There are moments in a King Crimson concert where the musical worlds are so much in contrast to each other that it’s hard to imagine that it really is the same band. Take One Time and Vrooom Vrooom for example. During one, the listener is buoyed aloft in a blissful reverie, carried along a tranquil stream of strings and soundscapes as lyrics about romantic surrender float by. Then, a few scant seconds later, one is bruised and battered by and the very next number, pitched on the turbulent swell between bass and lead lines simultaneously ascending and descending. It’s a bit like being caught in white water rapids, tossing the listener’s attention from one side to another, as these twin waves of the Double Trio edge closer and closer threatening a deluge at any moment. Amidst the tightness of the set, the improvisation in Thrak is spacious but rather speculative, and never quite takes hold. It’s brought to an end by a bombastic orchestral trigger that acts as a kind of lets-get-out-of-here moment. You can hear Belew laugh ruefully at the conclusion of the track. Part of this concert was first released as KCCC 5/6.
