There are more great quotes about King Crimson by band members and critics than any other band I can think of: "King Crimson are the band that kills your dog, burns your house down and stomps your face into the ground" - Stuart Maconie, BBC. "Everything you've heard about King Crimson is true: It is a terrifying place" - Bill Bruford. "Whatever it is you did to get into King Crimson you will cease doing whilst you're a member of King Crimson" - what Robert Fripp says to new band members. "In Yes there were endless discussions about whether you could play a B minor melody over a G major one. In King Crimson almost nothing was said: You were just supposed to know." - Bill Bruford. "Leaving Yes to join King Crimson was the musical equivalent of jumping over the Berlin Wall to defect into East Germany" - Prog Rock Britannia referring to Bruford joining KC. "When we choose to be, we're the heaviest sounding band in the world" - Tony Levin. Let that sink in: When they CHOOSE to be. "We'll play a nice tune to the others and Robert (Fripp) will sit there and nod along...then he'll say 'CRIMSONIZE IT!' and we have to deconstruct what we've written and put it back together" - Adrian Belew "Blood rack, barbed wire, politician's funeral pyre, innocents raped with napalm fire, 21st century schizoid man"...I'm not singing that!" - Bryan Ferry auditioning for KC in 1969. "Letting Robert Fripp mess around your songs is like leaving your favourite niece alone with a child molester" - Tony Levin.
Almost one note. I wonder if Bob was inspired by Neil Young's 'Down By the River' guitar solo. Sometimes used in guitar lessons to teach economy when playing. Fripp just had to one up Neil, using even fewer notes.
I think red, larks tongues in aspic and in the court of the crimson king are the best albums. Wait until he hears larks tongues in aspic part 1. I also love Lizard as well.
This album is the epitome of Metal Prog. No one could have played it better or as well as Bill. Masterful, restrained, graceful and powerful. The perfect music for midnight listening in pitch black darkness. Especially ‘Providence’.
It’s not metal prog, it’s only prog music. There’s no element of metal, only prog and jazz. Sabbath couldn’t play this song and ozzy never would sing it because he doesn’t have neither the vocal range, nor the tuning/technique and nor the patience to wait. so many minutes without do anything.
“Starless” is the perfect combination of solace and tension combined…Wetton’s masterpiece. I read that initially Robert Fripp didn’t want to record it.
He didn’t leave Yes because Close to the Edge was too complicated. The primary reasons were: He had only played with one band to that point. He couldn’t see how the same group of people could do anything other than “Close to the Edge 2.” He thought the process of recording with Yes was tortuous and didn’t want to go through it again. He always had a jazz mentality, where players move about different bands and and projects. He enjoys improvisation, and Yes was not an improvising band. King Crimson was. Which leads to the next Crimson piece you should listen to - Asbury Park. This is ‘74 Crim in full flight. Entirely improvised. Not a jam with soloists. Completely improvised. During this era Crim would typically have one or two improvs a night, depending on whether they were an opening act or headliner. The earliest gigs of this lineup in late ‘72/early ‘73 could include as much as 30 minutes or more of the set as improvs. ruclips.net/video/LJ3UnGQCT1E/видео.html
Note their piece “Trio” was improvised. Bruford spent the track with his sticks crossed, noting that what was happening didn’t need anything more. Fripp credited him with “admirable restraint.”
Bruford also said (paraphrasing here) that when he left Yes he thought he was hot s**t, but when he joined King Crimson for the new lineup that was to release Lark's Tongues, he realised he was only the second best percussionist in the band after Jamie Muir and had a lot left to learn. Bruford on Muir: "my biggest influence and the guy who turned my head totally around ... God, did he open my eyes. Jamie saw above and beyond chops. He was into the color of the music, the tone, and being intuitive about it." You can tell how Bruford really started expaning his palette of percussion after Muir left.
He had a great interview where he explained the difference between playing with Yes and Crimson and how with Yes it was this constant back and forth of "do we want it to be in G, or should we try an F minor, or how about we..." where in Crimson nothing was really said and you were just supposed to know.
@@Shaktidej the song portion was written by John. The middle portion is based around a riff Bill played on the piano one day. The piece itself is quite structured, with the middle break a reprise of the verse melody (on sax), then the same bass motif, just faster, then a return to the opening main melody to close the piece. Within each section are improvisational elements (typically the sax and drums), but that’s typical, especially for KC.
Everything Bruford touches is gold. I was fortunate to see him play with Phil Collins on the 1976 Genesis tour for A Trick of the Tail. His Earthworks jazz period is incredible, but my favorite BB work is what he did in King Crimson.
@@kbrewski1 it was over twenty years ago, but IIRC it was a four-piece band. All instrumentals. Very jazzy. I'd been to quite a few jazz nights at the local jazz club. Mostly, the outfits were a named guy and some backing musicians. Often good, but no chemistry. Earthworks had been touring for years when I saw them and they were really good and really tight.
This song can sound better when you know the fact that this song is the last song of they intended LAST ALBUM. They considered finishing the band way back in 1974, when this album was released. Imagine the wildness of breaking your band apart with THIS TRACK as your final one. Just incredible
No, they didn’t. Robert needed to leave. Bill and John didn’t want to stop and felt that they were on the brink of being huge. Robert suggested they have IanMcDonald replace him, but the label wanted Fripp and Bill and John weren’t sure they wanted to go that direction. So it ended. So no, that wasn’t the intent at all.
Great reaction! Since you enjoy Bruford's drumming so much, you should totally check out his fusion band UK. Same rhythm section as here (Bill Bruford and John Wetton); and instead of Fripp on guitar, you have the legendary Allan Holdsworth, plus keyboardist/violinist Eddie Jobson. Opening track "In the Dead of Night" is the perfect place to start. Cheers mate!
that first UK album does rule. my recommendation: if you are going to do In The Dead Of Night, make sure to do the whole suite of the first three tracks, as it all works as one piece. That is In The Dead Of Night/By The Light Of Day/Presto Vivace And Reprise. A real mind blower
Saw them live, UK 🇬🇧 Rendezvous 6:02. Fricken Jobson, Bozzio a killer drummer in his own right, saw him and his wife with Missing Persons live in Tampa back in the day!
I read that Bill left Yes because of the amount of time that would be spent deliberating over each note. When he joined Crimson, Robert told him to just do something new each time, but otherwise left him to it. This is 70s Crimson at their best.
Yes! I’ve seen a video interview with Bill where he said in Yes they would spend hours deliberation whether to play a B or a B minor, and that “In King Crimson you were just supposed to know”
Thanks for doing my recommendation. Loved how you talked about how the song made you feel after being blown away. Heavy song for sure. Next song - Larks' Tongues in Aspic 1 & 2
For me, Starless makes the perfect bookend track to 21st Century Schizoid Man. The latter being the first track from the first album, and Starless being the final song of the final album from the 60s/70s era of the band. Both have that progressive rock meets jazz vibe with a crazy almost-careening-off-the-tracks instrumental section made to set pulses pounding. And each song in its way sets the mind thinking about the tragedy of the human condition. King Crimson. What a band.
