King Crimson: Majestic Theater, Detroit Michigan, 11/5/00: The ConstruKction of Light Tour
Jun 19 '01 (Updated Jul 01 '01)
The Bottom Line A prime opportunity to see the finest caliber of rock musicians touring today. The quality of this band makes them a must see for those who appreciate technically intriguing rock.
On November 5, 2000, King Crimson played at the Majestic Theater in Detroit, Michigan, and I was fortunate to be in the audience. This is a review of that show. The band is currently touring the United States and playing much of the same material.
The Band
For most of the eighties and nineties, King Crimson has included a dizzying array of multi talented individuals. Band founder Robert Fripp (guitars, devices) has always been there, of course, supplemented by long time members Adrian Belew (guitars, vocals,) Tony Levin (bass, stick,) and Bill Bruford (percussion.) For a while, the band also included drummer Pat Mastelotto and Trey Gunn, who plays bass, stick and something called a Warr Guitar (more about that later.) For this tour, in support of The ConstruKction of Light, the band included Mastelotto and Gunn, but not Bruford or Levin.
I was a bit disappointed that Bruford wasn't there, as I've long admired his playing with Crimson but never seen him live. However, Mastelotto is a fantastic alternative. I was happy that Gunn was there, as a former bass player, I have a lot of interest in both the Stick and Warr Guitar alternatives. And, of course, it wouldn't be King Crimson (this edition, anyway,) without Fripp and Belew.
The Venue
The Majestic Theater is near downtown Detroit in a fairly decent neighbourhood. There is a college and hospital in the area, which made me feel okay about parking my car on the street. Which was necessary, because there is absolutely no parking at the theatre. We ended up about five blocks away and got in line outside the building.
For whatever reason, although the show started at 8:00pm, the line outside stretched around the building when we joined the queue at 7:30pm. Entree was very slow and it was after the appointed hour when we finally got in.
(Important note for smokers attending KC shows: Robert Fripp is a virulent anti-smoker and does not allow any puffing inside during, before or after the show. I saw security guys taking cigarettes away from people, and I would assume that they'd chuck you out if you got too belligerent. Make sure that you "fill up" before entering the building.)
Typical of this type of venue, there were numerous security people at the door and within the building. I got "patted down" for weapons, recording devices or cigarettes (don't know which, maybe all of the above) before getting in, which explained why the line moved so slowly, I suppose.
The interior of the building is a large ballroom, with a stage at one end (away from the door) and a bar across from it. Since I don't drink, I don't know what they served, but my companion bought a couple of beers, so I guess they had that at least.
I'd go easy on the brewskies, though -- I used the facilities about midway through the show and they were on the frightening side.
There was a table just inside the door where members of the KC crew sold shirts and cds. I picked up a copy of Heaven and Earth by ProjeKct X (a side project by the four guys playing that night) and a tour shirt (cash only, no credit cards.)
Sound Quality
I was stage right (directly in front of Gunn, intentionally) and about five feet away from the left stack. It was very loud. I would suggest earplugs for those who are sensitive to loud noises. My companion stuck napkins in his ears, but I just let the sound pour in. The acoustics in the room weren't too bad...even during the more surreal sonic bits, it sounded great.
Performance
Fripp does the whole show sitting on a stool, which is a little disconcerting. I didn't notice him switching instruments too often, and most of the "atmospherics" were provided by Gunn's Warr Guitar. Belew does a very good job of playing the front man, although he's not calling all of the shots. Mastelotto is unassuming back behind his drum kit.
This is not music to dance to...this is not music to clap along with, nor sing along with...this is music that washes over you and leaves you standing there gaping.
A word about the Warr Guitar. Something of a mutant version of the Chapman Stick, it uses the same fretboard fingering to generate music on 10 to 12 strings. The fret itself is at least six inches across! It enables the player to play bass or lead guitar as well as some very synthesizer like sounds. It's an amazing instrument, and when someone's good at it, they can sound like a whole band (sans drums) all on their own.
Trey Gunn is very, very good at it.
Although Fripp was his usual serious self, the rest of the band looked like they were having a great time playing. The crowd was appreciative but not intrusive, with the exception of "Three of a Perfect Pair," which Belew encouraged everyone to fill in the vocal gaps on.
Set List
ConstruKction of Light
Great opener to the show...the band walks on and does a quick huddle, pick up their instruments, Gunn lays down some wild stuff on his Warr Guitar, and the rest of the band kicks in. This song takes on a whole new life live than it does on the studio release.
Larks Tongues in Aspic IV / Coda: I Have a Dream
Fantastically frenetic instrumental that plays off of some of the themes that previous incantations of the band had generated. Stunning guitars by both Fripp and Belew. The coda, while short, is a very melodic and emotional tune sung by Belew.
ProzaKc Blues
Don't care for this blues tinged tune, which instrumentally, is fine, but the vocals are not the best.
FracKtured
Another frenzied guitar piece, with Fripp providing the background to what is effectively a seven minute guitar solo by Belew.
VROOOM / Soundscapes
Instrumental that sounded a lot like the album version, although widened out a lot and a bit of improv tacked on.
Thela Hun Ginjeet
Good rendition of the classic Discipline track, complete with a tape recording that was in the original song.
Dinosaur
About as close to a standard rock song as these guys put together, this was a nice live version, not a lot different than the original.
Improv: Detroit / Into the Frying Pan
At each show on the tour, the band did an improv (sometimes more than one) that was unique to the show. Having heard a couple of them (hehe) I can attest that each was a unique creation which cannot be duplicated. Very spacey, very enjoyable.
Frame By Frame
Very nifty guitar track with melodic vocals, although no backing vocals as on the original studio track, since those were provided by Levin.
Elephant Talk
Another Discipline song, it's not one of my favourites, but came off well. Belew's "elephant noises" on the guitar were a bit subdued, but still there.
Three of a Perfect Pair
First encore...Belew walks out with an acoustic guitar and pounds this track out by himself. Nice vocals, bits of which were provided by those of us in the crowd with the inclination.
Deception of the Thrush
A very surreal sound exploration that seems a bit odd to put in the encores, but it was a very stirring experience and I enjoyed it a lot. Very much New Age type of music, although a bit deeper than that.
Red
The band was called back on stage for one last song, "Red" from the album of the same name. It's the only pre-Discipline track played on the tour, and as a driving rock instrumental, it was a great way to see the show out.
Conclusion
This was a fantastic concert. I would go again in a second, given the opportunity. Although I missed seeing both Bruford and Levin, their absence did not deter from a spectacular performance. This band is made up of four players who are wizards at their instruments and together, they pulled off a magical show.
The band is touring again this summer (opening up for Tool for some shows, I guess) and if you have the opportunity to see them, I'd recommend it highly. However, don't go expecting to see pop stars running through their greatest hits -- these are musicians in the classic sense of the word, and their concerts are technically proficient events to remember.
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adjensen
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Member: a.d. jensen
Location: Grand Forks, ND USA
Reviews written: 143
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Now blogging reviews at http://kandsmil.blogspot.com/
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