POLL: Pick the next King Crimson EPL
Added 2024-09-13 16:38:15 +0000 UTCOK, y'all! With my recent interview with Tony Levin and the BEAT tour just starting up, I figured that it is again time for a King Crimson Extended Play Lounge Episode. Currently, Islands is the only KC album on the master list, but I've also paired it with Beat and Three of a Perfect Pair (both of which have music that is featured on the BEAT tour.) I've also included In the Wake of Poseidon as an early album from KC that I've not yet heard.
I've previously reacted to 5 King Crimson albums:
In the Court of the Crimson King
Red
Discipline
Larks' Tongues in Aspic
Starless and Bible Black
Pick your preferred album for this episode! Happy Voting!
Comments
I agree. And how will he know if he doesn't sample just a little of it? I think Doug is extremely bright and talented. He likes Allmans and Zappa. I just can't figure why he won't play Little Feat. 😞
Greg in east TN
2024-09-16 03:40:07 +0000 UTCHi George, I am personally not bothered by having a limited number of bands reviewed/studied/enjoyed. Creating interesting music that "touches a nerve" (not just figuratively, but literally, as our nervous system reacts to different sequences of tones; Doug, for example, finds some of the minimalist music uninteresting). There are some obscure bands who might strike a chord with certain audiences, but their obscurity might be for that reason alone (not because they are being ignored for financial reasons). The same is true for literature, poetry, etc: most of what people write about today (especially in today's blog universe where no editors are giving these writings a second-eye before posting) will be forgotten, mainly because of the narcissistic flavor that comes out.
Allen
2024-09-16 01:28:10 +0000 UTCI look forward to any and all of these in the future. I voted for Islands because it's the more overlooked album in their discography. It's a bit fragmented. Boz is an okay singer. And there are songs I usually skip. But I think Doug would enjoy "Song of the Gulls" and "Islands".
Potted Rodent
2024-09-15 12:02:04 +0000 UTCI truly believe it will appeal to your composer side. I think of it as their “chamber music” album.
Scot Poland
2024-09-15 03:07:18 +0000 UTCThanks for your patience! I'll get to it before too long.
R. Douglas Helvering
2024-09-15 02:55:58 +0000 UTCI've been thinking of how to fit that side in...especially since I'd normally do something like that on YouTube. Maybe this is the best time to include it.
R. Douglas Helvering
2024-09-15 02:54:27 +0000 UTCLooking in on various reviewer/reactor sites, I often feel I am pushing on locked doors behind which the same old acts are rolled out over and over. Sadly, viewing figures and subscriber number demands seem to outweigh a sustained exploration of the music of artists whose gift struck a minor chord at the time, transformed fewer lives as it were… 🫤 Even King Crimson, with its discrete phases, suffers under the weight of a popular vote.
George Davis-Stewart
2024-09-14 20:53:53 +0000 UTCGood idea ! Especially if ITWOP wins (as seems likely) to see how it links In the Court with Lizard - I remember Doug being surprised about how different Lizard was from the first album.
rogerb
2024-09-14 19:29:41 +0000 UTCThat is in the current Discord request submissions, feel free to upvote it !
rogerb
2024-09-14 19:26:41 +0000 UTCLook at what the idea of socialism has done to today's music....just a thought!
Rebecca Walsh
2024-09-14 14:54:40 +0000 UTCI've been listening to Islands a lot this week. It's honestly a bit weaker than other Crimson efforts, redeemed by the title track which is sublime. Gotta go with Poseidon this time.
Jojojojo
2024-09-14 09:41:18 +0000 UTCYou might look at Rick Beato. . .
Allen
2024-09-14 04:40:28 +0000 UTCWill you throw in Side 1 of Lizard if Poseidon or Islands win?
Ray Sincere
2024-09-14 04:39:30 +0000 UTCYeah, I've done that. I guess I just don't fit in.
Greg in east TN
2024-09-14 03:54:24 +0000 UTCThis exactly.