Dude I am so glad I discovered them on here. Absolute masterclass in progressive music. Basically helped write the book on prog. They are in absolute control of every last note they play even though it doesn't sound like it sometimes. They build tension like nothing else.
"I can't believe how old this is" made my wife and I laugh. I met my wife in high school and gave her King Crimson's Larks Tongue in Aspic as a gift. We old I guess. You missed a great era in music. So much creativity.
This song is also amazing on Live, where 3 drummers play because why not (one of them being our own gavin harrison), its a must listen my friend. Great reaction as always!
Hey bro!! Great to see you Thank you as always my friend. I will definitely check it out. If I don't post it on here I will post it on patreon and send you a link for it
This song is immense. It captures what deep depression must be like. Bill Bruford, as you may know, is a renown drummer having also played with Yes and for a short time toured with Genesis (1976) before they found Chester Thompson (Frank Zappa and Weather Report). Worth finding the live concerts with him. Bill also played with Phil in a fusion band called Brand X. (Phil Collins has said he thinks his all-time best work on drums was with Brand X)
“i don’t wanna talk because i don’t wanna miss anything”. this is the reason i love king crimson. there are so many tiny, incredible details that all add together to make the song a masterpiece
I know that this comment is late but I just wanted to say “Hey thanks! “ Enjoyed your expressions and comments! I reacted exactly the same way to this song when I first heard it and still sends shivers down my spine! All of Red is wickedly great!
I was wandering around town (16 YO) and happened to see a concert about to start, paid (Ithink) 6 bucks, and went in. King Crimson was the 2nd warm-up band for Humble Pie. I was completely blown away. KC fan for life.
Here's a little fun fact, Jon Anderson, Chris Squire and I think the rest of the original band Yes went to see King Crimson live way way back in the day! Jon was so blown away with their performance he said, and I quote..."we need to practice." KC was a huge influence for the Great prog band YES!!
Bill Bruford was Yes's drummer for their first 5 studio albums, through Close to the Edge Then looking for a new challenge in 1972 Bill left Yes to join King Crimson.
@@mrtyreus0 Bruford was the drummer for Yes until he quit to join Crimson, Banks Kaye Squire and Anderson along with Bruford formed the band Yes. The original drummer for Crimson was Giles.
@@mrtyreus0 saw an interview I think it was with Rick Beato when Anderson made that comment. He was talking about back in the day when Yes first formed they saw Crimson in a club in London somewhere and there again he was so blown away by KC he said to the other guys Bruford, Kaye, Banks and Squire, "we need to practice!" Which I think says a lot coming from the lead singer of Yes! Totally unedited, it is a nice feature. I'm 67 years old and I grew up listening to this music.
The recent live versions of this with the 3 drummers is pretty great too. They go nuts in the middle section... and gotta give props to the OG drummer Michael Giles, I feel like he kinda layed the foundation for that kinda ratcheting, falling down the stairs kinda drum fills, and Bill took the baton and ran. "Cat Food" and "Pictures of A City" are sick early tunes
I can tell you really understand music - I'm going to subscribe. Very impressed. Crimson has probably the most diverse sounds of any band I can think of. Nothing is quite like Starless, but you might like Fallen Angel (also on the album Red), In the Court of the Crimson King, Epitaph... and about 50 others. As a drummer, you might like 21st Century Schizoid Man in particular. Talk about tight musicianship. @@L33Reacts
@TheLordofShadow64 my friend, if I may direct you to my patreon, I have a TON of Crimson on there for free. I just upload it there cuz it usually gets blocked on here. I mean a ton of crimson.... Www.patreon.com/L33Reacts
IMO this is THE BEST track they did - but i'm happy to be shown more LOL Recently saw Robert Fripp play in a band with his wife Toyah! He is in his 70's and still plays amazingly and practices for hours everyday
Thank you for the video man.. I'm 40 years old and heard this for the first time 20 years ago - and it is my #1 favorite song ever since - and I think that it will always be.
I wanted to thank you for what you're doing! I'll try to get with your patreon, guess when I finally get past some of these hurdles. It's refreshing to see a young dude like yourself appreciate the sheer genius of these great bands from back in the day! It's really helping me to forget/escape the bullshit going on in this day and age! Thanks! Progressive Rock Rules, and so does Jazz Fusion! ✌
Thank you so much Joseph comments like these make me feel pride in what I do... and sadly for a lot of my life I was not proud of anything I was doing So thank you. This makes my hard days feel worth it 👌
If people of my generation are continued to be fed slop for art eventually a lot of them will reach back into the past to discover the real stuff. I'm glad I caught on. 😌
I caught the show at the Ryman on their last (final?) tour, and Starless was the encore. I'm not ashamed to say I literally shed a tear at the opening notes. I love this song.
Starless a brilliant prog rock classic. Always better live, in whatever arrangement. Personally I always liked the late John Wetton singing this live. He sadly died in 2017 and saw him do some guest spots on Steve Hackett's tour where he sang a brilliant version of Afterglow, one of Genesis's iconic tracks. Such a beautiful haunting melodic hook to this song, and John always done this brilliantly. Love the crazy slow section too, it's as if you are drifting away in a weird dream, with the repetetive guitar, and monotonous bass, it just builds up so much, and works so well, then we have the crazy almost jazz fusion, resolving back to the original hook. True Prog at it's finest. Can see you really got into it. Good stuff.
john wetton’s bass playing ability is very much in display on this track .. and the whole album actually..between John Wetton and Greg Lake they sang and played bass on some of the most incredible prog rock music ever recorded .. RIP John , Greg and Keith 🙏🏻 🫶✌️
i just adore seeing this. I remember when i first heard this song, decades ago, i had a reaction really very similar to yours: laughing in disbelieve. Keep up the good work man. Greetings from Belgium.
This is one of the best reaction videos I've ever seen. It was basically like listening to the song for the first time myself. Well done- I'd imagine you're hooked now!
It is so gratifying to watch a drummer's reaction to this song. I've always described Bruford as playing "Lead Percussion" on this song - there's no other way to describe it.
From the same year (1974) but an album earlier (somewhat confusingly 'Starless & Bible Black' album - my personal favourite) perhaps the King Crimson song 'Fracture' might be of interest to you. It's a creeping rage monster with some of guitarist Robert Fripp's most iconic guitar noodling - and for the drummers, it's got Bill Bruford too😉 The same album's opening track 'The Great Deceiver' is also a banger, but short and to the point.
