiction book about the trio which will include all of the incredible photos, reviews, and emails I've received from fans in the past two and a half years since the inception of this wondrous band. What do you guys think about that idea?

I know I like it!

Enjoy your day, everyone. My family is home; we're going out to buy our Christmas tree and start celebrating the holiday in style. And here's the answer to the question I know you are all dying to ask: Yes, the internationally famous Slick Christmas cookies will start going out in the mail this coming week. I cannot accommodate everyone, but if you want in, shoot me an email and I'll see what I can do. If you were on the list in 2007, please do me a HUGE favor and email me your addresses again. I had the official recipient list all typed up but damn if I can find it. What can I say? It's been one hell of a year.

Oh! One final thing. Cool new You Tube up of the Adrian Belew Power Trio performing at The Basement in Sydney, Australia. Enjoy!



This was posted courtesy of my pal, Gerard, who also sent me some lovely photos which I previously "lifted" and a review which you can read if you scroll down a few posts. I totally forgot to put up a link to his photosite for an amazing, complete set of pics of the trio, so here it is now:

Link!

Oh, and here's the link for the rest of Sam's photos, too.

Later,
xo

The Adrian Belew Power Trio on Tour Down Under and Oh My God I Looked up "Chunder"

So lovely, for the last two weeks I've been thinking how clever am I, using all of these Australian terms lifted from Men at Work lyrics...and I've been throwing the word chunder around like it's something great. Just for the hell of it, I googled it a few seconds ago, expecting to find out it meant something really cool. I was planning on writing another hip little phrase using the word one final time. Instead I wrote this:

Out from the rock she'd climbed under
A writer did blush from her blunder
She'd used words the wrong way
Never meaning to say
It was noble and good to spew chunder.

Yeah, you guessed it. Sad but true.

I just learned chunder means vomit.

Har har. Only me, only me.

Moving on (you can thank me later), yesterday I woke up to some truly great stuff from cyberland which I'll post in a second, but first, here's a photo of Julie, Eric and Andre at the beach in Sydney:



Those lucky bastards. So far this week I've had to walk into town during an at least balmy monsoon (also known as "Robin's hair day from hell") and one day when the temperature was somewhere between, oh, Antarctica and Siberia?

Anyway, enough about me. Here's some stuff on Ade.

This blew me away over at Planet Crimson. Planet Crimson is a lovely forum board for die hard King Crimson fans, so this comment really meant a lot.

"I saw some bloke's trio a couple of nights back. I might write something later. All I can say now is...

YOW!

Frankly, he needs no other band. It's all here.

Oh yeah, and I got him to sign his own leg for me."

Ha ha - I loved that, and the author of the post, Owen, is probably the only person I've ever personally met who knows why we named our daughter Julie. And gets it. Owen? If you are reading this, do that review and I will send you cookies.

And oh, okay, I know the suspense is killing all of you. Why did we name our daughter Julie? Easy. We were/are in love with the music of Julie Tippetts. Back when we were little baby hippies, she was known as "Julie Driscoll" and she was in a band with Brian Auger called "Brian Auger and the Trinity". Look 'em up on You Tube. Oh here, I'll make life easy and do it for you. Tell me she isn't amazing.



Ahhh...that was truly awesome. I hope you all clicked on that and enjoyed it even half as much as I did. And I think Owen may be her biggest fan but I bet my Julie is coming in his close second now.

Hey, I noticed Ade gets a nice mention over at Bowie Down Under.

But not as nice as this - an email to me from a fan who flew from New Zealand to Sydney to see all three ABPT shows in that area!

"Hi, Robin

Steve Mahoney here from Wellington New Zealand.

Robin I am the guy whose post was taken from the Yesfans.com web site. You may remember it starts on your blog as Fccccccccccccccck Me, then continued on.

I just wanted to say to how much respect I have for Julie and Eric your kids. Hey, whenever I talked about the Slicks, Eric and Julie to my friends in Sydney, I would always call them the kids. Only because they are way younger than Adrian Belew.

I saw the 3 Sydney gigs Robin.

It was well worth the trip by plane to see them in Sydney Australia from Wellington, New Zealand .

Your children have a way with people which is just so nice.They were very friendly and respectful of their fans.

I was more than stunned by Eric and Julie's musical talent, Robin, they are an amazing talent.

Robin, it was a real buzz to see my Yesfans post in your blog.

The last gig in Sydney I gave a great review.

The band were on fire.

So were the crowd.

I wish Julie and Eric all the Best for the future because they deserve it.

Merry Xmas to Eric and Julie and you and your husband, Robin".

So naturally after reading that, I had to rush over to the Yesfans forum, where yep, true to his word, Steve posted a stellar review and some great pics:


Photo by Anne, and if you click on the YesFans link, I'm willing to bet she's the gorgeous blonde with the beautiful blue eyes

"Steve's 3rd and Final Adrian Belew Power Trio Review December 2008

Here goes, People.
Slayed tonight by the Adrian Belew Power Trio.
Tonight Lulu Mortice came along with me to tonight's gig.

Here is the Set List

Writing
Ampersand
Young Lions
Beatbox
Matchless Man
MadNeurotica-Cars
I Remember
Elephant Talk
Future Vision
Neurotica
Cat
E
Three Of a Perfect Pair
Back in Black AC/DC
Thela Hun Ginjeet

This was better than the Basement gig a week ago.

Seriously, this is very fans dream when they go on a tour to see there favourite guitarist.

Adrian Belew and Julie and Eric Slick jusr melded together beautifuly tonight. They were having a blast as were the crowd who were so much more into this concert than last nights gig. Julie and Eric were Fizzing.

Julie Slick has to be one of the best bass guitarist in any band playing in world at this time. Julie just seems to almost have 4 hands not two, her fingers just flew over the fret board of her Bass.

Eric Slick is one the Best drummers I have ever seen.

