KING CRIMSON RED LP UK ORIG RARE PROG ISLAND FRIPP

	£		115
	$		152

Item :

KING CRIMSON ~ RED LP

Original 1974 U.K. first issue pressing released on the pink rim Island label ILPS 9308.

Description :

Rare and hard to find prog classic.

David Cross left King Crimson in 1974, reducing the group to the trio of Robert Fripp, John Wetton and Bill Bruford. The trio recorded Red with the help of Cross and former band-members Ian McDonald and Mel Collins. Fripp disbanded King Crimson on 24 September 1974, and the album was released later that year with no accompanying tour.

While musically similar to its predecessor Starless and Bible Black, Red was produced very differently from previous King Crimson albums. For instance, while the acoustic guitar features prominently in previous releases, on Red it is heard only for a few bars in "Fallen Angel". Also, unlike previous King Crimson albums, Red features extensive use of guitar overdubs. Later albums lacked acoustic guitar entirely and reverted to a minimum of overdubs, though by that point the band featured multiple guitarists playing simultaneously.

The album opens with the title track, a driving, hard rock instrumental. It features multiple time signatures including 5/8, 7/8 and 4/4. It also features a cello section.

The fourth track on the album, "Providence", was recorded live at Palace Theatre, Providence, USA, on 30 June 1974, and is the album's only live recording. Charles Snider refers to the album as a "swan song", and notes that "'Providence' packs just about everything improv-related from the last two albums into its eight short minutes." A longer, unedited version of the track is available on the live four-CD set The Great Deceiver.

The lyrics and melody for "Starless" were written by John Wetton. He originally intended the song to be the title track of the group's previous album Starless and Bible Black. Fripp and Bruford initially disliked the song and declined to record it for that album. Instead the group chose an instrumental composition as the title track for the Starless and Bible Black album. However, "Starless" was later revived, its lyrics altered and a long instrumental section (based on a bass riff contributed by Bruford) added to it, and performed live between March-June 1974. For the Red recording sessions, the lyrics were again altered (with contributions by Richard Palmer-James). The haunting introductory theme, originally contributed and played by David Cross, was taken over by the guitar, with Fripp making minor alterations to the melody. As the title "Starless and Bible Black" had already been used, the original title was shortened to "Starless".

The record spent only one week on the British charts, at #45, whereas all the band's previous studio albums had reached the Top 30. In the United States, it reached #66 on the Billboard 200.

However, it remained a popular album with fans and critics. In 2001 Q magazine named Red as one of the "50 Heaviest Albums of All Time," and Kurt Cobain has cited the album as a major influence. Musicologists Eric Tamm and Edward Macan both consider Red, and particularly the track "Starless", to be the highlight of King Crimson's recorded output.

Condition ~ Vinyl :

The vinyl is in stunning virtually pristine NEAR MINT condition.

Lovely copy that plays superbly throughout !!!

Condition ~ Sleeve :

The laminated sleeve is in NEAR MINT condition. No writing, splits or tears.

Condition ~ Labels :

Both labels are nice and clean showing only very light spindle wear.

Condition ~ Inner Sleeve :

Comes complete with the original light blue Island inner sleeve which is in near perfect shape. No splits.

Miscellaneous :

No reserve and low starting price so start bidding !!!

PAYMENT

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SHIPPING

Great care is taken when packing your item. Each record is placed inside a 400 gram polythene sleeve for added protection and packed using a strong card mailer with appropriate stiffeners. I want to make sure that it arrives in perfect condition.

United Kingdom ~ Royal Mail 1st Class Standard : £3.00

Europe ~ International Air Mail Rate : £4.00

U.S.A. / Americas ~ International Air Mail Rate : £6.00 

Rest Of The World ~ International Air Mail Rate : £8.00 

For Multiple Purchases I Will Give A Shipping Quote When All Auctions Are Ended. Recorded / Signed For Delivery Available On Request.

ABOUT ME

I have been trading in new and used vinyl for over twenty five years beginning in the early eighties with record fairs all over the United Kingdom, Europe, Canada and the States. Since 1995 I have been the proprietor of Rooster Records which is a retail store currently located in Exeter, Devon in the south-west of England. We sell all kinds of vinyl, CDs and DVDs. I have always treated customers honestly and fairly and like to think that I get it right when grading a record. What you see is what you get !

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