THE YOUNG PERSONS GUIDE TO KING CRIMSON

Every other review is dead-on about this compilation. There is no doubt that these are all classic songs presented in good succession. However there are two reasons every King Crimson fan needs to get this, preferably on vinyl. The first reason to get it is the amazing booklet inside, which has a wealth of information on King Crimson from its earliest performance to the close of the Mark V lineup. The interviews and magazine reviews of King Crimson's albums and shows are priceless, and borderline hilarious at times (like when a Boston newspaper mistakenly calls John Wetton "Rick Laird").

The second reason to get this outstanding compilation is so you can hear the early version of "I Talk to the Wind" sung by Judy Dyble previously of Fairport Convention, and Ian McDonald's then girlfriend as well (!!!) This version of the song is more up-tempo, with different, female vocals, and more reedy, with less flute. The backwards echo on the vocals makes it even more psychedelic than the original version. There is no other King Crimson album or compilation with this version of "I Talk to the Wind" on it (though you can get it on the Giles, Giles and Fripp compilation "The Brondesbury Tapes", along with another, Peter Giles-sung version).

A great compilation, especially for someone just getting into King Crimson (though I still believe the best way to get into them is to start from the beginning, like I did).

I do not give this 5 stars because it is not a proper studio album; while a stunning majority of the original albums these songs appear on deserve 5 stars, this is only a compilation. Every King Crimson fan, new to the band or seasoned veteran, needs this record.