King Crimson - Walking On Air (Live At The Warfield Theatre, 1995)

With this week's video, we are live at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco, with the incomparable Adian Belew delivering one of his achingly beautiful songs. It’s a rare moment of calm that opens a window into the inner Crimson. The song came whole and complete from Adrian. All we had to do was flesh it out a little.

But ‘fleshing it out a little’ is another rather under-rated musical skill. Knowing what to play and when to play it (and what not to play and when to not play it) comes with experience, of course. Robert Fripp and I discussed that topic at length.

Tony Levin’s bass part may or may not be ‘easy’ to play – I have no idea and don’t have to care - but it sounds perfect for the song, as if had it been born with the song. The artist has concealed his art. Similarly, the weight and density of the percussion allows the song to float, to walk on air. I can neither see nor remember what Pat and I were respectively playing, but it was minimal, and none the less important for that.

I often remind myself that the acquisition of a skill, such as a drumkit technique, is, in and of itself, no proof of artistry. The art, or creativity, lies in the application of the skill. Many acquire a skill: fewer use it expressively. Many young players have skills from heaven. Showing me the beautiful tools in your tool box is great - I shall admire them – but then I need to know what you can make with them.

In the visual arts, one common complaint (around here at least) is that “no-one can draw anymore”. Unlike in drumming, it seems that there is a dearth of essential skills, by which the budding young artist might express herself sufficiently well to produce a work of art. In drumming, too many skills; in painting, too few? Seems like the absence of skills is as problematic as their abundance.

Whether you're a musician or visual artist, I don’t want to be any more than subliminally aware of your skills as you express yourself to me. The art is to conceal the art. I don’t care to know how it’s done, I just need the end result on my nervous system. Does it make me cry, laugh, clap, shout, or dance?

Let's say you have a photographic level of realism available to you through your blinding ability to draw. But you will tell me very little about how you view the world if you merely produce a poor facsimile of a photograph, as it were. If you have acquired drum techniques of great skill, but as part of the L & F (Louder and Faster) brigade, you refuse to engage with the many modern developments in contemporary drumming, and continue to serve up lesser-Rich drum solos that sound like they came from 1950; despite their brilliance, I shall reserve the right to yawn.

#billbruford #kingcrimson #paistecymbals #electronicdrumkit #improvisationmusic #drumsolos #adrianbelew #tamadrumsofficial #billbrufordsearthworks

[Andrew_M_Ward]

Classic Adrian Belew, some simple chords with some easy changes, some bonkers chords with impossible changes ...
That guy is completely out of this world

[BigBass-xfyi]

Adrian is the frontman that we never knew we needed. BUT DAMN, he turned out to be so imperative for the sound of this amazing ensemble of talent. So freakin amazing

[vomaximus]

Adrian Belew is a true original. This song is just beautiful, and so beautifully performed.
I think this is one of those songs where when listing track personnel on an album sleeve, Robert Fripp would write "admirable restraint" against Bill's name. Always made me smile. Thanks Bill, hope you're well

[pierrecadieux]

Perfect example of a beautiful prog rock ballad. Great epoch of King Crimson.

[AbbieHoffmansGhost]

Every iteration of K.C. has been astounding but when Belew was there there was something special about the melodies, chord structure, and vocals. Yes, at times his influence took a more pop turn but overall he brought life to a sometimes dour band.

[alienfretboy]

Just beautiful. Belew channeling Hendrix “May This Be Love”. The perfect counterbalance to Fripp’s tendency to darker musical expression.

[ramoncardinali]

Best song from this era imo. Beautiful!

[danburnes]

For those who like this… Adrian put out a solo album at about this same time called “Op Zop Too Wah”. It has a few music moments like this. Overall, eclectic and fun. It is probably in my top ten. I am happy to share.

[_Helm_]

what a beautiful song, what a rendition. One of my favorite Crimson tunes, I am glad to see in the comments so many other friends recognizing it. And what a beautiful and true concept you're communicating to us in your text transmission too. Thank you a thousand times, mr. Bruford.

[joaocalladomusico]

I love Crimson ballads! For me, Wetton and Belew have delivered the most beautiful of them. Wetton, very british, and Belew, mixing american country with chinese music.

[zounds]

Just a transportingly beautiful song. It makes me cry almost every time I hear it.

[JosJANSSEN-iw]

I wish i had a magic spell at my disposal. That would, just for once, have Greg Lake sing this beautiful song. Things would come full circle...

[kathowed]

Exquisite musicianship all round. Adrian Belew is masterful and held me spellbound throughout this one-camera clip. That's damn impressive.

[CHORYZO-O]

Close your eyes and look at me
i'll be standing by your side
in between the deep blue sea
and the sheltering sky
if we find no words to say
to the rhythm of the waves
then we'll both surrender there
walking on air

And the worries of the day lie down
under cover of the fading clouds
the secrets of the night
come alive in your eyes
you don't have to hurry
you don't have to try
cause you don't have a care
you're walking on air

[RussellNelson]

Thank you for your trenchant comments on acquisition vs application. It's not what you can do, it's what you do do.

[Pcrimson]

Hey Bill, I'm reading your autobiography. I just finished the chapter w/Adrian and this song. So timely. Enjoying the good read, thx!

[EBsDenStudio]

Beautiful song indeed!, and great words describing the relationship and fragile balance between Art & Skill to bring this kind of performance, thanks for sharing all this with us

[sergiocarlosromero]

Cada día me sorprende más la calidad de Adrian Belew, es un gran compositor, canta magistralmente, es un guitarrista supremo y además con muy gusto muy sofisticado para los solos, cuando KC era Wetton, Bruford, Fripp y Cross, creí que no se podía superar. Me equivoqué. Este tema es una gran muestra . Y Adrian siempre se muestra feliz

[rael]

Admirable restraint from Bill indeed.
And admirable restraint from Adrian as well. In KC Adrian's wild and sometimes disorganised ideas found a wadi where beautiful expressions like this were possible.
My favourite song from THRAK.

[christopherjobin-official]

Im very hyped for this! I hope there's a performance of People aswell coming soon.