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King Crimson/ John Paul Jones Madrid Theatre 11.27.01 
Reviewer: sydburnz | See all reviews by sydburnz
Section: Reviews | Category: Event | Area: Kansas
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This was the smallest venue I have ever witnessed a concert in. The theatre lies in downtown KC on main street and holds probably 200-250 people approximately. When I arrived, I worked my way to about 7 rows behind the stage. I only had to wait for 5 minutes and then Jonesy and his trio joined the stage. JPJ started out with 3 numbers which were from his most recent effort "Zooma" and his upcoming album "The Thundertheif". These three tracks were very groovin and bass-dominant instrumental pieces. JPJ can really get down on the bass!! One of the members of the trio was this scottish dude who wore a kilt on stage. He was playing an instrument that I do not know the name of. JPJ did mention the name of it, but due to his thick accent I couldnt quite understand what it was. The instrument was a long stringed instrument which was mainly a fret board. The dude could play bass and treble through this instrument. No picking was used, it was basically depressing the strings and working them so it would make an eerie sound. It kinda reminded me of some indian instruments much like a sitar, but you dont pick at it.
After the first three numbers, JPJ stated that he will go back a few years, which got the crowd very excited, including myself! Jonesy handed a mandolin by the technician, so I knew I was in for a treat! He started to fool around with it, and all of a sudden he played the riff for "Thats the Way". What a total shock!! The guitarist was playing an acoustic guitar, and the drummer was using a hand drum. Jonesy also sang the lyrics to this beautiful acoustic tune from III, and much better than Robert Plant, I must add. After the previously mentioned song, he worked into a slow blues tune which sounded much like Since Ive been lovin you, on the mandolin! Then he got tired with the mandolin and walked over to the slide guitar, wailing away to what I thought it was!!! Pure blues to the max!! And if that wasnt enough, more slide guitar for When the Levee Breaks. Ohh man what a highlight of the night for me!! This is better than anything I heard from Led Zeppelin, a pounding rhythm that never ended and crazy slide guitar, I was in heaven! Both Since I've been Lovin You and When the Levee Breaks were instrumental jams. Jonesy played a couple more numbers from his recent album. One of them was called Freedom, which was a nice little ditty about he and his wife. For the encore, Jonesy got in front of the slide guitar and played the riff from "In My Time of Dying". I was shocked again, and I screamed enthusiastically in the small arena. I was the only one! LOL. I dont think anyone else figured it out. It was a teaser though, the riff worked into Black Dog. The performance of Black Dog wasnt as impressive as the rest of the Led Zeppelin covers, though.
By the time King Crimson took the stage, I worked my way to within the first 4 rows. I thought it was the best spot to be in. I didn't want to be too close, or Id lose track of everything that is going on. That was the lighting and the amazing musicians going away at their respected instruments. I was standing in the middle of the arena this time by this large black guy who told me I was in for a real treat since it was my first KC concert. I was never let down at all. Most of the pieces by King Crimson were all instrumental jams. There is no doubt at all that these guys are amazing musicians. The bass player, Trey Gunn was playing a thick fretted "stick" bass which he played mostly on the fret board (which was a popularized instrument used by former King Crimson bass player, Tony Levin). He used this as a lead instrument very often, kinda reminiscent of Jaco's style as a matter of fact. The drummer was a maniac. His kit was full, much like Neil Peart's, but it had many technical gizmos and knick knacks. The lead guitarist, Adrian Belows, used two sweet looking fender stratocasters which he made incredible solos with. Robert Fripp was sitting on a pedistal surrounded by musical equipment, and was in the shadows for some odd reason. I was lucky where I was sitting because I could see him as he played his les paul. He was sitting rather peculiar, like a school teacher watching his younger pupils, as he created these atmospheric sounds from his guitar. These are the weirdest sounds I have ever heard from a guitar. It was like Fripp was playing a mellotron creating these intricate effects. Fripp didnt impress me that much. He didnt do much soloing at all. One solo just blew my mind though. I wish he could have done more as far as soloing. He inturn, left it all to Adrian. But Adrian was no slouch, dont get me wrong! Fripp just mainly used his guitar for rhythm and weird, eerie, gloomy sounds. These guys are one of the tighest bands I have ever seen, and the whole crowd was getting pumped throughout the show. One peice was a very mellow, haunting piece with various sound effects which meshed rather well with the rainbow coloured light effects. My brain was in overdrive, there was too much for me to take in. I really enjoyed the song right before the encore, and the final encore which had some exquisite jamming. Adrians guitar solos just blew me away! Larks Tongues in Aspic pt IV and Red were the highlights of the night. I can see where Tool drew alot of influence from this group. A very truely innovative progressive rock group indeed. Fripp is a genious, enough said.
In conclusion, I really enjoyed this type of setting for a show. I have never been in one quite this small. The smallest venue was one which held probably 1500 people in Wichita. The small atmosphere makes it more personal. People can yell things here and there, and the band can hear it and respond. One guy told Jonesy to play Good Times Bad Times, and he gave this really weird look and said you people arent patient are you?? Then he played a few bars from it, and said well its been 25 years and probably 25 more years until I play that again. I liked the way Jonesy rapped with the audience, it seemed as if he was enjoying it. King Crimson didnt do much rapping with the audience, Adrian did introduce a new song Electric (with a K) for us.
I had a few disappointments with the show. I didnt hear anything from ItCotCK, which was a huge disappointment. I would have liked to have heard Epitaph, but I guess it wouldnt be right without Greg Lake I suppose. One member of the audience was getting into the music so much, he reached up onto the stage and moved some of the equipment which in turn bumped one of the red spotlights right in front of the guitarist, Adrian. Adrian was going into this extensive guitar solo, I was surprised he didnt get thrown off. It took a long time for security to apprehend this dude. He was a big guy. One of the members of the audience tried to pull him away, but to no avail. Also, Robert Fripp didnt do much, but sit there with a content smile on his face watching the others perform while he played his riffs. His back was sorta turned to some of the audience, I felt sorry for them. He wasnt in the spotlight, and even when they took a bow, he was still in the dark.
All in all a very amazing concert. I was in total awe of this very original (and underrated) band. Im glad I had witnessed this before Fripp calls it quits. He looks to be 60 years old now, I wonder how long he will keep going with this ever changing lineup?
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Visitor Comments about King Crimson/ John Paul Jones Madrid Theatre 11.27.01
Posted by tree s on 2002-03-31 00:53:30
My Score:  
Comment: the instrument used in john paul jones''s set is called a Chapman Stick, and Trey Gunn of King Crimson was playing a Warr Guitar (very much like the stick)
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Posted by elizabeth on 2002-03-01 10:05:14
My Score:
Comment: i just wanted you to know that i fi wa there you wouldnt have been the only one yellin at the song riffs!! you once again proved yourself a great person!!
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