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King Crimson

CD In The Court Of The Crimson King

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★★★★★ 4.5 points (134 reviews)


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  • Issued : 08 Nov 2004

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Item Details

Genre : Rock & Pop Catalogue Number : DGM0501
Format : CD Label : DGM
Issued : 08 Nov 2004 Item sourced from : Europe
Original Release Year : 1969   
Number of Discs : 1
Other : Remaster, Reissue

In The Court Of The Crimson King

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Other Versions

  • CD   Japan Edition   ¥2,625   Reissue CD (Paper Jacket)   Released: 22 Feb 2006  
  • CD   Japan Edition   ¥1,980   Reissue Limited Edition CD   Released: 26 Mar 2008  
  • Hi Quality CD   Japan Edition   ¥3,465   Reissue Hi Quality CD   Released: 28 Oct 2009  

HMV Review

This reissue of King Crimson's debut, In the Court of the Crimson King (1969), renders all previous pressings obsolete. In the late '90s, Robert Fripp remastered the entire Crimson catalog for inclusion in a 30th anniversary edition. Nowhere was the upgrade more deserved (or necessary) than on this rock & roll cornerstone. Initially, King Crimson consisted of Robert Fripp (guitar), Ian McDonald (reeds/woodwind/vibes/keyboards/Mellotron/vocals), Greg Lake (bass/vocals), Michael Giles (drums/percussion/vocals), and Peter Sinfield (words/illuminations). As if somehow prophetic, King Crimson projected a darker and edgier brand of post-psychedelic rock. Likewise, they were inherently intelligent -- a sort of thinking man's Pink Floyd. Fripp demonstrates his innate aptitude for contrasts and the value of silence within a performance, even as far back as 21st Century Schizoid Man. The song is nothing short of the aural antecedent to what would become the entire heavy alternative/grunge sound. Juxtaposed with that electric intensity is the ethereal noir ballad I Talk to the Wind. The delicate vocal harmonies and McDonald's achingly poignant flute solo and melodic counterpoint remain unmatched on an emotive level. The surreal and opaque lyrics are likewise an insight to Peter Sinfield's masterful wordplay, which graced their next three releases. The original A-side concludes with the powerful sonic imagery of Epitaph. The haunting Mellotron wails, and Fripp's acoustic -- as well as electric -- guitar counterpoints give the introduction an almost sacred feel, adding measurably to the overall sinister mood. Giles' percussion work provides a pungent kick during the kettle drum intro and to the aggressive palpitation-inducing rhythm in the chorus. Moonchild is an eerie love song that is creepy, bordering on uncomfortable. The melody is agile and ageless, while the instrumentation wafts like the wind through bare trees. Developing out of the song is an extended improvisation that dissolves into a non-structured section of free jazz, with brief guitar lines running parallel throughout. The title track, In the Court of the Crimson King, completes the disc with another beautifully bombastic song. Here again, the foreboding featured in Sinfield's lyrics is instrumentally matched by the contrasting verbosity in the chorus and the delicate nature of the verses and concluding solos. Of course, this thumbnail appraisal pales in comparison to experiencing the actual recording. Thanks to Fripp and company's laborious efforts, this 30th anniversary edition sports sound as majestic as it has ever been within the digital domain. Frankly, the HDCD playback compatibility even bests the warmth and timbre of an original 1-A vinyl pressing. This is especially critical during the quieter passages throughout Moonchild and I Talk to the Wind. Initial releases were housed in a limited-edition gatefold replica of the original LP packaging and were accompanied by an oversized 12-page memorabilia booklet with photos and press clippings from the era.

Credits

Greg Lake(Bass),  Greg Lake(Guitar (Bass)),  Greg Lake(Vocals),  Ian Mcdonald(Flute),  Ian Mcdonald(Keyboards),  Ian Mcdonald(Vocals),  Michael Giles(Drums),  Michael Giles(Percussion),  Michael Giles(Vocals),  Robert Fripp(Guitar),  Robert Fripp(Keyboards),  Ian Mcdonald(Reeds),  Ian Mcdonald(Vibraphone),  Ian Mcdonald(Woodwind),  Ian Mcdonald(Mellotron),  Peter Sinfield(Spoken Word),  King Crimson(Producer),  Robbin Thompson(Engineer),  Robin Thompson(Engineer),  Tony Page(Engineer),  Barry Godber(Cover Design),  Hugh O'Donnell(Design),  Peter Sinfield(Illustrations),  Robert Fripp(Composer),  Robert Fripp(Remastering),  Simon Heyworth(Remastering),  Tony Arnold(Remastering),  Tony Page(Assistant Engineer),  Barry Godber(Cover Art),  Peter Sinfield(Lyricist),  Dik(Equipment Manager),  Dik(Equipment Technician),  Vick(Equipment Manager)

Songs

  •   
    1
    21st Century Schizoid Man / Mirrors
  •   
    2
    I Talk To The Wind
  •   
    3
    Epitaph / March For No Reason / Tomorrow And Tomorrow
  •   
    4
    Moonchild / Dream / Illusion
  •   
    5
    In The Court Of The Crimson King / Return Of The Fire Witch, The / Dance Of The Puppets

Customer Reviews

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  • ★★★★★ 

    フォルラン  |  兵庫県  |  不明  |  15/October/2011

    今さら言うまでもなく、さんざん語り尽くされた名盤中の名盤。自分も今まで十分聴いた気になっていたが、音質が飛躍的に向上された近年のリマスター盤を聴くと、また新たな発見がある。それほど細かな音まで深く作り込まれているということだろう。この作品と出会った25年前、「これは一体何なんだ!?」と強烈な印象を受けたが、この手の音に免疫のない人達には現在でも同じようなインパクトを与えるはずだ。40年以上、聴く人々に衝撃を与え続ける音楽。その事実こそがこの作品の凄さであり、時代・世代を越えて永遠に聴き継がれていく名盤たる由縁だろう。

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  • ★★★★★ 

    yesxyz  |  奈良県  |  不明  |  16/May/2011

    作品として凄いのはLPで認知してるけど、商品化の回数もトップを走ってる。商品ごとにレビューを別にしないと参考になりません。21世紀に異常に商品化されてる作品。

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  • ★★★★★ 

    ヤギ  |  神奈川県  |  不明  |  14/September/2010

    収録曲はどれも粒ぞろいの名曲というだけでなく、すべてが高次元にバランスされていて、ある種の緊張感を生み出している。当時(1969年当時)の時代背景とアルバムの斬新さを考え合わせれば、その衝撃後は計り知れない。その分強烈な個性を放っているので、好みが真っ二つに分かれるのは致しかたのないところ。星三つ以下があまりに少ないのは意外。

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