King Crimson Great Deceiver Live 1973-1974 Genres:Rock, Classic Rock Re-released due to popular demand. Featuring the classic '73-'74 line up of Robert Fripp, David Cross, John Wetton and Bill Bruford. This beautiful 5 1/2' x12' box set includes a matching 68 page booklet full of pictures,... more » both color and black & white, with war stories from the tour, and much more. 4 CDs packaged in standard jewel cases within the box set. 1992 release.« less
Re-released due to popular demand. Featuring the classic '73-'74 line up of Robert Fripp, David Cross, John Wetton and Bill Bruford. This beautiful 5 1/2' x12' box set includes a matching 68 page booklet full of pictures, both color and black & white, with war stories from the tour, and much more. 4 CDs packaged in standard jewel cases within the box set. 1992 release.
CD Reviews
Still Available
allismile0 | 04/21/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I thought I should add that this item still is in print and lists for $63. Check out www.disciplineglobalmobile.com for any hard to find KC live material."
It's much cheaper from the source
Matthew D. White | New Orleans, LA | 10/20/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Yes, this is a terrific set, if you happen to be a fan of the 1973-74 lineup of King Crimson. What needs to be said has already been said by other reviews here.
However, people are asking way to much money for this as a used item. Robert Fripp has gained control of all KC past masters, and this set is available at the official KC website for a more reasonable price, and brand new at that.
"
Best of the '73-'74 band, who said live albums suck?
Chet Fakir | DC | 06/25/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"By turns delicate, furious, jazzy, introspective, and monstrous. The power of the band that was hinted at on L.T.I.A., Red and Starless and Bible Black really comes through on this monster box-set. Almost every song is served better by the live recording. The playing is more direct, heavy, heady, and emotional. The solos are more evocative not to mention incredible. John Wettons' vocals are more impassioned.Excellent guitar playing by Fripp. The man absolutely smokes when he wants to. He plays beautiful melody lines, funky chordal improv, ripping solos, and sometimes atonal free-rock guitar skronk. The rythym section of John Wetton on bass and Bill Bruford's drums is huge, creative and loud. David Cross on violin, mellotron and electric piano is really suprising. I've always thought him something of a lightweight, but his playing is quite good throughout and very creative on the improvised pieces.Ah, the improvs, they're the real treat with this boxed set. For the first time you get to hear the '73 - '74 Crimson really stretch out into uncharted territory. I read that Crimson were an incredible improvising band but since few of their improvs ever made it to their albums, I'd had to take the reviewers word for it.
The improvs are astonishing in their variety. Daniel Dust is quite pleasant and mellow, sounding almost like an exceptionally melodic acoustic outing by the Grateful Dead?!?, (except with violin and a certain crim sensibility) Other improvs sound like Stravinsky, as played by Slayer while being directed by Sun Ra. Elements of classical, free rock, jazz, space, metal, whatever... You get to hear how good this band really was at walking a tightrope without a net, amazing band. If you like the '73, '74 band , you'll love this CD boxed set. When I first bought it back in '92 I played it for two weeks straight. Buy it before it goes out of print again, you won't be sorry."
The Great KING CRIMSON
ifutureman | NJ | 10/29/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Thirteen years after I snapped this box set up on its initial release, I still listen to it on a regular basis. These performances sound so good, it is hard to believe that they were recorded way back in '73-'74 ... They certainly blow away any other live recordings I know of from any band prior to 1975.
Some may object to the inclusion of several versions of certain tracks, such as Easy Money, but for the most part each version is so distinctive as to warrant its inclusion. The two versions of "Fracture," for example, really illustrate the band's philosophy of never playing a song - even a meticulously composed and arranged piece - the same way twice.
This collection also includes several "blows," as they used to refer to the group improvisations which became a King Crimson trademark during the early-mid 70's. Some of these, such as "Providence" and "We'll Let You Know," would be included on KC studio albums of the period. It's a treat to be able to hear them in their original context.
If you are a fan of the "Lark's Tongues / Starless / Red" period King Crimson, then you MUST HAVE THIS. Progressive Rock was never any better.
Oh yeah, the packaging is top-notch, and the book contains a plethora of information: commentary by all four members, extensive Robert Fripp diaries, period reviews ... just a wealth of interesting info.