Great reaction to a classic prog masterpiece. And yes, that is Mel Collins on sax. He was also in KC Mark II before this band got together. he plays on IN THE WAKE OF POSEIDON (second album), LIZARD (third album) and ISLANDS (fourth album and he toured with that incarnation, as he has been with the most recent version, the 7 piece with 3 drummers up front on stage). The touring and basic band on this album which features “Starless”, was a trio of Robert Fripp on guitar and Mellotron, John Wetton on bass and vocals and of course, the great Bill Bruford on drums and percussion. Right before this, they were a quartet with David Cross on electric violin and Mellotron. The first album of that and lineup, LARK’S TONGUE IN ASPIC, also featured Jamie Muir on percussion, who left quite an impression and mark on Bruford and the rest of the band. The box set of that album featured not only lots of outtakes and alternate takes and in-studio improvisation, but as many of the few live gigs which Muir played on that they could still salvage. And Bruford didn’t leave Yes *because* of CLOSE TO THE EDGE, or because of how complex it was, but rather he felt that was as far he could go with that type of music. That it was too formal for him. It was too constricting and he felt that Jon Anderson was too dictatorial. He wanted to stretch more and get more into improvisation and really “progress” in progressive music.
As far as where to go with King Crimson, if you haven’t yet, start with their first album, IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING, with another legendary prog drummer, Michael Giles.
Probably one of my favorite King Crimson albums, RED. I like them all, Starless and Bible Black, Court of the Crimson King! I fricken love KC, you want to hear some sick drumming listen to the title track, RED! Ian McDonald played all of the flute, horns, backup vocals, he started Foreigner. One of my all-time favorite KC songs with Ian playing a beautiful flute piece is I Talk To The Wind, check it out, it's the video with John Wetton, Ian McDonald playing flute, and again if you haven't heard the song Red you'll be absolutely blown away by Bruford. ✌
One of the most "perfect" songs of Progressive Rock!! When I heard it over 30 years ago I didn't instantly appreciate it, and over time it became my N.1 King Crimson song!! ❤❤ Bill Bruford he was the first drummer who had "Yes" and then moved on to King Crimson!!
Starless It's an awesome song!! My opinion as Rocker and Metal of a little more than 4 Decades ago, is that Progressive Rock is Classical Music that was born in the twentieth century, the Artists of this Genre are too Virtuous, obviously leaving aside bands like: The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Queen, The Doors, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, The Who, and a very Long etc... which are pillars del Rock in general
Yes, this is incredible. Thank you. One of my top groups. Fripp, Tom Waits, Аукцыон (Auction), Kolibri (Hummingbirds, last two are Russian), Queen, especially Black and White (Queen II). Pink Floyd too. Atomic Heart. There are a lot of greats, in any style or age. I admire Beethoven, Grieg, Shostakovich and many others in classics, older blues, other national styles, like Astor Pyazzola and so on and on. Zappa is a too much of an inkborn sometimes, brilliant, but not this much breathtaking. Others did greatest things too, but never this widespread through styles and being so refined, distilled this way at the same time. Pure feeling in the musical form, from start till the last sound. Maybe, no uneven word in the lyrics, too, but this was about the emotions in the music, in the first hand.
This song fills me with extra feels. Last song on the last album of this configuration of King Crimson. Back then in 1974 we thought they'd never exist again. We were heartbroken. And it was eight long years before Fripp and Bruford reformed King Crimson with Adrian Belew and Tony Levin. Check out the album "Discipline" if you haven't. Blessings.
Hey there Mr. Lee ~~~ Tonight was the first time I samples your channel. Very enjoyable, your reactions are so for-real that I watched 3 of them-- Gentle Giant, UK and King Crimson. Thanks for posting !!
It's great to see you getting into this stuff the same way we did back in the day. It really is awesome stuff. Yes Bruford is a monster. My favorite song on this album is actually Fallen Angel so hoping you do that sometime.
Damn man. Just found you & this KC reaction that’s been up 3 days. “So subdued and mellow” Mellow like a Mellotron muthafucka! Glad this joint is still up and I’m here to experience one of my favorite KC compositions with you, my man!🤘🏼🎧🤟🏼
Glad to have you aboard my friend! You are lucky Cuz it already got taken down once already lol. This is hands down my favorite song of theirs so far I love it
Bill's drumming on "One More Red Nightmare" is spectacular! But "Starless" is so poignant because this was their last song and then they played before they broke up (for this, the very best iteration of King Crimson - Robert Fripp, Bill Bruford, John Wetton, with David Cross on Violin, Cello and Mellotron, and Mel Collins on Sax). Try: "The Great Deceiver" from the album Starless and Bible Black "Lament" from the album Starless and Bible Black "Fracture" from the album Starless and Bible Black "One More Red Nightmare" from the album Red "Easy Money" from the album Larks Tongues in Aspic "Asbury Park" from the album Live in USA "Indiscipline" from the album Discipline.
You definitely need more King Crimson, the whole "Red" album is masterful, "In the Court of the Crimson King", "Lark's Tongues in Aspic", "Starless and Bible Black" and "Discipline" are all works of a rare kind of genius. Also, the live "U.S.A." shows them doing this stuff on stage in front of a gobsmacked audience who literally cannot beleive their ears.
One more red nightmare is my fav drum piece by bruford. Starless and the entire album is a masterpiece! Check out the album Discipline! Fripp Levin Bruford and the amazing Adrian Belew
Look for some interviews with Bruford. He's obviously a very intelligent fella who was always looking to explore and improve. He must've bored easily because he didn't like to repeat himself a lot. He'd seemlessly put things in, take things out.... He'd be in a pocket and take out a snare hit then insert one where you didn't expect it. He'd do the same with the kick. But it was so subtle that unless you had an ear on the drums you wouldn't notice it. His creativity kept the songs interesting even though most people had no idea what the mad professor was doing back there on the drums. In retrospect, his leap from yes to king crimson was the exact right decision.
Glad you're back with probably the greatest Progressive Rock Band to ever exist on the Planet Earth 🌎 Don't get me wrong, love Gentle Giant, I own some of their stuff, but this band were the pioneers of Prog, hands down! We used to pick shrooms on the east coast back in the day and either plug in Red by KC, or Brain Salad Surgery by ELP, another great prog band, saw most of the great progressive rock bands back in the day! 🌴🌴
Bill didn't leave Yes because it was too complicated. He left because he thought was the most he could achieve with Yes. Also, there was more freedom in Crimson to improvise whereas Yes was just play the song like on the album. I'm glad that KC songs are no longer being blocked. KC is a deep well of awesomeness. Larks' Tongue in Aspic parts 1 & 2, Level Five, Frame by Frame, One More Red Nightmare.
