LADIES OF THE ROAD

4.5 stars. If your a fan of the amazing "Islands" disc then this live album is a must. I can't get over how good this lineup was with Boz Burrell singing and playing bass, Fripp on guitar and mellotron, Ian Wallace on drums and Mel Collins on flute, sax and mellotron. I have to say that Mel Collins really shines in this version of KING CRIMSON. He is a maniac on that sax with dissonant outbursts and his in your face style. Fripp is very aggressive at times with his guitar.This band liked to push the envelope and experiment and that's what I like about them.Very inventive stuff. In fact I did think of SOFT MACHINE at times.This is a two disc affair with the first being from various concerts in 1971 and 1972 from the "Islands" tour, while the second is a single 54 minute piece called "Schizoid Men" for good reason as we get 10 seperate sax and guitar solos spliced together from live "21st Century Schizoid Man" performances from 1971 and 1972. It doesn't sound like it would be good but this is incredible to hear Fripp and Collins just go nuts. Both discs are a blast !

"Pictures Of A City" is powerful to start then it settles down before kicking back in after a minute with vocals. Contrasts will continue. A change before 3 1/2 minutes as the tempo picks up. A calm after 5 minutes then the sax starts to rip it up.Vocals are back after 7 1/2 minutes as Fripp makes some noise. "The Letters" opens with atmosphere as reserved vocals take over. It kicks in at 1 1/2 minutes.The bass is huge. It then settles again with bass, drums and sax.Vocals are back after 3 minutes.

"Formentera Lady" is led by flute early as other sounds come and go. Reserved vocals join in. When the vocals stop the sax takes over. It builds then picks up after 4 minutes as they jam. I like the drumming 5 1/2 minutes in as the sax continues. It settles late and blends into "The Sailors Tale" and check out Fripp before a minute as the tempo picks up and the sound gets fuller. Nice. Sax takes the lead then the guitar takes it's turn. Nice prominant bass here too along with excellent drum work. We get mellotron as well. Fripp turns aggressive before 3 1/2 minutes as the mellotron continues. Insane !

"Cirkus" opens with piano and vocals then here we go before a minute.This is powerful with mellotron. So good. It does settle back with vocals then sax.The mellotron is back 2 1/2 minutes in as the sax continues.Vocals are back then it turns heavy again after 4 minutes. Nice. Mellotron takes over then the vocals return. Hell yeah ! "Groon" starts with guitar, bass and drums. Sax before a minute. Great sound here.The sax is lighting it up before 3 minutes. Fripp to the fore after 4 minutes. Love this section. Fripp stops before 5 1/2 minutes then we get a drum solo as the guitar and sax make some avant sounds."Get Thy Bearings" is a Donovon cover that CRIMSON used to do live back in 1969 as well. Sax to start then vocals and drums take over before it settles right down. Contrasts continue. Some crazy sax excursions by Collins follows. A drum solo after 4 minutes then it turns experimental 5 1/2 minutes in. A calm follows then check out the sax. It kicks back in with vocals before another calm arrives.

"21st Century Schizoid Man" is an incredible version with Collins and Fripp in fine form to say the least. Some killer drumming as well. Boz is great here on vocals. Dissonant sax before 7 1/2 minutes. "In The Court Of The Crimson King" is a short blues version.Very cool to hear.

Very tempting to give that fifth star.This is what KING CRIMSON has always been about. Going where other bands fear to tread. Leaders not followers.