THE YOUNG PERSONS GUIDE TO KING CRIMSON

King Crimson

Eclectic Prog

3.88 | 119 ratings

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ZowieZiggy
Prog Reviewer

Fripp had called it quit just before the release of "Red" two years ago. Probably a good moment to release a first KC compilation.

I can only be happy that their first (and my preferred) album is covered with ... four songs out of five. The edited version of "Moonchild" is a brilliant idea. I have always thought that it was waaaaaaaay too long and boring. I feel just ashame that they edited "Talk To The Wind" that is reduced to a mere three minutes.

I am so convinced with the numbers from their second album. "Cat Food" and "Peace". Is this a joke ? OK, "Cadence And Cascade" is there but the title track should have deserved to sit here, without any doubt.

"Lizard" is completely forgotten. I understand that it was difficult to have the title number but at least "Cirkus" should have been featured. Since I love the peaceful and symphonic KC side, I would also have preferred to get "Prelude Song of the Gulls" instead of "Ladies Of The Road" from "Islands".

"Aspic" is also almost ignored. At least "Easy Money" and "Part Two" should have deserved to be on a compilation. We'll only get a messy excerpts of "Part One" and the nice "Book of Saturday".

From "Starless", we'll get my preferred song : "The Night Watch" and unfortunately "Trio" (what about "Fracture" ?).

Only the title track from "Red" will be featured. The lenght of "Starless" probably be the cause of its non-inclusion.

If you have read my KC reviews, you know that I can praise this band for its mellodic aspect and reject it for its experimental and jazzy and chaotic improvisation style. A compilation of this band could lead either to a one star or a five star rating in my case all depending on the track selection.

I would say that is is not too bad a selection but it could have been better. Baring in mind that the original work was a double album, we could have gotten a bit more music, I guess (it does not cost a lot of effort to add a few numbers).

Three stars for this first compilation attempt.

ZowieZiggy | 3/5 | 2007-4-18

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