LIVE IN MAINZ, GEMANY 1974

This concert recording is actually a very good supplement for any serious collection of King Crimson's 1972-1974 era albums. There are lots of improvised material here, and also many special versions of their basic tracks. Surely many of these features can be found on other DGM releases as well, but this CD offers a very good selection of these on one disc. The recording quality is good in my opinion, though the sound tones aren't exceptional.

The first three of the songs are pleasantly extended with impressionistic free form sound wall openings, from where the composed songs then emerge. The starter "Improv: The Savage" / "Dr Diamond" is an excellent performance, clearly among the best versions of this song about "Train to Hell" so far which I have heard. This composition didn't do it on any of the band's studio albums, but it's present on many of their live recordings of years 1973-1974. "Improv: Arabica" opens "Exiles" with nice layers of percussions, and the performance is a very good, lasting ten minutes. "Improv: Atria" has some good parts, but there seems to be some problems to find a common direction in some moments too, and I think that this wasn't the best performance this group can do. Upcoming "The Night Watch" is then maybe the best version of this song, as it is here perfect with no edits or switches from one performance to other. Solos, changes and everything go perfectly well, for example when comparing to performances captured to "The Great Deceiver" box set. "Starless" is a good song, and this is a decent version, featuring those a bit clumsy early lyrics which may be interesting to spot if they not yet familiar. "Lament" is a good track too, and the next song "Improv: Trio" is an interesting track, as it isn't technically a complete improvisation anymore, it's more like a reprise of an earlier improvisation from the Amsterdam concert 1973. It has maybe evolved as a jam pattern, and a small embryo of composition growing up from it. Some themes of the songs "Lament", "Dr. Diamond" and "Fallen Angel" can be witnessed to born in the live recordings of the Muir-era line-up at 1972 in similar manner. And it's a pretty tune, a relieving contrast for the aggressive material done by this band. The final tune "Easy Money" is a finer version too, and it also had bit different lyrics on stage as it had on the studio album. If you like this band's live stuff, this is of course essential, and it's also a recommendable item for all prog fans.

Are you Crimson lover? Get this!

It's still morning here when I am writing this review and it's raining. I have been running a personal project since two months ago: converting the CD collection that I have to 320 bit rate MP3 in order to make the music mobile, not carrying the physical CDs that are too heavy and space-hungry. After all, how can I do my regular cycling with bunch of CDs at my pannier? No way! I have to compromise it with my ears to accept whatever best sound coming out from my iPod. So I initiated the project and it's so tiring because too many already ini my collection. I start to think selling some of non-progressive CDs ....maybe.

This time is the time to convert all the King Crimson CDs. I was playing the music also when the PC did the ripping into MP3. I started with Lizard, In The Wake of Poseidon. In The Court ....and finally I got this 'Live in Mainz' which I think is one of the best King Crimson live records. Well, actually almost all of King Crimson records are excellent - especially if you a the Crimson lover. If you are the fan of KC I don't think you have the rationale for not buying this excellent concert with classic line-up and classic compositions. Oh man ... I really enjoy this concert very much and I repeated the album in its entirety because I love it. Yes there are many improvisations as you can see from the songs list ... But ...trust me, the improvisations are really excellent especially if you have Crimson mind and heart. I cannot believe with my ears listening how great these four gentlemen played their music. Awesome!

It started with Improv: The Savage (2:12) which basically the instrumental exploration of the four members and it serves the stage for next tracks. Dr Diamond (5:48) follows beautifully with great vocals of Wetton combined with jaw dropping Bruford drumwork. Oh man .... Bruford is a really uniqe drummer and fits 100% with King Crimson's music. Of course Mr Cross also provides his stunning violin work supported with howling guitar work of Fripp. Next tracks showcase how brilliant these musicians craft their performance differently from the studio version with improvisation (making new explorative songs like The Savage - Arabica) and modify their basic tracks but maintaining the tagline melody. Even, I can bet you if you are not KC lover but you have great attitude about prog music, you would definitely enjoy this musical exploration. It's really an excellent record!

Oh my God .... the band plays classic tracks 'Exiles' beautifully, continued with stunning performance of 'The Night Watch' after exploring with an improvisation track Atria. I tell you, you would really love it. It's classic and it's memorable. The other great talks include 'Starless' with great drumwork with nice 'feel' as the music turns into interlude and slow in tempo. Another favorite of mine Easy Money is also played excellently by the band.

For sure this is a MUST have for prog fans especially those who are fans of this legendary and inventor of progressive music. Highly recommended. Keep on proggin' ...!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

(I repeat this album three times already this morning)

A decidedly welcome live release from the mid-1970s lineup of King Crimson; OK, sure, we have USA, we have The Great Deceiver, but even then there's still treats to be had here. Of course, the mid-1970s Crimsos had their famous penchant for improvisation, and you have several such pieces here, as well as an actual composed song that never made it onto a studio album in the form of the sleek and scandalous Dr Diamond. Combine this with excellent versions of old favourites, and the fact that the audio cuts off abruptly towards the end (this was sourced from a soundboard recording) is really the only mark against it.

Note that if you get the Starless boxed set, not only is this live set included (in its most recently cleaned-up form), but one of the bonus discs also has the two missing songs from the end of the concert, sourced from an actually pretty decent-sounding audience cassette taping.