KCCC31- Live at the Wiltern, July 1, 1995

Heaven and Earth
From Mark van Kempen of Amsterdam, Netherlands on 3/3/2017.

To my ears this is a very special show. I have a sense that during 1995 the band gradually started to increase the tempo of some pieces, and as I had gotten familiar with the Collectors' Club release On Broadway which was recorded later in the year, I had to get used to this. But I was struck by the outbreak of very heavy energy during some pieces, and a curious spaciousness here and there.
This is a board mix - a tad too dry for my taste, but a good balance between all instruments.

The Best of the Series so far
From Chris Van Valen of New York, New York on 7/21/2006.

I always rate the quality of a Collector's Club Crim disc by the performance of "Red". This is the best I've ever heard in my life (except perhaps the version played at the Supper Club in NYC; I was close enough to touch RF's rig). Crystal clear, with little Fripp bits I've never heard before. This is true of both discs. You can even figure out Gunn's role in the band. This is what the Double Trio should be judged by. The wife(a Crim hater)even said,"That's fairly good". A bold statement for her, indeed! This is a must have. If you're gonna buy one KCCC disc, this is the one to get.

And the Mezzanine was swaying.....
From C.D.Hoops of Oceanside, California on 7/9/2006.

My wife and a friend of ours had second row seats in the mezzanine, probably the best seats ever for a Crim show, (not counting the standing next to Fripp and Belew for the Project 2 show at HOB), this show was so electric and energy charged you could feel the static charge in the air. The version of 'One Time' was stunning to see and hear.
Something you won't hear was when TL was supposed to be playing the electric double bass, and found out after two- three bars through the song he corrected the problem, just the comic nature of the mistake had added a touch of humanity.
The only let for this show was there was no 'Cage' done as there would be later after 2000, when I wasn't able to see them.
The only other show that would come close to this would have been the return trip to So. Cal during 1996 after the Japan tour at the Greek Theater when 6,000 or so fan all gaasped in unison when '21st Century Schizoid Man' was played, No-one expected that!!!

The Concert From Above
From David Chetkin of Anytown USA, California on 6/28/2006.

Having attended the first Wiltern show 4th row June 29th and the 16th row for July 1st, no concert experience before or since can surpass the complex orchestrated polyrhythmic fury of high caliber musicianship.
The brilliant arrangements and master mind of a sextet perfectly executing counter rhythms while avoiding the usual mindless cluster of notes and nuances before it becomes inaudible and indistinguishable between all the players.
This is quality music, the most superb blending of the gods and we may not witness this revelation for some time to come.

Most Powerful Double-Trio Release Yet!
From Grassy Sound of Cape May Court House, New Jersey on 2/4/2006.

I have given this show a few listens, and am extremely impressed at how incredible the band sound. I have every available double-trio release, and I can say, without question, that this show is the strongest, most powerful of them all. I was initially disappointed that they weren't releasing a show towards the end of the 1996 tour (which included performances of Waiting Man & The Sheltering Sky, amongst others). However, any such disappointment has very quickly disappeared! (Though I STILL put a latter '96 show at the top of my wish-list.)

The band is very clearly enthusiastic and excited to play, and it shows throughout every piece in the set. Perhaps it's that "last night of the tour" mindset that allows for this. Whatever the case, this is a show not to be missed.

One of the interesting aspects of this show is "Prism", the percussion piece that featured Bruford, Mastelotto, and Belew. Every version I'd heard and seen featured all three in front of a percussion table at stage front, playing together. However, the version from the Wiltern has Bruford playing from his kit. It sounds as if Mastelotto is at least doing some of his percussion from the kit as well (if not all of it), and he even appears to throw in some samples of Soundscapes in the midst of it! A very highly recommended purchase indeed!!