King Crimson

King Crimson - Rare Live Version of 'In the Court' and Intros for 'Cirkus'

• In early 1971, King Crimson was deeply entrenched in their iconic progressive rock journey, fresh off the groundbreaking album *In the Wake of Poseido... Read Full Description >

  In early 1971, King Crimson was deeply entrenched in their iconic progressive rock journey, fresh off the groundbreaking album *In the Wake of Poseidon*, released just months before, in May 1970. This period marked a dynamic phase for the band, where they deftly blended intricate musical compositions with profound lyrical themes—an approach that was a hallmark of their style. The live recording on January 1, 1971, showcases a rare version of "In the Court of the Crimson King," paired with Robert Fripp's haunting solo intros of "Cirkus." This set aligns perfectly with their evolution during this era, where theatricality and musicianship were paramount. Interestingly, this performance highlights Fripp's role as a guitarist pushing boundaries, and the blend of live energy with studio precision offers a captivating glimpse into a band at their creative peak, setting the stage for the innovative paths they continued to explore in the years that followed.

King Crimson - The Sailor's Tale Live at Zoom Club, Frankfurt

ZOOM Frankfurt
Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany

• On April 15, 1971, King Crimson delivered an electrifying performance at the Zoom Club in Frankfurt, showcasing their dynamic sound during a pivotal m... Read Full Description >

  On April 15, 1971, King Crimson delivered an electrifying performance at the Zoom Club in Frankfurt, showcasing their dynamic sound during a pivotal moment in their career. This was just a few months before the release of their groundbreaking album, "Lizard," which hit the shelves later that same year. The era was characterized by the band’s exploration into complex musical territory, merging jazz, rock, and progressive elements. Notably, "Lizard" introduced the first significant lineup change, with the addition of members like Mel Collins on saxophone and Ian Wallace on drums, marking a fresh evolution in their sound. The live performance captured in "The Sailor's Tale" underlines the band’s unique ability to fuse improvisation with meticulous composition. It’s fascinating how this period laid the groundwork for their future ventures, illustrating a band in constant metamorphosis, pushing sonic boundaries one show at a time.

King Crimson - Ladies of the Road Live at Guildhall, Plymouth

Plymouth Guildhall
Plymouth, England, United Kingdom

• During the early 1970s, King Crimson was riding a wave of creative energy and exploratory musical experimentation. Just before the live performance in... Read Full Description >

  During the early 1970s, King Crimson was riding a wave of creative energy and exploratory musical experimentation. Just before the live performance in Plymouth on May 11, 1971, the band had released their groundbreaking album "Lizard" in 1970. This project marked a significant evolution in their sound, with elements of jazz and classical influences weaving through their progressive rock framework. Interestingly, "Ladies of the Road," performed live during this concert, showcases both the complexity and unique flair that King Crimson was becoming known for. It’s a fascinating piece that highlights the band's improvisational skills and their penchant for blending theatrical elements into their performances. Recorded in a time when the band was grappling with lineup changes and musical directions, this performance captures the raw energy and bold experimentation that characterized King Crimson's early years, leaving an indelible mark in the annals of progressive rock history.

King Crimson - Cadence and Cascade Live at Marquee, London

Marquee Club
London, England, United Kingdom

• In August 1971, when King Crimson graced the stage at the Marquee Club in London, they were riding high on the momentum of their groundbreaking album,... Read Full Description >

  In August 1971, when King Crimson graced the stage at the Marquee Club in London, they were riding high on the momentum of their groundbreaking album, "In the Wake of Poseidon," which had dropped just a few months earlier. This marked an intriguing phase in their career, following the iconic debut "In the Court of the Crimson King." Interestingly, "In the Wake of Poseidon" continued to showcase the band’s signature blend of progressive rock with more intricate arrangements, melding haunting melodies with complex time signatures. During this live performance, which featured a captivating rendition of "Cadence and Cascade," the band was still experimenting and evolving, characterized by the enigmatic presence of guitarist and co-founder Robert Fripp. This creative period reflects their willingness to push boundaries, and the Marquee show serves as a testament to their live prowess—a glimpse into the raw energy and musical innovation that defined King Crimson during the early '70s. Plus, it’s pretty cool to think about how a performance like this continues to resonate with fans today, decades later.

King Crimson - Cadence and Cascade Live at Marquee, London

Marquee Club
London, England, United Kingdom

• In August 1971, when King Crimson graced the Marquee Club stage with a live performance of “Cadence and Cascade,” they were at a significant cross... Read Full Description >

  In August 1971, when King Crimson graced the Marquee Club stage with a live performance of “Cadence and Cascade,” they were at a significant crossroads in their musical journey. Just a year before, they had released *In the Wake of Poseidon,* an album that continued to explore their signature blend of progressive rock and intricate storytelling. Interestingly, this performance marked one of the last appearances of guitarist and vocalist Greg Lake with the band, who had played a pivotal role in shaping their sound. The band's lineup was shifting, and by the end of that year, Lake would depart to pursue projects like Emerson Lake & Palmer. This transition added a layer of poignancy to the performance, as it captured a moment when the band was evolving, navigating new directions while still holding on to the magic of their earlier works. How remarkable it is to witness such a pivotal moment in rock history!

