Paul Green School of Rock All-Stars With Adrian Belew

Author: tracysigler | Posted: February 12th, 2006 | | 2 Comments »

THE SCHOOL OF ROCK ALL-STARS represent the very best of what the Paul Green School of Rock is about. Comprised of the best, brightest, and hardest working students from our various branches the All-Stars have but one mission: TOTAL ROCK DESTRUCTION.

If you’ve seen “School of Rock” starring Jack Black and enjoyed it I recommend also watching “Rock School” the documentary about the real deal. “School of Rock” was loosely based on Paul Green and the school he has built to teach kids how to really rock, and to be the best musicians they can.

He has a number of Schools of Rock Music around the US. (Now, they are planning to open one in the DC area right after we move away. Curses!) Anyhow, the All-Stars periodically they go on short tours. Friday night I took my 12 year old daughter, Paris, to see the All-Stars performing with Adrian Belew at the State Theatre in Falls Church, VA. It was the second night of a four night four city tour. The house was packed and there were tons of kids there, which, ironically, I think helped keep things civilized. That said, I doubt Adrian Belew attracts the kind of knuckleheads you find at almost any “rock” show.

I knew that these kids can really play from watching the documentary. What really suprised me was the absolute joy projected and total confidence, not cockiness, of the kids. I was also pleasantly surprised to see so many girls in the band of about 40. The musicians changed for almost every song, and girls rotated in and out on most instruments including drums, bass, vocals, and guitar. Many kids played more than one instrument and also sang. How cool is it for my daughter to see a 14 year old girl up there playing lead guitar?

Adrian Belew was awesome. I have to admit that I’m not that familiar with his solo work, but I really enjoyed his playing, singing, and interaction with the kids. He seemed to be having a genuinely good time. Belew was on stage much of the time and though he sang quite a bit often he just played guitar.

Below the pic of my natural-born-rocker daughter Paris is a set list of the show.

A set list that was posted on the School of Rock forums:

February 10, 2006
Falls Church, VA
State Theater

** = with Adrian Belew

FIRST SET:
Introduction By Paul Green
Opening Music –>
Guitar Solo (featuring an Eruption excerpt)
The Magical Mystery Tour –> (Beatles)
outro to: She’s So Heavy (Beatles)
Elephant Talk ** (King Crimson)
@ ** (Adrian Belew)
I Remember How To Forget ** (Adrian Belew)
“Follow The Leader” ** ( Paul Green leads the ensemble in a cacophonous improvisation based on his hand signals ala Frank Zappa) –>
King Kong ** (Frank Zappa)
America (Paul Simon / Arrangement – YES)
Apache (Sugarhill Gang)
Purple Haze ** (Jimi Hendrix)
Madness ** (Adrian Belew)
Three Of A Perfect Pair ** (King Crimson)

SECOND SET:
Introduction By Paul Green
Glad (Traffic)
Writing On The Wall ** (Adrian Belew)
Heroes ** (David Bowie)
Big Electric Cat ** (Adrian Belew)
Frame By Frame ** (King Crimson)
Paul Green Talks
Sleeping Village –> (Black Sabbath)
Warning (Black Sabbath)
Relax ** (Frankie Goes To Hollywood)
Dinosaur ** (King Crimson)
Beat Box Guitar ** (Adrian Belew)
City Of Tiny Lights ** (Frank Zappa)

ENCORES:
I Am The Walrus ** (The Beatles)
Happy With What You Have To Be Happy With ** (King Crimson)
Orion (Metallica)
Paul Green does band introductions and Goodnights

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