King Crimson - 1981-12-15 Kokusai Hall Tokyo Japan (2017)

If you wanted a one word summary of this, their second night in Tokyo, it would be WOW! Discipline gets things underway but it’s Thela that really establishes that King Crimson are in the house with a truly smoking rendition that they seem very reluctant to let go of at the number’s conclusion.

“Here’s a new song for the next King Crimson album” says Belew as they launch off into a blistering Manhattan / Neurotica. Levin’s growling bass and Bruford’s frantic shuffle puts this version into a league of its own. Throw in a frantically wild opening solo from Fripp and a howling counterpoint from Belew at the end and you’ve got a truly astonishing version of this Crimson classic before it was nailed down the following year.

Having encouraged the audience to overcome their sense of reserve by getting them to stand up and come to front after a barnstorming Indiscipline, following Neil Jack And Me, Ade has to tell the now-overly enthused punters not to stand on the seats as any damage would have to be met by the band!

This is a great sounding audience recording. The bright undistorted sound allows the band, who are on brilliant form, to come over loud and clear.