BEAT: "Frame By Frame" (9/13/24; show 2, Napa, California - Belew, Vai, Levin, Carey

[@stephenlewis9159]

I've never seen Vai have to concentrate so hard. No wonder Fripp had to sit down.

[@nathanmeans1548]

Wondering how long until Steve is sitting down for shows, myself...

[@kmichaelp4508]

@@nathanmeans1548, and you know, I didn’t see the seat behind Tony in this one. Was it a tribute to Robert in San Jose?

[@JoeContiMusic]

In the interview with Beato, Steve was the word “ relentless” to describe Roberts parts

[@cliffords2315]

Yea this kind of music takes 100% concentration. I was in a Progressive Rock band for a year i really had a hard time keeping up. But it sure made me a better player.

[@arizjones]

@@JoeContiMusic yea that Beato interview sheds a lot of light on how this came about and the motivation and the difficulty in pulling this off.

[@evansmusic2009]

This is without a doubt the toughest gig Steve has played in maybe 20+ years and I'm so happy to see him playing to the song rather just randomly soloing....

[@zdunas23]

I like that he is adding his own parts to the game tho.

[@JohnLloydDavis]

Especially after the shoulder surgery that seems to have impacted on his ability to achieve certain right hand techniques that Robert Fripp would employ. In an interview he basically said that it was challenging for him to do this, which is why he's doing it. I like that he's a 'sideman' in a band for a change and it can only get better from here :)

[@bambambam5663]

I wish Steve would left just about 2-4 of the original pre-pre-verse-percussion-loop kinda part. Hes doing amazing job so far!

[@zenzenzen4741]

Wow Steve can play!!!!😮

[@philipwheeler864]

I saw You Are What You Is tour, Steve as sideman...saw Dweezil's shows, Steve as preening peacock (sry Steve), STOKED to see this tour @ the Keswick, Steve as virtuoso, in homage w his interpretation. 💜

[@MrSphinxster]

Really great to see Danny Carey working a lot of the Bruford beats and sounds into the drumming while embellishing a bit of his own vibe and his own kit sound. This is so fun to see! Also, watching Vai working so hard on the Fripp parts should make a lot aspiring guitarists re-evaluate just how incredible a player Fripp is. Props to Steve!

[@staalklang]

Not to mention how amazing Belew is side by side to Vai.

[@ronschwolsky1626]

Yes, two very tough acts to follow!

[@msanders777]

Yep, it's obvious Carey is a huge fan. Some of Bills original 80s kc stuff in the rig he won at auction.

[@Tyrell_Corp2019]

I’ve always declared that Robert Fripp is the most “unique “ guitarist of the 20th century. If we examine all of them, there is no one like his voice. No one. Which is exactly why Steve even said it was going to be difficult and he would have to do with his “own way”. And he’s doing it very well.

[@davidkyle2073]

Something off about this groove. Maybe just the mix… Heard the original live and recorded hundreds of times. 😢

[@Darrylizer1]

Steve Vai and Danny Carey respected the source material and added something of themselves into the song. Well done.

[@SaintBeatrix]

The fact that the actual guitar part to this song is so hard that even Steve Fucking Vai has to change it to make it easier makes me feel a lot better about the fact that I still can’t play it after like 15 years of trying 😂

[@brucebennett5338]

seems to me like he is more making his own place in the music (which is what i think fripp would want).

[@davidryan7386]

​@@brucebennett5338nah. It is the most insane thing from the 80s Era. If he could he would. But all else I heard so far is great and am super glad he doing it.

[@PhilistineTheArtLuvr]

I'm 63 years old and this is one of the best concerts I've ever been to. How I wish I had the money to follow them around!

[@VegasAlien1]

So cool that Danny had purchased those clear Dragon Drums from Bruford's collection. Now they're back in action with the same material. 40 years later.

[@MadCritter]

He actually has one of Bill’s full kits too, he just can’t play it on tour because he’s a Sonor endorsee and it’s a Tama

[@psilocypher]

@@MadCritterHe got it from Adrian, who was gifted it by a guy who won it in a contest.

[@MadCritter]

@@psilocypher Yep! Watched the beato interview again just last night before the show. They’re phenomenal.

[@paulpavot6446]

Quite possibly the most beautiful lyrics ever written. I love the tongue in cheek “Oh yeah Romeo, you know I use to have a scene with him”.

[@lucasjankowski7117]

As much as I love Steve as an artist/ guitar player, I must admit that I was expecting fast part in Frame by frame to be much closer to the original version - on the other hand, it is a testimony to the unearthy guitar playing skills of mr Robert Fripp.

