STARLESS AND BIBLE BLACK

Don't let 'em fool you. This album isn't inferior because there are too many improvisations on it (improvisations which are usually slightly embellished in the studio). All the improvisations are first rate. When you put Fripp, Wetton, Bruford and Cross together on a stage, sparks did not always fly, but this album captures moments when they did. No, the main problem with STARLESS AND BIBLE BLACK is that 'a lot of fascinating snippets do not an album make'. There's a disjointed feel to the whole thing. Now that most of this music can be heard in its original context (and unembellished), on superior live albums such as THE NIGHT WATCH (Live in Amsterdam) and THE GREAT DECEIVER (4-CD live box set), I would recommend new fans to go for those true live versions straightaway.

Nevertheless, I understand many of you will still be interested in STARLESS AND BIBLE BLACK, since you may want to know in what format this music was originally released. So if you do insist on getting the album, let me just tell you: I can't think of any Crimso ballad that's lovelier than 'The Nightwatch'; there is probably no Crimso improv lovelier than 'Trio'; and as for 'Fracture', well, that's ominous, high-class instrumental prog with an orchestral feel, which (in my view) surpasses even the middle section of '20st Century Schizoid Man'.

Did you ever long for a four-man rock band who seem to equal (in symphonic power) the Concertgebouw Orchestra or the Berlin Phil? Well here they are.