Citta Della Musica Rome Italy

“I sincerely wish we could play another three nights here in Rome” says Belew at the formal end of a set before adding off-mike “to make up for all the mistakes we made tonight” Such self-critical analysis aside, this is a pretty hot gig and wow - what a blistering improv P3 turn in; fast-moving, dramatic, searing off-the-wall soloing from Gunn and Fripp underpinned, pushed and otherwise heroically propelled by some manic Mastelotto drums and allsorts. This would have been worth the price of admission alone. Pedal problems with Adrian provides an interesting alternative ending to Dinosaur and there’s a short but sweet improv that sets up One Time as a result. Such a shame then that things that such a great sounding gig was marred by photography.

Sergio Lombardi who shared these observations on ET, takes up the story: “Everything was going fine, and the double duo Kc incarnation had swept away any nostalgia for Bruford & Levin, when {after LTIA IV} some fool flashes his camera in Fripp's eye. Very politely, RF goes to Ade's mic, saying: "an announcement from the guitarist: no photos please!". As a Royal retaliation against Rome, Frakctured is cut from the set (few noticed this, including us, having read Ade's tracksheet). The concert ends with a fantastic Vroom. Encores: Adrian performs a lovely acoustic TOAPP, impressed by our enthusiastic reaction. Then Ade leaves and P3 enters the stage, playing a delicate, dreaming improvisation, including a jewel solo by Trey. When Ade joins the Band, ready to play ProzaKc Blues, another genius (or the same?) flashes again his camera: Fripp leaves the stage without a blink, and a embarassed Ade says desolately: "I think Robert says goodnight". Lights on, audience shocked. END”