Try as I might, I was totally unable to make the KC show in Nashville, however, I was able to get a first hand report from a friend of mine who went, which is, as follows:
Man, you really missed out on a great show. This one complete surpassed my expectations. The second drummer was AMAZING and Tony Levin was just awesome to see. This may be the best KC lineup ever. Wow!
And this is the first time I’ve seen them when they really just played all their best old material, and I for one, really enjoyed that…
AND
…It was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. If these guys do a larger tour I will definitely be catching them again.
And here’s the setlist from Mike Goldman:
Drums Duo
ConstruKction Of Light
Level Five
Neurotica
Three of a Perfect Pair
Indiscipline
Frame By Frame
Dinosaur
One Time
Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream
B’boom
Elephant Talk
Red
Drum Duo
Thela Hun Ginjeet
The Talking Drum
Larks’ Tongues In Aspic II
Sleepless
VROOOM/Coda: Marine 475
Be sure to submit your reviews of the show(s), and feel free to do so in this thread!
-Jeff Duke Jr.
License
This work is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.
Wow - no new material other than the Drum Duo’s
Interesting …
That show was awesome. Totally blew me away. I really appreciated the old stuff. Felt very good to hear all these tunes in this line-up. what am I saying!? Felt incredible! Few mistakes could be heard, covered with smiles; but … The drum duo was amazing, Tony Levin and Adrian Belew are so much fun to watch, seemed to really enjoy the show. well standing ovation just at the start must feel good. and mr Fripp made me laugh with his persistence to be invisible…but some people got really pissed.
Eh, and failed to mention the thrill of meeting Adrian Belew and Tony Levin with his wife in a nearby bar just before the concert. Ofcourse I went to ask them sign my ticket. And they were so nice and modest talking to me! What amazing people!
I wish i could go and hear them again in chicago or elsewhere, but the tickets, if available, are super expensive!!
Night two - awesome. The rhythm section dominates the band. It’s great to see TLev back, he’s so charismatic and fun to watch, and then of course there are two drummers too. Adrian was the usual great front man and Roberto Frippo was partly hidden. Adrian didn’t take many crazy solos. So, the stage presence of this band is dominated by the rhythm section. It was great! Both guys I was with complained about the mix. They agreed that the bass (stick) was too loud and drowned out the guitars. One said the vocals were too low. I thought the mix was great. I heard the guitars and vocals clearly, except that Ade’s elephant sounds didn’t come out for some reason. I don’t understand why they had trouble hearing things that were plenty loud enough for me.
This was truly a celebration of King Crimson’s music! Everybody played with such confidence and style. The songs seemed like fine wine that got just a little better with time. Newcomer Gavin fit along with these stellar performers, like he was always there! He must really understand the bands approach. I hope they record some new material with Tony. Looking forward to some more shows, please extend the tour and come back to Chicago!
I saw the August 7 show at Park West in Chicago. Tony Levin has already annointed this show, “Probably one of the best I’ve ever done with Crimson,” on his web site, so there’s probably no point is offering a contrary viewpoint, but does anyone else feel as I do that listening to Crimson do absolutely nothing new for two hours is something of a letdown?
Saw the show, aside from a song or two, this is basically the 1995/1996 double-trio set sans the required talents of Trey Gunn and Bill Bruford. Dig out your set-lists or grab your copy of B’Boom and save yourself some $$. I’m glad that they think this is the BEST.CRIMSON.EVAR, but it’s not. Sorry boys, put out some new material before you start making proclamations.
What an amazing experience!! I got to witness Krimson at its finest on Wednesday & Thursday. Unfortunately I missed the Friday show, although I’m sure it was superb. Many great memories: chatting with Fripp - The Sister, getting a copy of Pat’s setlist from Bill Munyon, meeting Gavin at Stanley’s well after the show ended on Thursday night, and of course meeting some fellow Houstonians and their friends - Thanks again Yahonza, Stevestars, & Adrian. I had a great time!!! I only wish I was going to Philly & New York.
Ah, man.
I go to jazz concerts all the time that feature no new songs per se, but plenty of new improvisations based on old songs.
Why can’t a rock-influenced band do the same?
I went to the Park West show on August 6th, it pretty amazing. I’m just used to more aggressive crowds, that crowd couldn’t have been more mellow. I’ve got most of the setlist, but I came too late for the first couple of songs, if someone could tell me the first few songs it would be great.
Red
Neurotica
Three Of A Perfect Pair
VROOM
One Time
Dinosaur (it was touching when he sang high at the end
Level 5 (Wow!!!)