I have so many tracks left to tackle of KC. I CANT WAIT lol. And yeah it's hit or miss now they either leave it up or take it down. Your agitator, sir.
He actually left Yes after Close to the Edge. Because he felt He contributed all he could contribute to that band and there's nothing better that would ever come out of that band... and he was kinda right.
The opning with the mellotron and the singing (by bassist John Wetton) is used in the opening credits of the horror-revenge film starring Nicolas Cage, Mandy. The middle section sounds so ominous and the irregular drum is so awesome. The end section is absolutely insane and sounds like a mix of metal and jazz-fusion before it ends majestically with the mellotron coming back. A masterpiece.
‘The Night Watch’ is another brilliant track,and the whole USA album(with extra track of Starless) are well worth checking out; you probably already know that most of the Starless and Bible Black album was built around live improvisation, especially Fracture and the title track. All of the Larks Tongues in Aspic album is a wild ride.🎉👍 The USA live album Is finally on RUclips, be sure to check out the live opener, “larks tongues in aspic part two”. outstanding.
Bill in his prime had such sweet chops...Saw him a bunch of times with Crimso At Berkeley, early 80's, 78 with U.K for free here in philly, Bruford's Earthworks TLA on South Street...Drummer as well, I was practicing to this album late 70's...Starless and Bible Black is another great album to play to...Bruford taught me about the Off Beat... The guy Bill Replaced in Crimso; Mike Giles...Eats Bill's lunch... check him out on Court of the Crimson Kill...Giles is a Beast...Crimso always had great musicians. Glad you liked it...
Bruford did not replace Mike Giles. Giles was replaced by Andrew McCollough on their third album, "Lizard." Then it was Ian Wallace on "Islands." THEN it was Bruford after that. For my money, Ian Wallace was the best Crimson drummer of them all. He had subtlety, imagination and creativity.
@@lashedbutnotleashed1984 Sorry if it seemed like a direct replacement...I'm just saying Bruford is their go to on most of their albums...Thanks for supplying the additional info...
Yes, BB > AW (As for Art Rock / Prog - 1968 thru 1979 were quite prolific for the creation of amazing music!) The rest of RED is pretty amazing too! BTW - Saw them in 84 - they opened with "RED" - good times! : )
I love the Bill Bruford quote ‘King Crimson is the only band where you can play in 15/9 and still stay in nice hotels!’ ”
People couldn't deny that unweighted talent from these 3 dudes! Absolutely nuts.
Soft Machine would agree.😅
Zappa too ....
My fave quote from him plus ‘you weren’t expected to play anything you’d played before,’
There are more great quotes about King Crimson by band members and critics than any other band I can think of:
"King Crimson are the band that kills your dog, burns your house down and stomps your face into the ground" - Stuart Maconie, BBC.
"Everything you've heard about King Crimson is true: It is a terrifying place" - Bill Bruford.
"Whatever it is you did to get into King Crimson you will cease doing whilst you're a member of King Crimson" - what Robert Fripp says to new band members.
"In Yes there were endless discussions about whether you could play a B minor melody over a G major one. In King Crimson almost nothing was said: You were just supposed to know." - Bill Bruford.
"Leaving Yes to join King Crimson was the musical equivalent of jumping over the Berlin Wall to defect into East Germany" - Prog Rock Britannia referring to Bruford joining KC.
"When we choose to be, we're the heaviest sounding band in the world" - Tony Levin. Let that sink in: When they CHOOSE to be.
"We'll play a nice tune to the others and Robert (Fripp) will sit there and nod along...then he'll say 'CRIMSONIZE IT!' and we have to deconstruct what we've written and put it back together" - Adrian Belew
"Blood rack, barbed wire, politician's funeral pyre, innocents raped with napalm fire, 21st century schizoid man"...I'm not singing that!" - Bryan Ferry auditioning for KC in 1969.
"Letting Robert Fripp mess around your songs is like leaving your favourite niece alone with a child molester" - Tony Levin.
The famous Robert Fripp one note solo.
Except it’s neither one note, nor a solo. Still glorious tho!
Two.
Almost one note. I wonder if Bob was inspired by Neil Young's 'Down By the River' guitar solo. Sometimes used in guitar lessons to teach economy when playing. Fripp just had to one up Neil, using even fewer notes.
I love John Wetton. His bass in this song is astounding.
The sound coming out of his bass on this song is stunning. Comes through so clear and deep.
And his vocals!
ruclips.net/video/W2nO_W9JZYw/видео.html
The way he and Bruford click together on this record is simply astonishing.
Ever see a Roscoe Beck 5 string bass by Fender?
I went to school with him.
But really cool looking bass.
He left YES precisely BECAUSE he wanted to play more improvisationally and jazzy.
And the fights with Chris 😂
@@mattleppard1970 I'm going to give the reach advantage to Chris.
@@deanzaZZR And that Rickenbacker would swing a good ‘un
Dude you can totally hear It in the music too. He is totally engaged.
@@mattleppard1970 The Fish, God Rest His Soul
Red is absolutely brutal. Easily my favourite KC album and one of the best albums ever.
So far, amazing! I can't wait to finish it.
I think red, larks tongues in aspic and in the court of the crimson king are the best albums. Wait until he hears larks tongues in aspic part 1. I also love Lizard as well.
I agree, Red is their best.
This guy will LOVE RED
@@Saffy-yr8vo I bought my copy the year it was released, and I still have it. I think it's King Crimson's best album! Hands down
"Starless", the pinnacle of King Crimson.
Oh, yeah?! Lizard, Epitath, Sheltering sky.... I can keep it up for a long time. Its like some plato for KC, they reach and never fall
This album is the epitome of Metal Prog. No one could have played it better or as well as Bill. Masterful, restrained, graceful and powerful. The perfect music for midnight listening in pitch black darkness. Especially ‘Providence’.
I'm gonna have to try the darkness out, it sounds like it would fit perfect 😁
it is not metal prog .....
@@jabu003 It is prog metal. The album is like Black Sabbath playing it.
Totally agree, plus you ever thought that Lennon’s I am the Walrus is like an early kind of rapping?
It’s not metal prog, it’s only prog music. There’s no element of metal, only prog and jazz. Sabbath couldn’t play this song and ozzy never would sing it because he doesn’t have neither the vocal range, nor the tuning/technique and nor the patience to wait. so many minutes without do anything.
1974 was a great year for prog.
And Red is still a beast of an album.
“Starless” is the perfect combination of solace and tension combined…Wetton’s masterpiece. I read that initially Robert Fripp didn’t want to record it.
He didn’t leave Yes because Close to the Edge was too complicated. The primary reasons were:
He had only played with one band to that point. He couldn’t see how the same group of people could do anything other than “Close to the Edge 2.”
