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Tuesday 11 September 2012

KEEP VINYL ALIVE: KING CRIMSON - KINGS OF PROGRESSIVE ROCK

KEEP VINYL ALIVE: KING CRIMSON - KINGS OF PROGRESSIVE ROCK

KING CRIMSON - KINGS OF PROGRESSIVE ROCK

Thanks to my sister I have been listening to King Crimson from nearly their creation and have played their LP's countless numbers of times, particularly "In the wake of the poseidon" which I used to blast out on my parents new stereo system in the early 70's - (Not sure they appreciated it as much as me)
So it is with this LP that I start my blog! Many of Crimson's covers are works of art in their own right including this one. Although my copy is getting rather work and cracked the textured cover still looks great with all the individual characters painted on it.





The LP as with most Crimson albums has is beautiful melodies with "Peace a beginning" and it's quick tempo changes to the likes of "cat food" and the title track, that's what makes them so good.
The whole LP is a masterpiece inside and out - ISLAND RECORDS ILPS 9127 - 1970
Robert Fripp - Greg Lake - Peter Giles - Michael Giles - Peter Sinfield- Keith Tippet - Mel Collins & Gordon Haskell (Cadence & Cascade)
More information from an indepence source on the net below

Another of thier LP's with stunning artwork is probably the most well known of all King Crimson's albums - "In the court of the crimson king" The scary scream face is simply one of the best vinyl covers ever!, and the inner pages of the gatefold cover are done in the same vein.


Line up for this LP was Robert Fripp -Ian  McDonald - Greg Lake - Michael Giles & Pete Sinfield
The album starts with the fantastic "21st Century schizoid man", surely not many better ways to start your recording career. Then the pace drops completley to "I talk to the wind" and "Epitah" side 2 starts off in the same melodic vein with the enchanting "Moonchild" and then returns to the title track finale.
My copy is POLYDOR DE LUXE 2302 057 - Originally released in 1969


 

Next up is another favourite LP but from much later in 1980, the Discipline LP heralded a new birth and touring with another changed line up. The album is really punchy and has deep rtythm as well as the normal more abstract tracks. The highlights for me are "Frame by frame" Sheltering sky" & "Thela hun ginjeet" but all the tracks have something special to offer. I wouldn't class it as classic Crimson but it still rocks! I saw them play this album at The Venue in Victoria Lonodn in October 1981 and it was a fantastic gig, all for the sum of £4.00 


Line up was much smaller for this LP with only 4 core muscians - Robert Fripp - Bill Bruford - Adrian Belew & Tony Levin. I felt Levin and Belew added much to this line up and album with their rythm and vocals respectively. EG RECORDS EGLP 49


Back 10 years earlier now to 1971 and ISLANDS and probably one of the less popular albums amongst fans but I still love it, particlualrly the opening track on side 2 of "Ladies of the road" some wonderfully sexy lyrics.Overall a quieter album and less frenetic than the first 2 albums.


 

King Crimson line up for Islands as follows - Robert Fripp - Peter Sinfield - Mel Collins - Keith Tippet - Boz Burrell & Ian Wallace - ISLAND RECORDS ILPS 9175 - 1971

There are of course many other King Crimson Lp's some a lot better than others, but they have left a musical leagcy the like never seen before. Here are just a couple more pics of the artwork from USA  & BEAT not the greatest covers but some people may not be aware that these LP's even exsist.



Thanks for taking the time to have a look and if anybody has anything to add or any questions then feel free to email me.


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UPDATE ON KING CRIMSON BLOG

I have recently had a copy of "In the court of the crimson king" pass through my hands on it's way to a buyer in Japan. The overall quality especially the audio quality was excellent with only a limited number of clicks in the many quiet sections of this stunning LP. I have added a pictures of ILPS 9111 2nd pressing Island pink rim LP below.





4/8/91 - KING CRIMSON - KINGS OF PROG ROCK (ADDITION)

Although most prog purists will be looking for the original pressings of each LP there are other issues which can add to a collection for completists. Just such a release is about to go live on ebay auction!
As previously stated Polydor re-issued a number of the KG LP's and they also packaged Court of the Crimson King & Larks' Toungues in Aspic as POLYDOR DOUBLEBACK 2683 080 (Individual cat # 2032 057 & 2032 061 respectively) Released in 1977 by POLYDOR as part of DOUBLEBACK series.



This Vinyl is in absolutely superb condition (NM) which is just what you need when listening to KC due to quiet sections of LP's - The cover shows each respective image front & back with just some light wear. Always such a pleasure to handle this sort of quality of KC vinyl (reluctant to let it go, but go it must) http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Vinyl-Spurs/LPs-ROCK-METAL-/_i.html?_fsub=2072570017&_sid=58532857&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

Further images shown below or inner & outer G/Fold cover