This archival live recording of King Crimson has enchanced CD-ROM features and comes with a 20-page booklet.
Recorded live at the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam on November 23, 1973. Includes liner notes by Robert Fripp, David Cross & David Singleton.
Digitally remastered by Robert Fripp & David Singleton (July 1997).
In the '90s, much to fans' delight, Robert Fripp began overseeing the release of archival King Crimson concert recordings. The 1973 Amsterdam performance that makes up THE NIGHTWATCH was previously tapped for a 26-minute segment of STARLESS AND BIBLE BLACK, but this two-disc set includes the concert in its entirety. The 1973 Fripp/Bruford/Wetton/Cross version of Crimson is widely regarded as the most creative and was undeniably the most adventurous. As seen here, the band ventures far afield on their lengthy improvisations, interacting with a seeming telepathy.
NIGHTWATCH includes both ominous, angular instrumentals like "Fracture" over which Fripp, Cross and company work their improvisational magic, and soaring, melodic ballads such as "Lament" and "Exiles," where Wetton's smoky baritone carries the emotional load. The band even leaps back to their debut on a bone-crunching "21st Century Schizoid Man." THE NIGHTWATCH offers a unique chance to hear vintage Crimson's instrumental might flow, unfettered by studio constraints. Fripp's extensive intellectual-but-humorous liner notes are a particular joy for KC fans.
King Crimson: John Wetton (vocals, bass); Robert Fripp (guitar, Mellotron); David Cross (violin, viola, Mellotron); Bill Bruford (drums).
Personnel: John Wetton (vocals, bass guitar); Robert Fripp (guitar, Mellotron); David Cross (violin, viola, Mellotron); Bill Bruford (drums).
Audio Mixers: David Singleton; Robert Fripp.
Recording information: Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (11/23/1973).
Crimson live for Crimson fans! The best King Crimson live I`ve ever heard! This record contains material from the early seventies, with the ultimate Crimson band :Fripp, Bruford, Wetton, Cross. A must for Crimson fans. Submitted by joedega2 (Norway) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Excellent Show By The 1973 Crimson Line-up Until recently, the only crimson tune I was familiar with was "21st century schizoid man". I got their 1st album and liked it. I'm a big Bruford era Yes fan, and had heard some of wetton with Asia as well as Fripps guitar work on the 1st album and 2 David Bowie Albums. I did'nt know what to expect with this one, but I heard they were great live, so I skipped the studio work by this line up and went straight to this live release. Glad I did, I love this concert... the musicianship is amazing, the songs are good, and there are also some interesting improvisational pieces...It is also well recorded. This concert might not be everyone's cup of tea, as some of it is experimentally out there..some of this stuff reminds me a little of 1972-1973 era grateful dead improvs (of the spacey variety). Other tunes are heavy rock but in a totally different vein, kinda like some of Black Sabbath's 1st two albums, but not exactly. There is also some ballad like tunes, but even these are different from the Moody Blues type ones found on "In the Court". To summarize, I think Robert Fripp is a musical genius..Bruford and Wetton provide an incredible, ever shifting rythym section, and Cross' violin sounds closer to an electric guitar, he even uses a wah wah pedal sometimes. After hearing this I ordered another show by this line-up (USA). This band was in a self created class...this is considerd to be one of their finer concerts and therefore is one Crimson fans, and Crim curious should get...a real ear opener. Review by Chris Henrici Submitted by a reviewer (washington DC) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
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