Seventeen months after KC last played the UK, Boz, Mel, Ian and Robert took to the stage of Plymouth’s Guildhall.[endtease] This out-of-town debut shows the band overcoming initial nerves and sounding far more confident during the Islands material. Even so, these versions are still brand new and the paint barely dry on them as a somewhat sticky version of Ladies of the Road demonstrates. Fripp sounds curiously subdued throughout the performance whilst the man of the match has to be Mel Collins. When Fripp describes Mel's talents as “beyond belief” it’s no idle flattery; the ground Collins covers during this gig is astonishing. Check out his blazing solos during Bearings and Schizoid and the sheer stamina on display during the nascent Sailors Tale.
AUDIO SOURCE: Soundboard enhanced with audience bootleg
Seventeen months after KC last played the UK, Boz, Mel, Ian and Robert took to the stage of Plymouth’s Guildhall.[endtease] This out-of-town debut shows the band overcoming initial nerves and sounding far more confident during the Islands material. Even so, these versions are still brand new and the paint barely dry on them as a somewhat sticky ve...
The performance on this one is certainly a five star, and except for the audience portions of the concert (i.e. the first 2:30 or so of Get Thy Bearings are almost unlistenable before a jarring return to the SB portion), the sound is probably at a five star level as well.It’s no secret at this point that Collins was a dominant force - possibly the best soloist ever in the Crimson lineup - and he is on fire for this concert - he’s channeling Coltrane in the aforementioned Get Thy Bearings.We�...
The performance on this one is certainly a five star, and except for the audience portions of the concert (i.e. the first 2:30 or so of Get Thy Bearings are almost unlistenable before a jarring return to the SB portion), the sound is probably at a five star level as well.It’s no secret at this point that Collins was a dominant force - possibly the best soloist ever in the Crimson lineup - and he is on fire for this concert - he’s channeling Coltrane in the aforementioned Get Thy Bearings.We’re also treated to what is likely the debut of The Letters (unless if you count Drop In as a version of it) and Ladies of the Road, which seems to remind me a bit of Cat Food at this point. And while I always like hearing Formentara Lady preceding Sailor’s Tale, these embryonic versions with drastically different arrangements and solos are a real treat to listen to.