I can see why Adrian as he said tonight had one listen to them and decided, That's it we are on the road. He is very proud of the Slicks, you can tell that.

Adrian is on another Planet, Planet Belewboloid.

Staggering. Frank Zappa had Belew many years ago and then Bowie stole him, then he played in Talking Heads and of course the mighty King Crimson.

The sound was fantastic tonight as well.

Adrian gave it 150% as did Eric and Julie.

If this ends up on Robin Slicks Blog that is ok with me..."

Ha ha - I'm glad it's okay, Steve, because, yes, you made the blog. And not only was it way cool, all of a sudden, I realize the set list includes not only Elephant Talk again (Yay!) but...but...the trio's cover of AC/DC's Back in Black? Oh please oh please oh please, someone post a You Tube!

Actually, I did know that the trio did the cover (though initially I thought it was a one time only thing at the Adelaide Guitar Festival last week during their tribute to AC/DC), because yesterday I also got a series of the usual fascinating and informative emails from Andre, who filled me in.

"Susie is awesome!!!

she is from the popular aussie band FRUIT, and also has a new band REDHEAD

she has toured the states a couple times as well

She was the vocalist for AC/DC's BACK IN BLACK when the ABPT performed it.

We were planning to have me sing it...when we got there we discovered she was paired with the band - no worries! then - I lost my voice for 2 days ANYWAY.

I got it back in time to sing it last night!! Shocking the audience in the encore -- I jumped up and rocked with the trio. So - as Julie said as we walked off "Now you've done EVERYTHING in this band...!!"

hahaha it was fun.

Here's Susie, J & E right before they all went on..."







And here they are at soundcheck:



When Andre sent me the first photo I posted all the way at the top of this journal entry, the one of Julie, Eric, and him at the beach, he had this to say, and I'm editing it because some of it is deeply personal...but here's the gist:

"this was a special memorable day

we all waded in, and your daughter said some touching things about how special the year has been and she really thanked me deeply and sincerely. It really was a great day for us."



Later,
xo

Adrian Belew Power Trio on Tour Down Under - a Rhino Goes on Rampage in Australia?

Why is Julie Slick smiling with that pretty self-satisfied, smug grin and a little blush included? Wait...what's that in her hand?



It's a bass - a well-played one at that. Whose is it? What's that, you say? It belonged to WHO? WHO? Are you kidding me?



Yep, you guessed it. Julie is holding a bass owned and played by John Entwistle, a/k/a "The Ox", the late, great bassist for The Who and one of Julie's musical heroes and biggest influences along with Jack Bruce, whom Julie was lucky enough to meet in person in October, 2005, and in a totally bizarre coincidence, if you will click on that link, you will see the very first photograph of Julie Slick and Adrian Belew, almost a full year before she would join Ade's band and the Adrian Belew Power Trio would begin traveling the world. And yeah, standing next to Jack Bruce in that shot is Julie's boyfriend and fellow bassist, Matt Rothstein of Cheers Elephant fame -- those two have been together close to five years now.

True story. Back in 2002, when Julie and Eric were the original six or so School of Rock All-Stars, founder Paul Green had the wild idea of taking this group of special musicians out on the road and the very first ever All-Star tour was born at the Wildflower Music Festival in Richardson, Texas. Headlining the festival were Wilson Pickett, Colin Hay of Men at Work, and, don't laugh, but Doctor Hook and the Medicine Show (they sang "Cover of the Rolling Stone" and actually did make the cover). Anyway, the whole idea of 16 year old Julie and 15 year old Eric traveling to Texas without me was just not happening (then again, I'm the mom who wouldn't let them cross the street by themselves until they were 13) so I tagged along as an alleged chaperone. Wow! First of all, the kids stole the show. It was an outdoor festival and people were just standing around the stage with their jaws on the ground. No one believed what they were hearing. (Side note: Matt would join the School of Rock a year later and that's when Julie and Matt first fell in love)

Back to the Wildflower Music Festival-- we were all on such a high after watching the kids perform that I think I knew right then and there that Julie and Eric were going to be "famous" rock stars some day. So imagine the horrible bummer to return to our hotel room, turn on the television, and learn that "The Ox" had gone to that great gig in the sky whilst on tour with the Who down in Las Vegas. We were all stunned...and I was also the proud possessor of four Who tickets for a concert in Philly two weeks later...it was supposed to be the first time Julie saw him play live. The show went on with Pino Palladino on bass and yeah, yeah, it was a great show but no, it was not the same by a longshot. I'm not saying Pino isn't a wonderful bassist, but there was only one John Entwistle and it must have been an amazing, amazing thrill for Julie to hold that bass in her hands the other day.

Oh, and where did she get the bass from? Ha ha, her new bff, Guy Pratt, and Guy? I'm still waiting for you to update your blog and talk about the trio! Guy bought the bass from John Entwistle, in case you were wondering.

Continuing on, Andre Cholmondeley was kind enough to forward me all the photos in today's post, and here's one of Eric, post-show, sipping a soy latte in typical Eric fashion:



Here's the trio during soundcheck:



Here they are on stage:



And here's Andre with...oh my god...Dave Evans at the Adelaide Guitar Festival a couple of days ago:



In Andre's own words to me via email --

"This guy was soooooo rock n roll, you don't know.

I mean - he calls himself THE KING OF ALL BAD-ASSES.

I rode from the hotel to gig with him, very cool

He did "CAN I SIT NEXT TO YOU GIRL" -- which was the ONE song that got released with him - their first single!! and it FIRST charted , right where we met and I saw him perform - Adelaide Australia. You may know the killer BON SCOTT version from "High Voltage"

In typical rock style, I made a nasty little bootleg on my iPhone, it's great!! Dave Rocks!!

Look at how his right hand CANNOT stop making the "rock on" !! fist."