[@vancehutchison2830]

That is a line up! Vai looks like he's hanging on for dear life. Amazing!

[@duncansmith69]

never seen Steve so focused

[@falopio67]

agree

[@Yourbankaccount]

Check out his Zappa gigs

[@nickburmanmusic]

That really tells you something doesn't it? If HE has to focus, how actually complicated is what he's playing?!

[@nizarchebbi322]

Vai's really locked in this. Cool to see how he expresses himself during the fast Fripp section.

[@markmcgibbon2101]

Looking forward to seeing some clips when they’re a couple of weeks into the tour. Sounding really great. Vai is interpreting Fripp beautifully

[@user-mr6kg2op8m]

wow, Belew's voice really held up

[@lngtheone]

He's a BEAST! Wow, he's 74 and sounds GREAT! Can't wait to see this band live.

[@user-mr6kg2op8m]

@@lngtheone Apart from Glenn Hughes I can't think of another singer who managed to keep his voice in such a shape past 70.

[@cambranson]

I'm astonished he sounds the same as 40 years ago!! many others just adjust their range downwards

[@markgoulden7851]

Wow! This is everything I hoped for from this band. Steve Vai in particular is honouring the form of Fripp's parts whilst adding his own signature style. It's tasteful and exuberant at the same time. It's like he's half Vai, half possessed by Fripp. Everybody else is obviously on top form too. Bravo.

[@JohnWilliamsFromBluff]

I've never seen Steve Vai seem so intensely watching is own fingers with a look on his face that seems to say "Don't screw this up, don't screw this up, ...". He's an amazing guitar player, but watching him play this only increases my respect for Fripp, of that's possible. And Belew, of course!

[@falopio67]

singing and playing those polys ....from other planet

[@DonMacanaw]

@JohnWilliamsFromBluff yes. Both AB and RF are masters, and the same title can be given to SV, but it was funny to see such a world class musician playing with such care and attention. Obviously, he is making the songs his own, and I'd be dishonest if I didn't say I was a little disappointed that he didn't try to harness the central RF arpeggiated riffs that are churned out at break neck sequencer like precision. That riff is very hard to play over that duration. Fripp is Prog's #1 marathon man of mental concentration and long distance digital fitness.

[@DonMacanaw]

@@falopio67 I wonder what Beat would sound like if instead of SV, the late great Alan Holdsworth were in Fripp's spot. No doubt it would have been equally magnificent.

[@Cybothron]

It looks like Steve is making sure it sounds as authentic as possible while having his flair thrown in from time to time, this gig isn't 100% about him.

[@jevinday]

All I've been waiting for is to see what Steve Vai decided to do for this song. Very cool. i hope they get a better live recording of it during the tour! Good stuff Beat

[@wakajawaka]

Last time I saw Steve that razor sharp focused was footage of Zappa shows in the late 70's! I was there for this show, they were all magnificent and Steve was a real team player and did justice to the music. Best show in ages for me, hands down (possibly this century!).

[@planetmarin]

IMHO Steve Vai - as all of us can see and ear - it's at Fripp level, chapeau! And he put a lot of his soul in his playing. Right player for this parts and this meaning of music. Music it's honored and the musician act as a channel... Thank for Steav (and the otrhers, I feel the same).

[@sub-jec-tiv]

Pretty close

[@Phlakaton88]

Huge Bruford fan here. I’ll admit I kinda like the Carey feel on this. This song could go heavier or smoother just because it’s a great song and is sort of versatile. It can be made metalish or jazzy and still sound rad.

[@sazarod]

Goddamn, these songs are really hard to play!

[@valentinstoica]

Mr Tony Levin and Mr Steve Vai were born on exactly the same day. The median age of the band members is 70 years. The year when the general public will eventually dig this music is yet to come.

[@DKStanford]

I wonder what Steve Vai's fans who are not very familiar with KC think about this project? Obviously he's a high-tier virtuoso, but this is not only extremely complex music for him as a guitarist, he's having to play interlocking picking with another virtuoso guitarist. And the rhythm section is doing extremely complex stuff as well. I can't imagine what Vai's fans think of the music and how he's faring. Personally I think he's f'ing CRUSHING it.

[@davidcinque6095]

Would call myself a lifelong Vai fan (have seen him live 4 times), and this is way out of his comfort zone. You won’t find ANY live clips of him playing sustained alternate picking aka 2:45 - 3:50, because there aren’t any lol. Amazing hearing this crazy stuff played live!

[@cambranson]

Wow. The playing is so evocative, atmospheric...! First time I've listened to this properly. Babbling 🤣 but wow

[@BillRayDrums]

Oh hell yeah! You're the MVP for gettin' this

[@rogsolaris7411]

So pissed I missed tickets for our local show on the tour.

