Progressive Rock Reviews

Absent Lovers
KING CRIMSON





King Crimson are :
Adrian Belew on Guitar, Drums and Lead Vocal
Robert Fripp on Guitar
Tony Levin on Bass, Stick, Synth and Vocal
Bill Bruford on Acoustic and Electronic Drums and Percussion

The tracks are :
CD1
1. Entry Of The Crims
2. Larks' Tongues In Aspic (part III)
3. Thela Hum Ginjeet
4. Red
5. Matte Kudasai
6. Industry
7. Dig Me
8. Three Of A Perfect Pair
9. Indiscipline

CD2
1. Sartori In Tangier
2. Frame By Frame
3. Man With An Open Heart
4. Waiting Man
5. Sleepless
6. Larks' Tongues In Aspic (part II)
7. Discipline
8. Heartbeat
9. Elephant Talk

Absent Lovers is a live double CD recorded at the Spectrum, Montreal on Wednesday, July 11th 1984. This was the last four shows of the 1981-84 King Crimson and the performances on the two CD's are drawn from the final night, shortly after which King Crimson ceased to exist, that was until April 18th 1994 in Woodstock, New York when King Crimson was reborn.

The opening track 'Entry Of The Crims', is an introduction to the band, with each member coming in on the track one at a time. The music is quite improvisational and very much a soundscape, but it works well and is a great opener.

This leads into the next track which is 'Larks' Tongues In Aspic (part III)'. Taken from the 1984 album 'Three Of A Perfect Pair', this is a great track with Fripp's frenzied torturous guitar work sounding just as good as ever.

The third track 'Thela Hun Ginjeet', is one of my favourite tracks. And as you have probably guessed, yes, I am a long time fan of King Crimson. Now I may be biased to the fact that I like King Crimson, but I would not let that influence me, with the actual review, well to whether you should purchase this CD. 'Thela Hun Ginjeet' is a track from the 1981 album 'Discipline' and is a more melodic King Crimson track. It has stunning bass a nd drum work and the guitar work varies throughout with great rhythms, intricate, loops to feedback.

The next track'Red', is another of my favourite tracks taken from the album 'Red' originally recorded in 1974. Fripp's driving guitar being the main catalyst for this track and every other instrument just seems to fit perfectly around it. (you have to hear it to know what I mean).
I must say here that if there was no crowd appreciation inbetween tracks (and of course there is) then it would be hard to believe that this was a live album. As everything just seems perfect

'Matte Kudasai', another track taken from the 'Discipline' album is another great track. Melodic, soulful even, Adrian's vocals are just so emotional, but then i could say that of the guitar too!

The sixth track 'Industry', taken from 'Three Of A Perfect Pair' has more of a heavier bass and drums to the forefront with the guitar textures/ soundscapes taking a backseat. The guitar is still there driving away, but is not ad dominant as on other tracks.

The next track 'Dig Me' also from 'Three Of A Perfect Pair' is a mixture of melodic vocals from Adrian and strange chords & whammy bar effects from Robert with some verses that are narrated. As with 'Industry', 'Dig Me' is what you would describe as one of the wierder tracks that King Crimson perform.

'Three Of A Perfect Pair', the title track from the same album is a nice melodic affair with lots of intricate guitar work.

The final track on the first CD is 'Indiscipline', this track starts with a drum solo and percussion including some tribal drum elements. Then a bass is added then guitar. Then the vocals come in. I would have to say that the verses are Narrated though rather than sung. Then suddenly the music takes off, Adrian carries on playing the rhythm while Fripp goes off on one of his 'Indisciplined' guitar runs

Also Disc one is Enhanced for PC or Mac. On this you will find the Discipline Catalogue, with one track short excerpts from each album.

The second CD starts with 'Sartori In Tangier', taken from the 1982 album 'Beat'. This track starts off with some soulful guitar, bass is added then a funky kind of riff comes in. Fripp plays some frantic lead bit over the top. Some of the guitar work at times sounds more like a violin. In the middle the track develops more into a soundscape but returns to the funky riffs later.

The next track is 'Frame By Frame', another one of my favourites (from 'Discipline'), features some stunning guitar, rhythm and lead, great vocals and harmonies. With great drums and bass too.

The third track is 'Man With An Open Heart' ('Three Of A Perfect Pair') has quite an oriental flavour about it especially with regards to the guitar work. Again this track has a great rhythm nad beat. Superb bass and drums and stunning guitar work.

The next track is 'Waiting Man' ('Beat'), starts with some tribal drum rhythms. Great bass, drums and guitar.

'Sleepless' ('Three Of A Perfect Pair'), this track starts with some great bass, then the drums come in. The guitar work is a mixture of soundscape patterns and intricate stuff. And I must say the drums on this track are just superb!

