Thanks so much for this Shaggy. Brilliantly timed. I'm just about to order some live Crimson and the two I fancied most are number 1 and 2 on your list. Can't beat a bit of confirmation bias to sooth your pre-purchase anxiety ;-)
EARTHBOUND is one of the scariest live albums in my collection. It sounds like the mic was placed inside the bass drum (at least for the first few songs including the awesome [in all senses of the word] "21st. Century Schizoid Man"). Once the ears adapt, the mind is free to soar. Collins is the star (when not blowing, he's manning the mellotron). The rhythm section just wants to funk-out, which gives this set weird, non-egg-head vibe. Fripp is very much accommodating the rest but manages more than a few wondrous solos. The improvisations are amazingly torn apart but somehow they come together by each conclusion. A set worth seeking out. USA is the legendary STARLESS line-up grinding it out in Asbury Park, late in June '74. I haven't lived with album as long (mostly because I also have this line-up on the epic GREAT DECEIVER. The first disk in the box is from Providence, two days later.) "Exile" is a heartbreaker. Wetton shows so much emotion on vocals and Cross's violin, intertwining with Fripp's mellotron, is magical. The "Asbury Park" improv is excellent. My CD is the whole 10 track show, including the sublime "Starless". Interesting to note that Cross's violin and keyboard occasionally failed him so, I believe, Eddie Jobson was tasked with overdubbing on three tracks before the original USA album was released. The set ends with the Providence "Schizoid Man". THE GREAT DECEIVER is beyond reproach, a generous collection of tightrope shows and a hilariously frank and detailed booklet. Breaking up this band must have been one of the hardest decisions of Fripp's professional life.
Out of all their live releases I think "Meltdown Live In Mexico City" is the best perfectly recorded it sounds amazing and the song selection just about covers their entire span. I've got The Great Deceiver box set and it's pretty good but can't match the Meltdown set OR my #2 pick You didn't mention (one of the collection series) The Collectable K C Vol5 Live In Japan 1995
I'm listening to Disc 1 of Ladies Of The Road right now. It is absolutely fantastic. But, boy have I been missing out! I just remembered why I didn't buy a lot of this stuff 20 years ago...I was refusing to pay much more than £3.50 for a CD throughout the naughties and whilst this allowed me to buy 100s of Jazz/Jazz-Fusion CDs off ebay for very little, it meant a lot of the Zappa/King Crimson releases were way outside of my threshold. Still, it means a lot of this stuff is fresh and brand new for me now.
@@theopinionatedhippie470 Well, two months have gone by and I have done my homework. I just cannot understand how blind sided I was with early KC. Have been listening KC almost every time I have a chance, except that Zappa Erie got in the way. Thank you again. And yes no bad KC record for sure, not even average.
You are right about THRaKaTTaK, I heard about THRaKaTTaK then I listened to "Schizoid men" (disk 2 of ladies of the road) and that's where I got the idea for my extended monster versions. I should seek out THRaKaTTaK! I haven't listened to all of the king crimson live albums on this list (looks like I should seek out The Great Deceiver!), but I will rank the ones I have listened to. 1. Absent Lovers (Love 80s KC!) 2. VROOM VROOM 3. Music is our friend 4. Ladies of the Road 5. The Night Watch 6. EleKtriK 7. Meltdown 8. Live in Vienna 9. Epitaph 10. Heavy ConstruKction (I need to listen to disk 3 again) 11. Live in Toronto 12. Live in Chicago 13. Radical Action 14. Live at the Orpheum
Man I thought Great Deceiver was a box set so I figured it wouldn't be on your list. You sold me on that, Ladies of the Road, and Earthbound. Only a matter of time before I have them all. Earthbound is reminding me of a slowed down extended "We Are Not Alone" off of the Man From Utopia. Ladies of the Road is unbelievable. That Schizoid hybrid is like live Cream but better. Definitely not disappointed in your picks. I never heard these before and again, like with Zappa, I totally was missing the special live stuff. I love The Night Watch and Absent Lovers - especially the live Waiting Man. I am still kicking myself for not buying Thrakattak when I had it in my hand so many years ago. I just bought it off Amazon. What an addiction. You are the dealer.
