King Crimson - Red [9/22]

Artist:

King Crimson

UPC:

633367400727

See Also:

Bad Company Fripp, Robert Bruford, Bill Dylan, Bob Haskell, Gordon Wetton, John

Description:

The initial pressing of RED is packaged in a cardboard-stock gatefold sleeve.
King Crimson: John Wetton (vocals, bass); Robert Fripp (guitar, Mellotron); David Cross (violin, viola); Bill Bruford (drums, percussion).
Digitally remastered by Robert Fripp.
Personnel: John Wetton (vocals); Robert Fripp (guitar, Mellotron); David Cross (violin); Robin Miller (oboe); Mel Collins (soprano saxophone); Ian McDonald (alto saxophone); Marc Charig (cornet); Bill Bruford (percussion).
Liner Note Author: Sid Smith.
Photographer: Gered Mankowitz.
As the year 2009 marked the 40th anniversary of King Crimson, band mainstay Robert Fripp chose to honor their significant back catalog with a 40th anniversary series of multimedia CD/DVD releases. Fripp installed Steve Wilson (of Porcupine Tree fame) to aid in bringing the catalog into the 21st century, the centerpiece of Wilson`s efforts being newly crafted 5.1 Surround Sound mixes of the Mighty Crim`s dozen-plus studio efforts onto DVD. The medium would also provide an opportunity for existing materials (read: the original LPs) a chance to sound better than ever. Additionally, it would allow for expanded audio offerings with a variety of otherwise unavailable and formerly vaulted visual treats as well. For the audio-only disc of the upgrade for 1974`s Red -- the final recording made by King Crimson in the 1970s -- the original five-song long-player has been sizably reconstituted with three bonus tracks. These include trio versions of the title composition "Red" and "Fallen Angel" (which is also sans lead vocals), as well as an unedited version of the instrumental improvisation "Providence." While the former two studio outtakes are making their debut here, "Providence Full Version" was previously issued on 1992`s Great Deceiver live box set. Incidentally, the trio in question consists of the aforementioned Fripp (guitar/Mellotron), John Wetton (bass guitar/vocals), and Bill Bruford (percussion).
The audio DVD (commonly referred to as a DVD-A) can be properly played back on any 5.1-ready DVD unit and system. And properly equipped parties may choose to hear the original album and bonus tracks in either a superior lossless stereo (24-bit/96-kHz) or standard PCM Stereo 2.0 (24-bit/96-kHz) format. Those who partake in the 5.1 Surround Sound experience are cocooned sonically at the center of the celebration with either the option of the DTS 5.1 Digital Surround or MLP Lossless 5.1 Surround presentations of all of the above music. One notable addition is the "Voyage to the Centre of the Cosmos" instrumental -- which was adapted from the Great Deceiver anthology. Hardcore enthusiasts are in for a visual delight via the half-hour live-in-the-studio performance of "Larks` Tongues in Aspic, Pt. 2," "Lament," "The Night Watch," and "Starless," all taped for French ORTF TV on March 22, 1974 -- just three days into what would become this incarnation of King Crimson`s final tour. Granted, any footage of King Crimson performing is a rarity. However, it is made all the more appealing by the inclusion of the lineup featuring David Cross (violin/Mellotron). His tenure lasted only a few more months, as he left just prior to the creation of the Red album. Although the broadcast standard was monophonic for television in 1974, the mix is hearty, while the visuals have remained remarkably sharp considering their vintage. Accompanying the two discs is a 16-page booklet with remarks from Fripp penned specifically for the package and augmented by plenty of photos.

Track Listing:

DISC 1:

1. Red
2. Fallen Angel
3. One More Red Nightmare
4. Providence
5. Starless
6. Red - (previously unreleased)
7. Fallen Angel - (previously unreleased)
8. Providence

DISC 2:

1. Larks` Tongues in Aspic: Part II - (mono)
2. Night Watch, The - (mono)
3. Lament - (mono)
4. Starless - (mono)

Album Information

Release Date:

09/22/2009

Type:

Boxed Set

Genre:

Rock & Pop

Subgenre:

Art Rock

Label:

Discipline

Producer:

King Crimson

Catalog Number:

674007

Original Release Year:

1974

# of Discs:

2

Studio/Live:

Studio

Mono/Stereo:

Stereo

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