ABSENT LOVERS - LIVE IN MONTREAL, 1984

While this isn't my favourite live KING CRIMSON recording, I wouldn't be without it either. This is an excellent representation of their eighties albums, in fact of the18 tracks on here,15 are from those three records.This was the last concert of the "Three Of A Perfect Pair" tour, and we get 6 songs from that album,3 from "Beat" , and 6 from "Discipline".

The set starts with "Entry Of The Crims" a heavy, dark and atmospheric instrumental that begins slowly and builds until metal sounds fill the air. This has to be one of the best concert openers i've ever heard. It blends into "Larks' Tongues In Aspic Part III" an uptempo, intricate and complex instrumental. The crowd roars after 3 minutes as Bruford pounds away and the guitars rip it up. This also blends into the next song which happens to be "Thela Hun Ginjeet". We get vocals for the first time. What a frenzied soundscape. The guitar work is mind boggling. Check out Bruford ! The bass is prominant 4 1/2 minutes in. "Red" is just a pleasure to listen to of course. "Matte Kudasi" is the first track that does nothing for me. "Industry" gets better as it plays out. From 4 minutes on it's really good. Belew asks the crowd if they would like more of the weird stuff. Well they get it with "Dig Me". Those last 3 songs for me are the weakest section of disc one. "Three Of A Perfect Pair" really impresses me with the intricate guitar work and the ripping guitar after 2 1/2 minutes. "Indiscipline" opens with Bruford doing some complex and intricate drum patterns. Nice. Guitar comes in at 2 1/2 minutes. Bruford just shows off his skills even more at this point. Vocals 3 minutes in. This is such a great track vocally. Funny. When Belew screams "I did !" it's chaos. Check out the famous angular guitar melodies from Fripp before 7 minutes. We're not worthy !

Disc 2 starts with "Sartori In Tangier" and Belew asking the audience if they know any good jokes. Check out Fripp and Belew on guitars ! Just an awesome instrumental from the "Beat" album. "Frame To Frame" has always been a favourite of mine. I love the intricate guitar melodies. "Man With An Open Heart" sounds like a TALKING HEADS influenced song. It's fun and catchy. "Waiting Man" has a bit of an island beat to it. Belew comments when it's over that "Boy, that's the best we've done that in a long time". "Sleepless" has a powerful, full sound except on the chorus. Blistering guitar after 3 minutes. Check out Bruford a minute later. "Larks' Tongues In Aspic Part II" is one you have to turn up loud. It's faster than the original. An all out assault. "Discipline" is a song where the guitars of Belew and Fripp seem to interlock and weave around each other with amazing precision. It gets more intense after 3 minutes. "Heartbeat" is a good one from the "Beat" album again. It sounds better than the studio version to me. "Elephant Talk" is the encore track. Nice way to end it with words like bicker, banter and broohaha from Belew.

4.5 stars. What an enjoyable live set this is. With all the live stuff these guys are bringing out recently I still consider this to be a must have for this period of their careers.