In the Court of King Crimson - The King Crimson Education/Review Thread

[WTDK]

Seltzer, I'm new here but a long time KC fan (since 1969) some insightful stuff--the only thing I'd disagree with is the use of the term "dinosaur" for KC--that implies the band became extinct because they couldn't adapt.

Otherwise, some thoughtful observations about their albums. KC is like The Pretenders in that the latter band is Chrissie Hynde and whomever is in it at the time--the same is true of KC; when all the other members left Fripp was, by default (for awhile with Sinfield), KC.

I don't know that I would call the 80's version all that innovative initially--Fripp had been hanging with Eno, Talking Heads and other bands in NYC at the time and absorbed much of their sound including taking on Adrian Belew as guitarist. While Belew had been around the block a time or two in a variety of bands, his vocal delivery was strongly influenced by David Bryne, John Lennon and David Bowie at the time (not just Bryne who was also strongly influenced in his own way by Bowie and others although Bryne's idiosyncratic delivery was a bit...unique at the time although it always reminded me MORE of Eno's vocals or with a touch of Bryan Ferry thrown in for good measure).

Having said that, I love the 80's incarnation as well which found their own "voice" bringing the influence of the past into the present and molding it into a "contemporary" progressive sound.

There's a lot of hate directed at Belew by some long time KC fans because he brought a distinctive "pop" direction to the songwriting. I never understood that--I think it was a refereshing change and Belew could be as avant garde as Fripp but also could recognize and follow up on a good melody without over complicating it when it wasn't necessary. He's a brilliant guitarist (easily Fripp's equal although is style is very different--as many here know he was hired by Bowie and even Talking Heads because he COULD imitate Fripp when necessary) and an outstanding songwriter when the muse is with him.

[JerryK414]

Ah, Gavin Harrison is also the drummer for Porcupine Tree, another "prog band".

I'm haven't listened to King Crimson much, but from what i have heard i'm not the biggest fan. It's not bad, just not something i'd go out of my way to listen to. However, i do respect the influence they have had on my all time favorite band Porcupine Tree.

[Captain Americana]

Great review, you really did your research and I learned some things I didn't know.

[Howard the Duck]

by default, my fave prog band

have almost their entire discography

i'm even gonna check out their ProjeKcts soon

[SIRIUSB]

A tremendous artist and human being, Robert Fripp has inspired me in many directions.

Early in the summer of 1985, I was made aware (from a friend who worked for the same music company that I do now 25 years later) of a chance to study with Fripp, whom he knew I admired greatly. I was shown the magazine article, which I mulled over and eventually inquired into. Soon I found myself to be one of twenty two guitarists from around the world chosen to be the very first Guitar Craft Course.

Robert Fripp, it seems, had taken a teaching position at the American Society for Continuous Education in Claymont Court, West Virginia after serving on the Board of Directors, and this was his immediate task. I was 25 years old and welcomed the opportunity for what I would now consider as a "Rite of Passage".

In October that year, I arrived in West Virginia, at a cold and desolate train station late at night. It had been raining and thunder/ lightning echoed in the sky. I was picked up in a van and shuttled back to what turned out to be George Washington's Nephew's Estate. Most of us had arrived during the day and were already there. I entered into the behemoth mansion that would be my home for the next week, the lightning and thunder increased and I was sure that I had entered The Court of the Crimson King (King Crimson's first album, released in 1969).

We stood in a huge, dark-lit room introducing ourselves and anticipating something! As we mingled among ourselves, with the dramatic help of a lightning bolt to illuminate the area at the top of the stairs, stood Mr. Fripp. This was way too cool and I knew this was going to be life-changing. After greetings and small talk, we were advised to group into threes and fours, we were given the "New Standard Guitar Tuning’ that we would be working with but which none of us knew how to use. We were then informed that we had a gig this Wednesday (three days) at a local watering hole full of rednecks. Terror, delight, anxiety!

This was one of many devices used that week to break down our habits and force us to "Become Awake", as Gurdjieff would put it (a favorite study of Mr. Fripp by the way). We learned Alexander Technique, meditation techniques, various Zen-like activities like performing kitchen duties, enjoyed expertly prepared vegetarian cuisine, discussed musical philosophies over cold pints of home brewed ales, and of course music and technical instruction. The goals were to breakdown and eliminate old practice habits and thoughts and to develop a personal relationship with the instrument, to Become a voice for the Muse to be heard through.


Aside from the disciplined, mind numbing technical prowess this musician has worked towards, Fripp has always ventured into the Dark corners of the World's cultures, a dip into the Underworld if you will, and brought back with him new ways of expression on the guitar, he is without a doubt a true ‘hero' of the guitar in every sense of the Joseph Campbell Word.
Robert Fripp knows how to Remanifest.

Some of these new expressions were exotic scales and sounds from the Middle East and the Gamelan of Indonesia. These sounds on the guitar resonated heavily through me when I heard them then and still do today. So intrigued with them as I have become, they have led me to take up playing fretless guitar and studying ancient music, particularly Egyptian and Persian. From reading much of these music philosophies, I uncovered a universe of deep and metaphysical attributes associated with the creation of music and Creation itself. Of these attributes, one that I find ultimately pulling me towards it, is the Egyptian AUM. Known as OM in Hindu philosophy, it is said to be the Primordial Vibration of the Universe. This subject I hope to understand better and to expand on with the help of the Temple.

At times I have used sigilism, mantras and yantras during the composition process to engulf myself in the essence of what I am working on. This came to fruition with my three part composition for orchestra and fretless guitar, A'nen Sedjet and continues now as I create Initiatory inspired music and sound collages. I greatly look forward to learning advanced magical techniques to create further evolved music from Within.


- SB

[Howard the Duck]

he's a total dick in person, though

there was this KC fan message board, and you aren't allowed to address him in a "casual" manner

one of my friends did and he was banned

[Queen Boo]

Originally Posted by Howard the Duck

he's a total dick in person, though

there was this KC fan message board, and you aren't allowed to address him in a "casual" manner

one of my friends did and he was banned

Fripp has always had that stern English teacher energy so this doesn't surprise me.

[Holerbot6000]

Robert is prickly. That's what makes him Robert. KC at the Greek Theater in Berkeley during the Beat tour. Best concert I have ever seen.

Fripp is in the new edition of The Wire talking about past present future King Crimson. The implication is that there will be a new album eventually and there is a sampler of new stuff going around that sounds quite promising.

Robert, if you're reading this, forgive the informality, but how about some nice Vinyl versions of Thrak, Happy and Power?

There is always hope.

[The Booman]

Their first album is for me their best. Incredible drumming and that mellotron! Wonderful lyrics. They kind of went the way of Soft Machine after that. Harder and harder for me to get into.

[MidnightRambler]

I've got an original era gatefold pressing of In the Court of the Crimson King. I would have really liked to listen to it with my best friend had he not died of testicular cancer