LIVE IN PHILADELPHIA, PA , JULY 30, 1982

The gold standard of live albums from the 1980s King Crimson has always been Absent Lovers, and this live release won't knock it off its perch any time soon unless you particularly despise Three of a Perfect Pair. This is a well- recorded, complete-sounding set from the Beat tour, with Belew-Fripp-Levin-Bruford lineup of King Crimson offering up the entirety of Discipline, plus about half of Beat, plus a couple of treats from the 1970s (Larks Tongues In Aspic Part 2 and Red) rearranged and updated to fit seamlessly into the sound of the 1980s lineup.

The band are on excellent form, by and large if you've heard the albums in question you know more or less what to expect, and Adrian Belew is perhaps the most exciting, characterful frontman that King Crimson ever had. What's not to love? (Note that if you're thinking of getting the On (and Off) the Road) boxed set, this is one of the live sets included.)