Her Majesty's Theatre   May 10, 1981
Written by Russell Whitworth

I was being very careful to control my expectations.  I'd read the Fripp interviews.  I had no idea if he was going to exert his "right to be boring", or quite what he was going to do.  Having Bruford in the line-up made me suspect that it wasn't going to be entirely Frippertronics, though.  I'd heard of Levin (from Peter Gabriel), but Belew's name didn't mean anything to me at that time.
It's hard to remember the set-list after all this time, but I think they opened with "Frame by Frame".  I clearly remember hearing that inter-weaving introduction for the very first time, along with an entire audience that was hearing it for the very first time too.  Incredible.  Instantly every other concert I had been to paled by comparison.  Every note was etching itself into my conscious and sub-conscious mind.  Normally it is very difficult to enjoy music on first hearing, but this was something entirely different.  The impact on me, and everyone else, was almost tangible.
There were so many new ideas to take in.  The interlocking guitar work, in the style now known as "crafty".  This new front-man with the ability to produce beautiful, ugly, and even animal sounds from his guitar.  The bald-headed chap with a strange-looking instrument - it must be a Stick - I've heard of it, but never seen it - how on earth was it producing all those sounds?  And of course the first hearing of that distinctive Fripp Roland Guitar Synth sound.  Even Bruford, previously well-known to me as a "drummer", was suddenly on unfamiliar territory, introducing all sorts of melodic ideas.  All of these elements were new to me - so much to take in all at once!
I clearly remember the second number.  It was what I now know to be
one of the first live performances of "Red".  If the opening number had impact, this was the knock-out blow.  Those crashing, rising opening chords have never sounded better.  All of a sudden, this was a King Crimson concert!  I don't know how many others in the audience were expecting it – I certainly wasn't - and I was stunned beyond belief.  I remember thinking "how are they going to do the strings?", and then in came the now-familiar Levin version of the middle section.  Outstanding.
All of the "Discipline" album was there - I do remember one thing - Indiscipline was played with no opportunity for the audience to answer back - we'd never heard it before.  (I'm listening to Indiscipline as I write this).  The Sheltering Sky also had a tremendous impact on first hearing.
Later in the set we had the second KC treat - LTIA Pt.2, of
course.  Bruford seemed to enjoy the audience's recognition of this one, in particular.  And finally (I think) Discipline in all its complexity.
 remember cycling home that night in a state of bliss, replaying every number in my head.  Months later, I could still "hear" each song even though I'd only heard them once (or twice, for the encore numbers).  I've never experienced this before or since - almost total musical recall based on a single listening.  Intense?  Yes, you could say it was intense.
Some months later, still carrying the performance in my head, I came home one evening and turned on the radio.  Capital Radio, Alan Freeman (yes, he was on Capital at that time).  I turned it on in the middle of a track - Discipline, I think.  Note for note as I remembered it in my head, but cleaner.
Fantastic - at last "Discipline" had put out an album!  I would rush out and buy it the next day.  Then Fluff's voice: "That's from the new album from King Crimson, called 'Discipline'"
King Crimson?  What does he mean King Crimson?  You mean they're not called "Discipline" any more?  Yippee!!!  I've seen King Crimson live, and I didn't even realise it at the time!!!

More Articles

Your search found 137 items (Viewing 51 to 60 of 137)

<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Next >>