Desire Caught by the Tail (album)

Desire Caught by the Tail is the third solo album by Adrian Belew, released in 1986.[3][4] It is an instrumental record that was written, arranged and performed by Belew alone.

Desire Caught by the Tail
Studio album by
Adrian Belew
Released1986
Recorded1985–86
StudioCreative Audio, Urbana, IL
GenreExperimental
Length32:59
LabelIsland[1]
ProducerAdrian Belew
Adrian Belew chronology
Twang Bar King
(1983)		 Desire Caught by the Tail
(1986)		 Mr. Music Head
(1989)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]

Unlike its predecessors Lone Rhino and Twang Bar King, Desire Caught By the Tail is an entirely experimental album. It was recorded using treated, multi-tracked electric guitars, guitar synthesizer, keyboards and assorted percussion instruments.

The title Desire Caught by the Tail is from the play 'Le Désir attrapé par la queue', written by Pablo Picasso. The album is in part inspired by Picasso, with both the sound and the composition style being more abstract, harsh and loosely structured than much of Belew's other solo repertoire.

Critical reception

The New York Times wrote that "by multitracking guitars and percussion, [Belew] can follow odder whims - inventing quasi-Middle Eastern folk melodies (and making his guitar sound like a musette), melting down tunes halfway through, piling up electronic yowls and twitters. Mr. Belew mixes eerie resonances and slapstick timing; even in instrumentals, his grin comes through."[5]

Track listing

All tracks written by Adrian Belew

  1. "Tango Zebra" – 7:30
  2. "Laughing Man" – 5:28
  3. "The Gypsy Zurna" – 3:03
  4. "Portrait of Margaret" – 4:00
  5. "Beach Creatures Dancing Like Cranes" – 3:28
  6. "At the Seaside Café" – 1:50
  7. "Guernica" – 2:00
  8. ""Z"" – 5:40

Personnel

Technical
  • Stan Hertzman – executive producer
  • Rich Denhart – engineer
  • Jim Bartz – assistant engineer
  • Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound, NYC – mastering
  • Bruce Breckenfeld – technician
  • Paul Hixson – photography (front cover)
  • Chris Covatta – photography (back cover)
  • Margaret Belew – paintings
  • Sotto Vocé – cover design

References
  1. Popoff, Martin (September 8, 2009). Goldmine Record Album Price Guide. Penguin. ISBN 9781440229169 – via Google Books.
  2. Desire Caught by the Tail at AllMusic
  3. "TrouserPress.com :: Adrian Belew". www.trouserpress.com.
  4. Prown, Pete; Newquist, H. P. (February 1, 1997). Legends of Rock Guitar. Hal Leonard. ISBN 9781476850931 – via Google Books.
  5. Pareles, Jon (November 28, 1986). "Pop and Jazz Guide" – via NYTimes.com.
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