He thought the process of recording with Yes was tortuous and didn’t want to go through it again.
He always had a jazz mentality, where players move about different bands and and projects.
He enjoys improvisation, and Yes was not an improvising band. King Crimson was.
Which leads to the next Crimson piece you should listen to - Asbury Park. This is ‘74 Crim in full flight. Entirely improvised. Not a jam with soloists. Completely improvised. During this era Crim would typically have one or two improvs a night, depending on whether they were an opening act or headliner. The earliest gigs of this lineup in late ‘72/early ‘73 could include as much as 30 minutes or more of the set as improvs.
ruclips.net/video/LJ3UnGQCT1E/видео.html
Note their piece “Trio” was improvised. Bruford spent the track with his sticks crossed, noting that what was happening didn’t need anything more. Fripp credited him with “admirable restraint.”
Bruford also said (paraphrasing here) that when he left Yes he thought he was hot s**t, but when he joined King Crimson for the new lineup that was to release Lark's Tongues, he realised he was only the second best percussionist in the band after Jamie Muir and had a lot left to learn.
Bruford on Muir: "my biggest influence and the guy who turned my head totally around ... God, did he open my eyes. Jamie saw above and beyond chops. He was into the color of the music, the tone, and being intuitive about it."
You can tell how Bruford really started expaning his palette of percussion after Muir left.
He had a great interview where he explained the difference between playing with Yes and Crimson and how with Yes it was this constant back and forth of "do we want it to be in G, or should we try an F minor, or how about we..." where in Crimson nothing was really said and you were just supposed to know.
Wasn't Starless an improv too, at least in its early stages ?
@@Shaktidej the song portion was written by John. The middle portion is based around a riff Bill played on the piano one day.
The piece itself is quite structured, with the middle break a reprise of the verse melody (on sax), then the same bass motif, just faster, then a return to the opening main melody to close the piece.
Within each section are improvisational elements (typically the sax and drums), but that’s typical, especially for KC.
Everything Bruford touches is gold. I was fortunate to see him play with Phil Collins on the 1976 Genesis tour for A Trick of the Tail. His Earthworks jazz period is incredible, but my favorite BB work is what he did in King Crimson.
Me also
I have so much more to explore. Seems I have barely scratched the surface of this well.
🙌🏽
A big shout out for Earthworks - I saw them twenty plus years ago and they were superb.
@@kbrewski1 it was over twenty years ago, but IIRC it was a four-piece band. All instrumentals. Very jazzy.
I'd been to quite a few jazz nights at the local jazz club. Mostly, the outfits were a named guy and some backing musicians. Often good, but no chemistry. Earthworks had been touring for years when I saw them and they were really good and really tight.
This song can sound better when you know the fact that this song is the last song of they intended LAST ALBUM. They considered finishing the band way back in 1974, when this album was released. Imagine the wildness of breaking your band apart with THIS TRACK as your final one. Just incredible
Bro seriously when I heard about that it completely blew my mind. What a crazy track to go out on. It's fucking brilliant.
No, they didn’t.
Robert needed to leave. Bill and John didn’t want to stop and felt that they were on the brink of being huge. Robert suggested they have IanMcDonald replace him, but the label wanted Fripp and Bill and John weren’t sure they wanted to go that direction. So it ended.
So no, that wasn’t the intent at all.
If you haven’t listened to King Crimson’s Fracture yet, you should. It’s a mind boggling experience.
And once you've done that, "FraKCtured".
Great reaction! Since you enjoy Bruford's drumming so much, you should totally check out his fusion band UK. Same rhythm section as here (Bill Bruford and John Wetton); and instead of Fripp on guitar, you have the legendary Allan Holdsworth, plus keyboardist/violinist Eddie Jobson. Opening track "In the Dead of Night" is the perfect place to start. Cheers mate!
that first UK album does rule. my recommendation: if you are going to do In The Dead Of Night, make sure to do the whole suite of the first three tracks, as it all works as one piece. That is In The Dead Of Night/By The Light Of Day/Presto Vivace And Reprise. A real mind blower
Saw them live, UK 🇬🇧 Rendezvous 6:02. Fricken Jobson, Bozzio a killer drummer in his own right, saw him and his wife with Missing Persons live in Tampa back in the day!
Bruford's three jazz fusion albums from the late 70s and early 80s are fantastic.
Awesome thank you for the recommendations bro! I will definitely check out UK
Yes indeed- check out the album, the band UK. 🤘🏼🎧🤟🏼
I read that Bill left Yes because of the amount of time that would be spent deliberating over each note. When he joined Crimson, Robert told him to just do something new each time, but otherwise left him to it. This is 70s Crimson at their best.
Man that's a culture shock right there probably after departing Yes l o l
Yes! I’ve seen a video interview with Bill where he said in Yes they would spend hours deliberation whether to play a B or a B minor, and that “In King Crimson you were just supposed to know”
@@L33ReactsThere is an inprov live track titled Clueless And Slightly Slack. Sort of like Starless And Bible Black but more fripped out.
That is an appropriate reaction to one of the greatest pieces of music every made.
It is the most insane buildup EVER, man. I'm enjoying it along with you. Tension and release!!! I loved this when I was 15 and now at 66!!
Thanks for doing my recommendation. Loved how you talked about how the song made you feel after being blown away. Heavy song for sure. Next song - Larks' Tongues in Aspic 1 & 2
This song is killer. One of my favorite KC.
Red is a fricken Masterpiece!
Thanks again James! This was incredible! I will tackle larks next.
Care to talk?
Good one
For me, Starless makes the perfect bookend track to 21st Century Schizoid Man. The latter being the first track from the first album, and Starless being the final song of the final album from the 60s/70s era of the band. Both have that progressive rock meets jazz vibe with a crazy almost-careening-off-the-tracks instrumental section made to set pulses pounding. And each song in its way sets the mind thinking about the tragedy of the human condition.
King Crimson. What a band.
Dude I am so glad I discovered them on here. Absolute masterclass in progressive music. Basically helped write the book on prog. They are in absolute control of every last note they play even though it doesn't sound like it sometimes. They build tension like nothing else.
"I can't believe how old this is" made my wife and I laugh. I met my wife in high school and gave her King Crimson's Larks Tongue in Aspic as a gift. We old I guess. You missed a great era in music. So much creativity.
This song is also amazing on Live, where 3 drummers play because why not (one of them being our own gavin harrison), its a must listen my friend. Great reaction as always!
Hey bro!! Great to see you
Thank you as always my friend. I will definitely check it out. If I don't post it on here I will post it on patreon and send you a link for it
This song is immense. It captures what deep depression must be like. Bill Bruford, as you may know, is a renown drummer having also played with Yes and for a short time toured with Genesis (1976) before they found Chester Thompson (Frank Zappa and Weather Report). Worth finding the live concerts with him. Bill also played with Phil in a fusion band called Brand X. (Phil Collins has said he thinks his all-time best work on drums was with Brand X)
You can feel the somber depression like sound permeate this entire track. Its kind of wild.