Track six is 'Larks' Tongues In Aspic (partII)', from the album 'Larks' Tongues In Aspic' 1973. This track although somewhat different from the original is one of the highlights off the album. Great drums and bass. Quite a heavy rhythm and intricate lead runs. And if you have heard this track before you just know that theres a lead break coming, but on this version, Fripp just seems to delay and delay it, but then suddenly in it comes. Adrian carries on with the rhythm and Fripp goes on several demented runs, you'd think his life depended on getting as much out of his guitar as possible, then it's back to more of the quieter melodic mood before Fripp again goes again on a manic minute or two.

Well, know it's time for crowd appreciation as this was surely the end of the concert and the crowd want for more!!

The band return to play 'Discipline' ('Discipline'), great track with great drums and bass and lots of intricate guitar bits.

Next is 'Heartbeat', ('Beat'), a nice mellow track with nice vocals. In my opinion this is more of a straight rock track but does feature some nice bass, drums and guitar.

The band go off once more, again to thunderous applause and still wanting more!
The band finally return to play 'Elephant Talk', another off my favourite tracks from the 'Discipline' album. Superb rhythm, drums and a guitar sounding like elephant noises. Stunning guitar work!!!
More applause then fades, after around a minute and a half, there is thanks from the band to their guitar techs, drum techs, stage production manager, etc, etc.,

Well, as you can already guess, I think this CD is absolutely superb. The recording quality is first class. And this show King Crimson playing at their best. Although I would think that this is more likely to appeal to King Crimson fans. I think that any progrock fans could get into this album. Absent Lovers come highly recommended!!!

This CD is Available at most record shops or from :
DISCIPLINE GLOBAL MOBILE.
P.O.BOX 1533, SALISBURY, WILTSHIRE,SP5 5ER. ENGLAND.

TEL: +44 1722 780146.    

FAX: +44 1722 781042.

EMAIL : DGM@disciplinegm.demon.co.uk
OR FROM :
DISCIPLINE GLOBAL MOBILE, P.O.BOX 5282, BEVERLEY HILLS, CA 90209-5282. U.S.A.
TEL : (1) 213 937 3194.    
FAX : (1) 213 937 9102.
EMAIL:PossPROD@aol.com
WEBSITE:DGM: http://www.discipline.co.uk
WEBSITE : KING CRIMSON http://www.elephant-talk.com

The Nightwatch - Live 1973
KING CRIMSON





The Nightwatch is a live CD recorded at the Amsterdam Concertgebow on 23rd November 1973.
The King Crimson personnel at this time was David Cross on Violin, Viola and Mellotron, Robert Fripp on Guitar and Mellotron, John Wetton on Bass and Vocals and Bill Bruford on Drums.
This is a double CD and has been mixed by David Singleton and Robert Fripp in July '97. There is a 20 page bboklet with the CD with some information regarding the live performance and King Crimson and some photo's of the band. The front cover is a painting called The Nightwatch and is by P.J.Crook.
The Quality and Production of this CD is Superb.
CD1 contains 6 tracks lasting just over 40 minutes. Starting with 'Easy Money' from the 'Lark's Tongues In Aspic ' album. Johns vocals are good, Robert's guitar singing as usual with the drums and bass tight to make this a great opener. Next is 'Lament' from 'Starless and Bible Black ' album.Track 3 is 'Book Of Saturday'  another track from 'Lark's Tongue' and what a stunner. 'Fracture' a great track from the 'Starless ' album. 'The Nightwatch' is next,  taken from the 'Starless' album . and track 6 is 'Improv:Starless and Bible Black'. What a stunning track, absolutely brilliant .
CD2 contains 6 tracks and is just over 40 minute. Starting with 'Improv:Trio', followed by 'Exiles' from ' Lark's Tongues ' album and what a great track too. Track 3 is 'Improv:The Fright Watch' followed by 'the Talking Drum' from 'Lark's Tongues'. Track 5 is 'Lark's Tongues In Aspic (Part II)' and finishing with a great version of '21st Century Schiziod Man' from 'In The court Of The Crimson King'. The second CD also is an enhanced CD containing information about other Discipline artists and is accessable by Pc or Mac CD-ROM.
This CD is Available at most record shops or from :
DISCIPLINE GLOBAL MOBILE.
P.O.BOX 1533, SALISBURY, WILTSHIRE,SP5 5ER. ENGLAND.
TEL:+44 1722 780146.    
FAX:+44 1722 781042.
EMAIL : DGM@disciplinegm.demon.co.uk
OR FROM :
DISCIPLINE GLOBAL MOBILE, P.O.BOX 5282, BEVERLEY HILLS, CA 90209-5282. U.S.A.
TEL : (1) 213 937 3194.    
FAX : (1) 213 937 9102.
EMAIL:PossPROD@aol.com
WEBSITE:DGM: http://www.discipline.co.uk
WEBSITE : KING CRIMSON http://www.elephant-talk.com

