USA

I have the 30th anniversary edition which includes the whole concert (extra tracks) as well as David Cross' actual violin parts. They were originally so low in the mix that Fripp brought Eddie Jobson in to re-do the parts and they were added later.This is from their concert at Asbury Park, New Jersey on June 28th 1974. Right off the top I have to say that i'm blown away by the sheer power of this band here.The rhythm section of Wetton and Bruford is like a ton of bricks. I kept thinking of ANEKDOTEN especially with the storm of mellotron throughout this live concert played by both Fripp and Cross. Bands like TOOL and GUAPO and many more owe so much to this band.

The opener "Walk On...No Pussyfooting" is a 35 second pastoral intro. It's absolute choas when the next song "Larks' Tongues In Aspic:Part II" opens. The first minute is heavy duty until the violin comes in.They're wreaking havoc again and the drums are fantastic ! This contrast of violence and calm continues throughout the song. "Lament" has some nice vocals from Wetton and things are quite mellow as the mellotron rolls in.This changes 2 minutes in as it kicks into gear. Here we go ! Everything is so presice. "Exiles" builds with violin. Love when the angular guitar comes in after 3 minutes with mellotron. Vocals join in. Deep bass before 6 minutes then Fripp is soaring after 6 minutes as it all sounds so beautiful. "Asbury Park" is a monster. And it's an improv ! It has such a great heavy sound to it and Wetton's bass stands out. Fripp leads the way and the guy is truly a genius. His guitar sounds like dark electricity.The waves of mellotron are so majestic. Things change 5 minutes in and it becomes the Fripp and Bruford show. It starts to build late.

"Easy Money" reminds me of ANEKDOTEN during the intro.The mellotron is amazing 2 1/2 minutes in. Some angular guitar 3 minutes in. Nice deep bass after 4 1/2 minutes. Fripp 6 1/2 minutes in ! The intensity is building. "Fracture" opens with Fripp's angular sounds. It kicks in before 1 1/2 minutes as contrasts continue. Bruford 2 1/2 minutes in followed by violin 3 minutes in. Killer sound 7 1/2 minutes in. "Starless" opens with percussion and mellotron as the violin then bass join in. Vocals 1 1/2 minutes in. Huge bass before 7 minutes as the sound builds. Check out Fripp who unleashes fury after 8 minutes. Bruford is so good here.The tempo picks up before 9 1/2 minutes. Amazing ! The bass is massive as Fripp solos and Bruford does his thing while the mellotron comes in waves. Not worthy ! "21st Century Schizoid Man" is the encore. This is the most powerful version of this song i've heard. Fripp is on fire 3 minutes in. It's so powerful around 5 minutes.

This is pretty much the perfect live album for me.