In the Court of the Crimson King (Box Set)

This is a 5xCD plus DVD box set! The classic album In the Court of the Crimson King has been mixed for 5.1 Surround Sound from the original studio masters by Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), with Crimson founder Robert Fripp acting as executive producer. Additionally, Steven Wilson and Robert Fripp have collaborated to produce a completely new stereo mix drawn directly from the original multitrack tapes. The release is presented as a 12" x 12" box with a large format twenty-four page booklet and new sleeve notes by Robert Fripp and King Crimson biographer Sid Smith, along with rare photos and archive material. The box also contains badges, a 12" print of the album sleeve and band photos!

CD One: features the 2009 remix and five additional tracks drawn from the original recording sessions - a complete version of "Moonchild" (edited on the new stereo mix); a flute/guitar duet of "I Talk to the Wind"; an alternate mix of "I Talk to the Wind"; the full "Epitaph" backing track; and the session recording of the "wind" noises used to introduce the album at the start of "21st Century Schizoid Man." CD Two: features the 2004 re-master of the original album drawn from the original master tape, plus bonus tracks including - the Morgan studios instrumental take of "21st Century Schizoid Man"; two tracks from 1969 BBC John Peel sessions ("21st Century Schizoid Man" and "I Talk to the Wind" - the latter previously unreleased); and de-clicked vinyl transfer of the original mono A and B -Side single edits of "In the Court of the Crimson King." CD Three: features a complete album's worth of unreleased/alternate takes and instrumental mixes by Steven Wilson, and a de-clicked transfer of the original pink label Island pressing of the album. CD Four: features audio restored bootlegs of the band's legendary performances at Hyde Park, London in July 1969, and Fillmore East in November 1969 - previously only issued via mail order or online. CD Five: a bonus disc featuring a vinyl transfer of the ultra rare (US radio promo only) mono album, plus the equally rare US radio promo only single edit of "Court of the Crimson King." DVD: features a 5.1 DTS Mix and High Resolution Stereo mix (24bit/48khz), plus access to a 5.1 Lossless audio mix and Lossless Stereo mix (24bit/96khz). Also features High Resolution and Lossless stereo mixes of both the full original stereo and the new stereo album mixes, plus additional tracks drawn from the original recording sessions (including a complete alternate version of the album using instrumental and vocal takes). And lastly, you also get short performance footage of the classic Hyde Park performance of "21st Century Schizoid Man," with original audio from the show. THAT'S A LOT OF CRIMSON.

'Initially, King Crimson consisted of Robert Fripp (guitar), Ian McDonald (reeds/woodwind/vibes/keyboards/Mellotron/vocals), Greg Lake (bass/vocals), Michael Giles (drums/percussion/vocals), and Peter Sinfield (words/illuminations). As if somehow prophetic, King Crimson projected a darker and edgier brand of post-psychedelic rock. Likewise, they were inherently intelligent - a sort of thinking man's Pink Floyd. Fripp demonstrates his innate aptitude for contrasts and the value of silence within a performance, even as far back as "21st Century Schizoid Man." The song is nothing short of the aural antecedent to what would become the entire heavy alternative/grunge sound. Juxtaposed with that electric intensity is the ethereal noir ballad "I Talk to the Wind." The delicate vocal harmonies and McDonald's achingly poignant flute solo and melodic counterpoint remain unmatched on an emotive level. The surreal and opaque lyrics are likewise an insight to Peter Sinfield's masterful wordplay, which graced their next three releases. The original A-Side concludes with the powerful sonic imagery of "Epitaph." The haunting Mellotron wails, and Fripp's acoustic - as well as electric - guitar counterpoints give the introduction an almost sacred feel, adding measurably to the overall sinister mood. Giles' percussion work provides a pungent kick during the kettle drum intro and to the aggressive palpitation-inducing rhythm in the chorus. "Moonchild" is an eerie love song that is creepy, bordering on uncomfortable. The melody is agile and ageless, while the instrumentation wafts like the wind through bare trees. Developing out of the song is an extended improvisation that dissolves into a non-structured section of free jazz, with brief guitar lines running parallel throughout. The title track, "In the Court of the Crimson King," completes the disc with another beautifully bombastic song. Here again, the foreboding featured in Sinfield's lyrics is instrumentally matched by the contrasting verbosity in the chorus and the delicate nature of the verses and concluding solos.' - Lindsay Planer / All Music Guide