King Crimson - Live in Montreal July 11, 1984 (2024)

DGM has long promised to bring the King Crimson Collectors' Club to 50 discs and we are pleased to announce a combined Club 49/50 to complete this special series. This CD/DVD set is packaged in a jewel case with much not-to be-missed material, including recently discovered live footage. The CD/DVD package features the complete final two shows played on July 11, 1984, partly used for the Absent Lovers release. The CD contains entirely unreleased tracks. The DVD contains both shows in full, as well as two sections of footage filmed by legendary bassist and stick player Tony Levin in 1982. The first footage shows approximately 25 minutes taken from the stage at the Place De Nations Montreal on 5th August 1982 (Please note that the footage is grainy.) The second portion of footage (some grainy, most is much clearer in resolution) is a real gem from shows at The Pier in New York and in Asbury Park, NJ, with backstage footage, narrated by Tony himself, showcasing backstage antics of the band as well as sound check and some cheeky footage of the cars being packed and artists preparing to leave the next day. The second footage runs just over 19 minutes.

Robert Fripp - guitar; Adrian Belew - guitar, drums, lead vocals; Tony Levin - bass, Chapman stick, synthesizer, vocals; Bill Bruford - drums, percussion

There have been six or seven radically different versions of this groundbreaking British progressive rock band since its inception in late 1968. Only guitarist Robert Fripp remains from the original group (which also included ELP's Greg Lake), but the line-up featured on this recording made three brilliant albums and launched three world tours. Captured before the band took a long, extended hiatus so Levin could focus on his work with Peter Gabriel and Bruford could return to his work with members from Yes, the band gave a rock solid, tight and exciting performance at the Spectrum in Montreal.

Montreal has always been a hotbed for prog rock and when this version of Crimson landed in there in July, 1984, fans were beside themselves with excitement. After all, this was the band many believe started the British progressive rock movement with their historic 1969 debut LP, In the Court of the Crimson King.

The band opened with "Red," the only holdover from the '72-'74 era material featured here and arguably one of the best songs Crimson ever recorded. Kurt Cobain allegedly told friends prior to his death that Red was one of the most beautiful albums he had ever heard. "Red," the song, is fitting opener and sets the tone for the entire show, which is an exercise in musical adventurism.

The rest of the material came from the three studio albums released by this version of King Crimson. Adrian Belew, who had worked with Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club and Frank Zappa (who discovered him in a Cleveland Holiday Inn cover band), is a brilliant front man, combining his entertaining vocal prowess with his innovative guitar licks; on set-closer "Elephant Talk," he makes his guitar sound like a charging African elephant. Drummer Bill Bruford and Adrian Belew are featured on the bizarre but fascinating "Indiscipline," and Levin shines on the Chapman stick during the band's last FM radio hit, "Sleepless."

This version of King Crimson and an expanded version featuring additional drummer Pat Mastelotto and bassist Trey Gunn (called the double trio line-up), has continued to record and perform into this decade, though this paricular performance was the last ever show with this exact lineup. In fact, King Crimson wouldn't again take the stage for another ten years. There have been plenty of live albums and official bootlegs, but for Crimson fans, this King Biscuit Flower Hour performance from 1984 remains a live highlight in the band's career.

Tracklist
CD
01 Entry of the Crims
02 Larks’ Tongues in Aspic Part III
03 Thela Hun Ginjeet
04 Red
05 Matte Kudasai
06 Industry
07 Three of a Perfect Pair
08 Indiscipline
09 Sartori in Tangier
10 Frame by Frame
11 Man With an Open Heart
12 Sleepless
13 Heartbeat
14 Elephant Talk

DVD
Disc 1: First Show (7.00pm)
01 Walk On (First Show)
02 Entry Of The Crims (First Show)
03 Lark's Tongues In Aspic (Part III) (First Show)
04 Thela Hun Ginjeet (First Show)
05 Red (First Show)
06 Matte Kudasai (First Show)
07 Industry (First Show)
08 Dig Me (First Show)
09 Three Of A Perfect Pair (First Show)
10 Indiscipline (First Show)
11 Sartori In Tangier (First Show)
12 Frame By Frame (First Show)
13 Man With An Open Heart (First Show)
14 Waiting Man (First Show)
15 Sleepless (First Show)
16 Larks' Tongues In Aspic (Part II) (First Show)
17 Discipline (First Show)
18 Heartbeat (First Show)
19 Elephant Talk (First Show)

Disc 2: Second Show (9.00pm)
01 Walk On (Second Show)
02 Entry Of The Crims (Second Show)
03 Lark's Tongues In Aspic (Part III) (Second Show)
04 Thela Hun Ginjeet (Second Show)
05 Red (Second Show)
06 Matte Kudasai (Second Show)
07 Industry (Second Show)
08 Dig Me (Second Show)
09 Three Of A Perfect Pair (Second Show)
10 Indiscipline (Second Show)
11 Sartori In Tangier (Second Show)
12 Frame By Frame (Second Show)
13 Man With An Open Heart (Second Show)
14 Waiting Man (Second Show)
15 Sleepless (Second Show)
16 Larks' Tongues In Aspic, Part II (Second Show)
17 Discipline (Second Show)
18 Heartbeat (Second Show)
19 Elephant Talk (Second Show)