THE COLLECTABLE KING CRIMSON - VOL. 1 (LIVE IN MAINZ, 1974 + LIVE IN ASBURY PARK, 1974)

What makes us go back and listen to KC time and time again? This Live double set from 1974 is a good example why. It highlights the brilliance of the four musicians on stage. No more, no less, just four guys doing what they do best.

According to the CD booklet, the first CD (Mainz) is a Stereo soundboard recording. Like many of us that appreciate prog, I am a 'bit of an audiophile, and I don't have an issue with the sound. It is unpolished, but to my ears, it gives an additional appeal. More less what you may have heard if you were present at the time. I like the 2 channel separation, it is little more extreme than a more produced recording would sound, I think it sounds great. The second CD has been much talked about. It is the bulk of the "USA" release from 1975, but this time uncut without the Eddie Jobson overdubs, and it represents the entire set from that evening. The sound for the second CD has been drawn from the original multi track analogue tapes, and the sound quality is near flawless.

One other enjoyable thing about this release are the liner notes by John Wetton, who recounts the events leading- up to the show in Mainz, as well as Sid Smith (author of the unauthorised biography: "In The Court of King Crimson" 2001). To be perfectly honest, both CD's sound a 'bit unpolished, but very clear with very good separation, perhaps those are the reasons why I am drawn to them. We have to keep in mind that these recordings were made in 1974! That is quite some time ago.