THE YOUNG PERSONS GUIDE TO KING CRIMSON

This nice compilation double vinyl gives a good overview of the 60's/70's KING CRIMSON material, also being wrapped in gatefold sleeves with beautiful pictures and informative texts. This album worked as a guide for me, as this actually was my first album I got from this band. The tracks are not ion chronological order in the vinyls, and there has been a successful effort to create a dramatic progression in the music.

"Epitaph" which opens the A-side of vinyl is my most favorite song from their first album. "Cadence and Cascade" is a bit similar track to "I Talk to The Wind", and maybe another of them would have been enough. The later one is doubtlessly more interesting of them here, as it is an early version with Judy Dyble singing. These tracks are pretty mellow tunes, unlike the horrible "Ladies of The Road" rant which could have been omitted. The next side contains the major tracks from their "Red" album, "Red" and "Starless", giving a powerful presentation of their mid-1970's might. The second LP starts very tenderly, first offering the Rembrandt inspired "The Night Watch", and then the pretty drumless "Book of Saturday" and Fripp's solo piece "Peace - A Theme", followed by "Cat Food" like on the original album. "Groon" follows, a neurotic instrumental single B-side, really representing the better side of the in my opinion weak production line with Boz. Coda from "Larks' Tongues in Aspic part one" is sadly presented here as only as a short excerpt of the coda, a resolution I didn't appreciate, unlike the editing of "Moonchild". Here we have only the beautiful 2 and half minutes before ten minutes of boredom. This is the best version of this song in my opinion. The classic "Trio" from Amsterdam concert 1973 leads then to the title track "In The Court of The Crimson King", which is not as good as "Epitaph" as composition in my opinion, though it has a great melody, but it's interesting as it is the last track on the album, maybe emphasizing the meaning of their first album by circling the other material here around it.

If you already have the original material by this band, this compilation is merely a curiosity, but it works as a good introduction for this band, if you're not interested of their post-70's material, and of course it's a neat vinyl collection subject with pretty artwork and few rare tracks.

Well this collection could be a starting point for whom is not in the habit with their experimental music stuff, regarding their further (and sometimes controversial too) art rock genre.so you can listen to their single "Groon" (released as a single indeed- with "Cat Food"), without forgetting such an interesting -but not so much useful- live execution of "Coda" from "Lark's Tongue in Aspic part 1"; and also another famous performance at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, regarding "Trio" (taken from "Starless & Bible Black", with its complex and sometimes harsh live recording, sometimes closer to the French school of "Zeuhl Music"..) which is not essential, in spite of creating a certain suspense (talking about their inspiring jam-sessions).

I like the choice regarding "Islands" with their "Ladies of the road", while the first debut album is represented here by a few ballads, plus "In the court of the Crimson King"- the title track- except on "21st century schizoid man" which has been omitted (even though fortunately my band Lethe has sometimes played it live during our "prog gigs" in a few Festivals.) and this is strange for me!!

Their best album (according to my personal opinion) "Red", is represented by the title track only; instead "In the wake of Poseidon" contains another useless fragment like "Peace-a theme" and then "Cadence & Cascade".

Good but non-essential!!

For me this indeed was a "young person's guide to King Crimson" when I ordered it at the age of 18. In fact my first encounter with the band had been Three of a Perfect Pair (84) and from the classic era I knew only 'Epitaph' as a Finnish-language cover by Hector - and BTW I still dig that version even more than the original!

The 2LP package was great: beautiful cover paintings by Fergus Hall (the backside is a crying planet Earth) and a booklet telling the KC history from the very start to the year 1975, chronologically, citing many magazine articles and contemporary reviews which are very interesting to read. It all forms a thorough picture of how King Crimson was dealt with in the public and how were the inner relations in the band, always led remorselessly by Robert Fripp, other members coming and going. Booklet is edited by Fripp - I believe he has made it very objective.

The tracks are put in an unchronological and perhaps a bit messy order. Side One and Side Four both start and end with the debut's material which therefore is the most represented album. 'I Talk to the Wind' is an earlier - and less fine - version featuring vocals of Judy Dyble. I give extra applause for not including awful and overplayed '21st Century Schizoid Man'! From the 2nd album In the Wake of Poseidon is only the tiny 'Peace - a Theme' and the wild jazzy rocker 'Cat Food' and from the fantastic Lizard - nothing! A shame really. John Wetton's singing is heard in 'The Night Watch', 'Book of Saturday' and 'Starless', all excellent choices. In all, the track order favours the debut at the expense of other albums and also the total length (74 min) leaves the album sides rather short. If you happen to see this vinyl, remember to check if the booklet is still there, and pick out your wallet. To old persons equally (maybe young at the time)!