Great Deceiver is/was a box set.....literally came in a box....but has since been split into two separate releases. But I guess in the KC world, 4 discs is not a box set....we need 20 more discs!!!!!
@@theopinionatedhippie470 Dude these are just incredible picks. I do have some overlap as my version of Red has some bonus tracks covered on Deceiver, but I do like them better on Deceiver as the complete show flows. (Only halfway through so far). Ladies and Earthbound are phenomenal. Thrakattack is in the mail. Definitely would like to hear about what else is out there. Thanks!
Have you heard U.K? Was a super group with John Wetton on bass, Terry Bozzio on drums and Eddie Jobson on Violin and Keys. The night after night live album its just amazing
Another thought on Ladies Of The Road/The Night Watch: it's damn hard trying to get the CDs out of the cardboard sleeve/case. Has anyone accidentally caused damage removing them?
First thoughts 1. "The one with the vocal overdubs" isn't from Amsterdam - it originates in Zurich (a candidate for my fave Starless-era show). Night Watch was a disappointment for me because of its incompleteness - if they couldn't put back the missing bit in the improv that became Starless & Bible Black (the track), that alone makes the whole thing seem a bit pointless. Especially since the other (true) improv begins with about 70 seconds of silence. 2. I wouldn't have put the two "released-in-the-70s" live albums in the Top 10 in any form, simply because of the editing and other inauthenticities. Even though the 2-disc edition of Earthbound is the easiest/cheapest way to acquire the "uncut" Summit Studios session (i.e with the missing 21 minutes at the end). 3. One thing which went unmentioned is that Heavy Construcktion has the slightly slowed-down version of Cage, where it's easier to make out the words.
I feel like Construcking Of Light gets some bad raps. DEFINITELY CHECK OUT the REConstrucktion Of Light. All the electric drums are replaced with acoustic ones and it is way better sounding (remixed). I also just enjoy the songs on the album especially “frying pan” and “larks 4”
My thoughts on these- *Music Is Our Friend* - Have not heard this one. But based on setlist and audience recordings from the tour I've heard, this ranks low. *Heavy ConstruKction* - One of my favorites. Replaces TCOL since all the versions here are better. Great improvs as well. *USA* - This one just isn't needed anymore. Much prefer the 2005 mix of this show from the Road to Red set. The overdubs are a reason to keep it though, if you're a completist. *Absent Lovers* - This is a contender for the best. Just a fantastic performance with definitive versions of most of the material. *Earthbound* - Other than the great Schizoid Man, I don't like it. Summit Studios and Detroit 1971 are better. *Thrakattak* - I have more of a respect for this one than an enjoyment of it. This band never really got off the ground in the THRAK improvs in my view. Great song titles however. *Night Watch* - This one is essential but never really one of my go to ones. Larks 1 is missing on the tape I presume so I usually listen to the Zurich 1973 show instead. I would recommend you hear that if you haven't...some really good improv there. *Epitaph* - Essential. This band was fire on a good night. The 3 and 4 bonus discs are the best performances although the new In the Court box has better sources for all the material here. *Ladies of the Road* - As I said last time (by mistake- I get the Elektrik album cover mixed up with this one), would much prefer disc 2 having more songs. What's there is great though. *Great Deceiver* - I wouldn't argue with this being the best. Some of the editing is annoying but the box succeeds at showing this band at their absolutely best. The Providence show is hard to beat.
