Phoenix marks the start of an interesting albeit short experiment for the Crimson setlist. Immediately after a pensive Dangerous Curves the band hurtle into a piece that utlitised the biting chords of LTIA pt1 - the first time in over 27 years since they’d been heard in a concert situation. As Adrian solos the rest of the team coalesce around the growling slouch of Level 5. Used for only a few more gigs on this tour, it’s an idea that never had the chance to be properly developed. Frame By Frame offers lots of intriguing details in Trey’s work and Pat’s constantly inventive percussion and is a true (if surprising) highlight of the set. Belew pulls off a solo on LTIA pt IV that’s amazing even by his standards. Truly hair-raising stuff. The whoop you hear from Ade at the end lets you know how special it was. Eye-witness John Moshier summed up his thoughts on the gig via ET. “Was I Impressed? Absolutely. Did I love the show? Probably not. I left feeling more drained than exhilarated. I was not disappointed. This is just very deep, heavy, disturbing stuff...I'm glad I went, and would go again, but I could never see these guys 3 nights in a row. It would probably do me in or send me to the asylum.”
