“‘Ang about, ‘ang about. It would be rude of me to talk over you and since I have no intention of stopping, I suggest that you do,” says Robert Fripp attempting a bit of crowd control with a very boisterous audience in the hot environs of West Palm Beach. The very listenable audience recording captures the Crims in fiery form with a superbly dispatched Doctor Diamond. It is a source of constant wonder how John Wetton managed to sing those words at this speed! Sometimes on this tour the intro to Larks’ Part I sometimes consists of some perfunctory vectoring as the quartet gets into the zone. On this occasion, there are some nice explorations of tones and texture that stand up rather well. Wetton again dominates with a scorching wah-wah bass solo that eventually subsides into an airy David Cross obbligato.
The improv that acts as a prelude to Exiles is dark and sombre which of course stands in dramatic contrast to the joyous elation that surges through Fripp’s solo during a superb reading of the song. The second improv that ultimately runs into The Talking Drum cautiously opens with another fractious frightscape with Cross on the lower register of the violin taking the piece into a deeply introspective location. When Fripp’s Mellotron strings enter, Bruford keeps steady time with rimshots, sounding rather like where the idea for the ballad section for Starless might have originated. That sense of recognition is reinforced when Cross enters again with a plaintive, mournful solo. Rounding an eventful evening off with a cracking Larks’ II and a bulldozer Schizoid Man, this is a great gig.
“‘Ang about, ‘ang about. It would be rude of me to talk over you and since I have no intention of stopping, I suggest that you do,” says Robert Fripp attempting a bit of crowd control with a very boisterous audience in the hot environs of West Palm Beach. The very listenable audience recording captures the Crims in fiery form with a superbly dispat...
I went to the concert alone, because of course no one else I knew was remotely interested. I was 13, and had heard only ITCOTCK to that point. I had great seats right up front for the opening act, Frampton's Camel (!). I then remembered that a neighbor girl on whom I had a crush was going with her friend, so I gave up my seat, tracked her down, and then spent the evening listening to her complain about how awful the music was (some things never change).
All I honestly remember is wondering wh...
I went to the concert alone, because of course no one else I knew was remotely interested. I was 13, and had heard only ITCOTCK to that point. I had great seats right up front for the opening act, Frampton's Camel (!). I then remembered that a neighbor girl on whom I had a crush was going with her friend, so I gave up my seat, tracked her down, and then spent the evening listening to her complain about how awful the music was (some things never change).
All I honestly remember is wondering who the Hell was playing that huge 'cello, and why did it sound as if it was coming from a white keyboard, and also Robert saying, "We have a new album out, *Larks' Tongues in Aspic*. We suggest that you buy it". (A few years later, when I was ready to hear it properly, I did.)
Still, I know that somehow, the music waves penetrated my skull, stayed there, and waited until I was a little older, more mature, and ready to receive them. So, thank you, DGM, allowing me to hear a concert that I attended, but didn't hear at the time. Robert's comments about the need to be present seem more prescient daily, but one hopes that an infatuated 13-year-old can be forgiven his youthful peccadilloes!
Written by Chris Inguanta
Definitely a five star for the playing
Yes, this concert is very listenable. I rate the sound quality 3 to 4 stars. Great 21st Century Schizoid Man. Great playing on the other songs, too. Definitely a great listen, you should get this one.
Written by Jean Luc Michaud
West Palm Beach concert on June 21st 1973
First day of the summer, usually it is very warm in Florida, well the band likewise is giving a very HOT concert. THis recording is "very listenable", you can hear all instrument very clearly, Davis Cross playing on LTIA-II is stellar. A recommended concert to get from the highly performant Brufford-Wetton quartet. 5 stars performance , the sound I would give it a good 4 stars .