1. Epitaph (8:52) 2. Cadence and cascade (3:36) 3. Ladies of the road (5:27) 4. I talk to the wind (3:15)

5. Red (6:18) 6. Starless (12:17)

7. The night watch (4:38) 8. Book of Saturday (2:52) 9. Peace - A theme (1:14) 10. Cat food (2:43) 11. Groon (3:30) 12. Coda from Larks' Tongues in aspic part one (2:09)

13. Moonchild (2:24) 14. Trio (5:38) 15. In the court of the Crimson King (9:21)

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.

This superb compilation took its title from Benjamin Britten's 'Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra'. One of Robert Fripp's little jokes, I guess. As a two-LP overview of King Crimson's career until 1974 this set could hardly be bettered, but when it appeared the critics complained about the absence of "Schizoid Man", which many considered to be KC's signature tune. I don't think A YOUNG PERSON'S GUIDE has ever appeared in the CD format. The packaging really only comes into its own when you are able to admire the original gatefold sleeve. The cover pictures are delightful; I like to think the little man on the mountaintop is actually playing a mellotron!

The extensive booklet showed for the first time how thoughtfully Fripp would handle King Crimson's heritage. Not only did he include a detailed family tree and a superb collection of black and white photographs, he also printed virtually all the reviews Crimson albums had received through the years (or at least the ones he got hold of), both positive AND negative. How many artists would dare to do that, in a compilation of their best work? Fripp's tactics certainly paid off: the reader can commiserate with critics bemoaning the low quality of albums such as EARTHBOUND, and snigger at idiots who, all of thirty-five years ago, failed to appreciate the splendour of LARKS' TONGUES IN ASPIC.

(Fripp would later extend the YOUNG PERSON'S booklet, as well as its selection of tracks, for the first King Crimson CD box set, FRAME BY FRAME, which appeared in 1991.)

Get the albums, skip the guide.

I am not a fan of these compilation albums especially for progressive artists, even more so for those whose longer track lengths exclude important works. In this case you have something purporting to be a "guide" that has nothing from Lizard, one of their great albums. I tend to rate such releases low because I truly believe bands as important as this need to be heard in their original album forms and that little is gained by owning these. Except an eventual realization that one has missed out on great tracks because they put up with a "best of" for too long. The fact that there was a nice booklet included doesn't sell the package-use the money you would have to spend on this to buy one of the real albums. Great music, but this release is "for collectors/completists." 1 star to me, I'll give it 2 out of respect.

Great compilation after Fripp put the band on hiatus in 1974

Talking about prog music compilation, any prog band must learn from King Crimson "The Young Persons Guide to King Crimson" because it describes the band's varied music styles from its debut "In The Court of The Crimson King" (1969) until "Red" (1974). With seven studio albums that had been released, it was the right time to release a compilation. The title was inspired by the famous orchestral work "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra" from composer Benjamin Britten or the 1960s television series Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, created by conductor/composer Leonard Bernstein.

My friend had this compilation in double LP format which we used it for radio station broadcasting program in Bonkenk, Bandung. I remember vividly we played "Cat Food" and "The Night Watch" on the air. I really love this compilation. My version is still in cassette format and I still cannot find this compilation in CD format. But it's OK as I have owned all individual seven albums. The only think I miss is the different version of "I Talk To The Wind" with female vocal here. That's why I still keep my cassette, because it's so memorable having this version.

The set starts beautifully with dark melodic "Epitaph (8:52) including March for No Reason and Tomorrow and Tomorrow from the debut album "In the Court of the Crimson King" (1969). This song has always been very special to me when I am visioning life (after death) because the lyrics that Pete Sinfield wrote reminds all of us that at the end off the day we will all be gone from this world and we will live to another world. The challenge is truly how we get prepared ourselves during our lives in this world for a much better life after death. It's a very compelling lyrics ".but I fear tomorrow I'll be crying ." supported by great music composition with mellotron-drenched sounds. The journey continues to another mellow and dark Cadence and Cascade (3:36) from "In the Wake of Poseidon" (1970).

Another great characteristic of King Crimson music combining mellow and heavy drive style is indicated by the next track "Ladies of the Road (5:27) from "Islands" (1971). Even though from "Islands" I like "Formentera Lady" but I am OK with this selection. The band brings us back to the debut album I Talk to the Wind but this time is different than the studio album "In The Court of The Crimson King" especially on the vocal department: sung by Judy Dyble (Fairport Convention) instead of Greg Lake. This was recorded at 93A Brondesbury Road, London, UK, July 1968, available on The Brondesbury Tapes (1968) under the name of Giles Giles & Fripp. The compilation also features two tracks from their latest album at that time, "Red" (1974), i.e Red (6:18) and Starless (12:17).

