WELL WORTH THE PRICE FOR MORE FROM THIS CLASSIC ALBUM SESSIO
Stuart Jefferson | San Diego,Ca | 12/08/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Two discs 70,78 minutes each approximately. Comes in a standard jewel case,with some color photographs of the band on the inside back portion of the case. The sound in this 2009 version,which was mixed from the original master tapes is clean and crisp. There seems to be a bit more openess to the sound in this edition,compared to the 2004 release. The only real change from the original release is an edit of the improv following "Moonchild". The booklet is well done,with short,but pertinent information on the tracks. There is a short overlook at the album from Robert Fripp. There is also a look at the band from it's beginnings by Sid Smith,which is fairly informative,especially if you aren't familiar with KING CRIMSON's first album. The original artwork has been preserved,as have the lyrics. There are also a few black and white photographs of the band from 1969.
By now if you've read this far you're probably familiar with this album and it's impact,both on it's original release and through subsequent years. I vividly remember buying this on vinyl (and the cover-what an attention grabber!) when it first was released as an "import". And like many listeners feel (except in the beginning when I had to convince people to give it a listen),the album has never lost it's impact. But whats great about this release are the bonus tracks on each disc.
"Moonchild" is heard in it's full version,which,finally,is nice to hear. This ethereal,almost spooky sounding track is even more ethereal in this full version. "I Talk To The Wind" is heard in both a duo and alternate version. The duo version with lovely guitar and flute is very nice,with a slightly different,more delicate feel to it than the original. A definite highlight of this release. The alternate version is just that-slightly different in sound,with different solos,but still sticking fairly close to the original. The vocal,which was mixed perfectly with the instruments,is very nice on this track. "Epitath" is heard hear as a backing track,which is nice,but nothing extraordinary. The final track,"Wind Session",is full of various sounds,both organic and electronic. There is also some "talk-back" from the engineer to whomever is creating this track. It's an inside look at how parts of this album were created,but musically not totally essential.
The second disc contains the 2004 mix of the complete album-nothing really new here. The bonus tracks on this disc give an inside look into how this album was constructed. The first bonus track is the instrumental backing of "21st Century Schizoid Man",which even without the vocal is impressive to hear,especially considering the era when this music was recorded. "I Talk To The Wind" is heard here from a BBC session,and the overall sound of this track is fairly flat and distant sounding. But it's still a nice addition-hearing a live,period recording from a unique (at the time) band,that straddled both rock and progressive music. "21st Century Schizoid Man",also from A BBC session is better sounding,though sonically still a little weak. Again,its nice to have this version appended to this release,especially Fripp's ripping guitar,and Ian McDonald's horn out front of that great rhythm section. "In The Court Of The Crimson King",Parts 1 and 2 are both heard here in their mono single versions. They are reproduced from a vinyl source,and are heard as originally split,into two sides of a 7" vinyl single.
If you liked this album in the past,you're going to like this version. For once the price seems fair for what's included,and is probably the definitive look at this album. This is one of those unique records that,once heard,seems to grab hold of your head and never lets go. It's still impressive,even now,after all these years. And that's the mark of great music."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1