Acoustic Belew

Adrian has release two acoustic albums, one virtually LIVE and one augmented with acoustic instruments. Both are well worth having, highlighting his quirky and sophisticated songwriting:

The Acoustic Adrian Belew

Released in 1995, just before Here and now frequently difficult to find, this short, unplugged (sometimes double-tracked) album is one of my favorites, showcasing what Belew would call the naked song. Pretty much a fan's ONLY release, it's like having Adrian serenade you with some of his favorite songs from his catalogue.

Highlights for me include:

The Rail Song (from Twang Bar King)
Matte Kudasai (from King Crimson's Discipline)
The Beatles' If I Fell (not so much for the sonic qualities...as the love he puts into it) &
Roy Orbison's Crying

Adrian Belew: The Acoustic Adrian Belew

"...I bought this CD from adrian himself after a show...This album proves that Adrian can write good songs without the aid of expensive doo-dah gadgetry. Amaze your friends sitting around a campfire with your trusty old acoustic..don't forget to crank that string up to an A, a common Belew tuning..." Amazon reviewer Doug Pearson

Belew's...taken a lot of heat from hardcore Crimson fans - I happen to be one having purchased their first album in 1969 at the ripe old age of 9 - for bringing humor and his hook-filled songwriting style to the band. Fripp recognized that Belew would help revitalize and reinvent Crimson. Here Belew reinvents himself. Classic..." Amazon reviewer Tammi

The Acoustic Adrian Belew Volume 2

Expanding the concept, Belew released a second volume of acoustic interpretations of his songs in 1998, this time augmenting them (at times) with acoustic:

guitars
bass
drums &
strings...

Men In Helicopters string section

Highlights for me include:

Men In Helicopters (from Young Lions)
Big Blue Sun (from Inner Revolution)
Dinosaur (from King Crimson's Thrak) &
The Beatles' Free As A Bird

Adrian Belew: Belewprints

"...The genius of "Belewprints" is that Belew has re-arranged many of his best songs into an acoustic suite. Electric instruments and effects are replaced by violins, acoustic guitars and pianos. The net result is Belew's music is allowed to shine on its own merits... Far more accomplished and varied than "Acoustic Adrian Belew Vol. 1", this is beautiful stuff..." Amazon.co.uk reviewer Hairy_yan

"...In general, the material takes well to the rearrangement, Belew's music has a lyrical quality to it that can often get obscured below the usual layers of distortion and guitar noises...Highlights include:

the string-quartet-and-vocal arrangement of Men In Helicopters
...the "lounge" version of Cage (which King Crimson would feature in their 2000 tour)
a just breathtaking Everything and
a brilliant take on King Crimson's Dinosaur

...but really, just about everything on here is pretty good..." Amazon reviewer Michael Stack

It's hard for me to say which album is better, as they are, in their own ways, pretty different. However, if pushed, I'd say the first...by an acoustic whisker.

Salad Days

I believe that there may have been a distribution problem with the two albums above...and in 1999, Adrian released this compilation, a selection from the two albums + two LIVE tracks as well.

Adrian Belew: Salad Days

"...On Salad Days Belew abandons the role of prog-guitar hero and presents an acoustic-based collection of solo performances LIVE and in the studio. Selecting compositions from his long, varied career as well as some new songs, Belew displays Beatles-style pop roots, imposing musicianship, and an ironic sense of humor. Stripped to the basics, Belew's voice and guitar playing are playful, intimately engaging and ultimately worthwhile..." Amazon.co.uk blurb

"...This is a wonderful collection of Adrian Belew's talents, a great choice for anyone who would like a good intro to this amazing musician. For those long time fans, it is surely a must..." Amazon.com reviewer "blackdogbook"

Here's a Rolling Stone interview from February 1999 that Adrian did to promote Salad Days.