13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
the ultimate live "anything", June 20, 2002
This review is from: Great Deceiver: Live 1973-74 (Audio CD)
This is an astonishingly amazing box set of live King Crimson all recorded between 73 and 74. The songs covered here are from albums Larks Tongue in Aspic, Red, Starless and Bible Black, No pussyfooting, and couple of early tracks like 21 century schizoid man.
To me this is the place to start with King Crimson- I think that their studio tracks do not compare to the live raw power this box set contains. Although I certainly think that the individual albums are essential (especially Larks Tongue in Aspic) the don't give a glimpse of how exciting the songs can be in the raw.
The sound of these cds are itself something to marvel at. You compare it to other live albums from that period and it makes Great Deciever sound like it was recorded in the 90's. I think it shows great insight into Robert Fripp's vision that he thought to document these shows so well. Infact it's so well documented that as I recall, he gives some day to day stuff in the booklet.
The line up for these shows is Fripp= guitar, mellotron/ David Cross- violin, mellotron/ Bill Bruford (ex-Yes) percussions/and John Wetton (ex- Family) bass and vocals. The members of this band jell so brilliantly live that they sound more like a full orchestra and compare well to any top notch jazz band.
One of the many things that make this box set worth while is the improv performances that sometimes goes eleven minutes long and sometimes segways effortlessly into another song. Sometimes it works brilliantly, making true magic, sometimes it get a bit dull- but none the less fascinating.
The only draw back to me is that there are repeats of certain song- although I read and agreed with another reviewer in saying that the songs are never the same and with each performance they bring something new to it; but I can't help wonder what Red, One More Red Nightmare, Fallen Angel or maybe Sailor's Tale would have sounded like in this live context with the amazing sound quality and the band line up. But it's a very very slight complaint.
So, go buy this, play it in the dark, play it in your car,
play it loud, and be suprised how powerful it can be even when played silienlty. This is truely like nothing else- totally original.
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Still Available, April 21, 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: Great Deceiver: Live 1973-74 (Audio CD)
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.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
it's much cheaper from the source, October 19, 2005
This review is from: Great Deceiver: Live 1973-74 (Audio CD)
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.
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