"The Belcourt holds 370 people, as I learned in line, two rows of folding chairs were placed in front of the front row of permanent seating. Very nice theater which has a heavier film schedule then it does for live music events. You could not tell this by the way they handled this event, very efficient, very friendly and professional.
One of the highlights of attending such an event is meeting the other people who obviously share some interests, it makes passing the time under the bright blue sun
bearable. (okay, so the sun wasn't actually blue on this day.) One nice fellow in my section of queue, poured himself a cup of flavoured water and handed me the rest, seeing as how I was losing internal moisture at a dangerous rate. Good people these
Crimsofans. Others made bottled water runs and replenished the folks around them. I could not leave the line as I was, at this point, a solo act.
There was quite a number of people who were there to see their first Crimson show ever, some were of the younger set, including our friends from Paris. It gives me hope about the future of "difficult" music. I am not exactly what you would consider an old timer in the court of the Crimson King, in fact, this would be my first time seeing Tony Levin with anyone. Yes, ashamed to admit that, though I am.
My first Crimson experience would be the V.VI warm up shows for TCoL (2000) and TPtB warm ups (2001). There were quite a few veterans of those shows present and I actually remembered seeing some of there.
Adrian arrived and parked right in front of the venue in his sporty Chrysler Crossfire, grabbed his guitar and other gear from the trunk, chatted briefly with the crowd in his ever gracious and friendly manner and entered through the front door. It was not long before T-Lev strolled up the street, waving and smiling. Soon, they both came back out and wandered around the corner, presumably to Boscos, for whatever pre show "ritual" and relaxation.
The doors opened at about 7:10 p.m., the end of the wilting...thank goodness. Entry was smooth, organized and swift, wrist band for age check, guest pass posted. I was dangerously close to the stack, stage left, which delivered thunderous bass and drums but, I didn't mind. I had a great view of Robert's perch. My rib cage was sufficiently rattled, good for the blood flow.
Many people, I am certain, were anxious for the return of Tony Levin and were excited to see what the edition of Gavin Harrison would bring to the fold, as was I.
Fortunately, The Crim, was also aware of this and planned much space for Pat & Gavin to show their wares in the form of a single mind playing different parts. Most "new" music of the weekend was delivered from the drum risers and that is how the show began.
Adrian, during these sections, sat stoic on his fancy stool, trying his best to not draw any attention away from what was going on behind him.
A masterful duo of percussive precision ripped through the frame of our existence, at times sounding like a drumline field performance but with the Pat and Gavin signature so firmly attached. Pat, as usual, had the digital duties but was at full steam on the genuine skin and cymbal barrage as well. Gavin was just as amazing as everyone knew he would be and you would have thought he and Pat had been playing these pieces together for years.
Most bands I have seen with dual drum kits pretty much play the same thing from each kit but, these guys were together in their own worlds, in the same piece but, each taking their own respective strengths to dizzying heights.
The band set out to level the place and delivered. The addition of Gavin working in concert with Pat, added a fresh coat of paint to the material. Adrian was his usual animated, smiling stagemaster of ceremonies.
There was a few minor bobbles here and there, expected in warm up shows, that's what makes them special. In fact, that's what makes Crim, Crim.
Occasionally, Tony didn't show up for a background vocal, he was so into his playing. Adrian would give him a sideways glance like "where were you?", but, with a knowing grin. That familiar grin. Robert, had a few bobbles of his own but nothing major. He had a permanent grin himself for the entire night.
Another review I read said that the clams prevented the music from ever taking flight, I must adamantly disagree with this assessment, they were in full flight. I didn't hear anyone after the show that felt differently then I did about that.
Adrian was in his usual, awesome vocal form. I did notice that he approached the high parts in Frame by Frame a little carefully the first time around but he went for it and, nailed it, when it rolled by the second round. He played his silver Fly for the weekend with the tangerine/orange Fly at the ready for just in case. I believe, if I am not mistaken, this was the coming out party for Adrian's new guitars in a Crimson setting. They passed the audition with flying colors.
Merch, merch, merch...
Lot's of stuff available at the mercantile, on night one I snagged the official tour T featuring art by P.J. Crook and the tour dates listed on the reverse. I also picked up the "40th Anniversary Tour Box"which is audio only in a DVD case featuring a collection of snippets from over the years, a few gems included. I realized later that the fellow who sold me my goods is the same fellow who sold me at goods at Porcupine Tree in Asheville, NC last fall. At the end of both evenings, posters for the show(s) were handed out freely, on nice heavy stock with "SOLD OUT !!!" in bold red. It was a wonderful first evening and I would say that King Crimson is off to a grand start for this new, albeit short, tour."
