THE COLLECTABLE KING CRIMSON - VOL. 3 (LIVE AT THE SHEPHERDS BUSH EMPIRE, LONDON, 1996)

I saw this version of KC at the Count Basie Theater, in Red Bank, New Jersey. For those who have not been there, this is a wonderful theater, acoustically, and nary a bad seat in the house. In any case the concert I saw had the Californiia Guitar Trio as the warm-up act. They were a great lead in to the headliners. The concert was incredible. Fripp was playing in the shadows, as has been the case with this tour. Trey Gunn and Tony Levin are different players but complemented each other. I think you could expand that comparison to the Pat Mastellato and Bill Bruford as well as Adrian Belew and Robert Fripp. Complementary, yet different.

This was the double trio's final concert and it was a special one, at that. Without the California Guitar Trio present to provide the warm-up, Fripp took center stage and provided over 20 minutes of soundscapes. The fans in England are a different breed. Rowdy, yet respectful. I doubt that a crowd that came to see KC in the USA would be as willing to allow Robert Fripp provide a wholly entertaining presentation as he did that night. The ending of his solo set blended in perfectly to the beginning of the KC set with Conundrum.

The set earlier in the tour only had Red as the representative song from pre-Discipline days. it was the lead off track and got the audience into a proper frenzy. Here is appears as the fourth track. It is such a powerful song that it stands out, regardless of its placement. You cannot bury Red.

Imagine the absolute joy I had listening to 21st Century Schizoid Man. As mentioned in the booklet, the piece had not been played live for many, many years. Yet, the band was in sync and in full bloom, playing this piece. Adrian Belew hinted at it during the ProjeKct sessions with a small tidbit played on vibes by him. So, I am guessing that it was his suggestion to play it and Fripp agreed.

There is not a duff track to be found on this release. All of it is superb. The chemistry was right. The band was very tight from touring. You couldn't ask for more from this version of KC. It is such a shame that this six menber group did not stay together long enough to produce another studio effort. I think the results would have been stunning.