Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 05/06/2008
The two-plus hour concert contained within this double-CD package serves up a most effective link from the
King Crimson of the 1960s, '70s, and '80s with the double-trio resurrection that boasted the unified talents of
Adrian Belew (guitar/voice/words),
Bill Bruford (percussion/drums),
Robert Fripp (guitar),
Trey Gunn (touch guitar/voice),
Tony Levin (basses/Chapman stick/voice), and
Pat Mastelotto (percussion/drums). Both sets of their July 1, 1996 performance at the 2,000 seat
Shepherds Bush Empire in London are offered in a superb stereo recording that bristles with the constant transfer between players and attendees alike. However, prior to the full ensemble even having the chance to make it to the stage, it is announced that
Fripp will play a solo Soundscape in lieu of the support act -- the
California Guitar Trio. The
"Introductory Soundscape" spills from
Fripp with a buoyancy that foreshadows the formidable program to follow. As the cover of
Pierre Favre's
"Prism" will bookend at the close, the likewise percussive
"Conundrum" kickstarts the proceedings as the rest of the band ready themselves for battle. With over a year of active touring under their belts,
King Crimson's set lists had evolved considerably. Newer material from their latest studio effort
THRAK (1995) has begun finding its way more organically into the performances. That said, it is not until after the authoritative revival of '80s favorites
"Thela Hun Ginjeet," "Neurotica," "Waiting Man," and a slash-and-burn take of the instrumental title track to
Red (1974) that they concern themselves with the first rumblings from
THRAK via
"Dinosaur." Before the conclusion of the first set, the sextet dip deeper into the new pool of fresh sounds on
"Vroom Vroom," Belew's brainy-as-ever
"Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream" and the pairing of
"Vroom" with the strident
"Coda: Marine 475." Disc two contains the slightly shorter -- yet arguably more intense -- second set that begins with a raving update of
"Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Pt. 2," and a suitably frenzied and otherwise spot-on
"Frame by Frame." Even the typically sedate
"Matte Kudasai" takes on a heightened sense of exigency.
"B'Boom" and the new LP's title composition
"Thrak" lead up to what is, by all accounts, an epic unleashing of
"21st Century Schizoid Man." Regardless of some old-school enthusiasts' devotion to the original 1969 lineup, even the most ardent supporter would be hard-pressed to find fault with the high degree of interplay, particularly between
Fripp and
Belew. The pair trade fiery exchanges, the likes of which make a rightfully indelible impression upon the listener. The methodical
"Indiscipline" all but puts the wraps on the show -- sans the encore led by
Bruford and
Mastelotto's masterful rundown of
Pierre Favre's
"Prism" that is tagged by an energetic
"Elephant Talk." In addition to this show,
www.dgmlive.com allows interested parties to download other full-length concerts in lossless FLAC and MP3 formats -- one of which is the previous evening, June 30, 1996 at the same venue,
Shepherds Bush Empire.
~Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide
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