On LP2, it starts wonderfully with "The Night Watch (4:38) from the album "Starless and Bible Black" (1974) which delivers different music style. "Book of Saturday (2:52) from the album "Larks' Tongues in Aspic" (1973) has been my all-time favorite. It's a mellow track with great vocal line and stunning electric guitar played in unplugged style. I really love this track and I used to replay this song when I spin the album. "Cat Food from the single Cat Food/Groon (1970) is also another all-time favorite of mine. It's better played seamlessly with Groon (3:30). An abridged version of "Moonchild" from the debut album is also a great song. The compilation concludes with the title track of debut album The Court of the Crimson King (9:21).

Overall, this is a masterpiece boxset collection that any prog lover must have it. You might find this compilation is hard to find because it's OOP already. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW (i-Rock! Music Community)

With appropriate weighting to the monumental first album and to some of the stronger of the dissonant later material, "Young Person's Guide" represents an excellent vinyl introduction to the group's classic period. Add in a lavish booklet with eminently rounded views of the group from every quarter and you have a package that the CD era can barely dream of.

It's true that several classics are missing, like "Schizoid Man" and the purest mellotron epic "In the Wake of Poseidon", and "Lizard" is unfairly unrepresented. But touches like the "Cat Food/Groon" combo, "The NIght Watch", and "Book of Saturday" are models of efficiency. "Red" demonstrates that the group could rock out in a structured way while still leaving space for individual expression, and "Trio" expresses a link to the great JADE WARRIOR. Then of course there is "Starless", with an eye cast back to the group's debut and forward to the as yet undefined 1980s and beyond.

While some of the later 1970s incarnations of KING CRIMSON were not always appealing to my ears, I recognize the groundbreaking spirit that defined this period, and the restraint and foresight demonstrated in hanging up their skates when they did. Ah, the wisdom of youth.

Inside of the gatefold there is a description that calls this album "a personal selection compiled by Robert Fripp for EG Records Ltd". And that's what makes this collection special. The album takes the listener through a tour of the King Crimson studio catalog, with a couple of rare gems added, by giving us the songs that His Frippness considers worthy.

First the two rare (at the time of this album's release) tracks. There is the early recording of I Talk To The Wind, with Judy Dyble singing in front of Giles, Giles & Fripp with ian McDonald. And there is also the studio recording of Groon, originally released as the B-side of the Cat Food single.

Speaking of Cat Food, the shortened single edit is what we get here. Also, Moonchild has the noodling section lopped off (some might find that a good thing), and only the coda from Larks' Tongues In Aspic - Part 1 is here. Those transgressions I can forgive, as this is only a double album, and I'll bow to Fripp's decision to shorten some songs for the sake of adding more.

The packaging is excellent, and it comes with a 20-page book with photos and plenty of notes and historical information.

A very nice compilation!

Though I am not the keenest man regarding compilation albums, there are some releases that I actually recommend, due to its wisely chosen tracks, one of them is this one, entitled "The Young Persons Guide to King Crimson" which includes 15 representative songs taken from the 69-74 era, from In the Court? to Red, so this is a nice guide to people who are not familiar with KC's first years, or a cool compilations for those who love these eras and does not really feel attracted by their post 80s music.

Here you will have a feast of that classic and truly original progressive rock, made by (IMHO) the best progressive rock band ever, with musicians that have left their roots, a legacy in this particular realm. Here, one can listen to the voices of Greg Lake, John Wetton or Buzz Burrell; the winds of Mel Collins or Ian McDonald, the percussion of Michael Giles, Bill Bruford or Ian Wallace; and the strings of Robert Fripp (when not), Peter Giles or David Cross, and I am sure I am missing some musicians. So it is like going back not really to the roots, but to the fields of gold this band built in their first years, in which by the way, the line- up changed in several times.

The album opens with "Epitaph", which must be one of their most representative songs, and one that really touches our nerves due to its beautiful lyrics written by Peter Sinfield. Later you will listen to tracks such as "I Talk to the Wind", "Ladies of the Road", "Book of Saturday", which have that oldie sound, with a delicious mixture of rock and jazz, in which the mood changes all of a sudden and several passages are created in our minds. You will also find a couple of tracks from Red, the title track and "Starless", the first one leading to a heavier sound, while the second has to be one of the most awesome songs ever created in this musical genre.

This guide finishes with "In the Court of the Crimson King", which is a very good track to finish a good compilation album. My final grade may not matter, one may say this is a very strong album that deserves 5 stars, others that it is just for collectors, I will give it 3 stars, and I can say I like it and recommend it.

Enjoy it!

