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  One of the best... December 1, 2012
Written by jeffoaster
If I had to pick my favorite (so far) King Crimson live releases, this one would be in consideration for the top slot. For starters, you have what is one of the last ever performances of Larks Tongues in Aspic, pt 1. It’s also one of the finest (the Atlanta performance from June of 1973 may hold the distinction as the definitive version). You can almost get the impression that they knew the track was going to be retiired, so they wanted to nail it. There’s also a great version of Easy Money, with Wetton slyly changing one of the lyrics from "minor" to "mincer." I’m sure there’s an interesting story behind that one. The improv is a real gem as well, especially for fans of the Providence-style where the band meanders and tried to find some common ground before finally locking and kicking it into high gear for the last few minutes. The ending of the track is breathtaking as it transitions in Starless. Looking back, it’s a goosebump-inducing crossover to a simply majestic track. However, for the audience in attendance, they were hearing one of the first ever performances of this piece. I can only hope they were as awestruck as we Crimheads are when we listen to the track, nearly forty years later. That’s not to say it’s a brilliant reading of Starless - the lyrics are a different, and the playing not as tight as the later versions, but it’s still excellent nonetheless. If only this were a complete concert. I may take the suggestion of another reviewer and download the previous night’s concert and pretend that the final three tracks were performed this night.
Brescia April 11, 2012
Written by arkangel2605
Why do we always have pictures of Willie Scott Bruford on the ads for live sets?
Great, but needs something . . . January 20, 2010
Written by DeVito
. . . something that’s now provided by Udine from the day before -- an ending. Add the soundboard recordings of "Exiles," "Fracture" and "Larks’ II" from Udine 3/19/74 and you have a great concert. Very raw set(s), intense and heavy -- the percussion and bass are especially strong. --Chris DeVito
A fine vintage February 12, 2006
Written by Jonathan
Another vintage gig from the DGM live archives. The sound quality is very good although not as good as the Asbury Park concert. However sound quality is not everything and this gig has an absolutely mind-blowing LTIA pt1 which IMHO betters even those versions found in the awesome Great Deciever box-set .´The Improv which leads into Starless is also stunning , as is the early performance of the aforesaid song. Worth every penny.
Incredible Improv December 26, 2005
Written by mflaherty
While not faultless, this concert’s high-points are as good as this band gets--and you know how good that is. The opening Larks I is strong, but it is during Robert’s solo on Night Watch that things really come together for me. Bruford’s playing drives yet another incredible improv that falls beautifully into Starless. The sound quality is "good"; again, the frustration of the tape running out is overcome by acknowledging that we’re fortunate to have the parts that have survived.
Lost and found in Brescia December 11, 2005
Written by rhammill
I’m not quite sure what to rate this. The opening improv and Larks’ are stunning, with a huge amount of inventive percussion from Bill. In fact, if all I heard was this track I might suspect that Jamie Muir was playing as well. But it has a lot more muscle than when Jamie was present. In any event this could be my current favorite version. Dr. Diamond continues the attack to similar effect. But to me, it seems the band loses the focus in Easy Money. I’m not quite sure what it is, and I’ve listened to it many times. Robert’s solo seems to be off-key to begin. Then John and Bill start to ratchet up as if they are impatient for Fripp to pick it up, even the mellotron overpowers the solo with Robert riffing behind almost as if he’s trying to remind them that this is the guitar solo. Lament doesn’t seem to hold together any better, and the rushed approach continues with a short intro to The Night Watch. However, Robert’s solo saves the day here, one of the few that seems to have the smooth power of the studio version. The Improv is unsettling, including a couple of overpowering contributions by Bill, but overall is a magnificent set-up for about as perfect a transition to Starless as can be imagined. The only downside to this being the second ever live performance of the piece is that the ending is compromised by a closing beat by the band and the heavier section in the middle isn’t quite as refined. The extra chord between the verses, however, is nicely menacing. Exiles sounds fine, just truncated before any of Robert’s solos. Apparently a bootleg version of this show also exists, It would be nice to have the rest of the show made available if it turns up and is more complete.
Wonderfully Electric December 4, 2005
Written by djfake
Wonderfully electric, in particular the conclusion to "Starless".
Stereo image is slightly centrist, but otherwise great fidelity and
wide dynamic range throughout this very spirited performance. FLAC
version was easy to download and decode/play; we’re all Linux here.
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