Another date in which two very different acts, King Crimson and headliners, Roxy Music share the bill. The reason for pairing of course rests in the fact that both were EG-managed artists at the time. Opening a truncated set with Waiting Man and Thela Hun Ginjeet ensures that the crowd is treated to some serious foot-stomping groves. The bass distortion on this audience record makes it sound as though the band are accompanied by a fleet of low-flying bombers whenever Levin’s fingers veer toward the lower registers of the Chapman Stick. “Buona sera, Milano,” yells an ever-buoyant Belew just before they dive into Red and the Stick-induced rumbling recommences. There’s some respite from the bone-rattling frequencies during Matte Kudasai but the contrasting dynamics of The Sheltering Sky are all but obliterated in places thanks to the sheets of distortion. Thankfully, Neal And Jack And Me briefly breaks out of the enfolding rumbles. It's undoubtedly a recording that’s problematic, even following the sympathetic ministrations of Alex Mundy, but even through the murk, there are flashes of Crimson’s brilliant firepower.