Thanks so much for this Shaggy. Brilliantly timed. I'm just about to order some live Crimson and the two I fancied most are number 1 and 2 on your list. Can't beat a bit of confirmation bias to sooth your pre-purchase anxiety ;-)
EARTHBOUND is one of the scariest live albums in my collection. It sounds like the mic was placed inside the bass drum (at least for the first few songs including the awesome [in all senses of the word] "21st. Century Schizoid Man"). Once the ears adapt, the mind is free to soar. Collins is the star (when not blowing, he's manning the mellotron). The rhythm section just wants to funk-out, which gives this set weird, non-egg-head vibe. Fripp is very much accommodating the rest but manages more than a few wondrous solos. The improvisations are amazingly torn apart but somehow they come together by each conclusion. A set worth seeking out.
USA is the legendary STARLESS line-up grinding it out in Asbury Park, late in June '74. I haven't lived with album as long (mostly because I also have this line-up on the epic GREAT DECEIVER. The first disk in the box is from Providence, two days later.) "Exile" is a heartbreaker. Wetton shows so much emotion on vocals and Cross's violin, intertwining with Fripp's mellotron, is magical. The "Asbury Park" improv is excellent. My CD is the whole 10 track show, including the sublime "Starless". Interesting to note that Cross's violin and keyboard occasionally failed him so, I believe, Eddie Jobson was tasked with overdubbing on three tracks before the original USA album was released. The set ends with the Providence "Schizoid Man".
THE GREAT DECEIVER is beyond reproach, a generous collection of tightrope shows and a hilariously frank and detailed booklet. Breaking up this band must have been one of the hardest decisions of Fripp's professional life.
Out of all their live releases I think "Meltdown Live In Mexico City" is the best perfectly recorded it sounds amazing and the song selection just about covers their entire span. I've got The Great Deceiver box set and it's pretty good but can't match the Meltdown set OR my #2 pick You didn't mention (one of the collection series) The Collectable K C Vol5 Live In Japan 1995
I'm listening to Disc 1 of Ladies Of The Road right now. It is absolutely fantastic. But, boy have I been missing out! I just remembered why I didn't buy a lot of this stuff 20 years ago...I was refusing to pay much more than £3.50 for a CD throughout the naughties and whilst this allowed me to buy 100s of Jazz/Jazz-Fusion CDs off ebay for very little, it meant a lot of the Zappa/King Crimson releases were way outside of my threshold. Still, it means a lot of this stuff is fresh and brand new for me now.
Thank you for this King Crimson series. Very familiar with the 80s Crimson, your series led me to the other KC albums, really happy with the dive in.
You’re welcome. Would love to know your thoughts once you do check those other eras out...
@@theopinionatedhippie470 Will do!
@@theopinionatedhippie470 Well, two months have gone by and I have done my homework. I just cannot understand how blind sided I was with early KC. Have been listening KC almost every time I have a chance, except that Zappa Erie got in the way. Thank you again. And yes no bad KC record for sure, not even average.
You are right about THRaKaTTaK, I heard about THRaKaTTaK then I listened to "Schizoid men" (disk 2 of ladies of the road) and that's where I got the idea for my extended monster versions. I should seek out THRaKaTTaK!
I haven't listened to all of the king crimson live albums on this list (looks like I should seek out The Great Deceiver!), but I will rank the ones I have listened to.
1. Absent Lovers (Love 80s KC!)
2. VROOM VROOM
3. Music is our friend
4. Ladies of the Road
5. The Night Watch
6. EleKtriK
7. Meltdown
8. Live in Vienna
9. Epitaph
10. Heavy ConstruKction (I need to listen to disk 3 again)
11. Live in Toronto
12. Live in Chicago
13. Radical Action
14. Live at the Orpheum
I don’t have any of those. I now have new albums to look out for. Thanks for the info! Looking forward to Dylan
Man I thought Great Deceiver was a box set so I figured it wouldn't be on your list. You sold me on that, Ladies of the Road, and Earthbound. Only a matter of time before I have them all. Earthbound is reminding me of a slowed down extended "We Are Not Alone" off of the Man From Utopia. Ladies of the Road is unbelievable. That Schizoid hybrid is like live Cream but better. Definitely not disappointed in your picks. I never heard these before and again, like with Zappa, I totally was missing the special live stuff. I love The Night Watch and Absent Lovers - especially the live Waiting Man. I am still kicking myself for not buying Thrakattak when I had it in my hand so many years ago. I just bought it off Amazon. What an addiction. You are the dealer.
