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.
TRACK
TIME
01
Improv Heidelberg I
02:44
02
Dr Diamond
07:04
03
Exiles
10:04
04
Improv Heidelberg II
06:48
05
Starless
12:46
06
The Night Watch
04:39
07
Lament
04:19
08
Easy Money
06:35
09
Fracture*
03:08

KC19740329starless

Written by Darryl Dardenne
Good show, but there are many others that blow it away
Heidelberg is a good show, not a great one. To begin with the sound is only OK, most likely coming from a cassette master of the soundboard tapes. Compared to shows later in the year or Glasgow or Zurich back in ’73 it sounds somewhat muffled and the soundstage leaves a lot to be desired. Everything is jammed into the middle with little stereo separation. All that re the sound could be forgiven if the performance was outstanding, containing that white magic Crimson were capable of on a gr...
Written by Jeff Oaster
Love this German tour...
The concerts from the German leg of Crimso’s ’74 tour are all top notch, and all bring something special to the table. There are some interesting nuances to this show. There is nothing particularly special about the opening improv and Doctor Diamond - it’s a good version, it’s just pretty much par for the course. Things start to get interesting soon after. The improv leading into Exiles (not separated into a different track) sounds like it is going to lead into Larks Toungues Part I. Is ...
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