From: bain1@vax.oxford.ac.uk
Newsgroups: alt.music.progressive
Subject: Re: King Crimson Beginner
Date: 11 Nov 92 13:45:26 GMT
Organization: Oxford University VAX 6620

In article <9u2oTB3w165w@bluemoon.rn.com>, buzzsaw@bluemoon.rn.com (Patrick Buzby) writes:
> traub@rtf.bt.co.uk (Michael Traub) writes:
> 
>> In article <81LDTB4w165w@bluemoon.rn.com> buzzsaw@bluemoon.rn.com (Patrick Bu
>> >  Also, I wouldn't recommend Poseidon for KC1 since it is so blatantly 
>> >derivative of Court.  IMHO, Poseidon is the only really disappointing KC 
>> >album, although I haven't heard Islands (which is reportedly also below 
>> >their normal standards).
>> 
>> I thought Islands was their only decent album before Bruford et al joined
>> (Larks Tongue and onwards).
> 
>   Very interesting.  But you can't deny "Schizoid Man."  And I think 
> Lizard is sort of fun to listen to- it's the only KC album where it seems 
> beyond Fripp to control what's going on.  Why doesn't anyone release 
> albums like that nowadays?
> 
>      Pat Buzby           "Fried ice cream is a reality!"-George Clinton
>      Grove City, OH      "Music is the best."-Frank Zappa

In case anyone is really interested, here's a list of KC albums with a few
notes. Those in search of more detail could do a lot worse than buying the book
'Robert Fripp - From King Crimson to Guitar Craft' by Eric Tamm, published by
Faber and Faber.

In the Court of the Crimson King (1969) : Contains the only KC track most
people have ever heard of - 21st Century Schizoid Man, and is almost worth
buying just for that. The rest of it is Moody-Blues like mellotron epics.

In the Wake of Poseidon (1970) is just Crimson King with different lyrics,
although 'Pictures of a City' and 'Cat Food' are quite interesting.
Unfortunately, about a third of the album is taken up with an embarrasingly
dreadful reworking of Mars-The Bringer of War by Holst, which is credited to
Fripp/Ian McDonald.

Lizard (1970) is probably the best of the early albums and also the most
difficult to listen to. It's worth it for the apocalyptic ending though. Buy it
now!

Islands (1971) is a trifle more relaxed, some would say 'boring' than the
previous, but is worth getting for the utterly AWESOME guitar bit on 'Sailor's
Tale'.

Earthbound (1971) was recorded on the American tour and has now been deleted.
Copies are easily found secondhand but beware, this is not an album for the
sound quality freaks amongst you - some of it was recorded in the back of a
truck in the rain! It does contain the definitive live Schizoid Man as well as
two improvisations and a drum solo played through a VCS3 (!)

Larks' Tongues in Aspic (1973) is the first of the 'Mid Period' KC albums and
represents a major change of style and lineup. The album contains the most
gorgeously delicately played guitar bit ever (Easy Money). This is an album
worth getting on CD because only the finest record deck will be able to cope
properly with the enormous dynamic range.

Starless and Bible Black (1974) O! Rapture! What can I say about this album?
It's orgasmic. Eight tracks, al but the first two recorded live (not that you'd
know). Lots of Improvisation and some VERY freaky violin playing. I can't go
on, I'm getting goose pimples!

Red (1974) A bit of a let-down, although it does contain the finest recorded
track by KC in the form of 'Starless' - there's only one guitarist in the world
who could play an eight-minute guitar passage on four notes and still make it
the most emotional experience you've ever had.

There's also a (not very good) live album from this period called 'USA', but
it's been deleted and I've not heard it.

As far as the later three albums go (Discipline, Beat, and Three of a Perfect
Pair) I've not heard these, but they are supposed to be very different again.
More than this I dont't know, but Eric Tamm seemed to like them.

By the way, does anybody know if the Remastered CDs sound any better than the
originals?

     Mark Greenwood   (Bain1@uk.ac.ox.vax)
Newsgroups: alt.music.progressive