[Johnnyo]

So following on from my 60's music listening group in August, September and October, where we discussed

Electric Music For The Mind And Body by Country Joe And The Fish
Sounds Of Silenece by Simon & Garfunkel
Revolver by The Beatles

we now have


In The Court Of The Crimson King (An Observation By King Crimson) (1969) by King Crimson

I've never got my head around this album, so this is a great album for me to try to discover.

As always, and maybe more so here than before, it would be great to hear peoples perspective on this album

[albummaster]

Love this album, but not heard it in a while (used to play it a lot). Especially love the title track, but whole album is full of atmosphere and up there as one of the best prog albums.

[Johnnyo]

[Johnnyo]

I'm listening to each track in turn and once that's completed, I'm going to listen to the album a few times through before the listening session. First up

21st Century Schizoid Man

Great opening song from the album, and for me the most recognisable song as a casual listener, encompassing rock, jazz and classical (as you might expect given the background of the musicians). With references to politicians and criticism of the Vietnam War, specifically Napalm and agent orange.

Loads of woodwind and keyboards here which produces a complex song that feels both chaotic and structured. Don’t ask me how that's just the way to sounds to me.

Fripp’s guitar playing is outstanding (as you would expect) and some great sax playing thrown in.

I read somewhere the track being described as a mix of heavy metal, jazz-rock and progressive rock. It’s also been described as influence on the development of progressive metal and industrial music. I can sort of see all of that to be honest but it wouldn’t necessarily have occurred to me.

[Johnnyo]

I Talk To The Wind

This came as rather a shock after the phenomenal "21st Century Schizoid Man". It’s such a stark contrast; it is a rather simple song in contrast.

Nothing more to say really. It’s pleasant enough and I like the flute solo in the middle of the song and at the end. It's got a 90 rating on BEA. Don't really understand that but I'm clearly in the minority

[albummaster]

This is definitely one of those albums that needs to be listened to in full to appreciate each track & probably difficult to dip in and out of.

[Johnnyo]

[MadhattanJack]

[Johnnyo]

Listened to the album a couple more times since I last posted and here are my thoughts on

Moonchild

I’m not a huge aficionado of prog but This feels like what a prog track should sound like. Very intricate with great musicianship. What also feels "prog" to me is that the track is broken down into distinct parts and Also has a classical music vibe. I think that it’s a great song.

I understand that a lot of this track is “free improvisation” and it certainly feels that way, the way that jazz musicians might approach the piece. Michael Giles percussion / drumming here and the almost Spanish guitar running through the second half of the track are fantastic.

Maybe I’m becoming a convert to prog! You never know

[Johnnyo]

The Court Of The Crimson King

What I would consider a classic prog track. Great introduction. Love the almost operatic / orchestral (well to my eras anyway) start to the track.

At about seven minutes in, we get a change of tempo and the song changes into, what feels to me, a slightly different song but with a reprise of the main theme at the end.
I really like this track a lot