Jesstifer
2024-09-14 02:46:19 +0000 UTCYou can recommend bands by signing up for his Discord page. In his shorter episodes, he looks at classical, fusion-jazz, pop, soft-rock, metal, etc. because he is a music lover. However, I don't think Doug would have the audience he has today if he ventured too far in these Extended Play Lounge episodes. It's all about knowing your audience (that's how capitalism works). There seems to be all kinds of channels out there to represent the varieties of music styles; you might consider checking those out.
Allen
2024-09-14 00:58:27 +0000 UTCI guess Lake had only time for vocals. (Peter does nice bass work.) 'Pictures in the City' was often performed on the first tour, if I recall, so I assumed (wrongly) Lake played bass on that. The title track features Lake on vocals and reminiscent of 'Epitaph' much like the aforementioned is similar to '21st Century Schizoid Man'. Gordon Haskell was a singer-song writer who had a couple of solo albums around that time, with various familiar names: John Wetton (bass), Dave Kaffinetti, aka Viv Savage (keyboards) from Rare Bird, Alan Barry (Fields), and others. As for Ian MacDonald's absence, his spirit and influence is all over this album, imo, whether it be Mellotron layers, woodwinds, quirky transitions, and strong diatonic harmony featured on some songs and blues featured on others. These are all MacDonald's ideas on the first album, not Fripp's, but Fripp essentially used the same template.
Guitar Channel
2024-09-14 00:24:24 +0000 UTCI vote for Islands. But if Wake wins, make sure you include the non-album track Groon. It’s essentially a Giles, Giles & Fripp track, but post-KC 1969 and is probably the most forward-looking piece from the sessions.
Randy Hammill
2024-09-13 23:22:05 +0000 UTCIt’s not quite the same lineup. Lake only sings, Peter Giles is on bass. This is important because of Peter’s jazzier approach, especially on the non-album track Groon. Ian McDonald doesn’t appear at all, and Mel Collins is on sax and flutes. The bigger change due to Ian not being there is Keith Tippett on keys. Cat Food in particular is a departure from the prior album. Cadence and Cascade is sung by Gordon Haskell, although there is an early take with Greg Lake singing that is definitely worth a listen.
Randy Hammill
2024-09-13 23:20:23 +0000 UTCYou do too many of some bands and zero of other bands. Consider spreading the love!
Greg in east TN
2024-09-13 23:13:32 +0000 UTCI went for Beat, which is a slight fall-off from Discipline, but not as much of a fall off to my ears as Wake was to ITCOTCK, and TOAPP is a significant fall off from Beat (although I do love the title track which Doug has covered already). Islands has it's moments, and is tempting simply because it doesn't belong in an album sequence, as I think the others do. However, it's never really grabbed me, so of the others, Beat is the strongest relative to the first (and usually stand out) of the album sequences.
Adie
2024-09-13 22:15:52 +0000 UTCI preferred the lineup and songs in the first 2 albums
Fred Westfall
2024-09-13 22:01:16 +0000 UTCI like 'Wake' a lot but...one thing that's amusing is that nearly every track on it clearly echoes the track of corresponding position on 'Court'...
Jeff Norman
2024-09-13 21:43:41 +0000 UTCI think the last track on in "The Wake" (Devil's Triangle?) borrows from Holst's "Mars" (so it would be fresh in your mind). Also, the album cover would be worth contemplating (he's using Jungian archetypes). Doug, I'd love to see more album-cover analysis (connected with the lyrics), as you do a great job of bringing out meanings and concepts I'd never considered (especially since album covers seemed important to these late '60s/early '70s bands).
Allen
2024-09-13 20:56:43 +0000 UTCStill hoping for Islands. As time goes by it sits more and more consistently among my top 3 KC albums.
Scot Poland
2024-09-13 20:55:27 +0000 UTCIts Peter Giles on bass; also Gordon Haskell does some of the vocals - Greg moved to ELP before Wake was finished. Also Keith Tippett and Mel Collins link this to the next album, Lizard.
rogerb
2024-09-13 19:57:38 +0000 UTCA must see! Steve Vai's take on Robert's sections are brilliant. Vai shreds and makes it work in his own style. Levin and Adrian deliver solid performances. The band needs more time playing together playing in front of a live audience. This was only night 1. Be warned that this is NOT Fripps's King Crimson, but the high caliber musicians delivered the goods. So good.
