Red [CD+DVD, Extra tracks, Original recording remastered, Special Edition]

King Crimson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 20, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: CD+DVD, Extra tracks, Original recording remastered, Special Edition
• Label: Discipline Us
• ASIN: B002GYVRRI
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,124 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #62 in Music > Rock > Progressive > Progressive Rock

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best way to listen to Red..., October 24, 2009

By 

Stuart Southerland (Tulsa, OK United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Red (Audio CD)

I will focus on the 5.1 surround mix, because to me, that is the reason to purchase this set. I first listened to the MLP lossless version on a NAD t585 universal player with B&W CM series speakers. The sound was fantastic. Steven Wilson, who did the surround mix, understands surround as well as or better than just about anyone, and he deliberately put King Crimson "in the room" with the listener. There are different ways to go about a surround mix; in this case, Mr. Wilson chose not to attempt to recreate a "live" feel which would place the listener in the audience. With Red in 5.1, you feel as though you are right there - on stage or in the studio.

The music surrounds you, but the mix is not too gimmicky. To me, it is a perfect balance of restraint and creativity. Some songs benefit more from surround than others; I thought that the "in your face" power of "Red" was perhaps the least interesting (as a surround experience). "Starless" was a different matter. I've listened to it several times in each format, and the 5.1 MLP lossless is a revelation. The clarity of the bass and John Wetton's voice in 5.1 lossless was wonderful. Once again, the mix benefits from Steve Wilson's experience; Wetton's voice is in the center-left channel rather than floating in the center, as is common in other surround mixes. Too me, this is a more natural choice.

I mentioned my equipment because I think that it makes a difference in the listening experience. Obviously, if you do not have a DVD-Audio player, you will have to listen to the DTS surround version. I was impressed with the DTS sound as well. I prefer the MLP lossless, but if I did not have the ability to directly compare, I am sure that I would have been quite satisfied with the DTS version. There is no Dolby Digital surround mix.

Perhaps my fifty year-old ears are too worn out to tell the difference, but unless you are a big enough King Crimson fan to be drawn by the extras (there is a significant amount of video), I would not buy this for the stereo versions. I could not discern much of a difference between the redbook CD and the MLP lossless stereo versions. There is no indication that this is a new mix of the stereo version, and, my 30th anniversary HDCD version sounds excellent. I honestly cannot hear any improvement; but once again, you may have a more sophisticated system (or younger ears).

I just noticed that the December issue of Sound and Vision magazine has an article (several, actually) on the King Crimson 2009 releases, as well as Steve Wilson and surround sound. It's worth a read if you are interested in these recordings. The bottom line is that if you are a King Crimson fan interested in a surround version of Red, your decision is a simple one. Buy this now!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Red in all its glory, October 23, 2009

By 

N. Corkindale (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Red (Audio CD)

Just received the 5.1 release of Red through Amazon. Overall, I'm delighted with it so far - I have only listened to the DVD disk, which contains the 5.1 mixes and the extras. I haven't listened to the CD.

I have really enjoyed the extras - the French TV video footage is great (apart from some silly special effects - though nowhere near as bad as those on ELP's Pictures at an Exhibition DVD - and the bonus audio tracks, particularly the Fallen Angel Trio track - just bass, drums and guitar. So clean, but powerful. I would love to hear more of this type of mix. Although I like Wetton's voice and Cross' violin, they sound in the way when you compare Fallen Angel to Fallen Angel Trio.

The 5.1 mix of A Voyage to the Centre of the Cosmos (from The Great Deceiver) is also great - I hope that Steve Wilson is going to do 5.1 mixes of the live albums, including Earthbound!

The 5.1 mix of Red sounds wonderful; it's rich and powerful and seems to give the mix the space to really bring out Bruford's drumming.

A couple of minor disappointments. The packaging was OK, but I was hoping for something better. The booklet was weak - another silly Fripp essay, a piece by Sid Smith that told me nothing I didn't already know (I've been a KC fan for 35 years - primarily the 1969-1974 line-ups), plus some good pictures. I wanted to read about the 5.1 mixing process, working with the master tapes, etc.

Overall, I much prefer the packaging on the last copy of Red I bought, with the mini-LP style case.

All in all, I'd definitely recommend this set. I cannot wait to hear Lizard and In the Court of the Crimson King when they come out in November 2009. Then I will look forward to Islands (a personal favorite) and Larks Tongues in Aspic in 2010.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING, Blows away all previous editions great video footage too!, October 20, 2009

By 

herb "nice name huh?" (somewhere hopefully) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Red (Audio CD)

Wow! What an incredible package! This is a total MUST for any fan of this album. I have not evaluated the 5.1 yet but have evaluated the DVD stereo audio, the extras, and the video footage. The sound is simply stunnnig!! Everything about this is a class effort! Congrats to Steve Wislon for his spectacular input! I am shocked that no-one has posted anything yet! I can't wait to hear the lame vinyl junkies rational for why their original vinyl is somehow better :):))))
This is just fantastic..I cannot wait for the other albums to be released. This may be one of the greatest remasters I have ever heard.
It is incredible how well this album was actually recorded.