The first in a five night run in New York, and not surprisingly the Crim machine is pretty slick and well-oiled by now after an extensive North American tour. Opening with Belew’s solo rendition of The Beatles’ Free As A Bird, we move quickly into more regular Crimson territory. The gear shift seems to come into a frantic Neurotica, which seems appropriate given the setting and the subject matter, despite the vocal trigger not being quite as synched as it might be. The improvisation in the middle of Thrak was later edited into Fearless And Highly Thrakked for the THRaKTTaK album and it’s formidable stuff indeed. Just in case you thought they’d peaked by the end of the gig, Fripp’s circular solo over the coda makes for a truly hair-raising experience. Not a bad way to say hello to New York! Part of this concert was first released as KCCC 5/6
