IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING

Although I'm fairly sure this album has recieved it's fair share of reviews and is already considered one of and if not THE greatest prog album ever to be released, but I feel I need to voice my own opinion on why this album and how it could have achieved such a state.

Robert Fripp had been playing along with friends Pete and Mike Giles for a while in the band called Giles, Giles & Fripp. Without Pete Giles on this new collaboration Robert Fripp took control with Pete Sinfield (song writer/lyracist) and created this album "In the Court of the Crimson King". With new guy Greg Lake at vocals and bass, Ian McDonald on woodwind mainly, but also keyboards, mellotrons, etc. who had previously played along with GG&F, and we got Michael Giles on drums. The band chemistry seemed to work flawlessly and it's sad that this would be the only album they all released together.

They start of the album with a strong hard jazz fusion track labeled "21st Century Schizoid Man" perhaps the biggest buidling block song on what prog would become eventually over the years. This was there most popular song of the album and it no doubt deserved it the musician ship on this song is excellent and the vocals flowed well along with Sinfield's lyrics.

Next we have "I Talk to the Wind" a song which had been previously recorded with GG&F, but was abit more poppy and was acoustic guitar oriented and focused less on McDonalds flute. This version was much better and alot prettier sounding too, Lake did an excellent job not over-taking the soft sound yet not sounding to soft himself, very large change from Schizoid Man, but it still works well here.

Sinfield's masterpiece comes next with "Epitaph" this is my personal favorite lyrical work that he has ever written. So strong and emotional the words and Greg Lake couldn't have done much better, the song is directed as well, but the instrumentation isn't exactly there best, but the dark tone that is set fits well with the lyrics which are the main focus on this song in my opinion at least.

The next song "Moonchild" starts off with beautiful harmonics covered over by Greg Lake I believe singing in his falsetto, and turns into after the last words sung turns into an improv which at first listen sounds completely random, but what people don't know is that Sinfield would shine a light representing an emotion on each member of the band and the member would try to reflect that emotion with there instrument, quite an interesting concept, but isn't the greatest sound to the ears, but still a fun piece.

Last they finish with the title track "In the Court of the Crimson King" which has Fripp's classical guitar sound flowing throughout and a choir-esque chorus full of aw's. It's matched into pieces like every grand prog epic should and sets the bar for what they could be. Overall one of the most balanced songs on the album full of good lyrics, singing, and instrumentation and gets a little bit louder then the previous three songs, but no where near as hard as the first.

I'm not sure what would have happened if this album never existed, but I am sure they would be different. Prog was still have came to be, but this is what coined turn and has earned every part of the way to become what we claim the greatest prog album of all time. Whether you love or not there is no denying it's greatness. I'm fairly sure everyone can find something they like in this due to it's variety and depth. Happy progging!