Band:	King Crimson
Album:	Sheltering Skies (Live In Fréjus, August 27th 1982)
Style:	Progressive rock
Release date:	September 06, 2024
Guest review by:	Blackcrowe

01. Thela Hun Ginjeet
02. Matte Kudasai
03. Indiscipline
04. Red
05. Heartbeat
06. The Sheltering Sky
07. Elephant Talk
08. Neal And Jack And Me
09. Waiting Man
10. Larks’ Tongues In Aspic: Part II
11. The Sheltering Sky (Cap D’agde)


The Discipline of King Crimson.

King Crimson, the band formed in the ’60s by Robert Fripp, pioneered the progressive rock scene in the UK, releasing one of the most iconic progressive records in history, In The Court Of The Crimson King. King Crimson is one of the most influential bands in rock history, incorporating a wide variety of styles: rock, jazz, psychedelic, progressive, avant-garde, pop, experimental, heavy and alternative.

In 1974, after releasing and touring another classic album, Red, King Crimson was disbanded.

Robert Fripp joined various projects with a range of musicians and styles, mostly pop artists. During one of these collaborations, he met a young innovative guitar player, Adrian Belew. Along with their bandmate from Peter Gabriel’s band, bass genius Tony Levin, they started a new band called Discipline. However, without a formal drummer, Robert Fripp called ex-bandmate Bill Bruford from King Crimson’s 1973-1974 lineup.

Discipline began playing in the studio, jamming, and creating a strange collection of atmospheric instrumental songs. After further rehearsals, Adrian Belew took over vocals and contributed his own compositions, blending with the instrumentals. The result was a mix that became known as Discipline.

After a long conversation, Robert Fripp was convinced by the other members to use the name King Crimson, and the album was eventually released under that name, though the title remained Discipline. In 1981, King Crimson released their eighth record, Discipline, leaving behind their classic style and most complex compositions, but retaining the same power. The record is a collection of minimalistic but complex avant-garde / pop compositions, with doses of experimentation. The music was acclaimed by die-hard fans and new listeners, though it received attention from critics.

Sheltering Skies is a live recording captured in the marvelous French port town Fréjus in the Côte d'Azur, on August 27, 1982, showcasing the presentation of Discipline and the more recently released Beat. It features songs from those records and classics from their most progressive era. The sound quality is excellent, reflecting the band’s great individual performances and professionalism.

The set opens with “Thela Hun Ginjeet (Heat In The Jungle)” and its devastating riffs, followed by the reflective and peaceful “Matte Kudasai (Wait Please)”. Then comes “Indiscipline”, a proto-metal song with incredible drum and guitar solos. The first classic to appear is the instrumental “Red”, perhaps one of the best live performances of the song. “Heartbeat” offers a glimpse of the new release, while “The Sheltering Sky”, my personal favorite from Discipline, stands out instrumentally with a great Robert Fripp solo.

The show continues with the hit “Elephant Talk”, featuring Levin bass interludes and Belew’s signature guitar arpeggios. Two more songs from Beat, the experimental “Neal And Jack And Me” and the upcoming hit “Waiting Man”, were followed by the incredible “Larks’ Tongues In Aspic: Part II”, with its heavy intensity. The long version of “The Sheltering Sky (Cap d’Agde)” closes the impeccable set, with no low points.

Sheltering Skies is a great demonstration of King Crimson’s growth and dedication to experimentation, capturing their 80s approaches. A band that led almost all styles that you could imagine now has in this live performance a snapshot of their growth and maturity from this time period.