M- UK 1974 KING CRIMSON 2XLP + PHOTO BOOK Prog Psych

$

123

BEAUTIFUL 1974 BRITISH FIRST PRESSING 2 LP SET + THICK PHOTO BOOKLET                           

                  KING CRIMSON    

     A Young Person's Guide...

\                                                    UK - POLYDOR - 2612 035

NICE top clean minty clean 1974 BRITISH first pressing 2-Lp set in superior gatefold sleeve (better than the USA issue), complete with large thick booklet filled by Robert Fripp with old vintage (little or never before seen) photos and information...

Comes with the original plastic lined Polydor inner sleeves 

This superb double album probably took its title from one of Benjamin Britten's works, 'A Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra'. One of Robert Fripp's little jokes. As a two-LP overview of King Crimson's career from 1969 thru 1974 this set just couldn't be bettered, but when it appeared many critics complained about the absence of "Schizoid Man", which many considered to be King Crimson's signature tune. Guess what?, it isn't missed ...

A YOUNG PERSON'S GUIDE has ever appeared in the CD format. The packaging really only comes into its own when you can admire this original gatefold sleeve. The cover pictures are delightful; maybe the little man on the mountaintop is actually playing a mellotron?!

The large extensive photo / information booklet showed us for the first time how thoughtfully Fripp would handle the "King Crimson inheritance". Not only did Fripp include a detailed family tree and a superb collection of (little seen) black and white photographs, he also printed virtually all the reviews Crimson albums had received through the years (or at least the ones he got hold of), both positive AND negative. How many artists would dare to do that in a compilation of their best work? Fripp's tactics certainly paid off: the reader commiserates with critics bemoaning the low quality of albums such as EARTHBOUND, and sniggers at idiots who, all of thirty-five years ago, failed to appreciate the splendour of LARKS' TONGUES IN ASPIC.

The set starts beautifully with dark melodic "Epitaph (8:52) including March for No Reason and Tomorrow and Tomorrow from the debut album "In the Court of the Crimson King" (1969). The lyrics that Pete Sinfield wrote reminds all of us that at the end off the day we will all be gone from this world and we will live to another world. The challenge is truly how we get prepared ourselves during our lives in this world for a much better life after death. It's a very compelling lyrics ".but I fear tomorrow I'll be crying ." supported by great music composition with mellotron-drenched sounds. The journey continues to another mellow and dark Cadence and Cascade (3:36) from "In the Wake of Poseidon" (1970).

Another great characteristic of King Crimson music combining mellow and heavy drive style is indicated by the next track "Ladies of the Road (5:27) from "Islands" (1971). Even though from "Islands" maybe "Formentera Lady" is better, but this selection is fine. The band brings us back to the debut album "I Talk to the Wind" but this time is different version than the studio album "In The Court of The Crimson King" especially on the vocal department: sung by Judy Dyble (Fairport Convention) instead of Greg Lake. This was recorded at 93A Brondesbury Road, London, UK, July 1968. The compilation also features two tracks from their latest album at that time, "Red" (1974), i.e Red (6:18) and Starless (12:17).

On LP-2, it starts wonderfully with "The Night Watch (4:38) from the album "Starless and Bible Black" (1974) which delivers different music style. "Book of Saturday (2:52) from the album "Larks' Tongues in Aspic" (1973) has been my all-time favorite. It's a mellow track with great vocal line and stunning electric guitar played in unplugged style. "Cat Food" is from the single Cat Food/Groon (1970) and is a real progressive endevour. It's better played seamlessly with Groon (3:30). An abridged version of "Moonchild" from the debut album is also a great song. The compilation concludes with the title track of debut album The Court of the Crimson King (9:21).

1. Epitaph (8:52)
2. Cadence and cascade (3:36)
3. Ladies of the road (5:27)
4. I talk to the wind (3:15)
5. Red (6:18)
6. Starless (12:17)
7. The night watch (4:38)
8. Book of Saturday (2:52)
9. Peace - A theme (1:14)
10. Cat food (2:43)
11. Groon (3:30)
12. Coda from Larks' Tongues in aspic part one (2:09)
13. Moonchild (2:24)
14. Trio (5:38)
15. In the court of the Crimson King (9:21)

CONDITION:  The nice British gatefold cover is clean, M- well preserved from 36 years ago, no problems, highly collectible as a UK first pressing...

The vinyl, all 4 sides are glossy clean and smooth M-

The large thick booklet is pristine, mint 

      A cool addition to anyone's music library!

SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for "head" people...

EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING

All imperfections are noted both cover & record