 

 

The ConstruKction of Light

King Crimson

 

Adrian Belew - guitar, vocals
Robert Fripp - guitar
Trey Gunn - bass touch guitar, baritone guitar
Pat Mastelotto - drumming

Tracklisting

ProzaKc blues
Into the frying pan
The world’s my oyster soup kitchen floor wax museum
Coda: I have a dream
The construKction of light
FraKctured
Lark’s tongues in aspic - part IV
Heaven and earth

The original "Crimson Kings" return to tap the vein of a new generation… reaching into the beyond and back again and absorbing the light of another decade, now their fourth on "The ConstruKction of Light."

Elusive, figuratively variable and altogether their own breed of band, King Crimson's not about past, present or even future but an amalgamation of all three and arrives at a time when all of the tried and true has been tried already, to showcase the true nature of enigmatic rhythms, progressively tuned within a flicker of imagination that all at once can be heard and appreciated… but never fully understood.

Compliments to the team mainstay Robert Fripp has assembled for their first new studio release since '95s "Thrak," and latest in a not so long line of twelve… when it's considered the band once opened for The Stones in the late sixties!

But as has been the case, when a statement needs saying, they're there to say it… when there's music to be played, they play it-overindulgence is their forte and here again, they don't skimp.

Like a cunning predator stalking in the background waiting for just the right moment to pounce, King Crimson has been that, and as is usually the case, they do not miss… and they always leave their mark.

"ProzaKc Blues" opens into a doorway to a damp dark room filled with all things mellow and dreary, seemingly a come down from an apparent high that in this case never existed… in fact it's better attributed to the next piece, songs 2 and 3 combined, forming an eight minute sequence for the title track, fueled by classic tactics in an instrumentally inoculating rendition recalling the finest hours of Yes-like progression.

Later experience the cathartic chaos taking place around you… songs sever through nine, one continuous romp through modern culture and past glory… "Larks' Tongues in Aspic-Part IV…" it's like Pink Floyd having gone to Hell and we, the listeners, willfully granted a ten-minute visitation pass!

Supremely blended, invitingly out of fashion while imaginatively cluttered in conflict and complexity, King Crimson's latest version takes several doses of overexposure to fully absorb the enriching effects of all the musical genius taking place around you.

Released by Virgin Music

Review by Vinnie Apicella

 

The Power To Believe

KING CRIMSON

 

Tracklisting:

1 The Power To Believe I: A Cappella
2 Level Five
3 Eyes Wide Open
4 Elektrik
5 Facts Of Life: Intro
6 Facts Of Life
7 The Power To Believe II
8 Dangerous Curves
9 Happy With What You Have To Be Happy With
10 The Power To Believe III
11 The Power To Believe IV: Coda

Recorded by Machine, and produced by King Crimson & Machine, mainly in Nashville at The Tracking Room during July and August 2002.

The Power To Believe is the culmination of three years of Crimsonising by Line-up Six that began at StudioBelew, Nashville, in October 1999 with the writing and recording of The ConstruKction Of Light, followed by extensive touring in Europe, Japan & the Americas throughout 2000 & 2001.

It's so hard to write about a band that doesn't stay in one place from one album to the next. Crim's latest offering , "The Power To Believe" is an excellent album, and arguably the best album since Discipline. The current line up of Crim is Robert Fripp, Adrian Belew, Trey Gunn and Pat Mastelotto.

The album opens quietly with a synthesized Belew vocal before storming into The Power To Believe. A very heavy album with great guitar work and precision drumming. The guitar interplay between Fripp and Belew, together
with Trey Gunn's bass and sound effects as well as Mastelotto's thunderous drum work lead you into what will be a thoroughly enjoyable listen. Since I do not have any albums that are between ConstruKction Of Light and this one,
I can only draw comparisons to ConstruKction, which, in my mind are almost non existent at the moment.

The album that does come to mind is Three Of A Perfect Pair, one of my favorite "recent" Crim albums. Belew sounds great and his songwriting abilities always amaze me.

What else to say, if you like the later Crim, you will truly be impressed with this album. If you are new to Crimson's later albums (read post 70's), then this will be a great place to start!

With over a 30 year legacy, King Crimson continues to defy categorization and genre, while Fripp continues to assemble the finest musicians around him. This line up isn't new, but it is certainly re-vitalized.

The Power To Believe will be in stores March 7. Be sure to pick it up and allow it to make you believe there is STILL great music out there.

King Crimson Website: http://www.king-crimson.com/

Review by Lew Fisher