Larks’ Tongues In Aspic
Thela Hun Ginjeet
Sleepless
Indiscipline
Elephant Talk
Saw the August 6th show and really surpassed my musical nexpectations. Regardless that Mr. Fripp wants to be invisible , his playing was superb and fluent along with Tony Levin and Andrew Belew,each a genious on their own. The communication with the public was very poor though. They a mike-shy or what?
But the highlight of the night were the two-drumers. Gavin Harrison ( the guest) from Porcupine tree was just awsome. And Paul Mastelloto from KVC demostrated versatility and creativity. What a great show!
Lets hope they extend the tour or at leat record it on DVD.
I caught the 2nd Nashville show. Loved it. 4th time I’ve seen them. Great to see Tony back in the fold. Gavin played great. The highlight for me was meeting with Pat after the show. He was very generous with his time. I got to get some great pointer(I’m a drummer too) and share a few laughs. I wasn’t not disappointed by the lack of new material for one simple reason. If you read Robert’s diary, it’s pretty clear that there was no intention to present any. This was to celebrate 40 years, not promote a new album. Then again, every KC show is a new experience!
I am off to see the Crim at Keswick outside of Philadelphia (Glenside). It is interesting to continue to hear people complain about the Crim (i.e. no new material, can’t see Fripp, no one talks). I have lost count of the number of shows I have seen of Crim and the various side projekcts over the past 26 years and believe you should just go to see the band in whatever incarnation. Like the entry above stated about jazz being different everytime, so why not the Crim.
This will be only my 2nd KC show, having seen them back with the double trio lineup in the mid 90’s. My friend hasn’t seen them since Three of a Perfect Pair Tour. We saw Fripp and Belew w/ Projekct Six at the Keswick when they opened for Porcupine Tree, so I can’t wait to hear what the full KC will sound like there tonight! What a summer for shows! Return to Forever was incredible last week, tonight should be just as great! Peace.
Just got back from the Keswick Theater in Glenside, PA for tonight’s Crimson.
I hope the sound guys are reading these reviews…I was sitting four rows behind the sound board, to the left slightly. And I’m sorry to say this was the worst sound I’ve ever heard at a KC concert. Gavin Harrison’s drums were boomy at 150 cycles, bass drum and front rack of toms were nailing a resonant frequency that overwhelmed the entire bass range, couldn’t hear detail or pitch in Levin at all on both Stick and bass, and Harrison seemed MUCH louder than Pat M. Also, Belew was much louder than Fripp, to the point that the 2nd guitar part in the gamelan sections of “Frame By Frame” was missing and all you could hear was Belew’s. The sound seemed harsh, and I found I was really missing what makes this group so good, the detail of textures and interaction. I don’t recall the last time bad sound ruined any concert for me, but this one was hard to enjoy.
On the plus side, what I could make out of the playing was pretty hot, but it was hard to say if they were having an off night from the sound. During “One Time”, when they hit the polyrhythmic chorus, Belew pulled away from the two drummers and ended on a different beat, glancing back at Harrison. I can only imagine he (or they) couldn’t hear each other much at all.
Despite this, I’ll be there tomorrow as well and hoping for a better mix.
(Hint: back off on Harrison’s bass drum, my ears still hurt…)
I also was at the Keswick last night, seated about 12 rows back of the soundboard, left of center in the middle section of the venue. I agree with the above poster’s comments regarding the sound. It was very unbalanced and rather harsh. Gavin’s drums were particularly loud especially his bass drum. I could not hear T-Lev very well either, and Pat seemed a little buried sound wise.
On the positive, the band’s performance was great! Other than a minor muff here and there, and a noticeable disconnect in One Time, they were very strong, and seemed to be genuinely having fun on stage. it is great to see Tony Levin back in the fold - he is tremendous, and adds so much to the band. The dual drummer set-up is pretty sweet too, with Gavin playing more of a traditional drummer’s role and Pat being more on the electronic drums, sound samples and various percussive gadgets.
While KC did not play any new material other than the drum duets, some fresh takes on the material they did play was cool. Sleepless was a nice surprise, and always good to hear Frame by Frame, TCOL, Red, Vrooom, TD > LTIA II, Elephant Talk, Thela Hun Ginjeet, etc…
I am hoping DGM offers up some of these shows either on CD or for download. I am sure I am not alone in that sentiment among fans. We would love to hear the different shows! Thanks!
