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February 17, 1972  |
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Grande Ballroom Detroit, MI |
 Great Mel's On Fire May 12, 2010
Written by Andrewn
Blimey says Edward Boring, not another concert from that version of King Crimson, but no, this line up represents a time that cannot be recreated so each surviving concert is indeed precious. Through the wonders of DGM Live we can hear the development from May 1971 when the lads were performing a kind of "King Crimson’s Greatest Hits" slowly easing out the older material and introducing the Islands songs. The US tour of 1972 represents the last hurrah of this particular line up with Mel, Boz and Ian venturing forth with a "what the hell" attitude and the guitarist seemingly wishing he was elsewhere at times. Pictures bursts forth from the speakers but during the slow section Mel really takes over leading the band into a bluesy jazz improv before returning to the final verse. Formentera Lady is ushered in with beautiful flute playing and staying close to the recorded version, once the verses are out of the way Mel switches to Sax and instead of the usual funky shuffle we get a blistering sax solo with Ian battering away at the drums, eventually the improv loses it’s way with all players seemingly lost until Ian’s cymbals bring on Sailor’s Tale. The solo of this number always seems to reveal Robert’s mood on any particular night, sometimes sustained and reflective, others are more slashing. Tonight starts with a long bluesy vibrato that soon gives way to the splintered chords of the recorded version.Cirkus is as per normal but with Mel honking at every opportunity. Ladies Of TheRoad is not one of my favourite numbers but is despatched with it’s usual aplomb, at 19 minutes Groon is one of the longest and again Mel is seemingly happy to solo at length. Before the audience can recover Schizoid Man flattens them with again Mel well to the fore. If you don’t like this line up this won’t change your mind but if your a fan - sit back and prepare to be amazed at the irrepressible Mel Collins
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Posted by: Andrewn
Blimey says Edward Boring, not another concert from that version of King Crimson, but no, this line up represents a time that cannot be recreated so each surviving concert is indeed Read more
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