[@Emlizardo]

I like how Vai has transformed Fripp's insane ostinato into something that's more in his own wheelhouse.

[@rscottsandberg9303]

Masterful…. Can’t wait to see them in Cincinnati.

[@pauljuntunen3451]

I hope they play this in San Diego!

[@greggadams6226]

I’m so looking forward to seeing them. This is incredible!

[@JeremiasBonifacio]

Thank you so much for these videos,I was so excited to see how this amazing supergroup sounds live and I can see that they are beyond all of my expectations. They do absolute justice to the 80s KC and I can’t be more happy about it

[@nonahyobusiness8063]

Steve and Danny are going FULL CRIM !!!! This is amazing. Robert Fripp needs to graduate Steve and Danny as member/alums of Crimson after this tour. Seriously. Wow.

[@kanyuphilmahar]

Well I can't blame vai for not doing fripp's extremely fast picking at the beginning, I've been doing that for a year and I still can't get it down completely, goes to show how monstrous of a guitarist fripp is, it's a great motion excercise too

[@YankiDiamond]

Honestly, this is great fun. I like how Vai has to focus on doing Fripp's parts but he's still trying to do his own thing with it.

[@timrempel7000]

Thanks for posting sir I really appreciate it

[@jjtantillo8539]

Still working it out. Not easy. My heroes are human. Looking forward to the Phoenix show.

[@hocheye]

Awesome! Got my ticket!! Can't wait!

[@nickkenny6708]

Wow!!!!! Vai is at his very best here. Incredible.

[@MikeGervasi]

Is it possible Meastro Fripp played a riff Vai can't replicate? Seems so.

[@davidryan7386]

Sure does. That was a cope not an upgrade lol. But I been playing decades and would get tendinitis trying.

[@jjtantillo8539]

Correct. admire the effort

[@rarturoislasv6436]

Thank you for your video, this is amazing

[@hamishmctiaigh4363]

Belew's voice is as strong as it was back when it was originally recorded

[@zenzenzen4741]

Go Danny!!

[@JohnGauge790]

Incredible

[@shawnsmith5028]

What a treat!

[@Shane_Peoples]

That was bad ass

[@patmos789]

Este es el post doctorado de Vai en la guitarra.

[@minusED]

Please bring this show to Europe!!!

[@robertvillegas7472]

Adrian sounds like he did at the Greek theater in the 80s 🤙🏾👍🏾

[@dsmith9572]

Oh yeah, it turns into a hoedown after the first verse! Well done!

[@brucebennett5338]

dang, stevie is tearing it up!

[@yamabiru4553]

Adrian’s voice is still awesome, not to mention guitar🎉

[@robertjackson8246]

Monstrous.

[@loucontino4804]

Belew is having a blast playing this stuff! Awesome to see. Did Steve have a mic? His vocals harmonies may work well in this tune. It would add a fullness to the sound.

[@BrianMillerConcerts]

No, Steve didn't have a microphone. Tony Levin sang the backing vocals.

[@philipwheeler864]

Tony was doing backing vocals in the 80s

[@DonMacanaw]

Sadly, Vai opts out of the relentless sequencer like arpeggio cross picking made infamous by the great Robert of Frippendale on this song. I don't care who you are, that RF part is very difficult to play at pace, let alone for the duration of time he is able to sustain it. Because at the end of the day, there is, and can only be, ONE Robert Fripp. He is unique amongst the unique. All Hail Bobby Wilcox. #whenmusicwantstobehearditfindsaway

[@tone9930]

Brings me back to Paradiso with Metropool. :)

[@mmowoa]

Play NST Fripp parts in standard tuning seems challenging. Even for Vai!

[@ichorousmedia]

hard to hear in this recording, but vai played much closer to the record in our san diego show, seems like hes picking at speed but taking it easier with his fretting hand here

[@Pablodell]

Para ir a Marte es ésta.

[@joshcomedy1521]

It almost sounds like 46 and 2 by Tool

[@jjtantillo8539]

no.tool sounds like kc

[@michaelmaloney8183]

Exactly! Tool was inspired by KC :D it's how I found KC

[@CusterFlux]

I can sing the song, I can play that riff, but unlike Adrian, I can't do both at the same time - so he's earned a bit of slack.

[@jjtantillo8539]

Doesn’t need slack

[@yournamehere6719]

Adrian is unreal!

[@karlsarkozi3626]

Andrian's voice hasn't changed - still sounds the same.

[@youtubeder00]

Don't you understand? This fun crimson show!

