USA

It's a bit hard to fathom that, despite having a reputation as an outstanding live band, during it's original string of incarnations there was only the sparsely distributed, and not very good by the band's standards, "Earthbound" as a live representation. This album was released after the Wetton-era band broke up.

Although I have the original LP, this review is for the expanded 2002 CD edition.

Despite most, if not all, of these tracks being released in other collections and concerts, this being the first live release (in the short form) of the greatest King Crimson lineup, it holds a special place in my heart. This, and a cassette tape of a live radio broadcast, were once all I knew of just how good this band was.

And the music is amazing, even though the recording quality is not perfect, and there are a few off notes here and there (particularly in the two bonus tracks), the listener gets an indication of the improvisational prowess misters Bruford, Wetton and Fripp possessed. I'd like to add Cross to that list, but he is mixed way down on both the record and CD, and some of the violin was overdubbed by Eddie Jobson.