I can't believe this hasn't gotten blocked. One of the greatest pieces of Prog Rock ever written.
I am pleasently surprised as well. This is one of my new favorite songs :)
“i don’t wanna talk because i don’t wanna miss anything”. this is the reason i love king crimson. there are so many tiny, incredible details that all add together to make the song a masterpiece
Thanks!
Thanks! I just watched this again and shared it on Facebook. It’s really a great reaction and shows your “big ears”
The greatest song ever written.
I know that this comment is late but I just wanted to say “Hey thanks! “ Enjoyed your expressions and comments! I reacted exactly the same way to this song when I first heard it and still sends shivers down my spine! All of Red is wickedly great!
I was wandering around town (16 YO) and happened to see a concert about to start, paid (Ithink) 6 bucks, and went in. King Crimson was the 2nd warm-up band for Humble Pie. I was completely blown away. KC fan for life.
This song is the musical definition of elegant sophistication.
The eeriest, most haunting, sorrowful melody ever...
Starless is my all-time top no.1 favourite song. Thanx for your reaction! ❤
Here's a little fun fact, Jon Anderson, Chris Squire and I think the rest of the original band Yes went to see King Crimson live way way back in the day! Jon was so blown away with their performance he said, and I quote..."we need to practice." KC was a huge influence for the Great prog band YES!!
Bill Bruford was Yes's drummer for their first 5 studio albums, through Close to the Edge
Then looking for a new challenge in 1972 Bill left Yes to join King Crimson.
@@mrtyreus0 Bruford was the drummer for Yes until he quit to join Crimson, Banks Kaye Squire and Anderson along with Bruford formed the band Yes. The original drummer for Crimson was Giles.
@@josephnaja tell me something I don't know... How convenient it is to be able to edit comments these days 🤣
@@mrtyreus0 saw an interview I think it was with Rick Beato when Anderson made that comment. He was talking about back in the day when Yes first formed they saw Crimson in a club in London somewhere and there again he was so blown away by KC he said to the other guys Bruford, Kaye, Banks and Squire, "we need to practice!" Which I think says a lot coming from the lead singer of Yes! Totally unedited, it is a nice feature. I'm 67 years old and I grew up listening to this music.
The recent live versions of this with the 3 drummers is pretty great too. They go nuts in the middle section... and gotta give props to the OG drummer Michael Giles, I feel like he kinda layed the foundation for that kinda ratcheting, falling down the stairs kinda drum fills, and Bill took the baton and ran.
"Cat Food" and "Pictures of A City" are sick early tunes
My fav King Crimson song. The riff is truly mesmerizing, I can listen to it for hours
I would pay so much money to see my first reaction to this song you’re soo lucky
7:55 - Walking down the street somewhere you aren't supposed to be (or at least Adrian wasn't) - that's Thela Hun Ginjeet.
It was a pleasure seeing your reactions to my favorite song of all time! Reminds me of my own reactions every time i listen to it.
Bro I'm so glad you enjoyed it! It's one of my most replayed songs from the channel so far. It's absolutely amazing 🙃
I can tell you really understand music - I'm going to subscribe. Very impressed. Crimson has probably the most diverse sounds of any band I can think of. Nothing is quite like Starless, but you might like Fallen Angel (also on the album Red), In the Court of the Crimson King, Epitaph... and about 50 others. As a drummer, you might like 21st Century Schizoid Man in particular. Talk about tight musicianship. @@L33Reacts
@TheLordofShadow64 my friend, if I may direct you to my patreon, I have a TON of Crimson on there for free. I just upload it there cuz it usually gets blocked on here. I mean a ton of crimson.... Www.patreon.com/L33Reacts
@TheLordofShadow64 I've done 21st century. I'm sure it's on there too. kc is one of new favorite bands that I've discovered on here lol
IMO this is THE BEST track they did - but i'm happy to be shown more LOL
Recently saw Robert Fripp play in a band with his wife Toyah!
He is in his 70's and still plays amazingly and practices for hours everyday
This is Been in my top 10 favorite songs of all time. Since I was a child and I'm 55.
I listen to this song every couple days now. . . It's so just so damn good lol
I’m older
Same, except I am 58.
Thank you for the video man.. I'm 40 years old and heard this for the first time 20 years ago - and it is my #1 favorite song ever since - and I think that it will always be.
I wanted to thank you for what you're doing! I'll try to get with your patreon, guess when I finally get past some of these hurdles. It's refreshing to see a young dude like yourself appreciate the sheer genius of these great bands from back in the day! It's really helping me to forget/escape the bullshit going on in this day and age! Thanks! Progressive Rock Rules, and so does Jazz Fusion! ✌
Thank you so much Joseph comments like these make me feel pride in what I do... and sadly for a lot of my life I was not proud of anything I was doing
So thank you. This makes my hard days feel worth it 👌
If people of my generation are continued to be fed slop for art eventually a lot of them will reach back into the past to discover the real stuff. I'm glad I caught on. 😌
@@L33Reacts Glad you discovered this music 🎶 cause without it, life would be a Mistake!"
@@josephnaja Well spoken, fellow from the past 😊
@@progperljungman8218 Thanks ✌🎶
There used to be a 73 live version of Starless on RUclips. Bruford’s work on that middle section in 13 was phenomenal. ✌️❤️🎶🐶
My all time favorite John Wetton vocal. And one of my top five KC tracks.
For further mind blowing, here is a recent tour version with three drummers:
ruclips.net/video/FhKJgqxNDD8/видео.html&feature=sharec
I caught the show at the Ryman on their last (final?) tour, and Starless was the encore. I'm not ashamed to say I literally shed a tear at the opening notes. I love this song.
Starless a brilliant prog rock classic. Always better live, in whatever arrangement. Personally I always liked the late John Wetton singing this live. He sadly died in 2017 and saw him do some guest spots on Steve Hackett's tour where he sang a brilliant version of Afterglow, one of Genesis's iconic tracks. Such a beautiful haunting melodic hook to this song, and John always done this brilliantly. Love the crazy slow section too, it's as if you are drifting away in a weird dream, with the repetetive guitar, and monotonous bass, it just builds up so much, and works so well, then we have the crazy almost jazz fusion, resolving back to the original hook. True Prog at it's finest. Can see you really got into it. Good stuff.
Great to see the young ones liking this. Saw Wetton with KC very early days Glasgow Scotland. I knew he was something good, but now I REALLY KNOW.
