“Welcome to an evening of Karmic retribution with King Crimson” says Robert Fripp after a rousing rendition of Fracture. He then embarks upon what must be regarded as one of his classic mid-set stage announcements involving the offer to have his penis plaster-casted in Akron the day before, and the appearance of Fripp favourite alter-ego, Legs Quigley. As we know, life on the road was taking its toll on Fripp at the time. However, judging by the way he has this boisterous New York crowd rolling in the ailse, it’s a pity he never considered becoming a stand-up comedian.
Nearing the end of their run of gigs in the USA the band take some interesting liberties with the guitar solo in Easy Money which becomes a cooking pot into which all kinds of musical ingredients and ideas are thrown in before it comes to a rolling boil.
After a bulldozing version of Starless, the adrenalin must have been pumping hard through the veins of the band as Bruford hits the ground not so running as a sprinting with a 100-miles-an-hour Talking Drum. As good as the music might be, the excitement comes also from seeing if they can maintain the breakneck momentum. Arguably the fastest version of this song anywhere. Needless to say, punters go apeshit when LTIA2 delivers its double-punch to the collective kidneys! All this and a jaw-dropping Schizoid Man, means this is a scorcher of a gig.
DGMLive would like to thank Greg Segal for sending in his copy of this audience recording.
“Welcome to an evening of Karmic retribution with King Crimson” says Robert Fripp after a rousing rendition of Fracture. He then embarks upon what must be regarded as one of his classic mid-set stage announcements involving the offer to have his penis plaster-casted in Akron the day before, and the appearance of Fripp favourite alter-ego, Legs Quig...
I was at this show. RT was great and Fripp's dialogue with the crowd was hilarious, although some of it was hard to hear over the boisterous NYC audience. I'd almost forgotten the plaster casting bit but distinctly remember one punter accusing Robert of being drunk. This recording brought it all back with crystal clarity, so thank you DGM and whoever recorded it! The Great Deceiver pretty much flattened the crowd, the Improv/The Night Watch was beautiful and Fracture was stunning, as usual. Anot...
I was at this show. RT was great and Fripp's dialogue with the crowd was hilarious, although some of it was hard to hear over the boisterous NYC audience. I'd almost forgotten the plaster casting bit but distinctly remember one punter accusing Robert of being drunk. This recording brought it all back with crystal clarity, so thank you DGM and whoever recorded it! The Great Deceiver pretty much flattened the crowd, the Improv/The Night Watch was beautiful and Fracture was stunning, as usual. Another 'hot date' with KC.
Written by Michael Dupont
Why didn't it make the cut for TRTR?
It's a curiosity that this show didn't make the The Road to Red box. Sure, perhaps its sound quality is a bit lower than the other performances, but its still very listenable, especially when compared to the majority of bootleg quality performances on the Larks' Tongues box... It would have served as yet another insightful chapter on that particular tour, but as they say 'it is what it is'. In particular I love the rolling thunder of this particular Fracture, which manages to sound very brooding...
It's a curiosity that this show didn't make the The Road to Red box. Sure, perhaps its sound quality is a bit lower than the other performances, but its still very listenable, especially when compared to the majority of bootleg quality performances on the Larks' Tongues box... It would have served as yet another insightful chapter on that particular tour, but as they say 'it is what it is'. In particular I love the rolling thunder of this particular Fracture, which manages to sound very brooding. The nights' take of Easy Money is also unique, with plenty of tasty guitar licks from Robert. Really the whole show is top notch, so don't miss it!
Written by Jerry Smith
Nice!
The sound quality is actually very good considering it’s an audience recording from Felt Forum which seems to be very echo-y anyway. It sounds like the microphone(s) were pointed directly at the PA system. You can hear someone, probably the taper, telling someone to "SIT DOWN!","TAKE YOUR HAT OFF!" and "BE QUIET!" early on. I’m sure that the DGM sonic gurus have played a large part in this as well. Seriously, we’re very fortunate to have people like Alex and David working on all our releas...
The sound quality is actually very good considering it’s an audience recording from Felt Forum which seems to be very echo-y anyway. It sounds like the microphone(s) were pointed directly at the PA system. You can hear someone, probably the taper, telling someone to "SIT DOWN!","TAKE YOUR HAT OFF!" and "BE QUIET!" early on. I’m sure that the DGM sonic gurus have played a large part in this as well. Seriously, we’re very fortunate to have people like Alex and David working on all our releases over the years. Both Fracture and Easy Money are good versions but, to me, pale with some of the other versions during this era. The show becomes a "Must Have" starting with the great Improv into The Night Watch through the the absolutely massive 21st Century Schizoid Man. Listen to the band go completely off during this! One of the best versions ever.
Written by Emanuel Maris
Double-Treat at the MSG Felt Forum!
Another of the many shows posted from the last 40+ years at which I was in attendance - and the first time I saw Starless live! (My second time, and last for a KC performance, would be exactly two months later at the very last 70s KC show, July 1st 1974, in NYC’s Central Park) One of my fondest memories of this night, aside from the wonderful set itself, is the memory of the divided audience turnout - the opening act, Robin Trower trio, was likely responsible for at least half the ticket sale...
Another of the many shows posted from the last 40+ years at which I was in attendance - and the first time I saw Starless live! (My second time, and last for a KC performance, would be exactly two months later at the very last 70s KC show, July 1st 1974, in NYC’s Central Park) One of my fondest memories of this night, aside from the wonderful set itself, is the memory of the divided audience turnout - the opening act, Robin Trower trio, was likely responsible for at least half the ticket sales. Robin’s show was first rate, thoroughly enjoyable, and well received by just about everyone there. The buzz between sets, as I walked around, was that most Trower fans had very little idea what KC was about (Trower being at his pinnacle of airplay at the time). Well, they were all knocked out, and cheering just as loudly at the end of KC’s set! (Was there any doubt?)
