Even after the very best efforts of Mister Stormy, such is the sonic degradation of this audience recording in the cavernous surroundings of the Perkins Palace, the instrumental middle section of Thela is transmogrified into something resembling an outtake from Lou Reed’s Metal Machine Music.
Red similarly mutates into something that’s not so much heavy as molten; vestiges of the shape and structure can be discerned as it moves from one state of physicality to another that’s altogether more amorphous and ambiguous.
The Sheltering Sky suffers particular when the excitement of the crowd effectively layers out sections of Fripp’s opening solo, and a lone handclapper, prior to Belew’s cloud sequence, is following a beat entirely of his own devising. Brown moments bedevil Neal And Jack And Me although the end of the formal verse with Belew holding the vocal note and Fripp’s emerging solo, has a endearing albeit savage beauty.
There are moments of clarity such as on Matte Kudasai and sections of Frame By Frame and although this is generally a lively and direct performance, it that comes through a prism of distortion which lends it a diffuse punkish ambience that will likely appeal to only the most ardent of completist orientated Crimheads.
Even after the very best efforts of Mister Stormy, such is the sonic degradation of this audience recording in the cavernous surroundings of the Perkins Palace, the instrumental middle section of Thela is transmogrified into something resembling an outtake from Lou Reed’s Metal Machine Music.
Red similarly mutates into something that’s not so m...
At this point in time, I knew a modest amount about the heritage of King Crimson,
definitely appreciated 21st Century Schizoid Man, and had put a fair number of
hours into the 2 LP "A Young Persons Guide To". I purchased Discipline, based on
FM radio play, gave it a few listens, and thought that I was prepared.
I wasn't.
To the good, I planned arrival early enough to get into the orchestra pit, and be
quite close to the band. Discipline hit, my jaw dropped, and ... well, I've been ...
At this point in time, I knew a modest amount about the heritage of King Crimson,
definitely appreciated 21st Century Schizoid Man, and had put a fair number of
hours into the 2 LP "A Young Persons Guide To". I purchased Discipline, based on
FM radio play, gave it a few listens, and thought that I was prepared.
I wasn't.
To the good, I planned arrival early enough to get into the orchestra pit, and be
quite close to the band. Discipline hit, my jaw dropped, and ... well, I've been
onboard ever since.
From where I stood, the hall sounded great; nothing but positive memories of
the shows that I was able to see at Perkins Palace; would love to be able to go
to see another show there.
I've got a copy of "On (and off) The Road", and really do enjoy listening to
the material in great quality. That said, being able to listen to THIS specific
show is a resonant thrill for me, flaws and all; full points to the team for
releasing both the Big Fine Box, and also making this content available with
integrity.
Five Stars for sentimental reasons. Thanks.
Written by Peter Pitsker
Life Changing Event
My friend Kurt and I attended this concert with no clue about what we were about to hear. The concert is now somewhat gilded with passing time and subsequent events/cds, but what I remember most is the way each song flowed into the other. At times we weren’t sure if the song had changed. The band’s mastery of the material and sheer artistry was stunning. We sat rapt in our seats as the polyrythms and amazing guitar sounds wafted in and around and through us, then rode...
My friend Kurt and I attended this concert with no clue about what we were about to hear. The concert is now somewhat gilded with passing time and subsequent events/cds, but what I remember most is the way each song flowed into the other. At times we weren’t sure if the song had changed. The band’s mastery of the material and sheer artistry was stunning. We sat rapt in our seats as the polyrythms and amazing guitar sounds wafted in and around and through us, then rode back to Claremont reliving the whole thing. I had never been a Crimson fan before that, but I was instantly hooked, and have been at every SoCal Crim event ever since, usually with Kurt. Perkins Palace has never been rocked so thoroughly before or since.
