In The Court Of The Crimson King

This band are arguably the finest progrock band on the planet. And of course led by Mr Robert Fripp, himself a stunning guitar player.

I bought this album when it was first released simply because I thought the cover was so brilliant - 1969 was quite a simple time really!!! However 36 years on I still listen to it on a regular basis and still remain surprised by how far ahead of its time it was. It is very easy to criticise the lyrics listening to the album in 2005 but in 1969 they were quite acceptable (if a little odd). Musically, however, it remains an album of the highest quality; although it has to be said that the self-indulgence of 'Moonchild' drags a little. The power of 21st CSM still shines through today and this is then followed by a total contrast in 'I Talk to the Wind' with some beautiful flute playing from Ian McDonald. 'Epitaph' has always been my personal favourite and rewards frequent listening. The title track is perhaps a touch over long but remains a joy to listen to. I am sure somebody listening to this album for the first time today would not find the whole album a treat but there is plenty there for everyone and as for me - it can take me back 35 years in an instant!!!

Note - the CD I received is a 2004 remaster with no extra tracks. Which is what I expected, but reviews of other editions seem to be collected here too - so don't buy this expecting a bonus disc or a DVD cos it ain't this edition! The album - in my view this was the absolute best thing to come out of the 60s and you can hear its influence in many places. Is it prog? I don't think it is - it's got a lot more ambition than Yes or Marillion or Genesis - all of whose music I like. In The Court Of The Crimson King has what the others lack - a core of mysticism rarely seen in pop outside of The Royal Family & The Poor, David Sylvian and (very) few others. Even Led Zeppelin as far as I can hear, were only really playing with mysticism. King Crimson caught the moonbeam long before anyone else, and reflected it ten times more strongly. The 2004 remaster is good - the drums throughout sound totally lush, as does the insane vocal on 21st Century Schizoid man. All in all, this is about as good as it gets.

I seem to be going forwards then backwards in time with my King Crimson purchases! I started off with 'Red,' fast forwarded to 'Discipline,' then rewinded to this album. This album, and its iconic cover is one of the most revered and celebrated albums in prog rock, if not any genre and its price remains pretty high, but I got this when it was slighly cheaper than usual! Of the 5 tracks, 4 are classics, one...not so much, and comparing it with the other two albums I've mentioned, is surprisingly 'normal' in song structure - but that's only in comparison to the pretty complicated nature of those two albums. The title track and opener '21st Century Schizoid Man,' are probably the album's best known tracks, and its easy to see why. Great, odd riffs, a massive, epic sound and mix of instruments and very memorable melodies and riffs. Mike Oldfield seems to have cheekily 'borrowed' the melodies of 'Epitath' for his song 'Nuclear,' (its on the Metal Gear Solid V game and MO's 'Man On The Rocks' album). Seriously, the vocal lines are very similar sounding to me. Either way, this is a great song. This album loses a star because of 'Moonchild.' 2/3 minutes of a decent enough sounding song, then 9/10 minutes of...well, what sounds like the band members setting up their instruments to me! Many could argue that it is a rehearsed, well-timed and crafted free jam, but to me, it's just plain boring and aimless. You expect some long, drawn out section somewhere on a prog album, but you hope it has some point or takes you somewhere, sadly, this is plain filler to my ears and a plain waste of a recording. I assume this album has been remastered and has done so well I think. I don't have another copy to compare to, but its pretty loud for an album originally released in 1969! Though this album is many people's favourite KC album, I feel it is significantly inferior to both 'Red' and 'Discipline,' but of course that's just my opinion and taste for more 'to the point' music. Still a great album though and no doubt an essential purchase to all of the King's loyal subjects. 4 out of 5 songs ain't bad at all!

This was purchased for my husband as a Xmas Gift. My husband is a King Crimson Fan, but did not have this on CD. He was overjoyed with The Court of The Crimson King and the music echoed out over the Christmas and New Year festivities, much to his joy and pleasure.

Je n'avais pas réécouté ce disque depuis quelques décennies et là, ce fut le grand frisson ! Il y a une ambiance dans cet album qui est incroyable...ça plane et c'est un régal pour les oreilles!

Aşırı begendigim bir albüm.Plağımın geldiği gün pikapım bozuldu.Asla dinleyemedim:)))) Umarım sorunu yoktur.Bir gün zevkle dinlemeyi umuyorum.(pikap tamircisi bulursam:)))

Approved by Robert Fripp himself this vinyl pressing has a unique warm sound of the classic King Crimson. It's my first addition to my record collection and I am not disappointed at all. Some websites say that this pressing sounds better than the original 1969 pressing but I have no idea if that's true or not. But it has crisp clear sound especially the bass and the drums sound wonderful. In addition Greg Lake's mesmerizing vocals in Epitaph along with Fripp's brilliant guitar work is really something that gives you goosebumps everytime you spin it.

Maravilloso disco por la gran obra musical, lo que representó en su tiempo y una apertura a lo atonal sobre todo en el requinto de Fripp, un genio de la guitarra. La voz de Lake perfecta, una demostración de su afinación melódica y contraste de sentimiento y potencia. Sellado, bien embalado y sin huellas de uso, me esperé mucho para apreciar esta gran obra del rock progresivo. Muy contento con la compra.

Lyssna på denna lp. Tjock vinyl, bra ljud, mycket bra musik, klassiker.