Ha ha - gotta love that and Andre's emails. Always a great, interesting treat and if you click on his name above, it will take you to his latest blog post, which made me smile this morning because it's just so, so Andre.

Anyway, let me end this post with something I just heard on the television blasting its usual ridiculous morning news behind me and I absolutely cannot believe this in light of the fact that the trio is currently there and everyone knows Ade's nickname is "Lone Rhino".

"Zoo Chaos as Sex Crazed Rhino Goes on Ramaage"

* December 9, 2008 - 11:08AM

A rhinoceros embroiled in a love triangle caused chaos at a zoo when he went looking for his wayward mate.

In a case of raging teenage hormones, the sex-crazed rhino named Satara went on a rampage after another bull started getting friendly with his girlfriend.

Staff at South Australia's Monarto Zoo are now working hard to try to securely contain the two-tonne rhino, who broke loose from his enclosure and sparked a wide-scale search yesterday.

The 18-year-old, who smashed through the steel bars of his pen in search of female company on Sunday night, had to be shot with a tranquillising dart to keep him within the bounds of the open-range zoo.

"He's a teenager who can't control himself and in the grip of testosterone, he had to get out and try to sow his wild oats," Zoos SA chief executive Chris West said.

"He pushed a section of fence over, and we've been going through some fence replacement and enforcement work."

Mr West said keepers used a helicopter to locate the white rhino, while visitors were kept out of the zoo.

But despite the rhino's sex-fuelled rage, Satara was not lucky enough to "have a go", Mr West said.

He suspects the great escape was brought about by jealousy.

Mr West said zoo staff would be looking into the events which lead up to Satara's escape, adding that he suspected another bull may have been in with the female, Yhura, the day before.

With Satara fathering two calves already, Ms West said the other male was the preferred breeding option.

"Clearly we think (his escape) is to do with the sexual urges," he said.

"We can say what we think it is, but of course getting into a rhino's brain and understanding what level of emotion is there is quite difficult, they're not hugely intellectual."

Satara was captured in Africa's Kruger National Park and brought to Australia six years ago as part of a captive breeding program.


And on that note, I really have nothing more to add.

But as usual, if any reviews pop up from last night's show in Sydney, I'll be back...

Later,
xo

Yet Even More from the Land Down Under: Adrian Belew Power Trio on Tour in Oz

In case anyone is wondering, I did finally get a reply from Julie via email 24 hours later in response to my excited inquiry about the ABPT's new friendship with Guy Pratt, bassist for Pink Floyd, David Gilmour, Robert Palmer, Brian Ferry, Madonna, Michael Jackson...just like Ade, his resume is endless and impressive beyond belief.

Me: "So you texted me you have a new fan in Pink Floyd's bass player. Not bad!"

Julie: "i know - i ate his pizza crust."

Sigh...okay, that's good enough I suppose. You eat someone's pizza crust, you are pals for life.

At least in my sick little world, anyway. And apparently Julie's, too. Ha!

Here's another pic I lifted from an Australian fan, whom I now know to be "Gerard" because he wrote me a lovely email:



"Hi Robin,

Surprised to see my video and photo of the Adrian Belew Power Trio on your blog. I'm glad you liked them. Thanks for putting them on - it answers the mystery of why so many people were watching the video! I hadn't even had the chance to ask the band if they mind. Seems it might be ok :-)

Yes it was an awesome show as you've read from other commentators. I wanted to get more of Eric on the video but it was tricky from where I was - right behind him. The Basement was packed so no chance to relocate - but it turned out to be a much better spot than expected. Julie featured there pretty well! They play tonight and tomorrow night in Sydney in a slightly smaller venue so I hope lots of people will get along and see them.

Please thank all of the band for me!

Cheers ... Gerard"

From a Live Journal entry coming out of the Adelaide Guitar Festival:

"Adrian Belew. To be honest, before I got tickets to this show, I had no idea who he was, but he’s worked with Frank Zappa and David Bowie, and that was enough to peak my interest. He’s also done some NIN albums, worked with Tori Amos, Cindi Lauper, and laid down a track with William Shatner. This guy gets around. The Power Trio was rounded out by a brother-sister team he picked up at the school or rock, and they were awesome – the sister Julie Slick on bass, and the brother Eric Slick on drums. I think one of the camera men was in love with Eric, because for most of the set the camera was focused on his hands. And given the way the boys plays drums, I wasn’t complaining. If you’re ever tempted to make a joke about drummers having a lack of talent, go look this boy up."

From Aussie Guitar Gearheads:

"Saw Adrian Belew tonight and i am completly blown away by a musician who comes out and has a laugh, and is not full of ego.

He will be at the basement tonight I think and then they will do adelaide guitar fest, and on sat night they will be playing back in black in the acdc tribute.....

2 big thumbs up

Phenomenal"
*****

"One of my favourite guitarists, was a fan of Crimson before I knew of him. Didn't know he was out again, I saw him maybe a year and a half ago.... Had a drummer and a bass/stick player who was good but seemed to be a little unfamiliar with the instrument and material."
*****

"He's an amazing guy, someone to look up to for sure."
*****

"The thing for me as a prog muso, he was having a blast, smiling taking the piss, not the serious and intense look most prog musos have.

His rhythm section are phenomenal, this young brother and sister duo, what she does on bass is phenomenal...

she is 22

he is 21

I went to him at the end just to say thank you, which I have never done before and he brought it down to my level.... he wasnt the guitarist in king crimson or zappa, just a dude that enjoys playing live shows and enjoys feedback..."
*****

"Please don't tell me Robert Fripp was there. I will cry."
*****

"If he was, he didn't play on stage."
*****

"If Fripp was there, he'd be hiding at the back behind a rack of Eventide's with his back to the audience.

He played on one of my all time fav albums Remain in Light."