Well, I couldn’t make it so I’m sure it sucked.
Two drummers? I mean, come on. And Gavin Harrison isn’t so great. As for Tony Levin, well we already saw him back in the 80s and 90s incarnation. No need to see him again. And I’m sure Fripp and Belew just broke out all of their old licks.
And what, they didn’t play Schizoid Man? That’s like Men Without Hats not playing Safety Dance. Like they’ve got better songs.
I’m sure it was pretty boring and I’m glad I didn’t miss a thing. How good could a bunch of old geezers sound anyway?
The second night at the Keswick was excellent! The sound was much improved, and I could hear T-Lev and Pat much better than the first night. The setlist took a little shake-up as well. The first night they played One Time and Sleepless, the second night KC treated us to a very nice Walking on Air. Other than that, all the pieces they performed were the same, albeit in a slightly different running order.
These were my 13th and 14th King Crimson shows since I started seeing them in 1995. And while each of those shows featured new material being performed, this tour is the first (for me) that did not feature new material, and I was ok with that. I felt this line-up captured a lot of the passion and excitement of the double trio line-up of 1994-1996. I am looking forward to this band’s next tour. Enjoy the remainder of your tour gentlemen!
I was at the KC show last night at the Keswick in Glenside, PA. I thought the show was excellent! I love this formation of the band! Tony Levin was awesome and the addition of Gavin Harrison just made things that much better! He’s an awesome drummer and I hope he stays in the line-up!! The two drummers complimented each other throughout the night! I wish I had tickets for both nights!
I went to both KC shows and was seated right in 9th, then 6th rows. I thought the sound was good and did not notice the distortion (maybe being towards the side helped?). I had a great time at both shows. I just wish they were longer (*sigh*). I went home and watched my 1984 tape of concert “Three of A Perfect Pair - Live in Japan” to see if I still liked it…….I DID!
Saw the Nokia NYC show last night and it was indeed amazing. There were a few crackles in the speakers at the beginning of the set, and there were a few miscues in the set, but none of that mattered. The band was on fire. They were full of energy and everything sounded fresh. The double drummer setup really worked. Harrison was impressive but it was Mastelotto that stole the show. He held everything together, had his moments of fireworks, but was thoroughly impressive in his restraint and selflessness. He let Harrison take off a lot (Harrison was even the primary drummer during the Indiscipline intro with Levin), and held everything together with subtle (and not-so subtle) percussive flourishes. As a drummer myself, I have never been more impressed with the selflessness of another drummer. With that said, though, what he DID play was fantastic. Belew and Fripp, guitar-wise, were as tight and crisp as ever (Fripp had the only guitar flub of the night…playing the end of Frame by Frame an extra measure). Belew’s voice was in top form. Levin was ridiculous as always. The set was pretty similar to the set list listed above. Highlights for me were Red, Level Five, Talking Drum/Larks II, and Frame by Frame.
WHAT?
No one took my troll-bait?
You damned Crimson fans are just too smart for my own pleasure.
This is actually the first Crimson tour since 1981 that I was unable to attend, and the reviews are allowing me a sort of vicarious, ghost-like experience.
I saw them in New York on their final performance. The band was just FUN! Even Robert Fripp gave a big appreciative laugh during the outro of Dinosaur. If I was observing correctly, probably because of Adrian Belew’s error involving that guitar synth. This was my first King Crimson show ever, seeing that I am 18 and have only known of their music since 2004, but I hope there will be at least a few more tours from them. Sound wasn’t too bad. Fripp was a little low at some points. But I think I speak for most people who were there when I say it was a great night.
It’s interesting,though,that only one song off the two Levin-less albums appeared on the list.Welcome as it is,I wonder if this is some kind of the “good-bye” series beginning? The lack of progress is regress even in the 21st century
The Chicago show from august 7th just released!
and downloaded
http://www.dgmlive.com/archive.htm?artist=16&show=1301
Oh wow they sound good. Not surprisingly, some of the tunes seem to be taken at a slightly slower clip that Crimsons of the past, but despite that (or because of?) they sound great.
Pat M and Gavin Harrison sound like a single multi-armed drummer for some of those clips…Lark’s Tongue seems to harken back to the dual-drummer days of the 70s.
I certainly hope that go around one more time and I get to hear them. Meanwhile, of course, I will flutter about virtually via these measly scraps known as ‘recordings.’.
Love, It.
More please!
There is plenty to feel good about with this lineup.
-J
Saw the first two NYC shows. Ouch. And I mean that in a good way.