An old trombone, tuned bleach bottles and a sack of leaves –not the band’s backstage rider but all part of the rich tapestry of Jamie Muir’s tenure in Crimso.[endtease] The lengthy improv that makes up the bulk of this session shows the band wasn't to everyone’s liking. On their first formal performance John Wetton recalls “We were under-rehearsed, no confidence, we didn't know each other.” Yet once the musical introductions are made this TV appearance is brave and action-packed stuff. The picky Crimhead will notice that the coda to Larks’ Tongues has yet to be written let alone added to this impressive opening overture, whilst Exiles appears to be coming together rather nicely thank you very much. Short and sweet, this date is a must-have for Muir completists!
An old trombone, tuned bleach bottles and a sack of leaves –not the band’s backstage rider but all part of the rich tapestry of Jamie Muir’s tenure in Crimso.[endtease] The lengthy improv that makes up the bulk of this session shows the band wasn't to everyone’s liking. On their first formal performance John Wetton recalls “We were under-rehearse...
Curious if anyone else has noticed this: there's a minute during Cross' flute solo in the improv where it almost sounds like band is playing the middle section of Sailor's Tale (think the earlier live versions where Mel took the solo instead of Fripp) until Fripp strikes a mellotron riff that, perhaps deliberately?, sends things in a different direction.
Of course it's a great performance, but honestly this is not my favorite from this lineup. Larks I is still in its infancy and sounds incomp...
Curious if anyone else has noticed this: there's a minute during Cross' flute solo in the improv where it almost sounds like band is playing the middle section of Sailor's Tale (think the earlier live versions where Mel took the solo instead of Fripp) until Fripp strikes a mellotron riff that, perhaps deliberately?, sends things in a different direction.
Of course it's a great performance, but honestly this is not my favorite from this lineup. Larks I is still in its infancy and sounds incomplete (see the New Theatre, Oxford show for a great live version by this lineup), and the improv sometimes lacks the focus and intensity of other shows. Imo even the Zoom Club improvs cook more, especially from the guitar stool.
That said, the video of this is well worth having as the only 45-minute glimpse we get of what this band, especially Muir, looked like on stage. It's included in the Larks' box set.
Written by Jose Luis Manchobas Martín
Instrumentation
As seen in the video, David Cross does not play the mellotron in any song (he does not have it) and plays the flute in "The Rich Tapestry of Life". All parts of mellotron are performed by Robert Fripp.
Written by Robert Ramstad
Previously released as CLUB 03 i.e. King Crimson Collectors Club 3
Previously released as CLUB 03 i.e. King Crimson Collectors Club 3. If you have that, you don't need this.
Written by Tove Osterling
Fantastic Performance
Muir really shines in what is most likely the highest quality recording of his time in the band, Exiles is absolutely outstanding featuring incredibly emotional vocals and great performances all around, definitely one of the greatest version of Exiles out there.
Larks' Part One is still an early version without the coda, though that does nothing to lessen the impact of the performance featuring erratic and ever-changing percussion from Muir, excellent as always guitar work from Fripp, solid ...
Muir really shines in what is most likely the highest quality recording of his time in the band, Exiles is absolutely outstanding featuring incredibly emotional vocals and great performances all around, definitely one of the greatest version of Exiles out there.
Larks' Part One is still an early version without the coda, though that does nothing to lessen the impact of the performance featuring erratic and ever-changing percussion from Muir, excellent as always guitar work from Fripp, solid drumming and bass from Bruford and Wetton, Cross's Violin is competent throughout and replaces the Coda together with some bird whistles from Muir. Overall an excellent version of Part One.
The 28 minute improv "The Rich Tapestry Of Life" is an interesting performance featuring high energy parts while still showing calmer sides as well. The Crim Gang pulls out all tools at their disposal with Muir's trademark wild percussion and Cross playing both Mellotron and Violin, which he at one points starts plucking. A great look into the longer dynamic improvs from the Muir days.
Overall one of the highest quality recordings of the Larks lineup and a great start for anyone interested in delving deeper into that era. Highly recommend.
