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November 25, 1972  |
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New Theatre Oxford, England |
 Return of the Beast March 18, 2008
Written by DeVito
With all due respect to Boz et al., in my view Crimson didn’t exist from January 1970 to mid-1972; the recordings and bands assembled by Fripp during that time seem to me to be more a series of proto-ProjeKcts, none of which developed into anything self-sustaining. After the working group dissolved in spring ’72, Fripp assembled the first true King Crimson lineup since Dec. 1969 (as I subjectively view it -- but like the man said -- "It’s just my opinion of course. But I am right.")
The Larks’ Quintet was a unique group, and one of the most original and powerful "rock" bands ever (fuck off rock press!). Listening to the most recent Crimson lineup (Quartet 2000-2003), and the lineups in between (Quartet ’73-’74, Quartet ’81-’84, Double Trio ’94-’97), I hear essential elements of the ’72 Quintet in all of the lineups that followed, greatly extended and expanded and transmogrified of course. It’ll be very interesting to see/hear what the upcoming 2008 Quintet does. Any recording by this lineup is essential. With this concert, on first listen David Cross’s violin stands out to particularly good effect. I’ve found that the audience tapes of this group make it a bit difficult to appreciate everything that’s going on, but repeated and concentrated listenings are rewarded -- put on the headphones and just listen, as deeply and totally as possible. It’s worth it. --Chris DeVito
More Articles
Your search found 6 items (Viewing 1 to 6 of 6)
| Fan Review |
Oxford Dreaming Thu., Sep 1, 2011
Posted by: petersenior
Superb playing and great sound for an audience bootleg. After a great Larks 1 followed by some amusing comments from RF there is a sublime Daily Games drifting via a DC solo into a pastoral improv which quietly builds into Read more
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| Fan Review |
A quality download Tue., Jul 29, 2008
Posted by: HarrySpade
The sound quality is very good for a bootleg cassette. Most of the instruments are audible throughout, especially David Cross’ violin.
The performances are outstanding. The version of "Larks’ Tongues In Aspic Part 1" included here rivals the studio Read more
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| Fan Review |
The gig that changed my life Thu., May 22, 2008
Posted by: mramnesiac
Yes, I know hyperbole is the common argot of the web, but just consider... I was an18 year old rock fan, into Yes, Soft Machine, Kevin Ayers, The Bonzos. I’d heard improvisation before, but always within a Read more
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| Fan Review |
it all comes flooding back.... Fri., May 16, 2008
Posted by: antmanbee
I saw this line-up one magical night at Liverpool Empire about a week after the Oxford show - caught the entire performance on my trusty Philips cassette recorder only for some light-fingered removal man to swipe it (along with half Read more
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| Fan Review |
Return of the Beast Tue., Mar 18, 2008
Posted by: DeVito
With all due respect to Boz et al., in my view Crimson didn’t exist from January 1970 to mid-1972; the recordings and bands assembled by Fripp during that time seem to me to be more a series of proto-ProjeKcts, none Read more
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| Fan Review |
It makes me smile Tue., Mar 18, 2008
Posted by: pyython
The "balls to the wall" approach to the music this group has here simply makes me smile when I hear it. After 2 good listens, I still find LTIA 1 and the Improv to be spectacular pieces of Read more
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