Customer Reviews

King Crimson: Deja Vroom

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

It was a thrilling visual document of Crimson's stunning return to form after a too-long hiatus, and it was an exploration of the then-fairly-new DVD format that's much more difficult than it needs to be. My rating is an average: five stars for the performance & extras, three for the "user-tailored interactive experience" of navigating the damn thing. Deja Vrooom is probably a proposition for the already-converted, so anyone new to this band and/or this lineup would be well-advised to check out Thrak or Vrooom Vrooom first.

First the cons. Rather than listing options, the menus cycle through them as if it's a memory game. The novelty of using a KC title for each function ("The Mincer" for a short essay on critics, "Vector Patrol" for choosing custom settings) is cute but too confusing. The video quality isn't spectacular and there's an occasional lighting-halo effect around the players; it's not terrible, but could be much clearer. On the other hand, this kind of raw powerful music really wouldn't be served by a slick super-sharp video anyway.

Pros: the performance itself is a stonker. The six-man lineup injects new life into older KC material and shows a smoothness & cohesion even beyond their studio recordings. It's always fascinating to watch just *how* everybody makes all that noise with their instrument of choice (or instrumentS in the case of Tony Levin - check that electric double-bass!). The impeccable skill and grace with which it's all pulled off is of course extraordinary. Extra points for the multiple camera angles available on some tracks.

Extras: a few of Tony's road movies (nice though inessential), Robert Fripp's essays on The Evil Music Industry (informative but I'll wait for the Cliffs Notes), an extensive band history/discography up to 1997, plenty of extra photos & artwork, and a "Schizoid Man" custom-mix feature. There's a mention of 'hidden features,' but apart from a solo RF Soundscape accessed through the TV-listing page, they must be well buried indeed.

Buy it? If you like this phase of the band, absolutely. The live visual aspect always adds another dimension to this music, even if Fripp still avoids anything brighter than a 100-watt lightbulb, and I say it's still well worth dealing with the other nuisances to get to it.

(Tracklist: Circular Improv - Vrooom Vrooom - Frame By Frame - Dinosaur - One Time - Red - B'Boom - Thrak - Matte Kudasai - Three of a Perfect Pair - Vrooom/Marine 475 - Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream - Elephant Talk - Indiscipline - Talking Drum/Larks' Tongues in Aspic II - People - Walking on Air.)

I've been a King Crimson fan ever since a Maryland AM radio station first played "I Talk to The Wind" in, um, was it 1969? Took their screaming-face album in to my high school 'Basic Musicianship' class the following week and thoroughly confounded the excellent instructor who couldn't make up his mind who was leading the band -- the drummer or the flautist. I was also lucky enough to see the Thrak tour at Berkeley's Greek Theatre, which I rate as the best concert performance I've ever seen, opening with a perfect Bruford/Mastelotto Taiko duet.

It's hard for any reproduction to match a live performance like that, but this DVD comes very close. Alas, the Taiko piece is not included. But what a performance! What excellent production sound and video! Not quite as much Fripp as I'd like to see. But it's great to see, up close, what a fine guitarist Belew is. And watching Bruford pick his unthinkable rimshots in his DVD-angle in "Indiscipline" is a spellbinding study on its own.

Excellent performances by all.

If you like King Crimson's recent incarnations, this is an absolute must-own.

