So, the first album that turned me on to a more sophisticated and exploratory sound of prog rock was the Crim’s “In the court of the crimson king” which was released in 1969. obviously i wasn’t around in 1969, so i hope you get that it wasn’t too long ago that i heard this album. k, that wasn’t funny. When this album came out, either you loved it, or were all opposed to King Crimson altogether. 1969 was a time when progressive/art rock was becoming something popular…..or, more accurately, a movement. Forget Lady Gaga and Britney Spears. they have no talent compared to anything these guys have done. Commercial sales? these guys could care less. as Robert Fripp (founder and guitarist) once said, and i’m paraphrasing here, that it was a privilege to be in the presence of music. and it’s also a privilege to listen to complex music as this album was. highlights include, well, all the songs. all of them offer something different, but the whole album has this grainy feel to it that adds more nostalgia to the whole thing. where would many bands be today without the inflluence of this band? i dont know, given there’s a whole listen over HERE of bands influenced by the sound of the Crim.
IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING (title track) (headphones are recommended, but no necessary)