Review Nº 244

'The Young Persons Guide To King Crimson' is a compilation of King Crimson and was released in 1976. Its name is probably derived from the orchestral work 'The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra' from the classical British composer Benjamin Britten. However, it can also derive from the 60's television series, with the same name, created by the classical American composer Leonard Bernstein. The artwork of the album is from the Scottish artist Fergus Hall.

'The Young Persons Guide To King Crimson' has fifteen tracks. 'Epitaph' from 'In The Court Of The Crimson King' is a notable and beautiful track, which became as one of the best and most beautiful symbols of prog music. It's one of my favourite prog tracks too. 'Cadence And Cascade' from 'In The Wake Of Poseidon' is a mix of folk and jazz, with Haskell providing the lead vocals and a breezy flute solo of Collins. It may be the prettiest song the group ever made. It's a peaceful song, very beautiful and nicely sung. But, this version is only a short extract. 'Ladies Of The Road' from 'Islands' is a song with a lyrical tone and is playfully sexist. It seems to be the favourite song of Fripp on that album. This is probably the nearest thing on that album capable to be a proverbial hit single. 'I Talk To The Wind' from 'In The Court Of The Crimson King' is the most melodic song on that album. It's a simple and peaceful song commanded by McDonald's flute, very well accompanied by Sinfield's lyrics and sung beautifully by Lake, in a very quiet mood. But, this is a different version. It was recorded in 1968 and was sung by Judy Dyble from Fairport Convention, instead Greg Lake. This version is also available on 'The Brondesbury Tapes', a compilation of Giles, Giles & Fripp. 'Red' from 'Red' is an instrumental track, very powerful and heavy. It features heavy guitars, an incredible bass line and a unique drumming style. It shows the band's ability to feature multiple time signatures in only one song. 'Starless' from 'Red' is a masterpiece. It's one of my favourite King Crimson's songs too. It's a great dark song with Wetton's melancholic voice. This is a classic song that represents the perfect end to that album. 'The Night Watch' from 'Starless And Bible Black' is a piece deriving directly from Rembrandt's painting with the same name. It's a calm and melodic song, perfectly performed by all band's members that captures the real feel and sense in the context of the painting. 'Book Of Saturdays' from 'Larks' Tongues In Aspic' is a very simple, peaceful and nice song where we can relax, and is very well sung. 'Peace ' A Theme' from 'In The Wake Of Poseidon' is a short and nice track, very quiet and with only vocals and acoustic guitars. 'Cat Food' from 'In The Wake Of Poseidon' is a very original song, composed something between jazz and rock, which makes on it a very interesting music fusion. It's a different song, very strange, but very curious too. It also features a neat vocal work from Lake and some tasty guitar work by Fripp. Still, this track is an unedited short version of the original song. It was released on the single 'Cat Food/Groon'. 'Groon' was never released on any studio album of them. It was taken from the single 'Cat Food/Groon'. This is a cut down studio version of an equally strange free form jazz improvisation. It's actually not very interesting in its own right, as it's a jazzy, improvised piece that comes across as a throw away. 'Coda' from 'Larks' Tongues In Aspic' (Part1)' is a short extract from the album with the same name. It begins with a long percussion introduction before entering a hard rock section introduced by a slowly violin that becoming more prominent until the end of the song with a dramatic final. This is probably their best experimental song and is absolutely brilliant. 'Moonchild' from 'In The Court Of The Crimson King' starts as a peaceful ballad, but after few minutes it changes to a free instrumental improvisation that lasts until the end. It's probably the most prog track on that album and it's also one the most difficult to listen to. Still, this version is a very short extract. 'Trio' from 'Starless And Bible Black' is the most serene song on that album. This is an instrumental piece composed for violin, bass guitar and mellotron with the sound of a flute. The performance is perfect which gives to us a nice and relaxing piece of music. 'In The Court Of The Crimson King' from 'In The Court Of The Crimson King' became with 'Epitaph' one of the best and most beautiful symbols of prog rock. It represents a hymn to prog music.

Conclusion: 'The Young Persons Guide To King Crimson' is an excellent compilation of King Crimson. All their studio albums released in the 70's are represented, at least with one song, with the only exception of their third studio album 'Lizard'. In relation to the selection of tracks I sincerely think it was excellent and very representative of the group, at the time. But, the decision of include 'Cat Food' and 'Peace' from 'In The Wake Of Poseidon' instead the title track, is apparently incomprehensive. However, and despite that, I decided to rate this compilation with 3 stars. It's true that it could have been better, but nevertheless, it has an excellent selection of tracks. So, if you aren't very familiar with King Crimson's music of the 70's, this compilation works very well and is an excellent introduction to the band. However, as happen with almost all compilation albums of prog rock bands, it doesn't substitutes the original albums.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)