80's Crimson............YUCK.
Adrian Belew is soooooooooo anoying.
Do not buy this DVD it's horrible, save your money till' they come out with a dvd of older live footage of King Crimson either from the late 60's or 70's, (if there even is any.)
I popped this dvd in hoping to watch one of my favorite bands of all time perform and rock out and all I got was Adrian Belew hopping around in Japanese M.C. hammer pants to the sound of his god awful 80's reverb and whammy bar and some bald guy (Tony Levin) playing horrible slap, he sounded awful.They showed Robert Fripp maybe a total of 5 times throughout the whole dvd. But I have to give it 1 star for Bill Bruford, he's always amazing.I just wish he was playing a real drumset and not those cheesy sounding electric drums.
Although this DVD is horrible you can't stop wathing it or turn it off, it's like a trainwreck. I just can't believe after watching this, that, this is the same band that made, In the court of King Crimson,In the Wake of Poseidon & Ladies of the road.
Crimson what happend?

This DVD combines 2 different concerts of the '80s era King Crimson (both were available separately on VCR). First, from 1982, is "The Noise - Live in Frejus." The band we get here is a bit on the edge and even raw at times. The concert opens with "Waiting Man," featuring the tribal Simmons drum duo of Bruford/Belew. The DVD is worth the money for just this one track. The drums and Levin's Chapman Stick pound out the hypnotic rhythm while Fripp adds counter rhythms and counter melodies. "Matte Kudasai," "The Sheltering Sky," and "Heartbeat" show the softer side of Crimson with Belew delivering solid vocals. "Larks Tongues In Aspic Part II" finds the Crims tearing into the song, full of energy and aggression. The band is superb throughout.

The second concert is 1984's "Three Of A Perfect Pair - Live in Japan." Two years down the road finds the band less edgy and more sophisticated. Comparing tracks, like "Waiting Man," shows them to have matured as a band, but perhaps at the cost of losing their initial 'edge.' Belew has grown more confident in his singing and fronting the band, while Fripp appears more reticent. Outstanding tracks are an impassioned "Frame By Frame," a gentle "Matte Kudasai," and the industrial noise fest of "Industry."

Bonuses are Tony's road photos and the rarely seen Crimson video for "Sleepless." The video quality is generally excellent throughout, although there are some more grainy sequences and minor defects coming from the original source films/tapes. Despite these minor flaws, this is an excellent document of the '80s era Crimson and highly recommended.
© 2005 Michael Bettine

I have been a fan of King Crimson, begrudgingly, since the first album, which my older brother bought when it first came out. The music was captivating to me, even as an eight year old. However, I always remember being terrified of the album cover, to the point where my brother would have to turn it backwards, in the room we shared just to get me to go to sleep.

As I got older, the fear lessened and the appreciation grew. I was, being a youngster, never able to see any incarnation of King Crimson Mk.1 Imagine my excitement when the band reformed on the eighties. Now I would finally get a chance to see them.
As it turned out as I drove to the outdoor venue in 1984 the show was "rained out", thus cancelled (...look it up in the "Frame By Frame" box set booklet. A storm knocked out the power, which no one knew of until they got to the theatre gate)
Needless to say, when the guys played the same venue the next year, I was there. The show went on as it was supposed to.
Yet to me the great thing was, after they opened with a scorching version of "Red", Adrian Belew stepped to the mike and gave a heart-felt apology for the events of the previous year.
I understand tha t this DVD is not of that show, but it is from the same tour. I will always respect this band for at least acknowledging their fans and the show that they missed out on.

Just thinking about this aspect of it made me smile...a lot.

...and the show is awesome as well

When I first spotted this baby in the store I thought I was seeing things. I practically sprinted to the checkout and probably broke a few traffic laws racing home to play it. Neal and Jack and Me did not disappoint in any way, being a perfect video counterpart to the band's three fine early-80's albums. Virtually all of the high points from this lineup are here, with a few older KC classics cut from the concerts.

This sucker looks and sounds so good I can only wonder why it took two decades for it to be released, but I suppose better late than never. Getting to see these four talented musicians live and in action, during one of the most fruitful periods in the band's long career, is a very special treat.

Of the two almost complete concerts, the earlier set (a supporting slot recorded live in Frejus) is a bit rawer and more exploratory, while the later headlining set in Tokyo a bit slicker and more polished. In both cases, bandleader Robert Fripp as usual sits in the shadows, but you can enjoy watching Adrian Belew cheerfully abuse a series of Fenders while Tony Levin puts on a clinic on bass and stick. Then of course there's Bill Bruford, whose presence here is reason enough to buy this DVD. Don't miss Bruford and Belew's dual electronic drum segment on "Waiting Man!"

The bonus material includes a very cool video of "Sleepless." There are some noticeable flaws in the master tapes which is duly noted in the booklet but not on the outside of the packaging.

Four more talented musicians have never shared a stage together. This is an essential and priceless document of the early 80's Crimson and an absolute must-have for fans. Now, when is someone going to unearth a show from the mid-70's Wetton-Cross-Bruford lineup?

I purchased this DVD a few weeks ago and have yet to take this out of my periodic viewing rotation.

The '80's version of King Crimson was so much more than just guitarist Robert Fripp. It's great to see who contributes what instrumental part to each song...as it's sometimes difficult to determine from just the CD recordings.

If Fripp is the brains behind the band then Adrian Belew (guitarist, vocalist, and lyricist) is the heart and soul. Belew's every manipulation of guitar and effects devices is fascinating - watch him stroke and massage every sonic nuance from his instrument much like Hendrix did. And his vocals and lyrics are emotive, if a bit quirky, ranging from maniacal - "Indiscipline" - to pensive - "Matte Kudasai".

Tony Levin's Chapman Stick and bass playing is funky as hell. Levin's use of the Stick on "Sartori in Tangier" is awesome, both in percusiveness and ability to provide another guitar line. It's a delight watching Bill Bruford utilize his rototoms and synth pads in place of cymbals. His lightning fast rolls look so effortless. An authoritative rhythm section.

These two concerts are video tranfers so the audio and video quality is pedestrian, especially in the second concert at Frejus. But if you're a Crimson fan, it won't matter.