firth_of_Fifth wrote: I just thought I'd post as I'm currently listening to King Crimson live in hyde park amongst a few other live cds... I just find it amazing how these guys thought they were awful. Such a shame MkI broke up, I know there probably would have been no ELP () but I'd still like to have seen what they came up with next. Judging by the Mcdonald and Giles album it would have been something more spectacular than in the court...A little less depressing too, Can you imagine KC Playing Birdman? If most bands today could play half as good as this, we might ... nah forget it... Travel Weary capricorn..Ahhhh

i agree.  (btw - i also have the live album, very good shtuff). 

No doubt that is the strongest KC lineup ever in terms of composition, certainly the most symhonic.  I think with a bit more effort their next album could have been great.  Their albums always come off as half baked to me (those long improv filler tracks).  Ian McDonalds Flute, Mellotron and Sax were great for KC.

of course my opinion I know tons of people prefer the LTIA-Red heavy metal lineup, but i'll take the dramatic beauty of the original KC any day over that.

firth_of_Fifth wrote: I definately think Mcdonald was the main factor to crimson. His composition skills are outstanding. The songs on the later albums are meandering sh*te...ok sorry..Improv...Haha. Ian did write in the court after all ... I want a MKI reunion...Then an ELP reunion. They could tour together actually, just think of the weight greg would lose if he was that busy. Go on, You can do it!

I am also not a fan of the 'improvs' on later albums (its really filler for the lack of REAL songs)