DEJA VROOOM

Sorry for this novel-long review as this DVD set deserves it. If you don't want the detail, just read the summary. Thank you.

I have never seen any band line-up with a Double Trio format like this live performance of King Crimson at the Nakano Sun Plaza, Tokyo on the 5th and 6th of October 1995. Before I watched the DVD, I thought it's an amazing concept and I could not imagine before how it's gonna work. I owned their album "Thrak" with the Double Trio concept but it's an audio CD so it might contain some audio / recording manipulation. My curiosity is how they "actually" played the band with double trio. Seeing a band with double (even triple) guitars is not something new for me. Example: Wishbone Ash, Iron Maiden. Seeing a band with double drummers also something not new. Example: Genesis. But, how can I see a band having two bass players? It must be kidding. That's King Crimson who always come up with new ideas. The idea came out from Robert Fripp, the band's leader whom on the occasion of driving a car had that idea flashed out in his mind and made it happen later.

The concept itself took a very long time in preparation and formation. Music bearing unmistakable Crimson accent has been flying by Robert's ears since 1986/7. At that time Robert was asked to write the music for the planned film of William Gibson's "Neuromancer" and some of the music, at least, was distinctly Crimsoid. The film fell through before any of the ideas for the group or music developed but it was clear that there was music in the air waiting for King Crimson to give it voice.

After the break-up with the label, EG, in early nineties Robert setup his own label Discipline Global Mobile (DGM) which would enable him to maintain a much closer connection between the music and the business side of his affairs and those of the group. With this model it made him a full freedom on his approach to music including the Double Trio concept. Robert met Trey Gunn in his guitar course Guitar Craft and asked him to support a tour with Fripp and David Sylvian. Gunn was on Chapman stick. Pat Mastelotto was auditioned by playing together with Robert directly. After couple of sessions play together, Robert stopped and went to behind where Mastelotto sat at his drum stool, watching how he played the drums. Robert then said to Mastelotto: "This is my home phone number. Any one needs a reference about you let them call me and I will give high rating about how you play drums". That's where all begun. So the mini album "Vroom" (1994) was released followed with "Thrak" (1995) with Double Trio concept.

The Performance

The DVD starts off with all members of the band come up on stage quietly with slow motion and black and white picture under "Circular Improv" followed with drum works and other instruments playing avant-garde ambient music that set the overall stage performance. It suddenly stops with a direction by Adrian Belew. Musicians position from the crowd's view: Trey Gunn at the left wing, Belew at center front and Tony Levin at right wing. At the back, raised platform: Pat Mastelotto at drum set left wing and Bill Bruford at right wing while Robert Fripp sit in between Mastelotto and Bruford. Interesting stage position.

"VROOOM VROOOM" starts the show with a brilliant Double Trio line-up where all musicians give their contribution excellently. Trey Gunn plays calmly with his Warr guitar, Belew plays his guitar plus some distortion backed up with Fripp who plays guitar fills that serve as main rhythm section. Tony Levin with his Chapman stick. What more interesting is seeing how the double drummer play their set together. Definitely by looking at the style and the sound the two play differently but overall they produce great drum sounds that is one of key attractions of this live DVD. My favorite "Frame By Frame" is performed much lively compared to the original studio version under "Discipline" album. In "Dinosaur" Tony Levin plays his bass like he plays a cello during intro part. Belew sings powerfully with attractive guitar playing style. My all-time favorite King Crimson track "One Time" (Thrak) is performed wonderfully with a transparent and powerful voice of Belew accompanied with Bruford-Mastelotto percussion style drum playing. Trey Gunn provides guitar fills augmented with Levin bass lines. Robert Fripp gives his keyboard-sound guitar work that characterizes the music of King Crimson.

My curiosity about a song that was originally performed by trio Wetton-Bruford-Fripp in "Red" studio version is now answered when I watch this DVD - but this time is performed by three players. I tell you what?! It's much much better with this line-up! It has mauch more power and the music is fully packed with all instruments that contribute to this version. Tony Levin plays vital role in solid and inventive bass lines while Belew gives his guitar distortion - sometimes in rhythmic style while Robert Fripp plays the guitar at the back of the music. Trey is busy with his Warr guitar. What really attractive is the double drum role by Mastelotto-Bruford whom individually plays their set dynamically and have made the song really "alive". Awesome! Fantastic!

"B'Boom- THRAK" starts off with keyboard-sound guitar playing by Robert Fripp for quite a long time until double drum work enter the music wonderfully. It's good seeing Mastelotto and Bruford play drum solo here - very entertaining. The two gentlemen show their virtuosities through this double drum exploration. The music follows the duo drum solo and then followed with Fripp's guitar solo, Belew distorted guitar and Trey Gunn's piano-sounds guitar playing. Tony Levin with his cello style bass guita playing. Oh man . I really enjoy this track - it provides wonderful solos - a bit complicated but it's very nice. After the complex music, the band brings the music down into some kind of ballad "Matte Kudasai" (Discipline) which features transparent voice of Belew. Side two of the DVD starts with "Three Of A Perfect Pair" where Belew is accompanied with Tony Levin and Trey Gunn on backing vocals. It flows excellently and continued with "VROOOM " and "Coda: Marine 475". "Sex, Sleep, Eat, Drink, Dream" starts excellently with harmonies of guitar and bass followed with funny singing style with Belew's guitar sounds like a classic rock guitar style. Duo drum set gives unique beats for the song. The classic "Elephant talk" is also performed flawlessly. The added intro portion is an exploration of guitar and bass works performed altogether stunningly. The double bass solo between Trey and Tony give the bass sounds that remark the start of the main body of "Elephant Talk". It's really good harmony produced here. Oh man . the performance of the band during this track is so powerful, so rocking, so energetic. Belew is a great vocalist. Overall, this track is fabulous!

The abusive and unstructured (seemed like) "Indiscipline" is performed beautifully with very unique time signatures and many surprises. Double drum works show their skills here in this track. It's really rewarding as it has so many abrupt changes in style and arrangement. Belew sings theatrically with powerful accentuation and emphasis esoecially in the "talking" lyrical parts. Oh .. what a great show, really! "Talking Drum" (Tony Levin uses his stick bass) and "Larks' Tongues In Aspic Part II" are beatiful composition performed perfectly on stage. What is interesting is the fact that the violin part is replaced with guitar and it sounds much better.

Summary

By all measures, this live DVD is really superb and I cannot find any weak point of the performance and also the production of the DVD. The performance, as I have mentioned in a great detail, is perfect with many great segments throughout the watching experience. All songs are performed dynamically with great showmanship of all musicians involved in this Double Trio line-up. The DVD offers great features as many tracks contain multi angles (some has 7 angles: one angle for overall stage view while the other six contains the segment of individual member). That's why this DVD has two sides because of this packed features. I have never seen before that a DVD disc contains two sides. The DVD production is really top notch. It also features "21st Century Schizoid Man" music segment where the listener can choose the players of the song. Because the DVD is quite packed and complicated, the producer provides an 18- page full color booklet that contains the "how-to" section to get the best use of the set. I even had no chance yet to utilize all menu. But, I find the "21st Century Schizoid Man" treat is really interesting and very rewarding because I can select who plays the music for me. Very Highly Recommended! Any prog lover must have this amazing DVD package in their collection. I have owned this DVD for more than one year and it's still one of my favorites until now that I keep playing at my player. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

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