LIVE IN CHICAGO

This is one of the better live KING CRIMSON recordings that I've heard. A double live set of music containing about 2 1/2 hours of music. A couple of the musicians I haven't heard of in Bill Rieflin and Jeremy Stacey but I was so glad to see Gavin Harrison on here as he makes every recording he's on sound better. And especially thrilled to hear Mel Collins on here, and what a performance! I like the quote in the liner notes about KING CRIMSON "The precision of an orchestra, the freedom of a Jazz band, and the power of a Rock band". Hard to argue that this isn't the greatest band ever. But it's all about tastes and a lot more isn't it? This was recorded on June 28, 2017 in Chicago and man this is impressive. Still I have 5 or so live CRIMSON records I'd rate above this one. The weak link for me is Jakko Jakszyk's vocals but he's pretty good here, kind of hit and miss. So many great tunes here but I'll mention four from each disc that stood out for me.

The two "Larks' Tongues In Aspic" tracks are two of my favourites from disc one. The guitar on Part 1 after 5 minutes with the drums and bass just before it all mellows out with flute is incredible. Check out the guitar before 8 minutes as well. "Neurotica" is a surprise entry for me from the album "Beat" I'm not big on. This version has Mel's sax on it and it's quite "Discipline" like. "The Lizard Suite" is my final favourite from disc one. 11 1/2 minutes of bliss right here. The second half especially just kills.

Disc two has so many good tracks but I went with "Easy Money" just because I love that tune. Same with "Level Five" my favourite from "The Power To Believe". Just the band showing off it's muscles. "Starless" is majestic and beautiful. How about the guitar screaming over that rhythm section before 8 minutes and beyond. Lastly "21st Century Schizoid Man" the almost 16 minute version. The first time I heard this song it was covered by APRIL WINE on an album I owned so I knew it well. Didn't even know about KING CRIMSON in the early 80's sadly.

There's a ton of live records available by so many different versions of this band over the decades and this is one of the better ones in my opinion.