The 21st Century Schizoid Band - The Limelight Crewe 17th September 2002
Setlist: Pictures of a City / Cat Food / Let There Be Light / Progress / In The Court Of The Crimson King / Formentera Lady / Tomorrow's People / If I Was / Ladies Of The Road / I Talk To The Wind / Epitaph // 21st Century Schizoid Man
Hey, come on with a set list like that, who gives a rat's ass about anything, right? Mostly, yes.
I couldn't fault the choice of material, except that I would have liked to have heard more of it. I do consider it a crime that they didn't include 'Forever and Ever' from McDonald's 1999 solo album 'Driver's Eyes' but, generally, there should have just been more. Including the single encore, the show lasted a shade over 75 minutes, which, quite frankly, wasn't long enough. However, what there was, was most welcome. Let's face it, you are not going to hear those songs anywhere else apart from you're your living room, so make the most of it.
Hey, come on with a set list like that, who gives a rat's ass about anything, right? Mostly, yes.
I couldn't fault the choice of material, except that I would have liked to have heard more of it. I do consider it a crime that they didn't include 'Forever and Ever' from McDonald's 1999 solo album 'Driver's Eyes' but, generally, there should have just been more. Including the single encore, the show lasted a shade over 75 minutes, which, quite frankly, wasn't long enough. However, what there was, was most welcome. Let's face it, you are not going to hear those songs anywhere else apart from you're your living room, so make the most of it.
I realise that this was only the 21st Century Schizoid Band's third live appearance, following the Canterbury and Milton Keynes shows and I made allowances for that, but I felt that the live show should have been slicker than it was. There was a surprising number of duff notes, fluffs and the sort of things that appear at the first few shows of a tour, but these guys are not doing a large number of shows, so the legendary prowess of these musicians did not shine through as it should have done. By the time they get to Croydon, they should have shaken off the ring rust and should be pretty damned good. Also, there were some technical problems with the sound, which is unusual for Crewe, but it did mean that there was loads of snap, crackle and pop and that was annoying.
So, what else can I bitch at? Well, funny you should ask. These are doubtless a wonderful bunch of chaps. Consummate professionals, multi-talented musicians and prog legends, for sure. I respect and admire that. Dynamic, however, they are not. If it had not been for Jakko Jakszyk their would have been no rapport with the audience at all. Once again, this could just be down to a lack of live gigs and will come with the performances.
All the things that I felt disappointed with last night can be fixed and will work themselves out. My biggest concern - that the lack of Fripp would leave a gaping hole that could not be filled - did not come to pass. Whilst the songs are different with no Frippertronics, they work and are immensely satisfying at times. 'Pictures of a City', 'Cat Food' and 'Epitaph' were the highlights for my money, especially Mel Collins' sax playing, which was sublime. 'Ladies of the Road' and 'Formentera Lady' were nice choices and I never thought I'd ever see 'I Talk To The Wind' performed live. The solo material from Giles and McDonald fitted in seamlessly with the Crimson back catalogue and was most enjoyable, although 'Forever and Ever' does need to be added.
So, what else can I bitch at? Well, funny you should ask. These are doubtless a wonderful bunch of chaps. Consummate professionals, multi-talented musicians and prog legends, for sure. I respect and admire that. Dynamic, however, they are not. If it had not been for Jakko Jakszyk their would have been no rapport with the audience at all. Once again, this could just be down to a lack of live gigs and will come with the performances.
All the things that I felt disappointed with last night can be fixed and will work themselves out. My biggest concern - that the lack of Fripp would leave a gaping hole that could not be filled - did not come to pass. Whilst the songs are different with no Frippertronics, they work and are immensely satisfying at times. 'Pictures of a City', 'Cat Food' and 'Epitaph' were the highlights for my money, especially Mel Collins' sax playing, which was sublime. 'Ladies of the Road' and 'Formentera Lady' were nice choices and I never thought I'd ever see 'I Talk To The Wind' performed live. The solo material from Giles and McDonald fitted in seamlessly with the Crimson back catalogue and was most enjoyable, although 'Forever and Ever' does need to be added.
If I could choose, I would go to see their last couple of gigs, especially the one in London, which I think will be something else. I would certainly say to any Crimson fan, go and see them, you will come away with something that pleased you, for sure.
This is a good band but you need to spend an evening with them, not just an hour and a quarter. I would like to have seen two 75 minute sets with an interval in the middle and then a couple of encores. You should be spending three hours in their 21st Century schizoid company, being immersed in the music, letting it wash over you, remembering what it is that makes you love the music of King Crimson so much.
Essentially, this is what is at the root of my dissatisfaction with the gig. The show was over just as I was in the middle of enjoying it. It's the difference between a knee-trembler behind the bike sheds with someone whose name you don't even know and making love to a beautiful woman, on a satin-covered, king-sized bed covered in rose petals: both are great in their own way but one is so much more satisfying than the other.
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
18th September 2002
This is a good band but you need to spend an evening with them, not just an hour and a quarter. I would like to have seen two 75 minute sets with an interval in the middle and then a couple of encores. You should be spending three hours in their 21st Century schizoid company, being immersed in the music, letting it wash over you, remembering what it is that makes you love the music of King Crimson so much.
Essentially, this is what is at the root of my dissatisfaction with the gig. The show was over just as I was in the middle of enjoying it. It's the difference between a knee-trembler behind the bike sheds with someone whose name you don't even know and making love to a beautiful woman, on a satin-covered, king-sized bed covered in rose petals: both are great in their own way but one is so much more satisfying than the other.
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
18th September 2002
About the photos...
Not much to say about these pictures really. They're not good and they're not bad. To be honest the band was not the most dynamic bunch of people I have ever seen and they really didn't make very good photographic subjects. There was no jumping around, guitar histrionics, equipment trashing or, well, anything. Maybe the odd grimace. The only real facial expressions came from Mel Collins and Jakko M. Jakszyk. And why is he Jakko M. Jakszyk anyway? To distinguish him from all of the other Jakko Jakszyks out there?
You win some and you then some you don't...
You win some and you then some you don't...