So, I've been steadily listening through to the whole thing in order -- very interesting to do. I'm on the final live show, Portsmouth. A number of things spring to mind...
I tend to think of the 1972-4 band in terms of Wetton and Bruford, Red and that guitar/bass/drums power trio line-up, a fairly conventional instrumental set in rock, but this earlier band, with the addition of Cross and Muir, can sometimes offer a very different sound palette and something much less familiar in a rock context. Some of the best moments in the improvisations are with Cross and Muir to the fore. That said, the whole ensemble often weren't a very good improvising band! There's some good moments, sure, but a fair few misses too.
There's a little interview with Wetton at the end of one of the CDs and he talks about Richard Palmer-James as the lyricist. I'd always kinda assumed that Palmer-James was hanging out with the band, writing the lyrics as the music developed, but Wetton describes Palmer-James being in Germany and sending them lyrics. So, how did that work? Did Palmer-James just send words with no idea what music they would be put to (as Bernie Taupin often worked with Elton John)? Were Crimson sending Palmer-James demos so he had something to work to? What?
Henry
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