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  Guts July 18, 2012
Written by paulstewartkent
Sound quality is ok for a DGM bootleg, Robert and David’s lines can be easily heard. Guts on My Side is a fun tune that sounds like the Islands bands’ kind of groove, with a number of twists. On the one hand, it does live in the land of the 70’s rock band funk groove, with the verses sung over dom 7 chords, and the guitar often doubling a bass line that leaves plenty of room for for an active vocal line or violin fills. Think the foundations of early Zep tunes when Page would double JPJ and develop a strong rock groove, but with more of a funk feel than Zep used. On the other hand, it is the 74 KC band, distinct with Wetton’s voice (and hard attack on bass) and Cross’ violin. A fun four measure unison (guitar and violin) ascending 16th note run connects a couple of verses (fast unison being something not heard much since Pictures of a City), like a rock version of Mahavishnu’s Open Country Joy. The solo break is Fripp and Cross in canon using scorching tone, followed by Cross playing a much more bluesey/country/rock solo than usual for KC material. I would have liked to hear the band after a year of playing this tune, this performance is the bones and very straightforward, and we know what this band did to Easy Money every night (even injecting humour at times in the guitar parts). As mentioned by others, the band returns to Guts’ basic groove and the turn-arounds as improvs later in tours, but the song works, too. An interesting exercise would be to imagine this song done by the 1974 Elton John band, or even the Boz band.
This band had February 8, 2010
Written by clintbahr
This release is worth it if just for the track "Guts on My Side".
A very interesting tune from the Gents.
Cheers!
Clint
The amazing Mr. B January 22, 2010
Written by paulwelsh
As an addendum to my previous comments might I just add that Bill seems to have enjoyed a coffee or two before this one. The tempos are a little on the aggressive side and he’s just cutting loose all over. Rhythm section as flying brick?
New york improv January 21, 2010
Written by jogrant
Guts on my side is the New york improv from the Don kirshner film, with words! Awesome, I always loved that and dreamed there was a studio version or a full song, so here we are. One of my prized recordings for sure now. I love the intro with the two long guitar notes which they used on the improv too. Would have been great on Red instead of Providence. The Larks 1 fast part is great with Fripp’s guitar soloing, great version. That’s what I love about bootlegs is the way that bands play around with different stuff that aren’t done in the studio and pieces go through different versions like "Guts".
Udine + Brescia = Great Concert January 20, 2010
Written by DeVito
This one seems to be causing some disagreement. I’m with the "hot date" crowd -- this is a good, raw, blasting set. "Guts" is fun, but obviously didn’t suit the band -- maybe they played it on a bet, just to see if Wetton could remember the lyrics?
My main interest here, though, is the soundboard "bonus" tracks. Add these to the Brescia concert from the following day (which cuts off during "Exiles"), and you have a great, complete concert (well, almost complete -- the beginning of Larks’ I is cut off). Very nice.
--Chris DeVito
Guts January 20, 2010
Written by Wordsmith
"Guts on My Side"? Or is it "GODS On My Side"? Or "GOD’S On My Side"? We may never know! Is it just me, or does this proto-song remind anyone else of UK’s "Caesar’s Palace Blues", especially in the verses’ staccato vocal delivery and the violin-driven riffage?
Not a hot date January 19, 2010
Written by gasmrv
In my view this download is only worth it for collectors as it offers the rare track Guts On My Side, which I can understand why it was quickly dropped by the band, ie it’s not really worth it musically. This track doesn’t really sound like real KC and sounds more like your average rock band.
Sound quality is poor though, to me, this is not an issue when it’s a good performance - I don’t think this one is.
However, Exiles is fantastic as is Book of Saturday, and the end of Fracture is quite good. This is not an essential gig and I disagree with paulwelsh, I don’t think the band are on fire this particular evening.
Never mind the quality, feel the width January 18, 2010
Written by paulwelsh
Man, this is an amazing gig. This shit is just on fire! You’ll never hear a more intense "Exiles", the improv is wildly intense, and it has a cool little song you won’t find anywhere else.
Jellied Eels in Aspic January 18, 2010
Written by keeves
Keeves again. My computer did not correctly award the intended 3star rating, but then who am I to rate King Crimson material. So, for the sound quality 3stars, novelty and collectability quotient 5stars!!!
Bring the Jellied Eels to Their Knees January 18, 2010
Written by keeves
Well, Disc Two is worth the purchase price alone, especially if like me, you enjoy Fracture each time. Disc One has poor quality but is listenable which a fine Improv II. Even sonically poor version of Starless, fabulous Book of Saturday and Lark’s I are nowhere near as excrable as I was anticipating. Guts on my side has some very nice interplay with guitar and violin and I have only heard it twice so this knee jerk review just confirms again, from my perspective that if you love the old John Wetton band, this is worth the money. Extraordinary lyrics!
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