King Crimson: Classic Or Dud

xp
what do you mean by "out"

They definitely sounded like a jazz-rock version of themselves when I saw them two years ago, and the more I think back on that performance, the more positive my feelings are about the direction they've been going. I'm seriously thinking about buying that 5CD live set that has one disc each of performances from 2014-2018.

xp
what do you mean by "out"

I mean leaning toward free jazz -- not some rock guy's usually simplistic idea of what "free jazz" sounds like but the actual thing. I was legitimately surprised last night how comfortable the band sounded stretching out this way. Tony's cadenza solo on the upright stuck somewhat close to the melody of the song ("Moonchild," I think) but was far more inventive than his "pro's pro" reputation would lead you to expect. Collins walked the line between free, Brotzmann-esque riffs and post-Coltrane solos. Stacey, as mentioned, was fabulous. And Fripp busted out chops and a sound he hasn't really explored for nearly a half-century -- it was actually kind of shocking that a 72-year-old man can recall how he played in his early twenties.

I like this group enough that I probably would've been satisfied with pale-if-faithful imitations of past glories. This wasn't that at all.

I must have lost all of that sitting in the nosebleed section. I'll await the next live recording in that case.

Aaaaand now I've ordered the 5CD box, and the 3CD Radical Action to Unseat... set.

I've got the earlier 4CD version of the 5CD live compilation; you won't be disappointed. It's my favourite KC album tbh.

Does that Audio Diary thing have a release date?

Don't know; I got the earlier 4CD set nearly a year ago, having bought "Courtier's Package" seats for their Manchester gig (birthday treat for the boyfriend). We got one each, so I flipped the spare on Discogs for £££.

I'd never been a fan of classic period KC, and only bought the gig tix as an act of love. But I've since discovered that the current live line-up is easily my favourite incarnation of the band - and it seems to be Fripp's, too. Saw one of the 50th anniversary shows at the Albert Hall not long ago, and it was equally brilliant.

I assume, since it's a giveaway to super-deluxe ticket-buyers (as described in the post above), it'll probably be shipped to us plebes once the tour ends?

overheard a couple exiting the stereolab show last night:

him: it was this kind of 'Robert Fripp meets--'
her: shut the fuck up

lol

I got my copy of the 5CD box a week or so ago. It's great - and there's even a track (the "Interlude" on Disc Four) from the show I attended.

nostalgia hipster slap fight

This Cosmic FuKc documentary looks like it might be fun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG3bjJmGfHI

lmao ok that is a good trailer

Well, this fucking sucks:

Seeing news that my old friend Bill Rieflin has died of cancer. You know him as a mighty drummer for bands from Ministry to later R.E.M. To me he was the kindest guy who worked with me at Tower Records SF when I was 19 and so uncool. Hadn't seen him for a while but I am so sad. pic.twitter.com/MAXjc3TzNX

— Feeling Distant (@annkpowers) March 24, 2020

What???

Oh no

man it's so goddamn sad

Defined ‘solid’ as a drummer with a pretty incredible CV that speaks for itself

RIP

Saw him 7 or 8 times with Robyn Hitchcock, he was so great

Fripp and Toyah on Rieflin

they were clearly incredibly close to him. Fripp and Toyah are so odd, his reputation as a gruff and pretentious egghead I think masks what must be a lovable guy; his social media posts with her are so goofy and I thought it was a bit of a put on at first but I don't think so any longer.

Goddamn that was rough to read. The sternum thing. What a strong guy

I was at the 2nd Oakland show at the Fox, his last performance? Fuck I had no idea he was in such dire straits.

Utterly heartbreaking.

did he play at that show or just show up? I saw pictures of him there but he wasn't playing at the show I was at (which I think was the second)

That Fripp recount and salutation is very difficult. I am glad I read it. I am so glad they had that friendship and so sorry for the suffering and loss all around.

I think I was at the first of the 2 nights. He was on keys to my recollection

He was on keyboards when I saw them in Red Bank, NJ in June 2017. Cancer for close to a decade - that's awful.

wow, that was tough to read. the story about him playing a bunch of mixes over the phone while Toyah was paying by the minute was pretty funny though

(never really loved KC in 45 yrs of trying but "entry of the crims" on ABSENT LOVERS really suits my mood my work and my mood rn)

(tbh the singing is usually when the problem arrives)

https://www.facebook.com/robert.fripp.96/videos/vb.100000181177250/3429444193738253/?type=2&theater

I can't even

I can: holy shit.

He's got pretty good legs for 73

much better than the other drivel he's been posting on FB during quarantine which has all been defensive stuff about random complaints people have made about his reluctance to do autographs over the years.

I prefer cranky prick Fripp to goofy old man Fripp.

no one wants Fripp to bacon himself

The Easter bees are buzzing in an English country garden #lockdown 🐝 💐🐝 #easter #bees #toyahwillcox #robertfripp pic.twitter.com/pYLhy6kUEh

— Toyah Willcox (@toyahofficial) April 10, 2020

In less goofy news:

King Crimson tour postponed until 2021 pic.twitter.com/6UcBxKKk0X

— KING CRIMSON (@DGMHQ) April 12, 2020

Happy #lockdown #EasterSunday to the world xxxxx #ToyahWillcox #RobertFripp pic.twitter.com/NZBm6yX8mw

— Toyah Willcox (@toyahofficial) April 12, 2020

finding myself increasingly in favor of a premature "reopening"

Ordered the Live at Summit Studios 1972 a few weeks ago, it's really great - probably one of my favorite Crimson things I've heard lately. Just a really great line-up and interesting configuration without the Mellotron.

lol at their ugly kitchen units

Anyone else jealous that Fripp managed to find a wife who is just as much of an oddball as him? Us other oddballs and eccentrics have never found that joy.

" lol at their ugly kitchen units"

their entire house is pretty ugly, if you have design tastes that were formed any time after 1965

She has a definite "wear you down with bubbly energy" feel about her, I'm sure she's the instigator of these vids.
xpost

Another one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXErrpAHxkc&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR1shUrq0l6DQg8p3Mf900_FmA1c2KwyCRpsJHljDbfDWoTFaeD9P63HpeU

[Toyah dancing to Lark's Tongue.

Why don't my youtube links work?

Why don't my youtube links work?

When you post the link, post the whole URL from the browser window, not the shortened youtu.be one that the "Share" button offers you, and change the URL from https:// to http://.

I think I did that. OK, I didn't take off the "s".