From Bungle Fever:

"Okay, so I went to the show last night. Absolutely unbelievable -- I don't regret it for a second. I was standing ten feet from him and I still don't get it.

His band is incredible. Eric and Julie Slick (drums & bass, respectively) are phenomenal. He's 20, she's 21, and I was just stunned by the musicianship. I'm 37 and I can barely play my way out of a pentatonic scale -- these kids are up there holding their own (and occasionally upstaging) Adrian Belew.

I gave up trying to figure out what the hell he had going on with his rig. He was playing Parkers (mainly a really nice gold one) through two Johnsons, two Line 6s, a Boomerang, a sampler of some kind, a Roland synth, expression pedals, midi controllers and god knows what else. I think I mentioned this show was in a small bar, so his rig dominated the stage. It looked like NASA mission control. My bass player went with me, and I don't think I'm going to hear any more grief from him about my measly six pedals.

I've seen the light. I caught myself giggling while I was watching him play, and the only other person who gets that reaction from me is Richard Thompson. Both are utterly unique artistic voices, and both are superb musicians. For the uninitiated, if Adrian comes to your city, don't hesitate -- GO SEE HIM. And thanks to everyone here who encouraged me to go."


Alrighty, that's all I've got so far but I'm waiting on a few reviews in particular, so, as always, I will be back...

Later,
xo

Gah!

**See ETA just posted

I am posting this entry in frustration! How would you like to get a text message from your daughter a gazillion miles away in Australia, where it's now 2:00 a.m., telling you that her band is currently having drinks with Pink Floyd's bassist and he's their new good friend? And then she leaves me hanging...



I can't think straight now. Anyway, that's a pic I lifted from someone's Flickr site in Australia. I'll give proper credit when I collect myself.

And I'll be back with more reviews and other blurbs as well.

But sheesh...how can she do this to me?

***ETA

Whoa! Look at this over at The Gear Page!

Adrian Belew Power Trio in Melbourne, Australia
"Just saw them tonight.

Small venue- right under/ in front of his mike stand.

Julie and Eric Slick (bass and drums) are possibly the 'ultimate' band for Belew to be out front of. And being brother and sister their communication is almost like ESP. Outstanding players. Belew also gives them space to show what they can do.......
20 and 21 years of age-

some of the set that I can remember.....
Matchless man
Three of a Perfect pair
Neurotica
Dinosuar
Lions
Big Electric Cat
E (from the to be released album) That just wailed!!!!!!!!!!
Thela Hun Ginjeet etc.

He just has so much fun!!!!!!! Amazing energy and a really funny guy too!!!!! He even did a stage dive at the end of the night a la Jack Black.

2 Parker Flys- Could not believe them!!!! He didn't re tune either of them all night...and if you know the workout he gives the whammy bar.....truly impressive.

Hung round at the end of the night...lots of signing and chatting......

He even signed my EHX Deluxe Electric Mistress Flanger- it's now back on my board with my BB Preamp which was signed by Lee Ritenour.....

Jeff Beck in January.......maybe he could sign my Strat.......

Corny...but it's nice looking down at my board and remembering having seen and heard them....it will eventually rub off.....but the memory of an amazing gig won't......

a great night with a guy who is just on another level entirely, but still obviously LOVING what he does....and boy does that come through in every thing they did."

*****

"Adrian is one of my favorite guitar players ever and this is a great band to hear him with.

For those who have not yet heard - this is a killer live document of the current line-up:

Here...
*****

"I missed them the last time they came to So Cal...hoping they come by again..."

*****

"I saw this great line-up early this year, and I'm glad to hear they're still together. Maybe I'll get to see em again!"
*****

"Eric and Julie Slick are amazing musicians and I had the opportunity to learn from/work with Eric two years ago and he probably is the best drummer I've ever met, just amazing."
*****

"I'd have to agree. Some of the time signatures he was spontaneously going in and out of were phenomenal!!!!! All the while with a HUGE grin on his face while his eyes were closed. ON another planet or wave length of Dizrythmia.

To work with a guy like that says quite a bit about you too!!!!!!! Thanks for chiming in.

They're doing only 7 dates. He said on the radio he plans to come back in 2 years time to play all of 'E' the new composition. (They only played an extract last night).

Amazed that he had a couple of Boss pedals including a looper- the digitech whammy and Hendrix Wah- Keeley compressor-Boomerang Phrase Sampler for layering and a j12 board that had 2 seperate volume pedals on it and a bunch of wild effects ( a la Elephant talk and Big Electric Cat out there sounds).

As much as some will comment about Boss pedals perhaps because they are not considered 'boutique'- I'd be confident he has confidence in their drive a tank over them sturdiness and reliability. Doesn't seem like the sought of player who would have inferior or bad sounding gear.

When Steve Vai cameout here with 'Zappa plays Zappa' he had a prototype of the Ibanez Jemini (sp?) but still had a DS-1 too!!!!!!

Still cannot believe those Parker Flys....He did not tune them ALL night. I'd never heard one live. That is some build quality in the bridge."
*****

"Saw the first power trio in buffalo and it was ridiculous !!! one of my fave guitarists ever."
*****

"And how."
*****

"Saw the same lineup here in San Diego last spring -- AWESOME!"

*****

"To me, he's the one carrying the Hendrix torch into his own territory."
*****

"Hadn't thought of it that way- but it's true."
*****

"Just as much an innovator and technician as well as master of the instrument- controls feedback at a stellar level like Jimi too."
*****

"Awesome that you caught such a great performance. I saw Adrian Belew both in the early 80's and in the early 90's, great each time. And I also had the pleasure of seeing a killer band called the Raisins a few times in the early 80's, they were a Cincinnati, Ohio-based band Adrian produced and later teamed up with. Belew is one of those musicians that from his recordings you know is very inventive and talented player, but seeing him live made me realize that the recordings only capture a fraction of his talent.