Great Deceiver is/was a box set.....literally came in a box....but has since been split into two separate releases. But I guess in the KC world, 4 discs is not a box set....we need 20 more discs!!!!!
@@theopinionatedhippie470 Dude these are just incredible picks. I do have some overlap as my version of Red has some bonus tracks covered on Deceiver, but I do like them better on Deceiver as the complete show flows. (Only halfway through so far). Ladies and Earthbound are phenomenal. Thrakattack is in the mail. Definitely would like to hear about what else is out there. Thanks!
Absent Lovers is absolutely #1. Bill Bruford probably needed arm surgery after that fucking show
Have you heard U.K? Was a super group with John Wetton on bass, Terry Bozzio on drums and Eddie Jobson on Violin and Keys. The night after night live album its just amazing
I know only the debut with Bruford. I’ll check this out. Thanks.
Another thought on Ladies Of The Road/The Night Watch: it's damn hard trying to get the CDs out of the cardboard sleeve/case. Has anyone accidentally caused damage removing them?
First thoughts
1. "The one with the vocal overdubs" isn't from Amsterdam - it originates in Zurich (a candidate for my fave Starless-era show). Night Watch was a disappointment for me because of its incompleteness - if they couldn't put back the missing bit in the improv that became Starless & Bible Black (the track), that alone makes the whole thing seem a bit pointless. Especially since the other (true) improv begins with about 70 seconds of silence.
2. I wouldn't have put the two "released-in-the-70s" live albums in the Top 10 in any form, simply because of the editing and other inauthenticities. Even though the 2-disc edition of Earthbound is the easiest/cheapest way to acquire the "uncut" Summit Studios session (i.e with the missing 21 minutes at the end).
3. One thing which went unmentioned is that Heavy Construcktion has the slightly slowed-down version of Cage, where it's easier to make out the words.
I feel like Construcking Of Light gets some bad raps. DEFINITELY CHECK OUT the REConstrucktion Of Light. All the electric drums are replaced with acoustic ones and it is way better sounding (remixed). I also just enjoy the songs on the album especially “frying pan” and “larks 4”
My thoughts on these-
*Music Is Our Friend* - Have not heard this one. But based on setlist and audience recordings from the tour I've heard, this ranks low.
*Heavy ConstruKction* - One of my favorites. Replaces TCOL since all the versions here are better. Great improvs as well.
*USA* - This one just isn't needed anymore. Much prefer the 2005 mix of this show from the Road to Red set. The overdubs are a reason to keep it though, if you're a completist.
*Absent Lovers* - This is a contender for the best. Just a fantastic performance with definitive versions of most of the material.
*Earthbound* - Other than the great Schizoid Man, I don't like it. Summit Studios and Detroit 1971 are better.
*Thrakattak* - I have more of a respect for this one than an enjoyment of it. This band never really got off the ground in the THRAK improvs in my view. Great song titles however.
*Night Watch* - This one is essential but never really one of my go to ones. Larks 1 is missing on the tape I presume so I usually listen to the Zurich 1973 show instead. I would recommend you hear that if you haven't...some really good improv there.
*Epitaph* - Essential. This band was fire on a good night. The 3 and 4 bonus discs are the best performances although the new In the Court box has better sources for all the material here.
*Ladies of the Road* - As I said last time (by mistake- I get the Elektrik album cover mixed up with this one), would much prefer disc 2 having more songs. What's there is great though.
*Great Deceiver* - I wouldn't argue with this being the best. Some of the editing is annoying but the box succeeds at showing this band at their absolutely best. The Providence show is hard to beat.