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March 31, 1974  |
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Jahnhalle Pforzheim, Germany |
 A dynamic and funky performance December 17, 2005
Written by rhammill
I still have no clue how many stars to give these things. Some highlights- Great Deceiver:
One of only two (?) released performances so far. I haven’t listened to
the one on ‘The Great Deceiver’ recently, but I recall feeling it was a
bit weaker than the studio version, largely because of the missing
guitar doubling the bass (played by John on the studio version). I
don’t have the same sense this time around, maybe it’s just a more
energetic performance. In any event, this version rocks, even with
John’s strained vocals. Improv I:
Crimson ’74 improv, what’s not to like? This show is of the several
short lead-in improvs vein (I wonder if there was another one to set up
‘Great Deceiver’ missing from the recording). Anyway, this one is an
atmospheric lead-in to: Doctor Diamond:
Is it fitting that the song about a train from hell starts with one of
the most spectacular train-wrecks I’ve heard from the band? Wow, an
extremely sloppy intro, complete with David failing to stop with the
band for the first verse. The vocals are about as rushed an
unintelligible as I have heard for this song. The middle section is
great though, Robert and David are clearly separated and discernable in
the mix. Improv II:
More atmospherics. It seems that each of them is giving a cue to launch
this piece (Bill with the whistle, John with a driving ascending bass
line, or Robert with an accented note, but nobody takes the lead,
instead it just builds to a group crescendo, then stops dead with just
Bill keeping a steady beat before beginning again…sometimes you’d swear
these were planned. I love this stuff. It is a nice set-up to Exiles,
almost as impressive as the improv>Starless on the Brescia recording. Lament:
Although often sounding as filler, Bill’s gong after the first line
makes it clear that this is different. The opening section is slower
than normal and to me works much better. Bill’s percussion throughout
is fresh and funky. One
thing that has become more noticeable as the ’74 shows continue to be
released is how the rhythm section changed through this tour. Bill in
particular starts the tour with some truly inventive percussion (like
Brescia, the second show of the tour). By this show (still early in the
tour) the percussion is less (but still interesting and often
unexpected), By the end of the tour (Providence, Central Park), the
percussion is minimal and Bill is in full power-drumming mode. This
shift is already happening here, check out the interlude in Starless –
Bill and especially John is itching to get rocking again (and by the
sound of the guitar solo that follows Robert is happy to oblige). This
type of thing is all over this show (check out the funky guitar/drum
riff in the second verse of Easy Money, not to mention the solo - I
could go on and on). In fact, the only limp performance here is the
fragment of Fracture. Suffice to say, if you’re a fan of the ’73-4
lineup, then you won’t want to miss this. It’s a dynamic, driving,
often funky show.
More Articles
Your search found 9 items (Viewing 1 to 9 of 9)
| Fan Review |
The band was simply on fire... Sat., Dec 1, 2012
Posted by: jeffoaster
It’s really great that we have access to a bunch of the shows from this German tour. There is so much to like, and the band was scorching for this stretch of Read more
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| Fan Review |
My favourite Crimson bootleg Fri., Apr 6, 2012
Posted by: Kibitz
The hottest show from the hottest leg of the ’74 tour, and I’ve heard every available bootleg from this era. This is the one you need to buy. Bruford’s funkiest and most authoritative performance Read more
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| Fan Review |
KC Club Release? Sat., Sep 3, 2011
Posted by: Starless4over13
The previews sound great - I’d love to see this on CD! I’ve got 3/29/74 (Heidelberg), 3/30/74 (Mainz), and 4/1/74 (Kassel) on my shelf. See that big gaping hole in Read more
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| Fan Review |
Pforzheim, Germany March 31, 1974
Posted by: chrisklenox
There must have been something in the air in Germany! This may be the most intense King Crimson recording I have ever heard. The enery level on this is through the Read more
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| Fan Review |
3/31/74 Pforzheim Fri., May 26, 2006
Posted by: okemopoma
WOW, excellent show. Really get a taste of Crimso on the road in ’74. Sound quality is excellent. Kicks the almighty booty. Best Dr. D I have ever heard. Bruford really shows that you can only play with Bill on Read more
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| Fan Review |
Yikes!!! Thu., Feb 23, 2006
Posted by: djscomics
Man, I love this stuff......mayhaps it makes my review a bit biased, but then again, I think it makes me a bit more subjective. If this sucked, I would say Read more
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| Fan Review |
A dynamic and funky performance Sat., Dec 17, 2005
Posted by: rhammill
I still have no clue how many stars to give these things. Some highlights- Great Deceiver:
One of only two (?) released performances so far. I haven’t listened to
the one on ‘The Great Deceiver’ recently, but I recall feeling it Read more
|
| Fan Review |
4.5 stars actually Mon., Dec 5, 2005
Posted by: pillbug
Just downloaded this to tide me over while waiting for USA to come in the mail. A great concert, excellent sound quality and musicianship. The vocals are a bit strained on the high notes of Great Deceiver but you can Read more
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| Fan Review |
Another Great Night Thu., Nov 24, 2005
Posted by: mflaherty
This is not the full concert, but don’t let that stop you; we
should just be thankful for what has survived. The band was
burning that night, particularly John, who in his passion Read more
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