I love King Crimson, and any oppurtunity to see them performing live (they haven't been to Oklahoma in 30 years!!) is something I won't turn down.
Where to start? The concert is from a performance in Japan during the 'Thrak' tour of 1995-1996, and is one of their best live performances that have been commercially released. The concert previously appeared on video as "King Crimson: Live in Japan", but trust me, even if you do have that video, or if you don't even have a DVD player....get a DVD player for crying out loud! It's 2003....get with the times!(..)
The band members performances are really the key ingredient here. The ability to change angles and put the individual instruments prevalent in the mix during 3 of the songs is great, and well worth it for those interested in how the group achieves its sound. Trey Gunn, who plays a two-handed 'Warr' guitar, is a treat to watch perform, as he approaches the tunes in such a practical and inventive fashion. He was primarily covering the bass parts at the time, but I just really enjoy watching the two handed approach. The band altogether is not really very showy, and focuses mostly on playing the music, although Tony Levin does have commanding stage presence at times!
I've only mentioned the bass players....Adrian Belew, the lead singer/guitarist is on key the entire show, and watching him during his wilder guitar solos is something that shouldn't be missed. Robert Fripp, the groups leader and self-proclaimed 'Venal Leader', sits in the shadows most of the show, barely flinching or moving a muscle, with the exception of his fingers, which move rather fast and furiously at some points. He is an incredibly disciplined performer (heck, he even named his own record label and an album of 1981 'discipline), and is wonderful as a leader/guiding force in the group.
NOW the drummers. Bill Bruford is much more restrained and relaxed here than in concerts during the group's 70s-80s concerts. He is of course a fantastic musician, and is most visually entertaining during his percussion breaks and his exciting drum solo during the first moments of 'Indiscipline'. Pat Mastelloto is primarily a percussionist and provides support and various tasks during this period in the groups career (he is, of course, the band's drummer now, and plays a much wider variety of percussion instruments, electronic and otherwise). He stays on the beat, with the exception of a funny goof during the bands first tune of the show.
This was of course, a 'double trio' (two players covering the parts of guitar, bass, and drums)....I can't say much more about the band, really, just wanted to cover the basics.
I would like to comment on the extras. There are a ton of them! The disc itself is double-sided, and in order to access the entire concert and all of the extras, you have to stand up and change the disc out. That may be a problem for some of the more lazy people (including me), but it's no big deal. There are a ton of sound options, writings about the band, video shot by Tony Levin off-stage and during rehearsals....some of the footage is fun, others are incredibly dull (the band, with exception of Bob Fripp, playing at an arcade?), and much of the footage has no speech, but is colored by music from the 'discipline global mobile' catalog. There is also an interesting, but rather clumsy feature where you can mix and match performances and individual parts from the tune "21st Century Schizoid Man" recorded live over the years. It's pretty fun, but the novelty runs out pretty quick....pictures of the group through its history appear in rhythm to the music, as well....
Did I miss anything else? It's a disc that is packed with features, but the music is the thing, and it has plenty of it. There have been some rumours, just TALK of a re-issue of this DVD happening sometime later in the year or next year, but I can't possibly imagine there being much more that can add to the quality and quantity of the disc.
I conclude that the band is on top of their game, and you shouldn't miss it, because if you've happened to wander to this review, i'd imagine that you have at least a small interest in this band....just trust me that it's worth it!

This DVD is (so far) the pinnacle of music concert video releases. The 5.1 Digital Sound is the true way to hear the 6 members of King Crimson. Their performance is basically flawless, and though there are better Thrak tour performances, this one is wonderful. (I did say flawless, what can be better? I guess flawless with an extra...???) The whole DVD is great, including the Schizoid game, the road movies, the hidden Fripp Soundscape footage, the history of the band, you can even set the bias of the show to the band member you prefer, when available. My personal favorites: One Time, Dinosaur, Talking Drum/Larks' Tounges Part 2, and Three Of A Perfect Pair. Bruford's drum intro to Indiscipline is amazing. Etc, etc! This title was actually rumoured to be used as a sampler for all new DVD players with dts format, though I don't know which brands this would include. I think that would be a great idea too. A must have DVD!

This DVD features the Thrak era King Crimson double trio. The musicians on lineup #5 of KC are Robert Fripp: guitars, guitar synth, Frippertronics, Adrian Belew: guitar, guitar synth, sustainer guitar, vocals, Tony Levin: bass, stick, upright electric bass, Trey Gunn: touch guitar (a point of notice, the instrument has something like 10 - 12 stings and covers bass to guitar in range), Bill Bruford: drums, electronic drums and Pat Mastelotto: drums, percussion.

I mention the instrumentation because, as you noticed, there's quite a bit of it. One of the nicest things about this double sided concert is the selection of material which ranges from aggressive to almost light in nature.

This isn't your parent's King Crimson. These guys are all veterans of progressive, jazz and pop which is what you can expect on this DVD.

The recording quality is excellent. There are a lot of fast jumps and occassional poorly edited video sections on song transitions (something like Belew playing alone, switching from synth guitar to guitar as the band comes in only to switch to Trey Gunn who is literally not playing) but beyond a few little glitches the videography is good as well.

Be aware the concert footage is not contigious, that is, each song is titled and fades with one or two exceptions. This isn't a problem for me but may be for others. The good news, no goofy special effects or dumb camera angles. The performances are captured as is, there's even a few mistakes.

