First released on CD as KCCC 29, the opening improv is akin to a gathering storm that suddenly finds its focus in Dr. Diamond. Almost overwhelmed in the beginning by Bill’s use of the gong, it quickly powers up into a great opening number. Prior to a gorgeous version of Exiles, Fripp deploys his classic stage announcement borrowed from Elmer Gantry, “Right, hands up those who like it those who don't fuck off my eyes feel like pissholes in the snow this is the last one for the evening seeds of space fly by my face”.
The second improv of the evening begins with an agile funky groove that enjoys some explosively percussive outbursts from Fripp’s guitar and harmonic lines from Cross on the Hohner pianet. Thereafter, Fripp offers up another flowing and often frenetic solo as the band lock down in the manner of the improv they would perform a few months later at Asbury Park. After the storm comes the calm: the ‘tron flutes and sustained guitar lines at the end of the piece offer a wonderful haven for reflection.
It’s interesting to note that Fripp then starts playing the intro to The Night Watch which is then quickly abandoned for Starless. Had Fripp misread the set list or was this the mood changing mid-stream and the band responding to it? During an especially strong reading of Starless, Bruford and Wetton are on devastating form. Dense, acerbic, stirring and moving, the concert is a wonderful example of the kind of magic Crimson conjured on a nightly basis.