One of the best recordings EVER wore out my first copy it gets better the more you hear it
john wetton’s bass playing ability is very much in display on this track .. and the whole album actually..between John Wetton and Greg Lake they sang and played bass on some of the most incredible prog rock music ever recorded .. RIP John , Greg and Keith 🙏🏻 🫶✌️
i just adore seeing this. I remember when i first heard this song, decades ago, i had a reaction really very similar to yours: laughing in disbelieve. Keep up the good work man. Greetings from Belgium.
This is one of the best reaction videos I've ever seen. It was basically like listening to the song for the first time myself. Well done- I'd imagine you're hooked now!
It is so gratifying to watch a drummer's reaction to this song. I've always described Bruford as playing "Lead Percussion" on this song - there's no other way to describe it.
From the same year (1974) but an album earlier (somewhat confusingly 'Starless & Bible Black' album - my personal favourite) perhaps the King Crimson song 'Fracture' might be of interest to you. It's a creeping rage monster with some of guitarist Robert Fripp's most iconic guitar noodling - and for the drummers, it's got Bill Bruford too😉
The same album's opening track 'The Great Deceiver' is also a banger, but short and to the point.
One thousand percent agree with this recommendation.
Own it, Great Album!
Great reaction! I luv King Crimson. Saw them live in 1972. I believe it was the "Red" album tour.
You nerding out over Bill Bruford is fantastic, I feel like many people don't make it to the end of this song but the payoff is soooo good
Great reaction to a classic prog masterpiece. And yes, that is Mel Collins on sax. He was also in KC Mark II before this band got together. he plays on IN THE WAKE OF POSEIDON (second album), LIZARD (third album) and ISLANDS (fourth album and he toured with that incarnation, as he has been with the most recent version, the 7 piece with 3 drummers up front on stage).
The touring and basic band on this album which features “Starless”, was a trio of Robert Fripp on guitar and Mellotron, John Wetton on bass and vocals and of course, the great Bill Bruford on drums and percussion. Right before this, they were a quartet with David Cross on electric violin and Mellotron. The first album of that and lineup, LARK’S TONGUE IN ASPIC, also featured Jamie Muir on percussion, who left quite an impression and mark on Bruford and the rest of the band. The box set of that album featured not only lots of outtakes and alternate takes and in-studio improvisation, but as many of the few live gigs which Muir played on that they could still salvage.
And Bruford didn’t leave Yes *because* of CLOSE TO THE EDGE, or because of how complex it was, but rather he felt that was as far he could go with that type of music. That it was too formal for him. It was too constricting and he felt that Jon Anderson was too dictatorial. He wanted to stretch more and get more into improvisation and really “progress” in progressive music.
As far as where to go with King Crimson, if you haven’t yet, start with their first album, IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING, with another legendary prog drummer, Michael Giles.
Probably one of my favorite King Crimson albums, RED. I like them all, Starless and Bible Black, Court of the Crimson King! I fricken love KC, you want to hear some sick drumming listen to the title track, RED! Ian McDonald played all of the flute, horns, backup vocals, he started Foreigner. One of my all-time favorite KC songs with Ian playing a beautiful flute piece is I Talk To The Wind, check it out, it's the video with John Wetton, Ian McDonald playing flute, and again if you haven't heard the song Red you'll be absolutely blown away by Bruford. ✌
Great reaction! Right on with your comments after the song! Bruford is a fricken animal man!!
Music for my soul. Hard to put into words. Astounding, even after listening to it for 40 years
After hearing Starless the world will never be the same. Good luck on your journey!
I’ve seen Crimson live… they don’t make anything up on the spot. Pure genius.
They don't improvise?
I’ve seen KC 4xs once in the 70s and 3 xs in the last 6 years. They had 3 drummers. Really incredible
I love this reaction, haha. The stank face during the build-up is exactly how I feel about it. So tense and heavy, keeps you on the edge of your seat.
seeing them gig in real life helped me psychologically.
Bruford, Copeland, Collins (+Thompson) - my top three drummers.
I've been waiting for you to tackle this one, it's a true classic! (Also it's the opening track used in the film "Mandy" with nicholas cage)
Oh no shit I've seen that movie too so that must be it lol. I was truly encapsulated by it for the entire runtime. That takes true talent.
One of the most "perfect" songs of Progressive Rock!! When I heard it over 30 years ago I didn't instantly appreciate it, and over time it became my N.1 King Crimson song!! ❤❤ Bill Bruford he was the first drummer who had "Yes" and then moved on to King Crimson!!
This is a heavy one! You can hear the despair and sadness in each droning note. It's wonderful haha
Starless It's an awesome song!! My opinion as Rocker and Metal of a little more than 4 Decades ago, is that Progressive Rock is Classical Music that was born in the twentieth century, the Artists of this Genre are too Virtuous, obviously leaving aside bands like: The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Queen, The Doors, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, The Who, and a very Long etc... which are pillars del Rock in general
Used recently in the opening of the film Mandy. Slow clap. 👏
👏 👏 👏
Yes, this is incredible. Thank you. One of my top groups. Fripp, Tom Waits, Аукцыон (Auction), Kolibri (Hummingbirds, last two are Russian), Queen, especially Black and White (Queen II). Pink Floyd too. Atomic Heart.
There are a lot of greats, in any style or age. I admire Beethoven, Grieg, Shostakovich and many others in classics, older blues, other national styles, like Astor Pyazzola and so on and on. Zappa is a too much of an inkborn sometimes, brilliant, but not this much breathtaking. Others did greatest things too, but never this widespread through styles and being so refined, distilled this way at the same time. Pure feeling in the musical form, from start till the last sound. Maybe, no uneven word in the lyrics, too, but this was about the emotions in the music, in the first hand.
I've listened to this a million times. Even taught the baseline to one of my students and I still hold my breath every time.
This song fills me with extra feels. Last song on the last album of this configuration of King Crimson. Back then in 1974 we thought they'd never exist again. We were heartbroken.
And it was eight long years before Fripp and Bruford reformed King Crimson with Adrian Belew and Tony Levin. Check out the album "Discipline" if you haven't.
Blessings.
Hey there Mr. Lee ~~~
Tonight was the first time I samples your channel. Very enjoyable, your reactions are so for-real that I watched 3 of them--
Gentle Giant, UK and King Crimson. Thanks for posting !!
It's great to see you getting into this stuff the same way we did back in the day. It really is awesome stuff. Yes Bruford is a monster. My favorite song on this album is actually Fallen Angel so hoping you do that sometime.
Hey Kevin! Glad you enjoyed it. This is one of my favorite tracks I've ever found on the channel. It's just perfect in every way.
Listening to the masterpiece Starless always makes me fall down in to pieces on the floor!!!
Phil Collins and Bill Bruford are two of my favorite drummers.