Kicking myself for not seeing him when he played in Portland fairly recently; maybe it was the same brother & sister lineup on drums & bass, they must be great if Belew's playing with them."
*****

"I'm so glad we've had a couple of these threads because I had simply forgotten all about him. I will make a point of seeing him when he comes to town now."

Well, that just made my day. Wow. And I'll be back if I find more...

Later,
xo

The Adrian Belew Power Trio - More, More, More from the Land of Oz

Oh, I am loving this tour vicariously. Thanks to all of you fantastic fans from Australia who are writing reviews, emailing me, and commenting on various blogs. You rock!

Here's the first You Tube to pop up - from last night's show in Sydney. Not just awesome music, but for me it was worth to watch just for Julie's smile:



And then there's this:

"THREE OF A PERFECT PAIR

Last night I went with my dad to see Adrian Belew & the Slick siblings play at the basement. I have to say that 1. They were awesome and 2. The Basement is a fantabulous venue.

21 year old Eric Slick plays drums and his sister 22 year old Julie plays bass - they are a very very talented set of siblings. For such young people, their ability is just mind boggling. Julie plays bass like it's an extended part of her body, alternating between caressing the instrument and punishing it, all to a unique and wonderful effect. Eric's solo was deeply impressive, and he puts his soul into it like there is nothing else that exists... and you can tell he and his sister and Adrian are having a hell of a lot of fun on stage. It all felt so natural and relaxed, which made for a very enjoyable listening experience. Afterward, dad and i actually talked to the Slicks, got their autographs, and then we met Adrian near the bar. He's a very nice guy, and i managed to get dad's King Crimson CD signed for him. Needless to say, dad was very appreciative!

They're playing again in Sydney on Monday and Tuesday at the Vanguard. If you want to see what music can be (and i say this even though i know basically nobody is giving a shit :P ), then you should see these guys. I know, you love your "Fall Out Boy" and all that bullshit, because you think that is rock and roll, but...well, there's really no point my trying to convince you otherwise. You have to see it in the flesh, for yourself. I like my stupid bands too, rest assured, but i can appreciate that there are those who just play music for the showbiz and others who play it for the art. Sometimes, it's nice to see the art. It's refreshing, particularly if you're always surrounded by the impression and perception of musicianship.

The art part of it isn't dead, despite what all the over 40's think haha. People - i.e. young people - are still capable of artistry in music as they ever were. I suppose it all comes down to the fact that the nature of the industry has changed. I feel priveliged that dad has taught me about music from his perspective as a fan, and as a male growing up in rock and roll Australia in the 70s. I'm glad i know that stuff, but i can't not listen to music...and if i were to be as purist as dad is, then i don't know if i'd have much left to listen to at all."

And this:

"Hi Everyone
I am back in Annes bedroom number 2 after being slayed by the Adrian Belew Power Trio Live tonight.

Fccccccccccccccccccccccck Me.

I have been a fan Belew all the way back to Frank Zappa , Bowie the Mighty King Crimson as well as Adrians solo work.

We got a good selection of Adrian's catalogue.

I am tired its 12.45 am here in Sydney as I write to you.

There are no photos , but there will on Monday night.

I got Julie and Eric Slick to sign there cd Side Four(Live) Julie Slick wrote We Love New Zealand and signed the cover , then Eric wrote Eric Slick 3 Nights in reference to my to 3 Adrian Power Trio gigs over the rest of the week in Sydney.

The played 90 min, they left the venue fast because there next flight was at 6.00am today to Adelaide.

I just made a chocolate drink the second one I have made at Annes, my chocolate drinks suck. Anne makes beautiful chocolate drinks.

What a gig , after all these years of hearing him on record and cd I got him in full flight here in Australia . I am way ready for the next two gigs, Jimmy , Diane and Timmo , you all said I was in for a treat . A treat . I just got to eat the whole box tonight.Wow. I want a Parker guitar .Preferably one now designed by Adrian for Parker.

What an astounding sound that baby let rip with tonight. I just got slamed by the Big Electric Cat.
Steve"
*****

"I'm glad you enjoyed the show Steve. The Adrian Power Trio kicks A-S-S!!!!!"
*****

"Belew did 4 King Crimsons last night Nuerotica , Frame by Frame , Thela Hun Gijeet , plus one other that eludes me right now.

Anne enjoyed Big Electric Cat. Fantastic Live. I could here him winding his way into at the start , I was waiting for this one and Belew did not disappoint me. Whammy Bar use aplanty throughout the gig .Still stunned with Adrian's ability , hey you can here on record or cd and that fine.But when you see Adrian Live as you all said, it's going to be a treat and it was."
*****

"Yo, Adrian...
True to my word last night, I am following up with my take on last night.

Adrian - great energy, to me you are better live than on recordings, I was amazed.

JULIEEEEEEE!!!! - fantastic. What incredible feel for someone so young (and a big hit with the guys at the back...).

Eric - my son is a drummer, and all he could say was "DAMN".

Thanks also Adrian for taking time out to have a chat after the show. It was definitely a night to remember.
Neil."
*****

Not a review, but IMDB talks about the world's ten best guitarists, and look who not only made the list, but...

1. Adrian Belew
2. Steve Howe
3. Robert Fripp
4. Jimi Hendrix
5. Pat Metheny
6. Jimmy Page
7. David Torn
8. Mike Stern
9. Allan Holdsworth
10. Bill Frisell

Although it seems like maybe Steve Vai or Jeff Beck should be in there for me, too. Maybe they'd be #11 and 12 respectively."

Wow. Just seeing that on IMDB, which as I'm sure most of you know is the world's hugest website/source of information for film and music, made me so emotional that when I went upstairs a few minutes ago to tell Gary, I broke out in tears. Finally people are getting it. Adrian Belew is a freaking brilliant genius and yes, right now the #1 living guitarist.

