STILL [AKA: STILLUSION]

Peter Sinfield - the only member of KING CRIMSON no-one ever saw on stage !!! Peter's role in Crimso was manifold - not only providing the vivid and imaginative lyrics/poetry to go with the amazing music, but also handling the stage sound and lighting and was up-to-date with the (then) contemporary fashion trends (now don't you think every band should have a 'Sinfield' in tow ?!!....) Sinfield had left the Crimson King sometime in late '71, and in 1973, recorded and released this magical slab of vinyl, 'Still', on E.L.P.'s Manticore label. Featuring well known Crimsoners Mel Collins, Boz Burrell, Ian Wallace, John Wetton, along with Greg Lake and avante pianist Keith Tippet and a roster of lesser known compatriots, the album offers a wide array of ideas and styles, never sticking to any set genre. Sinfield's thin and nasally vocals are as accessibly polite as they are eccentric. Going through, what I consider as the choice tracks - 'The Song of the Sea Goat' is a lovely string-synth driven symphonic piece based on a Vivaldi composition (Four Seasons, I think) and is one beautiful crescendo lasting 6 mins to an emotional finale. Tippet's tinkly piano runs feature on this track. Title song 'Still' is a Sinfield and Lake duet that's nothing less than magnificent, ranging from the atmospheric sections of Sinfield's poetic recitals, to the uplifting verses sung passionately by Lake. 'Envelopes of Yesterday' (where Wetton contributes some Fuzz-Bass) and 'The Night People' (with the Wallace/Burrell rhythm section) are longer cuts that are reminiscent of 'Islands' era Crimson. The remaining songs are all lyrically descriptive, and musically light and enjoyable - 'The Piper' is full of Fairy-Tale imagery, 'Wholefood Boogie' is quirky and fun, 'Under the Sky' is dreamy and innocent, 'A House Of Hopes and Dreams' is as close to a 'normal' Rock-Song as the album gets and on 'Will It Be You?' Pete throws in a good dose of C&W, with its upfront slide guitar and the cheezy tones of a 'Woolworth's Organ'. In 'Sounds' magazine, Sinfield speaks of 'Still' - 'People should have realised I was doing something that was very unviolent and very unsurprising..........I wanted to do something that was not exactly muzak but was something pleasant on the ears'. I think he succeeded. 4 stars.