King Crimson Live at the Marquee: Improv Performance from Larks' Tongues in Aspic

Marquee Club
London, England, United Kingdom

• On August 10, 1971, King Crimson performed a captivating live set at the Marquee Club in London, a venue synonymous with the burgeoning rock scene of ... Read Full Description >

  On August 10, 1971, King Crimson performed a captivating live set at the Marquee Club in London, a venue synonymous with the burgeoning rock scene of the time. This concert took place just as the band was riding high on the waves of their innovative album, "Larks' Tongues in Aspic," which was released shortly after this performance in March 1972. Notably, this period marked a significant evolution for King Crimson, transitioning from their earlier, more psychedelic roots to a dynamic blend of progressive rock, jazz, and experimental sounds. The improvisational style showcased in this Marquee recording reflects the band’s willingness to push boundaries and explore new musical territories. It’s fascinating to think about how the energy in that intimate club contributed to the creative output of a group that would ultimately redefine the genre and leave a lasting legacy. It truly was a pivotal moment in their career, capturing the raw essence of a band on the brink of transforming music as we know it.

King Crimson - 21st Century Schizoid Man Live at the Marquee, London

Marquee Club
London, England, United Kingdom

• Before the high-energy performance at the Marquee Club on August 10, 1971, King Crimson had recently released their third studio album, "Lizard." Drop... Read Full Description >

  Before the high-energy performance at the Marquee Club on August 10, 1971, King Crimson had recently released their third studio album, "Lizard." Dropping in late 1970, it marked a significant evolution in their sound, showcasing a blend of jazz-influenced rock and ambitious poetic lyrics. This album's experimental flair set the stage perfectly for the live experience fans were about to witness, particularly in pieces like "21st Century Schizoid Man" that would see its intensity amplified in this dynamic performance. Interestingly, this era was a transitional period for the band. During the early '70s, King Crimson experienced lineup changes that influenced their musical direction, making each live show a unique tapestry of talent. This performance at the Marquee did not just capture their peak musicianship; it was a moment to crystallize the raw energy circulating within the band that would define their legacy. Indeed, hearing songs like "21st Century Schizoid Man" live brings an entirely different emotional depth compared to the studio version—one that speaks to both the band’s evolution and its passionate fanbase.

King Crimson - 21st Century Schizoid Man Live at Civic Hall, Wolverhampton

Civic Hall
Wolverhampton, England, United Kingdom

• In the vibrant whirlwind of the early ‘70s, King Crimson was truly making waves. By the time of the live recording in Wolverhampton on September 10,... Read Full Description >

  In the vibrant whirlwind of the early ‘70s, King Crimson was truly making waves. By the time of the live recording in Wolverhampton on September 10, 1971, the band had recently released their album "Lizard," just earlier that year. This album marked a shift in their sound, embracing a more complex and experimental approach, which was fully reflected in their live performances. The lineup during this show featured Boz Burrell on bass, Mel Collins on saxophone, and Ian Wallace on drums, creating a vivid musical tapestry that would carry the essence of their innovative spirit. Interestingly, "21st Century Schizoid Man," a signature tune from their debut album "In the Court of the Crimson King," was a highlight in their setlist. This song captured the unsettling turbulence of the era, combining jazz, rock, and a touch of psychedelia—it was a perfect anthem for a time of change. This live rendition undoubtedly showcased the raw energy and musicianship that King Crimson was known for, encapsulating a moment when they were not just performing music but also pushing the boundaries of what rock could be.

King Crimson - Cirkus Live Performance in Wolverhampton

Civic Hall
Wolverhampton, England, United Kingdom

• Around the time of King Crimson's live performance in Wolverhampton on September 10, 1971, the band was in a notable phase of its evolution. They had ... Read Full Description >

  Around the time of King Crimson's live performance in Wolverhampton on September 10, 1971, the band was in a notable phase of its evolution. They had recently released "Larks' Tongues in Aspic," which debuted in March 1973. However, at that time, King Crimson was still riding high on the success of previous albums like "In the Court of the Crimson King" and "In the Wake of Poseidon." This era was pivotal, marked by their innovative fusion of rock, jazz, and classical influences, with a lineup featuring some dynamic players, including Robert Fripp and Mel Collins. The song "Cirkus," which they performed during the set, is a perfect encapsulation of their theatrical flair and complex musicianship. Interestingly, this live performance showcases their seminal blend of improvisation and composed sections, characteristic of their live shows, adding layers of excitement and unpredictability. Just imagine being there—the energy of a live audience, the raw sound of experimental rock ringing through the Civic Hall!

King Crimson - The Letters Live at Civic Hall, Wolverhampton

Civic Hall
Wolverhampton, England, United Kingdom

• Ah, King Crimson—a name that stirs something deep in the heart of progressive rock! By September 10, 1971, when they played that live gig at the Civ... Read Full Description >

  Ah, King Crimson—a name that stirs something deep in the heart of progressive rock! By September 10, 1971, when they played that live gig at the Civic Hall in Wolverhampton, they had just released their fourth studio album, “Lizard,” a fascinating experimentation that blended jazz, classical, and rock influences. It was a transitional period for the band. With the lineup that featured Boz Burrell on bass, Mel Collins on sax, and Ian Wallace on drums, they were intertwined in a delicate dance of musical innovation. What’s really intriguing? This live recording captures a moment when King Crimson was evolving, pushing boundaries with their sound. “The Letters,” performed during that show, reflects the band’s knack for emotionally charged lyrics and complex melodies, showcasing their continued departure from the more straightforward rock structures of their beginnings. It’s like a snapshot of a band fully immersing itself in a creative whirlwind, marching headfirst into the labyrinth of musical exploration. Can't you just feel that energy?