Don't forget B.J. Wilson, the "octopus in a bathtub"!
Saw them do this live very early KC . Unreal. Changed me. I was 17.
Masterclass somberness! And the beauty of it! ❤❤❤
That's an apt description my friend. Somber yet beautiful. What a crazy ride.
Oh and KC was a huge influence for Yes! I bought the album Red the year it was released and still have my copy, played the shit out of it.
Damn man. Just found you & this KC reaction that’s been up 3 days. “So subdued and mellow” Mellow like a Mellotron muthafucka! Glad this joint is still up and I’m here to experience one of my favorite KC compositions with you, my man!🤘🏼🎧🤟🏼
Glad to have you aboard my friend! You are lucky Cuz it already got taken down once already lol. This is hands down my favorite song of theirs so far I love it
Bill's drumming on "One More Red Nightmare" is spectacular!
But "Starless" is so poignant because this was their last song and then they played before they broke up (for this, the very best iteration of King Crimson - Robert Fripp, Bill Bruford, John Wetton, with David Cross on Violin, Cello and Mellotron, and Mel Collins on Sax).
Try:
"The Great Deceiver" from the album Starless and Bible Black
"Lament" from the album Starless and Bible Black
"Fracture" from the album Starless and Bible Black
"One More Red Nightmare" from the album Red
"Easy Money" from the album Larks Tongues in Aspic
"Asbury Park" from the album Live in USA
"Indiscipline" from the album Discipline.
David Cross does not play the cello.
@@atlasking6110 Correct! Violin, Viola and Mellotron.
Listen to the entire RED album!!! In my opinion this is hands down the best that Fripp, Bruford, & Wetton recorded, a true MASTERPIECE!!!
John Wetton was so stoked to be in this band, and that line up only lasted three albums, what a shame.
You definitely need more King Crimson, the whole "Red" album is masterful, "In the Court of the Crimson King", "Lark's Tongues in Aspic", "Starless and Bible Black" and "Discipline" are all works of a rare kind of genius. Also, the live "U.S.A." shows them doing this stuff on stage in front of a gobsmacked audience who literally cannot beleive their ears.
One more red nightmare is my fav drum piece by bruford. Starless and the entire album is a masterpiece! Check out the album Discipline! Fripp Levin Bruford and the amazing Adrian Belew
One of my favorites!
Look for some interviews with Bruford. He's obviously a very intelligent fella who was always looking to explore and improve. He must've bored easily because he didn't like to repeat himself a lot. He'd seemlessly put things in, take things out.... He'd be in a pocket and take out a snare hit then insert one where you didn't expect it. He'd do the same with the kick. But it was so subtle that unless you had an ear on the drums you wouldn't notice it. His creativity kept the songs interesting even though most people had no idea what the mad professor was doing back there on the drums. In retrospect, his leap from yes to king crimson was the exact right decision.
Dude, you are into some damn fine amazing music here!
You are absolutely correct bro. I owe it all to you guys, yall put me on to this amazing art.
Мне безумно нравится эта песня.Я впервые ее услышал в 85 году и через 30 лет я ее нашел.Я возьму эту песню с собой в небеса
Glad you're back with probably the greatest Progressive Rock Band to ever exist on the Planet Earth 🌎 Don't get me wrong, love Gentle Giant, I own some of their stuff, but this band were the pioneers of Prog, hands down! We used to pick shrooms on the east coast back in the day and either plug in Red by KC, or Brain Salad Surgery by ELP, another great prog band, saw most of the great progressive rock bands back in the day! 🌴🌴
Yes Robert Fripp was the first prog genius
I love his work with Bryan Ferry! AKA Roxy Music!
Masterful musicianship in an incredible era for modern music. Bruford OMG.
Bill didn't leave Yes because it was too complicated. He left because he thought was the most he could achieve with Yes. Also, there was more freedom in Crimson to improvise whereas Yes was just play the song like on the album. I'm glad that KC songs are no longer being blocked. KC is a deep well of awesomeness. Larks' Tongue in Aspic parts 1 & 2, Level Five, Frame by Frame, One More Red Nightmare.
I have so many tracks left to tackle of KC. I CANT WAIT lol. And yeah it's hit or miss now they either leave it up or take it down. Your agitator, sir.
He actually left Yes after Close to the Edge. Because he felt He contributed all he could contribute to that band and there's nothing better that would ever come out of that band... and he was kinda right.
Great reaction! Like the other guy has said here, I recommend you to listen to Larks Tongues' in Aspic 1 & 2
The opning with the mellotron and the singing (by bassist John Wetton) is used in the opening credits of the horror-revenge film starring Nicolas Cage, Mandy.
The middle section sounds so ominous and the irregular drum is so awesome.
The end section is absolutely insane and sounds like a mix of metal and jazz-fusion before it ends majestically with the mellotron coming back.
A masterpiece.
‘The Night Watch’ is another brilliant track,and the whole USA album(with extra track of Starless) are well worth checking out; you probably already know that most of the Starless and Bible Black album was built around live improvisation, especially Fracture and the title track. All of the Larks Tongues in Aspic album is a wild ride.🎉👍 The USA live album Is finally on RUclips, be sure to check out the live opener, “larks tongues in aspic part two”. outstanding.
Bill in his prime had such sweet chops...Saw him a bunch of times with Crimso At Berkeley, early 80's, 78 with U.K for free here in philly, Bruford's Earthworks TLA on South Street...Drummer as well, I was practicing to this album late 70's...Starless and Bible Black is another great album to play to...Bruford taught me about the Off Beat... The guy Bill Replaced in Crimso; Mike Giles...Eats Bill's lunch... check him out on Court of the Crimson Kill...Giles is a Beast...Crimso always had great musicians. Glad you liked it...
Bruford did not replace Mike Giles. Giles was replaced by Andrew McCollough on their third album, "Lizard." Then it was Ian Wallace on "Islands." THEN it was Bruford after that. For my money, Ian Wallace was the best Crimson drummer of them all. He had subtlety, imagination and creativity.
@@lashedbutnotleashed1984 Sorry if it seemed like a direct replacement...I'm just saying Bruford is their go to on most of their albums...Thanks for supplying the additional info...
I agree dude he was absolutely nuts. I can't believe I've missed out this long on this straight legend!
As a Long time KC Fan, IMO, this is their Greatest Album and Every song is Beyond Great!
Haunting. They are even better live.
Yes, BB > AW (As for Art Rock / Prog - 1968 thru 1979 were quite prolific for the creation of amazing music!) The rest of RED is pretty amazing too! BTW - Saw them in 84 - they opened with "RED" - good times! : )
Loved watching this. Its a mind blowing tine good to see someone react like i did.
This brings a smile to my face 😆 Can YOU be that drummer?
I love them all to this day from being 17 years old,