[@chrisstewart4611]

Sounds like Vai is going back to his flexible vibes

[@DrRussPhd]

I wonder if Vai is using Fripp's NST?

[@mocazilla8710]

He mostly double picks the notes and adds other parts vs fripp's monotonous alternate picking single lines which is really tough to pull off life. Understandably difficult for him to do given his shoulder issues

[@bitegoatie]

Monotonous single lines? What Robert did on these records (and many others) is fundamental to the music. He is also, as Adrian has said, "wailing quite a bit" on these records. The interlocking rhythms and intricate harmonizations can feel "relentless" (to use Vai's term) on the hands and forearms for people who have not done the crazy musical-fitness guitar exercises Fripp does as a matter of routine, but "monotonous" is really not a descriptor I would expect to find in this thread. Vai is, for someone very new to playing this music and not one of its creators, doing a good job with very difficult material. Some of the parts are obviously altered, to good and not-so-good effect, and some are played straight. That this song is played relatively straight (Belew takes liberties himself throughout relative to what he did live back in the day) is a testament to Vai's professionalism and persistence - and, I suspect, affection for the song. Considering these video document the first two public performances for this band, my hat is off to all four for getting this music to such a good state in not very much time. If you saw the original quartet doing this music, you must remember the band was not just tight and the players all on their games, but also that the guitar parts were mind melting, in a positive way. Nothing was "monotonous" in the slightest. At least, I never found any such parts. Judging by the audience reception those nights, not many people found fault with Fripp's contributions. Indeed, lots of guitar players in the audience were taking notes.

[@mocazilla8710]

@@bitegoatie relentless is the right word. i enjoy fripp's playing

[@satoritangier903]

@@bitegoatie Agree with most of what you said, except that Vai was playing it straight here. This is obviously a case where he took a ton of liberties. Those original single-string parts are just too freakish. Can Fripp even play that stuff anymore?

[@azngoku666]

agree completely. fripp himself would probably call the chattery part monotonous too - it's not even really an insult in this case. it's a great guitar part, and it's monotonous. that's the point - it's like meditating (same with fripp's part in most of waiting man) the reinterpretation here is super cool for lots of reasons - like you said, shoulder issues but also it's totally in the spirit of the song (the 'backstory' of frame by frame is about the 2 chattery academic brits vs the 2 laid back americans in the 80s band -> death by drowning in your own analysis.. aka "weedleyweedleyweedlyebrbrlblrblrblrlbrlblrblrblrbl")

[@lumpytapioca5062]

Not monotonous. The word you're looking for is ostinato.

[@freakzappa]

このズレていくツインギターアルペジオ… ぜひコピーしてみて！

[@wizard5637]

Two Zappa alumni on stage? They should have busted out some 80s era Frank

[@dougmphilly]

this the 'fracture' from the discipline era crimson. seems almost impossible to play.

[@davidryan7386]

Bingo! @make weird music looking at u!

[@rattlededge-somemikeratled1630]

only just ... ...brave ... valiant ...be better by end tour probs

[@aliceinchains7325]

Yeah these videos make me miss Fripp.

[@dayuhanspace]

Hey Steve, are you rushing or dragging? 😊

[@ziggyzagzi8017]

Zappa Fripp Vai o ya

[@MatChew75]

Why don't they come to New Orleans I haven't heard anything about them playing their it would be a travesty for them not. Now all we need is for Rush to regroup Geddy Lee Alex lifeson and Tim Alexander the goat

[@ANGELDANIELMOLINALOPEZ]

Bruford, SIR FRIPP, irremplazables. Y Adrián, mermó su voz

[@carloguarrera2909]

where is Belew's voice?

[@YouTubeCensor]

Be careful not to show Tony Levin ever.

[@matshanssen2070]

🥴

[@soundpainter2590]

Hmmm... This is not quite what I thought it would be. Reading the comments, I get the feeling MOST aren't @ all very familiar with the razor sharp precision/ & push the limits they ALL have routinely have done , countless times. Allowing space for enough improvisation, So its a bit different every gig. ( I believe this is their first live gig ) The songs , New to all, Except for Adrian & Tony. & I'm a Huge fan of All !! The next Vid in my YT Que is a complete concert of the next next gig !! ( I've been a touring musician ( Guitar ) for a few Decades ) & & have seen over the years, ALL these guy's KILL IT !! Yeah... certainly a few of you will attack this comment. I just expected these guys to @ least play these songs with EXTREME INTENSITY ! with their own spin on it { & They still { VERY MUCH CAN ! } Guys... please... Go for it !!! (( Addendum )) I just watched on YT Channel, "John Luughney " Turns out , As announced by Adrian Belew, "This" is their First gig !! @ It is UNREAL !!! Sooo... Please check it out !! [ Regarding the show I commented on, ] Something like a bad monitor mix can TOTALLY F a band up ! { For me, hearing myself WAY to loud, makes me hold back ! Yet the monitor mix is Not what the audience hears. OK, Enough "talk" Enjoy !!

