by Mott the Dog
***** 5 Stars Rating
This D.V.D. released by the omnipresent Robert Fripp,
leader of those pioneers of Progressive Rock (in this case perhaps a more
apt title would be Adventurous Rock) King Crimson have at last brought out
a recording that does justice to the band’s musical ability and visual
presence.
From a musical point of view you get over two and a
half hours of Crimson music from the amazing Double Trio King Crimson, a
title made up as ever by Fripp where, although all six members were on
stage at the same time, they were able to break off in mid-song to play as
two separate units, and then all come crashing back together with the
power of Thor’s double sided hammer.
This is used to dramatic effect on such old Crimson
standards such as “Lark’s Tongue In Aspic Part II” from 1973 (come
on if you haven’t heard it, aren’t you just a little bit curious to
find out what a song sounds like with a title like that?), originally
recorded when only Robert Fripp & Bill Bruford were in the band. From
this lineup the others in that period being Jamie Muir on percussion,
David Cross on violin, flute & keyboards, plus the mega-talented John
Wetton on bass & vocals, but when this 1998 version of the band come
in altogether on that most famous of Crimson riffs, the wallpaper shreds
from its glue. Most of the well-known songs in the life and times of King
Crimson from 1973 onwards are here, with a definitive version of most
songs laid down.
Visually, the band line up as a back row and a front
row. In the back row the two drummers sit on either side of the stage as
if castles on a chess board, Bill Bruford in a dapper yellow double
breasted suit, whilst Pat Mastelotto effects traditional Rock ‘n’ Roll
garb in jeans and t-shirt. Sitting on his stool in the middle, dressed in
black, is Mr. Robert Fripp, no emotion showing but firmly in command of
his guitar and those all around him. The front line consists of the
mercurial Trey Gunn on stick guitar, on your left, to the right is without
doubt the best bass guitarist in the world of rock, Mr. Tony Levin. And
slap bang in the middle is Adrian Belew, the band’s lyricist for more
than twenty years, lead guitarist, and focal point of the live show, with
his pleasant bouncy personality. The fact that he resembles Rick Bryant
more and more as time passes is neither here nor there.
This version of King Crimson is a joy to behold. These
days Bill Bruford and Trey Gunn have gone on to pastures new, but the
nucleus of the band are still going and are in fine form as last year’s
offering “The ConstrucKtion Of Light” showed (Robert Fripp always
chucks on extra capital K into the title if he can).
But the joy of this D.V.D does not stop with the
concert alone.
There are so many extras with this set it is hard to
know where to start. Firstly, there are seven different camera angles on
which you can view this concert, zooming in on just one player, or taking
an overall view. After watching the concert you can switch over and watch
Tony Levin’s road movies from this tour including clips of travel,
hassles, rehearsals, and even some very honest ‘warts ‘n’ all’
arguments between band members. A section on the history of King Crimson
called, “In The Court Of The Crimson Kings” which chronicles the life
and times of King Crimson and all its different line-ups, with plenty of
photographs to match. Great fun is the 21st Century Schizoid band where,
with an interactive menu, you can select a choice of singers, soloists,
and rhythm sections from 1969, 1971, 1974 or 1996 to perform one of King
Crimson’s most famous songs.
There are also some surprise items slipped into the
proceedings, but then if I told you about them, they wouldn’t be a
surprise would they. Also included are many extra D.V.D. Rom features if
you want to slip the discs into your computer and become a complete King
Crimson Anorak.
So whether you’re a fan of King Crimson or not, but
you own a D.V.D. player and want to use it to its maximum effect, then
this is the disc for you.
Well done Mr. Fripp and cohorts, leading the field in
innovation, as always.
If you prefer to just get yourself an audio document of
this fantastic King Crimson line-up, they also released a double CD
version of a concert from this tour with a near identical set list called
“B’Boom The Official Bootleg”, and well worth seeking out.
Musicians.
Robert Fripp - Guitar & Mellotron
Adrian Belew - Guitar & Vocals
Trey Gunn - Stick Guitar
Tony Levin - Upright & Electric Basses
Pat Mastelotto and Bill Bruford - Acoustic &
Electronic Percussions
Track Listing.
1. Circular Improv
2. VROOOM VROOOM
3. Frame By Frame
4. Dinosaur
5. One Time
6. Red
7. B’Boom
8. THRAK
9. Matte Kudasai
10 Three Of A Perfect Pair
11. VROOOM
12. Coda: Marine 475
13. Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream
14. Elephant Talk
15. Indiscipline
16. Talking Drum
17. Lark’s Tongues In Aspic
Part II
18. People
19. Walking On Air
To contact Mott the Dog email: [email protected]
The full title of this book is The Wonder of Bangkok,
Ayutthaya and Kanchanaburi and Other Surrounding Attractions (ISBN
974-253-008-4) and was brought out by Mark Standen Publishing last year.
It is basically a picture book with captions, although it has an
introduction of several pages by John Hoskin, a writer of note and long
standing in Bangkok, who does not need an introduction. The photography is
provided in the main by an English photographer, Leon Schadeberg, though
several others are acknowledged at the end of the book.
Mott’s CD review: