Search - Andy Summers :: Bewitched

Uneven, yet rewarding.

A. Torres | Tampa, FL United States | 10/19/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"That is how I feel about this album. I was a young when it came out, and a big King Crimson/Robert Fripp fan. I was really upset when I first heard it, I saved all my lunch money for a week and half to get it! The first three songs aren't that great, though they have sort of grown on me. These 3 made up side one(remember vinyl?). Side two though is wonderful. Many of the songs are very meditative, such as Tribe, Bewitched, and so on.Maquillage has some beautiful acoustic guitar, Andy Summers really digs in, while Robert Fripp does his amazing patterns throughout the song.I suppose it may be hard to look( Listen) past the drum machines( we are talking 1984 here), but it will be a rewarding effort. Just skip the first 3 songs. You may wish to skip number 4, Train, as well."

A definite mid-'80s electronic slant

Kid A | Boulder, CO | 08/14/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"For long-time fans of Andy Summers and/or Robert Fripp, this album may be somewhat maddening. Summers relies on extensive use of drum machines and other electronic gadgets that were fashionable at the time. That alone can make this album hard to stomach for those looking for the intricate, generally brilliant work of these two musicians.



With that said, there is still some good stuff here. The 11+ minute mini-epic "What Kind of Man Reads Playboy?" is upbeat and catchy. "Begin The Day" shows some of the chops that make Andy Summers a great, underrated guitarist and "Tribe" has an interesting eastern slant with some classic Fripp licks. "Maquillage" is also noteworthy for its slow, droning pace interlaced with great picking.



If you're looking for a good introduction to the work of these two guitarists, you'd probably be better off looking elsewhere. If you're already a fan, and can look past the sampled sounds and synthesizers, there is good music to be enjoyed on Bewitched. As has been stated earlier by other reviewers, though, Fripp's contribution here is limited."