Sid Levy
2024-09-13 19:54:10 +0000 UTCI like them both equally , Haskell's version is very intimate and gentle while Greg's version elegant and romantic.
Hetfield Ninno Davide
2024-09-13 19:35:24 +0000 UTCDoug's take on the 'Lizard' suite was incredible. I was hearing it anew! Happens a lot to me here.
Tom (the soggy one)
2024-09-13 19:21:03 +0000 UTCDo you mean the alternate CandC from "Young Person's Guide"? I find that version much better than what went on the original album.
Tom (the soggy one)
2024-09-13 19:18:35 +0000 UTCYou're not wrong. "Islands" is still my favorite non-Red KC (it's as delicate as Red is not), but Wake Of Poseidon is still excellent and evolutionary for KC.
Tom (the soggy one)
2024-09-13 19:16:55 +0000 UTCHow was the show?
R. Douglas Helvering
2024-09-13 19:09:27 +0000 UTCThe 70s KC is fine but I'm an 80s kid. Last night's performance of BEAT in San Jose reminded me what I love about the album BEAT and the trilogy.
Sid Levy
2024-09-13 18:46:48 +0000 UTC'Wake' is often overlooked, but it rivals the 1st album. Indeed, it's the same lineup and Lake's vocals and bass are incredible. This era is also historically significant as we hear psychedelic transforming into progressive. It's this blend that many music aficionado actually enjoy the most.
Guitar Channel
2024-09-13 18:37:27 +0000 UTCTough choice between "In the Wake" and "Islands" for me , the second is probably the most musically interesting and sophisticated but "In the Wake" deserves attention nonetheless. A little side note : If ever "In The Wake" wins the poll (very likely to happen) make sure to listen to "Cadence and Cascade" with Lake on vocals as an extra track , you'll very much enjoy it.
Hetfield Ninno Davide
2024-09-13 18:27:50 +0000 UTCAh! I guess that makes it tricky! My third favourite KC album!
Trevor Cotterell
2024-09-13 17:52:46 +0000 UTCI voted for Beat after just seeing the first BEAT (band) show in San Jose last night which was excellent (and included most of the 80s songs), and since it came next after DISCIPLINE (which is my favorite and you already listened to). My second favorite KC album is actually THRAK (1995) which was not an option in this poll.
BRIAN MILLER
2024-09-13 17:29:28 +0000 UTCI’ve done half the album. Maybe next time.
R. Douglas Helvering
2024-09-13 17:26:02 +0000 UTCThe evolution of KC is neither perfect nor predictable, so my notion of ‘favourite’ changes its criteria as I move through the catalogue. I am choosing Islands from this grouping for its use of instrumentation, genres and melody with little regard for our expectations. Those elements, and the frisson I still get from a particular track.
George Davis-Stewart
2024-09-13 17:24:58 +0000 UTCI don't think TOAPP would work well as an EPL - too many experimental tracks. Better to choose a couple of "more musical" songs and leave the rest IMO.
Mats Lange
2024-09-13 17:24:53 +0000 UTCI voted for Islands. In my opinion is Beat a lesser Discipline, Three of a Perfect Pair a lesser Beat and In The Wake of Poseidon a weaker In The Court of The Crimson King. Having said that: all albums have highlights and are worth listening to.
Frits van Voorst
2024-09-13 17:23:12 +0000 UTCI'm voting for Beat, that album has a clear vision and shape, it's one of the most solid KC albums. And I like it for that a lot. In The Wake of Poseidon is great, but it's a bit of a try to stick to debut's formula. Islands is one of the weaker albums despite having several great tracks. And Three of a Perfect Pair is a lesser companion of Beat, I think.
Einaras Sipavičius
2024-09-13 16:47:39 +0000 UTCEasy decision and maybe the first time I'm on the winning side! But why no Lizard on there?
Trevor Cotterell
2024-09-13 16:47:23 +0000 UTC
