THE GREAT DECEIVER: LIVE 1973 - 1974

KC had a big reputation as an improv-heavy band but besides "Asbury Park" most of the good stuff never made the official releases. That all changed with this, four very solid discs of live Crimson that is probably 35-40% improv. Lots of repeats here but the songs are generally done differently every time and the band is so tight and heavy that you won't mind. There really aren't too many bands like this.

Maybe Can at their peak, or Mahavishnu during their good period. Yes there's a ton of stuff to sit through but on their own I think each disc is probably better than nearly any other live album they've put out (Absent Lovers besides!) Plus there's some good banter in there, drunk audience members, and they even dust off "Cat Food" as a one-off.

What's not to like?