The previous reviewer didn't know what to call this music. Very simply it is formally considered Progressive Rock although there are metal and jazz elements. Keep in mind King Crimson started Progressive Rock and is one of the few bands to have actually redefined their music and sound over the 30+ years the band has been around.

This disc is not as heavy on the improvisation as many King Crimson CDs have been of late. What you get is probably the widest range of musical intensity you are likely to find. Keep in mind that in the prog tradition songs are extended at times and there is a good bit of improvisation within structured songs. I am mentioning the purely improvisational material which is not featured in this performance.

The extra features are all interesting and the Frippertronics bonus is also fun to watch. Fripp sits on his stool spinning around to various devices as he records bits and pieces of guitar timbres that he processes and occasionally solos to. For those that thought this style of music was not valid pay attention, you'll see Fripp creating music right before your eyes. It's also important to realize that Fripp was one of the first guitarists in rock to experiment with guitar and effects as a complete form of music.

Favorite performances, Frame By Frame, Red, VROOM, THRAK, One Time and Lark's Tongue in Aspic II. There's 13 more tracks not counting the Frippertronics tune so you are getting extrodinary bang for the buck. Since it is a 2 sided DVD it is like getting a double DVD set.

Most of the material is from the Thrak and Discipline era (80's to mid 90's) with a sprinkling of mid 70's songs. If you haven't heard King Crimson since the first album this will surprise you although thematically the music is still in the same dark vein quite frequently. Adrian Belew brings pop sensibilities to the group which balance the more ferocious instrumental attack. If you liked the mid 70's and later King Crimson this DVD is a must have.

Watch for their new CD, The Power To Believe. Based on their last two mini albums this CD will redefine Progressive Metal and showcase their more Ambient side.

As a longtime King Crimson fan, I can say that any person who is into finely crafted experimental pop music should just up and buy this disc. I have owned it for over two years and it still raises my eyebrows.

Strangers who I have exposed to King Crimson by Deja VROOOM walk away bewildered that any group of human beings could conceive of, much less execute, music of this intensity, emotion, and intelligence.

As far as the production goes, you feel as included as you home entertainment system will allow. I saw the band on this tour, and this is possibly even better than seeing them in the venue I saw them in. It is as intimate as a recording can be, and a great representation of what this incarnation of the band was doing at the time.

Incidentally, the "multiple angle" function that allows you to choose whick KCrimsoner you want to watch and listen to on certain tracks is extremely attractive to those of us that are always trying to unravel the complexity of King Crimson's music is an invaluable tool to that end. I wish all music DVD's had the forethought to include this function.

Get it. Right now.

This D.V.D released by the omnipresent Robert Fripp, leader of those pioneers of Progressive Rock (in this case perhaps a more apt title would be Adventurous Rock) King Crimson have at last brought out a recording that does justice to the bands musical ability and visual presence.

From a musical point of view you get over two and a half hours of Crimson music from the amazing Double Trio King Crimson, a title made up as ever by Fripp where, although all six members were on stage at the same time, they were able to break off in mid-song to play as two separate units, and then all come crashing back together with the power of Thors double sided hammer.

This is used to dramatic effect on such old Crimson standards such as Larks Tongue In Aspic Part II from 1973, (come on if you havent heard it, arent you just a little bit curious to find out what a song sounds like with a title like that?), originally recorded when only Robert Fripp & Bill Bruford were in the band. From this line up the others in that period being Jamie Muir on percussion, David Cross on violin, flute & keyboards, plus the mega-talented John Wetton on bass & vocals, but when this 1998 version of the band come in altogether on that most famous of Crimson riffs, the wallpapers shreds from its glue. Most of the well-known songs in the life and times of King Crimson from 1973 onwards are here, with a definitive version of most songs laid down.

Visually the band line up as a back row and a front row. In the back row the two drummers sit on either side of the stage as if castles on a chess board, Bill Bruford in a dapper yellow double breasted suit, whilst Pat Mastelotto effects traditional Rock n Roll garb in jeans and T-Shirt. Sitting on his stool in the middle, dressed in Black is Mr. Robert Fripp, no emotion showing but firmly in command of his guitar and those all around him. The front line consists of the mercurial Trey Gunn on stick guitar, on your left, to the right is without doubt the best bass guitarist in the world of rock, Mr. Tony Levin. And slap bang in the middle is Adrian Belew, the bands lyricist for more than twenty years, lead guitarist, and focal point of the live show, with his pleasant bouncy personality. The fact that he resembles Rick Bryant more and more as time passes is neither here nor there.