And on that fabulous note, I'll end my post for now, but just like yesterday, I'll come in and edit this post all day to include any reviews/comments from Australia that I find in my course of duty as groupie mom "stalker".

Wait...one more thing. Julie updated her blog again. She is really outdoing herself. I am still laughing out loud. What a wonderful writer she is and what a fabulous overview of life on the road down in Oz. Hey, have you noticed how much I love my daughter and that wacky brother of hers? And Ade isn't half bad, either.

Later,
xo

More from the land down under: Adrian Belew Power Trio on Tour in Oz

Yeah! I'm starting to find stuff on line from fans in Australia witnessing the Adrian Belew Power Trio for the first time: (Uh oh - new review just added - see *ETA below)

Like this:

"adrian belew was amazing. it was freakin' great to see one of my biggest influences right there on stage, jumping around with a smile on his face. the loop pedal stuff he did was excellent as well. eric and julie slick were great as well. and so young!

prog rock woo!"

Judging by my photobucket account, it appears Julie is the sole photographer right now so all I have are pictures of food -- being used for her own blog which she updated again today (!) and if you are into food porn, it's a must read...but there a few pics of Eric and here's one that I love:



*ETA2:

"Sydney gig was amazing, surpassed all my expectations. The band gel together excellently and were peeling the paint off the walls. Eric Slick has got to be one of the most amazing drummers I've had the privilege of seeing live. This is not Belew with backup but a proper functioning band that clearly have respect for one another's chops and bounce off each other well. Adrian also continues to enjoy a true love of playing his music which is writ large all over his face. Thanks very much guys!"

*ETA: Oh wow, look at this review - and you need to click on it because there are awesome, awesome photos of Ade being moshed!

The assorted middle aged prog rock enthusiasts, bogans, Bowie obsessives, King Crimson fans, avant guarde jazz purists, metalheads and younger fans who know guitar legend Adrian Belew through his work on NIN recordings make a strange composite gig audience, but together they are incredibly enthusiastic about loud guitar histrionics. Adrian Belew’s Power Trio (Belew on guitar, Julie Slick on bass and her brother Eric Slick on drums - no relation to Bowie guitarist Earl Slick as far as I know) performed an amazing show at the Corner Hotel in Richmond, Melbourne on Wednesday night to open his 2008 Australian tour.

During his first visit to Australia as a headline musician in 2006 (King Crimson have never played in Australia, and Belew played for Bowie here in 1978) he played quite a different show with two local musicians (Al Slavik on bass guitar and stick and John Prior on drums) featuring his solo songs and King Crimson songs with only minor improvisations. In 2008, with the Power Trio having played together for two years around the world, the show featured more Belew material, less King Crimson material and a lot of extended improvisations.

Belew is one of the most amiable musicians I have ever seen on stage. It’s obvious that he loves playing live and sharing his music with his audience. He has played with giants like David Bowie and Talking Heads and has a loyal cult following for his solo and King Crimson work, and he continues with his solo career touring the world playing in intimate venues like the Corner Hotel in Melbourne. It is wonderful to be able to see such a great musician up so close. The highlight for me was my favourite King Crimson song, Three of a perfect pair, which closed the main set.

Belew performed one completely new piece called E. He commented humorously that as it has not yet been recorded by the band or recorded at any other show, if people recorded it and posted it on the web it would save him the trouble of recording and releasing it himself. Sounds like he has been adopting Trent Reznor’s business model as well as playing on Ghosts. Like Reznor, Belew has strongly embraced the internet and has a comprehensive website, online store and blog. He really understands how he can use the internet to communicate with his audience.

Belew’s music attracts mostly a male audience. I’d estimate that the gender ratio was at least 10 men to every woman at the show, maybe as many as 20 to 1. Compared to 2006, however, there did seem to be more younger people at this show and in particular I was impressed to see some young women (not obviously associated with the metal scene at least in terms of how they dressed) in the audience. At the 2006 show I was almost the youngest in the crowd at 34, and this was definitely not true this time. This means that Belew is successful in building a new younger audience. Respect."

Continuing on, from the Yes Fans forum board:

"I am one day away from going to the Adrian Belew gig with Anne.
What should I expect?"
*****

"POWER!!!!!
You will be blown away!!
...enjoy the show, the Power Trio was one of my favorite shows this year"
*****

"Finesse!
Drummer Eric Slick is just a joy to watch. So much skill and energy and willingness to go further. His sister Julie Slick and he know each other as brothers and sisters do yes, but they've played music together as they grew up and it shows. I've followed Eric's career for five years since I saw them open up for Project/Object when then drummer, Glenn Leonard invited me to see these 'kids' for myself. I was blown away THEN. Now Eric Slick is their drummer! You guys are in for a real treat. I would put versions of King Crimson songs played by Adrian Belews Power Trio up again live King Crimson itself. Expectations high? Not high enough.

Steve, you recently posted an interview with Adrian Belew. Thanks so much for posting that. It was the best interview Adrian has done, you are right. What a guy Adrian Belew is. He has played with so many musical personalities that we are familier with. David Bowie, Talking Heads, King Crimson and Frank Zappa to name a few. Stunt guitarist, indeed. I wish I was seeing them tomorrow night! Have fun guys!"

(Note from our author: The interview to which he refers is the fabulous All About Jazz article I posted last month written by the brilliant writer Justin M. Smith)
*****

"I've seen this group four times and each performance was better than the last. You are in for a real treat!

