The mavens on the KC FB page had this to say, "I wasn't [there] that night, but I can confirm the title (CatalytiKc No. 9) was culled from Robert's personal setlist print out."
There is no comparison!
21st Century Schizoid Band was better than this version of KC. They had Ian McDonald and Michael Giles. Also Jakko was allowed to show some personality. I'm a huge KC fan, but the current version is a failure. The band died when Fripp fired Adrian Belew. Fripp's ego is almost as big as his talent.
I don't think anyone has a problem with a fan preferring one version of Crimson over another or wishing that Belew could still work with Fripp or even disliking this version of Crim for whatever reason you choose.
But to claim that Fripp's ego (narcissism might be a better word--we all do things to satisfy our egos) is somehow motivating the artistic direction of the band or that he is controlling how much Jakko is allowed to express himself seems wrong.
By all accounts, this is the only time in Crimson's history where all band members actually enjoyed being in the band, enjoyed playing with each other, enjoyed being around Fripp. Joy beams from this band. That's the impression I got watching them in Chicago last week. Collins' many thumbs-ups in reaction to fans; Jakko's smile during Fripp's solo in "Lizard"; the playful interaction between the drummers in the "Indiscipline" intro; the whole band marveling during Harrison's solo in "Schizoid Man."
I could be wrong, but this really feels like a band that enjoys what it is doing, not one that is under Fripp's thumb, bristling and seething.
I want to dynamite your mind with love tonight.
Trolls be trollin'.
Wake up to find out that you are the eyes of the world.
It turned off some fans. Including myself, as I also happen to be one of those who prefers the previous lineup. But most of us let it go, accepted things, and don't need to hammer the point home at every opportunity. And based on the strength of ticket sales across subsequent tours, the band hasn't seen any sort of mass exodus due to the change.
I am glad KC exists and is actually operating in something resembling "happy" mode. IMHO that is genuinely wonderful. And I am happy to go back and revisit ElektriK / Power To Believe / Heavy ConstruKction to my heart's content. I've seen Belew since and he seems pretty happy too. So, as the phrase goes...be happy with what you have to be happy with
If you're actually reading this then chances are you already have my last album but if NOT and you're curious:
https://battema.bandcamp.com/
Also, Ephemeral Sun: it's a thing and we like making things that might be your thing: https://ephemeralsun.bandcamp.com
The only part of this KC that can be deemed a failure is the lack of new music and the partly valid 'classics tour' criticism. The musicians are clearly enjoying themselves, the gigs are well attended and the performances are good. Personally I found Mel the highlight as I like the saxophone twist they've put on lots of pieces. Others have mentioned Jakko & Gavin so clearly lots of individuals are resonating. Live material that has been released has been very good. The only people who appear to have a problem with the line-up are those who think 3 or drummers is unnecessary (hard to disagree with that) and Belew fans. KC has turned over band members so frequently that its hardly a shock that Belew isn't in this line-up especially as Fripp wanted to revisit a bunch of those early albums where Adrian's voice doesn't really fit. Belew appears to have gotten over it and is happy with what he's doing.
Everyone is allowed their own opinion, and there's nothing wrong with not liking this direction, but calling it a failure is a bit too much of a stretch.
Ian
Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on progrock.com
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Gordon Haskell - "You've got to keep the groove in your head and play a load of bollocks instead"
I blame Wynton, what was the question?
There are only 10 types of people in the World, those who understand binary and those that don't.
Sad that fracture appears to have fallen out of rotation. Guess it wasn't cutting to whatever standard fripp had.
The fact that they're doing islands, fallen angel, neurotica, and battle of glass tears though is a solid concession! Pleasant how they've gotten 4 new repertoire songs into consistent nightly playing!
Fracture is out of rotation only because RF needs to build up to playing it...that's how TL put it to me in person asking him back-stage.
This line-up has about 10 pieces that are new...i don't see how this is a nostalgia act; to me this is now a KC big band playing and capable of doing any piece from any era...Jakko has also said they're constantly writing too and it's RF's choice about what to present when to present.
I guess it's just that - by KC standards - the music has an orchestrated feel (the word has been used a bunch of times already in this thread) - which is probably hard to avoid considering how the drum parts have been arranged - which is decidedly at odds with how much of the material that they're playing now has been played live over the years. I realize that you can't just dial up someone as technically proficient and creative as Bill Bruford, but I still do think that one awesome drummer (plus an additional percussionist, if deemed necessary) would be better for this music than how they're doing it now, even if it wouldn't look as pretty on-stage.
The songs that work the best in this format, IMO, are anything from ITCOTCK and Wake of Poseidon + Letters. The other stuff - especially the Larks Tongues-through-Red material - was more interesting for multiple show attendances when the arrangements were messier and less predictable. IMO.
Seriously? I was at the last 21stCSB show in California, and I've seen the current version of KC and the 21st band pales by leaps and bounds IMO. Yes I was thrilled to see McDonald, Peter Giles, Mel, Jakko and Ian Wallace, Mike Giles was already out of the band. Even though Mike Giles is a true pioneer of prog-rock drumming, his chops were not what they were in his youth (the rumor I always heard was his alcoholism). And the absence of Fripp was quite noticeable. And after decades of praying to see the 60's and 70's Crim songs come back to life, it was great. I never appreciated how good the late Ian Wallace was too. However the KC since 2014 is simply amazing. Power, glory and jaw dropping beauty. The essence of KC is back with a vengeance, and I pray it continues for many more years. The Good Fairy has returned!
Day dawns dark...it now numbers infinity.
You forgot Drumson Werning, Interlude/CatalytiKC No. 9, Hell Hounds of Krim, Devil Dogs of Tessellation Row, Banshee Bell Legs Hassle, Hoodoo, and Seperation...the latter two are works in progress i suppose but whatever...needless to say they're not NOT working...were Radios I & II, and Inner Garden not songs then either by that inevitable next bitch-session's token?
Figured it was such with fracture, fripp blogged last about all the work that goes into being ready to play it and how he has to feel properly amped up and prepared to play it to put it in the set. Suppose there's only been 4 shows this tour where he felt up to it - and that is 100% understandable given how difficult it is to do!
As for the repertoire, I view it as cool so long as they continue to add old songs they haven't done before, like fallen angel and islands which are back and as long as they just keep adding new songs in, like how this tour added in radical 3, which is way different than radical 1 and 2. They keep slowly adding more new songs at a clip of 1-2 per tour as is.
So keep on adding new songs and new old songs, just look at how different the set is comparing 2014 to 2017!
Where is there a recorded version of this band doing "Fracture"? Thanks
We need a KC version of The Musical Box (the tribute band, that is).
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