[@jjtantillo8539]

lay off the space bar

[@lumpytapioca5062]

Great vocals and bass, but Vai's playing is lacking the precision that keeps the guitars interlocked in polyrhythms. Notes are colliding and sound messy.

[@falopio67]

true....but its the first gig...improvement will come

[@sergio_bolotini]

Get some practice, guys... Hope to see you in Vancouver in November, in better shape. No dinner for Vai...

[@tvolver]

Le son de Vai est affreux, Robert reviens!

[@joejhow6475]

Ótimos músicos! Música chata!

[@elchananyanovsky4230]

Shame. Horror. Scratching a glass with the fork.

[@Monsterdrumma]

This mix is very bad though.

[@Edmarperlu]

I think Vai's reinterpretation of Robert Fripp's parts doesn't mix well with the vibe of the songs. I really love Steve Vai's playing, but I think they could have chosen another guitar player who blends better with the band.

[@arizjones]

Well Belew and Levin must think it is acceptable or they wouldn't be doing it. So tell me I should listen to your opinion over theirs.

[@Edmarperlu]

@@arizjones Well, I think that first of all, it must have been comfortable for Adrian Belew and Tony Levin to work with Steve Vai, since he is a very professional musician, and they surely enjoyed his reinterpretation of Robert Fripp's parts. On the other hand, it's not the same to have a renowned musician in the band compared to someone who might fit more with Robert Fripp's style but isn't as commercially recognized. Lastly, I'm only speaking from what I hear, and I can understand that you, Adrian Belew, or Tony Levin might love what Steve Vai is doing. This is just the opinion of a fan of the three King Crimson albums that are being reinterpreted, and I stand by it.

[@arizjones]

@@Edmarperlu Maybe go watch the interview with the four members of the BEAT band on Rick Beato's channel and you can understand how it came to be that Vai was chosen and how this all came about.

[@Edmarperlu]

@@arizjones I respect that they formed that band to play those records, and they have their reasons, which I think is great for them. Again, I’m only talking about what I hear in those videos recorded with a phone, which might sound different when being there live, but I stand by my opinion that I don’t like the arrangements they chose to make in Robert Fripp’s parts. It’s just a humble opinion that I’m offering focusing only on the music, and I have no intention of belittling or disrespecting the people who enjoy it.

[@elektroskeptic481]

Hahah Vai has a completely different right hand technique than Fripp, now you can see why Steve can shred but he doesn't do solid lock-step rhythm, cuz he only moves his wrist, while Fripp hits with entire hand. There's a lesson in that, kids. And that Tool drummer, man... There's this tooley laziness coming off of him... Virgil Donati should be there.

[@zdunas23]

huh? like Tool really has the same quality that Discipline has in some songs. Danny was a perfect choice, come on...

[@MawcDrums]

Oh damn, where is your prog rock supergroup?

[@victoonix2802]

Fripp moves with his whole arm. He's said the technique starts in the shoulder.

[@guitaristssuck8979]

You've been watching too many Toyah Sunday videos

[@JohnLloydDavis]

You should check out Steve's playing from the 80's to hear what an amazingly clean player he is. Not only on his time with Zappa but on his Flexable record too. Fripp is a different kind player with his own disciplined technique. Vai acknowledged this and said he had to find his own way of achieving the parts like this especially after shoulder surgery a few years ago.

[@nikolasamardzic]

drummer does not know how to play 7/8 shame

[@samwhitty3036]

many TOOL segments are in an odd time signature. safe to say he absolutely does know 7/8

[@gregormarini]

Not good!

[@rhoadsmusic]

I seriously don't understand why anyone wants to see/hear this. I'd much rather watch videos of the real band with fripp and bruford.

[@jjtantillo8539]

then do that

[@jamesm3235]

Because it's not about the videos. It's about actually going and seeing it live. That's the point of a concert.

[@rhoadsmusic]

@@jamesm3235 I saw the original band live back in the day. I'm good. 😁

[@jamesm3235]

@@rhoadsmusic then you should know quite well that amateur recordings taken on cell phones with crappy mics don't do the musicians justice.

[@rhoadsmusic]

@@jamesm3235 I'm not judging the sound quality of the video at all. The performance is what is lacking.