This version of King Crimson is a joy to behold. These days Bill Bruford and Trey Gunn have gone on to pastures new, but the nucleus of the band are still going and are in fine form as last years offering The ConstrucKtion Of Light showed (Robert Fripp always chucks on extra capital K into the title if he can).

But the joy of this D.V.D does not stop with the concert alone.

There are so many extras with this set it is hard to know where to start. Firstly there are seven different camera angles on which you can view this concert, zooming in on just one player, or taking an overall view. After watching the concert you can switch over and watch Tony Levins road movies from this tour including clips of travel, hassles, rehearsals, and even some very honest warts n all arguments between band members. A section on the history of King Crimson called In The Court Of The Crimson Kings which chronicles the life and times of King Crimson and all its different line-ups, with plenty of photographs to match. Great fun is the 21st Century Schizoid band where, with an interactive menu, you can select a choice of singers, soloists, and rhythm sections from 1969, 1971, 1974 or 1996 to perform one of King Crimsons most famous songs.

There are also some surprise items slipped into the proceedings, but then if I told you about them, they wouldnt be a surprise would they. Also included are many extra D.V.D Rom features if you want to slip the discs into your computer and become a complete King Crimson Anorak.

So whether youre a fan of King Crimson or not, but you own a D.V.D player and want to use it to its maximum effect, then this is the disc for you.

Well done Mr. Fripp and cohorts, leading the field in innovation, as always.

If you prefer to just get yourself an audio document of this fantastic King Crimson line-up, they also released a double C.D version of a concert from this tour with a near identical set list called BBoom The Official Bootleg, and well worth seeking out.

Mott the Dog.

First, we must clear the air: either you like King Crimson or you don't. I don't think this musical group engenders apathy. As Laurie Anderson would say, "Sit bolt upright in your straight-backed chair and prepare for difficult listening." This is probably superfluous, but I think they are great artists.

Technically, the DVD production is very very good. The 5.1 channel mix is certainly not accurate if you are looking for concert reproduction, but neither is it gimicky or over-produced. This is a fantastic demonstration of 5 channel audio. Stunning!

The content of this DVD is artistically masterful (assuming you buy into Robert Fripp's et. al. vision.) To all King Crimson fans out there (especially if you like the last 10 years or so) YOU WANT THIS DVD.

This was the first King Crimson DVD I have purchased, an I am seriously considering buying more.
It was very exciting to see the group live, especially this being the Double Trio, which I believe is the best line-up out of KC's on-again off-again revolving door history.
Robert Fripp is probably one of THE eccentric figures in rock. I can't think of another musician that would go out of his way to shun the spotlight ONSTAGE. He sits upstage between the drummers, shrouded in darkness with occasional glimpses of his deceptively complex shredding.
Adrian Belew is a great showman and a guitar WIZARD. Keep an eye out on "Thrak" for a "bit" of fun!
Tony Levin is just awe-inspiring. Bass, Stick, bowed upright bass, etc. Nice pipes, too. Just an all-around solid player.
Trey Gunn keeps modest but deadly. Wears a good shirt.
Bill Bruford is yellow as all get-out, and his playing can be a little "hey-look-at-me" at times, but he's still one of the best boppers about.
Pat Mastelotto keeps a good backbeat and has little to do sometimes besides shake a maraca or strike a drumhead. He seems to be having the most fun, besides Adrian.
The DVD itself is curious. The menu can be a little annoying, and the graphics are atrocious. Still, Fripp's essays are engaging, as are Tony's home-movies. Sound is excellent.
I recommend to even KC newcomers.

I must admit, I am an old school KC fan. I have only recently started listening to their later stuff. I am blown away. This band gets better and better as the years go by. This DVD is awesome. I put it on expecting a good concert and a good DVD, This thing is so good. I love the feature where you can focus on 1 person while the song is playing. This band is so tight. The menus leave a little to be desired, but who cares this is a great DVD with some great music. Do yourself a favor, buy this DVD, and play it loud. I must admit I listened to most of it with my mouth open.