Customer Reviews

Red

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

This is a exceptionally good release. First the stereo CD is remixed so you get a noise-free, technologically advanced, beautiful rendition of the music you grew up with. You find new details,new soundscapes. The new pieces, are excellent too.To top it all, you get a 5.1 DVD-A again remixed in 5.1 thinking about owners of home theaters. This gives the music more room to breathe on its own and results in a different, better musical experience. I think King Crimson's music lends itself very well to the 5.1 treatment.
To the folks at Apple Records: See (and hear)how you missed the opportunity of your life. You should let Fripp and Steven Wilson do the Beatles catalog the right way.......

A ' MUST HAVE' for any self respecting music lover. Bill Bruford has all the fun. John Wetton, Robert Fripp, Mel Collins AND Ian McDonald. This was the Crimson your father thought was the end of it all.
When Discipline arose in 1981, "RED" finally came to the stage as the beast it always was. "FALLEN ANGEL", "ONE MORE RED NIGHTMARE".
These aren't just 'rock songs' on a 'rock band album'. This is SERIOUS STRONG MEAT. The DVD includes the RAREST PIECE OF VIDEO ever.(next to the Oscar Levant Show).
SEEING Crimson LIVE in FRENCH TV STUDIO in 1974, is the best hidden piece of Art mankind ever stuck in the vault for 35 years. Let us be thankful for it.
"Lament" LIVE, "STARLESS" live.. SEE JOHN WETTON SING & PLAY BASS, SEE ROBERT FRIPP stare down the camera for invading his personal space. SEEING ROBERT FRIPP play the "STARLESS" guitar lines is like looking into the sun.
This release REPAIRS all time disturbances in the continuum. Get this NOW, before Earth ends!

Remastered in DTS 5.1 Digital surround sound, this 1974 release is astounding. After purchasing, "In The Court of the Crimson King" in DTS 5.1, I had to get this and it's no disappointment. Unlike "In the Court..." this edition doesn't flaunt the surround sound as much, but still makes it sound like you are in the studio.

From the complex soundings of "Red" and the wild "Fallen Angel" to the more somber "Providence" the band can be clearly heard with no distortion whatsoever. Robert Fripp's guitar playing is simply amazing and every track is different in sound, feel and ambience. It's a real treat to hear different versions of "Red", "Fallen Angel" (love the instrumental songs) and "Providence". Also included is "A Voyage to the Centre of the Cosmos", which I did not realize was a live recording until the applause at the end!

While the CD is perfect for those who prefer stereo recordings (remastered to perfection), the DVD contains additional songs with videos. Sure, it was 1974 and there is not much in the way of psychodelia, but that's not the point. It's the music that matters. The videos of "Lark's Tongue In Aspic: Part II" is nothing short of amazing and it makes me want for the album of that name. "Starless" is also a standout video cut, with the classical King Crimson song arrangement that is breathtaking. Sid Smith provides a nice biography of the band with Robert Fripp speaking about pop star status. This is more than progressive rock. This edition is a keeper.

For my money, and I did buy this, the Fripp-Wetton-Bruford version of King Crimson is far and away the best version of the band. The power and majesty of the sound they created (with Muir and other assorted members and semi-members) carries a rush that no other version has touched, before or since. All of the recordings of this version rank above any of the other recordings by any of the other versions, terrific as some of those are. This threesome melded together and complimented each other and created a mighty sound full of blood, thunder and textures both subtle and crunching. And this is their crowning achievement. Looking back, they almost had to break up - there was nowhere else to go.

Recorded as they were in the process of (amicably) breaking up, there is a sense of pulling out all the stops here. Everything that made them great - the superb musicianship, daring experimentalism and eclectic improvisation is at play here. Wetton's muscular bass (he was never this powerful again) is a particular feast here, and his vocals are also about the best of his career. Bruford's endlessly inventive drumming weaves in and around the others and creates soundscapes of its own. Fripp is at his most frighteningly intense. I'll not duplicate others' track-by-track details, but this is stout and powerful stuff.

The extras are splendid as well and add to, rather than water down the whole.

Its metal, its progressive, its art, its rock and its more than the sum of those parts.

What I like about this re-mix is it sounds just like you remember it - only much, much better. And better, I mean clearer, crisper, and everything is audible. At the same time, it's not re-mixed so it sounds different - it sounds like you remember it. Same vocals and instruments, same relative levels, but much, much better. And the old video is great! I laughed my butt off - Bill Bruford cracks me up - he's such a goof-ball. A really nice package of great music. I've got "In the Court" on the way, and I might as well pre-order Lizard while it's only 16.99 w/free shipping.
I couldn't be happier with this version of RED. I can't see ever needing to re-buy this old album after getting this version. Highly recommended

This is a fantastic release that sounds amazing. The surround mix is top-notch and does not sound the slightest bit gimmicky. The 5.1 mix of "Providence", which was my least favorite song on "Red", is now a song that I no longer skip. The "Fallen Angel" guitar solo overdubs send chills up and down my spine. Even the red book CD is an improvement over the previous reissues of "Red".

In addition, the 4 videos are worth the price alone. You can tell from the first video that Robert Fripp is not a big fan of being filmed, although it does appear that the camera man was up close and invaded Fripp's personal space. It is amazing to me that a live recording of "Starless" from 1974 has been in the vaults all this time and never found its way to Youtube or anywhere else.

My only gripe is with the packaging. The discs are contained in a slip case that is very difficult to remove. The slip case fits too tightly. Hopefully, this will loosen up over time because these discs is going to get a lot of usage. (I also ordered "In the Court of the Crimson King" from [...] and received it last week. The slip case on "In the Court" has the same exact problem.)

Regardless, all other aspect of the packaging are an improvement over prior reissues. I cannot recommend this enough. "Crimson King" and "Lizard" are next. I hope we get all Crimson releases from 1969 - 1975 (and "Discpline")

If you are a King Crimson fan, then you know that Red is one of their "must have" albums. But there are many versions of Red available so which one do you choose? The smart choice is this Steven Wilson remaster made especially for the fortieth anniversary of King Crimson's debut. With this reissue you get two discs, the first of which features the original album followed by three bonus tracks that are variations of a couple cuts on the original. The second disc features mostly the same music that can be listened to both in lossless stereo and in digital surround sound. It also contains four excellent mono cuts from a 1974 French broadcast.
Those who buy this version also get a booklet containing pictures, essays, and all pertinent information related to the remaster.
What do I like best? It's really hard to say since I like the entire package from the first note to the last video. It's so intense! If you are a fan who is befuddled by the large number of reissues of Red to appear and have been holding back, this is the one to buy. If you already own another release of this landmark CD, then do your ears a favor and buy this as well. This is the definitive remaster of Red and one that I will be listening to frequently for years to come.