Date: Sat, 18 Nov 2000 13:57:24 -0500 From: "Timothy W Cox" <timothy dot w dot cox at gte dot net> Subject: Nad's open mid and news
Firstly let me say that Gnad Markus made a spectacular point in issue #767
>And, as an addition to this: Has anybody of those who keep on RKT-bashing ever tried to imagine what it must feel like if you have spent 20 years of listening (and probably loving) your band, and then come to find out that you don't find them attractive anymore? It's not that easy to "MOVE ON", you still wants to try and get back to that feeling of the days when you liked them. That's why loads of guys who say they don't like the new Krim still buy their albums, go to their concerts and stuff - just to give it one more try. Like...
"Maybe there's still something there for me."<
I haven't been listening for 20 years but this is the first time that I have felt Crimson has not delivered a quality album. Of course Fractured, TCOL, and new Larks are potentially great pieces, the band doesn't deliver the full potential on these, and the other new works are simply pathetic (Thrush has potential, and I am not saying I could write better). Markus's argument is valid. If a band produces works that you consistently admire for x amount of years and then produce something unadmirable then the band has obviously taken a road that doesn't suit them as well as previous ones. Of course you could argue that particular fans are living in the past but how do you explain that they admire new works (inconsistent with the past) from other artists.You fan boys can lie to yourselves all you want and give praise to this band just because it bears the name "Crimson", but I have seen the recent tour and my audio archive rocks more, out of the speakers, than this band does in person. You can say "move on" all you want but, as an objective listener, it is hard to say that this music (the compositions) are worth the praise that posters give them. I was at the Cleveland show and few that I encountered were impressed by this band and most spent their time talking about other incarnations. The musicians probably aren't to blame, but rather the compositions themselves. I think it is better to compare Crimson's new material with other bands output than against Crimson itself and you will find that this isn't earth moving music. On a similar note, it is nice to see that this site has become the "Bill Buford information site" because he continues to embody the spirit and unpredictability of quality music. Reply all you want but we all know what is really said about this band in private circles. Maybe everyone else should "move on" because they haven't taken the freedom to listen to the music from a holistic approach. I should not end this long winded statement negatively. Individually the band members are "great" musicians and "everyone" is entitled to their opinion.
Now, onto the news! Firstly, Geddy Lee (Rush) has produced an exceptional solo album. You can get some information at his highly interactive site http://www.myfavoriteheadache.com/ . This release really reveals Geddy's contributions to Rush. Secondly, and more close to Crimson/Fripp relation, Andy Summers has joined forces with Jack Bruce and Dennis Chambers. The band is called "Hot Flash" and they have already written more than 20 songs (recorded 7 in one day). I am not sure what will develop from this trio but it sounds interesting. Obviously this news is more interesting to bass players than Crimson "fan boys".