Absent Lovers (BMG)
by Paul Lee
It’s amazing that it’s been 14 years since 1984, a sad year for King Crimson fans as the line-up of Robert Fripp, Adrian Belew, Bill Bruford, and Tony Levin parted ways. So now, Fripp and company have released the last performance of that version of Crimson with a brilliant live double CD. What’s great about this disc is, despite its age, Crimson’s ’84 sound still sounds contemporary. The material from Absent Lovers fits perfectly alongside the amazing Thrak (1995). Even with today’s incarnation of Crimson, with Trey Gunn adding another bass element with his stick, and Pat Mastelotto adding another drum set, the line-up for this 1984 show sounds equally strong.Absent Lovers culls material from their three ’80s CDs and one 1973 classic, “Larks Tongues In Aspic Part II.” The only weak song is “Man With An Open Heart” from Three, but the studio version is inadequate as well. That small criticism aside, the rest of Absent Lovers is a feast of musical prowess and catchy, complex songs. The recording and performance are virtually flawless and the liner notes are fascinating, especially Fripp’s diatribes on music as an art and the evils of the record industry. Since the double disc seems priced for less than $20 retail, you get a hell of a bargain, and the best live CD on the market today. And, if that’s not enough, there’s a multimedia catalog for DGM on disc one that’s really keen as well. If you haven’t found your way to the mighty Crim, this would be a terrific intro to their latter-day incarnation and brilliance. If I speak to the previously converted, then get the hell out there and buy it. Long live the King!
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