That said, The ConstruKction Of Light here has a real energy and verve about it, no mean feat given the conditions and you can hear Belew, off-mic at the end say “Oh yeah, Baby. Thank you, Thank you.” Similarly Facts Of Life, despite containing a wrinkle here and there, is an absolute scorcher.
Fripp notes in his diary that the venue’s air conditioning wasn’t able to cope with the crushing heat. ”. . .this may have been our hottest onstage so far. Open-air venues provide some relief from the combined weight of hotness & humidity. The severe discomfort probably contributed to our small mistakes & carelessness, which irritate me to an excessive degree even though I am guilty of more than an equal share of them.”
Nevertheless, Larks’ Tongues IV is especially good with Gunn and Mastelotto’s interplay being a particular highlight in what is a storming performance. “Thank you,” gasps Belew at the end. “You are champions for sitting through the heat. . .if nothing else.”