All I can say is WOW!
Cookies were consumed just before we got on the train, and
since our stomachs were empty the cookies kicked in before we got off
of the train just over an hour later. After a Kamikaze cab ride from
the train station, we went in and I scored a concert t-shirt before we
headed for the balcony seats. These are little more than midget bar
stools and the balcony is fairly narrow, more like a walkway. We sat
down and after chatting with a few other concert goers and pondering
which side Fripp would sitting at the roadies came out on stage and
began putting the finishing touches on everything. After a bit, the
Kings Crimson took the stage and magic happened. By then, my buzz is
perfect and I'm rocking to the incredibly loud double-percussionist
line-up of Pat Mastelotto and Gavin Harrison.
At first, Gavin didn't seem too particularly animated but I
think that was the plan because as a few songs were played he was
involved more and more...and then...suddenly...Gavin and Pat just
proceeded to plow us down with this incredible display of precision
synchronized percussion that only KC could pull off. The rest of the
show had us on the edges of our seats and my neck still hurts from
headbanging! All thoughts of Gavin just being an accompanying
percussionist went away as they rocked the place to the rafters. Pat
is an animal on the drums anyway, and to see someone else drum it up
with him like that is just awesome. (Hey Trent Reznor: I know of a
couple of drummers that could master "Perfect Drug" live!).
Tony Levin was his usual masterful self on the touch guitar
and Adrian Belew did his guitar magic. Fripp was his usual self,
sitting in near darkness and creating on his guitar the sounds that
make KC what they are.
After they played their sets, they waved goodnight and left
the stage to our standing ovation and we clapped until they came back
onstage for an encore. They played 3 songs and bid us goodnight, but
we refused to stop clapping and after a bit they came out and played
two more songs! Chicago loves ya', King Crimson!
On the train ride home, my buzz has faded and my hearing
somewhat returned. I got home earlier than anticipated so I was fairly
awake today at work. Hurray it's finally Friday!
So, for those of you in Philadelphia and New York that are
about to host King Crimson later this month, be prepared for a
fantastic show!
BudBurner