In this second edition of Vinyl Frontiers, I'm listening to King Crimson's In The Court Of The Crimson King (An Observation By King Crimson). Originally released in 1969, this is a 1970 ILPS 9111 edition in mint condition that was printed in England.
This was very definitely my mum's LP, hippie flower child that she was, but she can't remember when she bought it. While she remembers buying a copy with my uncle in her late teens, that was stolen along with the rest of my uncle's record collection. This copy was either bought in England in the late 70s (given the edition, I think this is most likely) or South Africa again in the early 80s.
Strangely enough, I didn't really like this album as a child, being somewhat terrified by the man on the cover and it wasn't until my early 20s that I realised how much I loved the music. Turns out my mum had managed to play it enough, scary cover withstanding, for it to become one of my favourites.
I can't help thinking what it must have been like to hear King Crimson for the first time in the early 70s. I think I take it for granted, having known it all my life but this album is absolute mastery. It's decidedly not radio-friendly with the shortest track rolling in at 5.40, so I have this romantic notion of my mum and uncle listening to it at psychedelic, smoke-filled parties.
It's difficult to describe this album. It's classed as progressive rock but with tangents and rabbit holes that would make Lewis Carroll proud, I think psychedelic rock is far more accurate. What it is, is beautiful, surreal poetry set to experimental music and I'm very glad to have a gatefold edition of the LP complete with lyrics.
The rusted chains of prison moons
Are shattered by the sun
I walk a road, horizons change
The tournament's begun
In The Court Of The Crimson King makes me nostalgic for the days when albums were made to be listened to as a whole. It is one of those LPs that I'll just keep turning over and listening to on repeat. From the explosive and eerily prescient "21st Century Schizoid Man" to the devastating "Epitaph" to the epic and brilliant "The Court of the Crimson King", this is a superior, groundbreaking album. I realise now that this is why I decided to listen to my entire vinyl collection again, for listening experience like this.
Needless to say, this album is a keeper and I'd definitely recommend getting it on vinyl.
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