BTW, for anyone that doesn't know yet, Julie and Eric Slick are graduates of the Paul Green School of Rock Music. I have followed their short careers since 2003. Eric is an absolute monster on the drums. Julie Slick can cut it with the best of them even in her barefeet! Cute girl, but don't let that fool you. She is a powerhouse bass player. Ade struck gold when he brought them on board for his power trio."
*****

"You guys are in for a real TREAT - hearing the Power Trio - Wow!"
*****

And I can't wait to hear from this fan, who posted this right before he left for the show...which, I believe, he is witnessing right now as I type since it's currently 10:07 p.m. in Sydney, Australia:

"It is a special night , not just because it is the first of three Belew gigs either. Belew has been a big part of my musical life for many years from Frank Zappa, Bowie , Talking Heads and of course the mighty monster King Crimson . His solo work is always really cool to as you know.

To take a line out that clip I posted here of Little Gordon Ramsay , Fccckkkk Me.

So it's special because I get to see over three different nights one of the greatest prog musos in the world.

Yes this is special, cannot wait till tonight."

From the comments section of Ade's own blog:

Fitzroyalty said...

"And we surfed you again last night at the Corner Hotel! Another awesome show with a strong setlist, lots more improvs than your last visit to the Corner Hotel in Melbourne and the Power Trio are amazing!"

Tony said...

"Buzzing still after last night @ the Corner, The Power Trio rocked, and we were left in awe, and a little bit of tinitus, worth every moment."

minkichof said...

"Mr. Belew you have a wildness and energy that is invigorating. brother and sister rhythm section were as tight as if they'd been playing bass and drums from the cradle, great!!!!!!! you gathered extra momentum together. Eric and Julie Slick, fantastic."

Anonymous said...

"The Sydney Gig is in a few hours - my 19 year old son and I will be there. Adrian your music transcends age barriers. Looking forward to a great night - Neil."
*****

So I'm thinking, based on these fan posts, that some reviews will be popping up as today goes on and yes, yes, yes, I will come in and add them. Stay tuned!

Finally, Side Four Live is still garnering fantastic reviews, one full year after its release. Here's the latest over at Prog Archives:

"4 stars **** After the great musical success Adrian Belew got with his latest solo projects, it was time to leave the studio and perform the new material live. And after some disappointments with rhytm sections, he finally discovered who were going to be their perfect side workers for what he has called “The Adrian Belew Power Trio”.

It all started in Paul Green´s School of Rock in Philadelphia, were Adrian Belew was invited for a seminar, where he could listen for the first time this incredible pair of siblings, two highly talented young musicians, Julie (bass) and Eric Slick (drums). After some rehearsals together, they finally joined Adrian Belew for touring together presenting Adrian Belew´s new material, along with some of his classic repertoire and some King Crimson tracks. The selection on the CD edition covers mainly the “Side One” album, in my opinion a bit overrepresented, provided that “Side Two” and “Side Three” offer a great amount of excellent music.

The powerful start with “Writing on the Wall” gives you an idea of what´s coming next, a refreshed Adrian Belew rediscovering himself, bringing high energy to his music. It is quite interesting realizing the great effort to sound like a live band, staying apart from the overlooped studio arrangements, specially on “Drive”. I really enjoy the middle section of the record, with the superb extended (almost 11 minutes) improvised version of “Beat Box Guitar”, where the band reaches the peak of their creativity and originality, far from what you would expect from a King Crimson improvisation and that shows the great personality of the ensemble.

The other points of interest are the new versions of the classic hits by Adrian Belew. “Young Lions” is maybe a little conservative, but “Of Bow and Drum”, quite different from the original, and “Big Electric Cat” are provided with a new energy that really updates them.

Of course, King Crimson had to be represented on a show like this, due to the great involvement of Adrian Belew with the band. You are missed in your expectations if you want to listen to King Crimson, because it is an Adrian Belew concert, leading on guitar without the continuous supervision of Robert Fripp from behind, and with the rhytm section trying to do something new, not only remaking Tony Levin's and Bill Bruford's sections. And they succeed on their efforts.

So then, although the record doesn´t offer the complete show (I had the great pleasure to see them live, and the setlist was larger), it brings you the opportunity to discover the new “side” of Adrian Belew with greater ideas than ever, far from the pop songs he was used to, and exploring new musical directions, accompanied by two great musicians who have a great career in front of them. I can´t rate this record with no less than 4 stars, but it should be essential for crimheads."

Yep, I agree, and I'm already starting to notice that even though Side Four Live debuted in November, 2007, it's already on many lists as "favorite CD of 2008"...I will write more about that in a future post along with a link for you to post your vote as well.

I think that's it for now but like I said, I'll be back because I have a strong feeling some of these fans are going to come back from tonight's show all wired and ready to write. And maybe some will even post photos of the band! Ha ha - at least that's what I'm hoping.

Later,
xo

The Adrian Belew Power Trio On Tour In the Land Down Under

On Saturday Julie and Eric hopped a plane from Philadelphia to Chicago (2.5 hours); following a couple hour layover a plan from Chicago to LA (6 hours I think)...another layover (2 hours more)...then 18 hours to Australia. I would have needed to be heavily sedated. In fact, I need to be heavily sedated just thinking about it. Pass the wine, please.

Julie has uploaded a gazillion pics to my Photobucket site and I'm sure she's going to be using them for her own blog but I have to nick this one and post it, even though I have absolutely no explanation for it...other than it was taken in Melbourne, Australia, where, as Julie just advised me by email five minutes ago, they are about to go on stage! (I guess it's 8:00 p.m. there right now, huh - they are literally 14 time zones away)



This one totally cracked me up. Eric Slick or Neil Gaiman? You tell me!





Actually, had that photo been taken next week instead of yesterday, it would be even more similar as it's usually Eric's custom not to shave on tour.

Speaking of Julie, we are cross-blogginating again. I posted the photos from our Thanksgiving dinner; Ms. Julie went ahead and put up more pics and the actual recipes today...here's the link.

Also, J&E are mentioned in an article syndicated all over the web and in print - The School of Rock is celebrating their 10th anniversary this year, and as most of you know, Julie and Eric were the original 14 (or is that 17...I can never remember)...anyway...here's a cut and paste:

School of Rock Anniversary

12/02/2008

"The Paul Green School of Rock All-Stars will be heading on a 10th anniversary victory lap this holiday season, personifying the revolution in music education launched a decade ago in a Philadelphia garage by mounting a 14-city, 17-show tour through the Northeast and Midwest between Christmas and New Year's.

That garage is where one man's dream became a national phenomenon. Green's vision has since produced 45 schools nationwide and an explosion of future rock stars, many of whom have traveled quite far along the trail he blazed when he took music instruction out of the classroom and onto the live rock stage by founding the original and premier performance-based rock music school in the country for kids 8-17 in 1998.

The celebration kicks off in grand style Dec. 26 in New York City, when, for the first time ever, all three touring squads of School of Rock All-Stars converge on B.B. Kings for three classic rock shows in one day – each headlined by a different group – before dispersing on their separate routes for the final week of the year. All touring School of Rock Stars – the "best and brightest" embodiment of Green's philosophy that hard work leads directly to applause – will reconvene for a New Year's Eve blowout in Asbury Park, NJ, capping a week in which they'll play the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, as well as top clubs in Chicago, Detroit, Boston, Baltimore, Washington DC, Philadelphia (two shows), Burlington VT and more cities with School of Rock branches. Throughout the tour, the School of Rock All-Stars will be playing classic rock from the 1960s to 1990s, ABBA to Zappa.

"Even after all this time, all our expansion, and everything we have achieved," says Green, "the best way to teach kids to play music remains the same: load a bunch of them on a bus and take them out on the road to PLAY music."

The Paul Green School of Rock is well on its way to producing the next generation of rock stars. Among its alumni, drummer Eric Slick became a sought after touring drummer immediately upon graduation, playing shows with Zappa Alumni band Project/Object, Steve Vai bandleader Mike Keneally, and various WEEN side projects. Together with his bassist sister, Julie Slick, they currently tour with guitar legend Adrian Belew (David Bowie, King Crimson)as the Adrian Belew Power Trio. Drummer Branden King, is not only Philly legend Chuck Treece's go-to drummer, but also played with three bands at last year's SXSW, and has done two tours of Europe with various projects. Slide guitar phenom Sarah Zimmerman recently signed a management deal with Tor Hyams (Joan Osborne, Perry Farrell, Deborah Harry) and is working with top writers and producers on her debut album. Shredmaster CJ Tywoniak, star of the acclaimed 2005 documentary Rock School, is being courted by record labels eager to release his debut EP. He recently sat in with Steve Miller, and dazzled all of those in attendence. Many former School of Rock students also are attending top music colleges such as Berklee and the University of Miami, as well as working their own bands with dreams of stardom..."

And in probably one of the weirdest things I've found on line in my hunt for all things Belew, is this post on The Stranger Forum Board, which asks the question: Did Robert Fripp murder Frank Zappa?

Erm...no. But just for the bizarre hilarity of it all, it's worth clicking on.

I did get some brief gossip from Eric, though. It's Ade's plan that the trio spend 2009 doing a little less touring and a lot more rehearsing/recording. As I've mentioned here probably ad nauseam, they will be recording their new studio CD next year and when they do go back out on the road, it will be with a brand new set list with all new material...though of course I'm sure they'll throw in some past hits from Side Four Live because, well, you can never have too many songs from Side Four Live, especially now that all of the songs have taken on completely new lives as the trio continues to get better and better (how is that possible?) and every song is never played the same twice. Eric has the new version of Young Lions recorded last month in Switzerland up on his My Space site and it is really freaking awesome. But yes, 2009 is officially The Year of the Adrian Belew Power Trio though way cool side stuff will always pop up - Eric already has a two week Project Object tour in the works with some very exciting special guests who will also be joining special guests Ed Mann and Ike Willis...I think that takes place in February...after the ABPT plays a V.I.P. show in January out west...more on that in a future post!

Anyway, this is my favorite time of the year but the trick is to stay as stress free as possible. That means putting up lots of pretty lights indoors for atmosphere (which, if you must know, I leave up most of the year because they make me happy and I just got a whole new stash of LED lights that are freaking awesome!)..eating Gary's cookies but trying to practice moderation (freaking impossible)...and trying to buy as many gifts sooner rather than later as possible (ultra-freaking impossible because I am my most creative under pressure).

I have learned not to leave on-line shopping for the last minute, though, as I get screwed every year by late arrivals so yes, family, if you are reading this, I promise there will be no I.O.U.s under the tree this year.

Well, at least that's the theory.

Anyway, I better end this post now because I received a very cool email from my new editor and I have some hard work ahead of me editing wise but the bottom line is, she is in love with my book! This is pretty special to me because it's my first "mainstream" novel and it's all about rock music and family dynamics and yes, yes, yes, I am excited. I'd post her actual email to me here but, um, I'm shy.

Right. And if you believe that...

So let's see. It's currently 8:30 p.m. in Melbourne, Australia. That means the trio should be launching into "E" about now? I'm not sure...they've tinkered with the set list a few times lately but oh how I wish I were there.

Stay tuned for more photos from down under and hopefully, someone will post a review of the show...I've been following some rock forum boards and apparently there are whole groups of people who are going to travel from show to show...Australia is pretty big...it will be like flying from Philly to LA and yeah, the trio is in fact taking a lot of planes on this run as opposed to driving...though last month in Europe, they didn't do half bad in their luxury Mercedes rental. Ah, what a life... But tell me my soul didn't rise a little high when I read about said fans who are going to hit 3-4 shows in a group because wow, that means the buzz surrounding the trio and their fan base is growing, growing, growing.

As well it should. As Ade said succinctly in his blog: What's done is done; time moves on and so must I.

And woo hoo, he's moving on with my two offspring firmly attached to his hip. How freaking cool is that!


Later,
xo