THE CHEERFUL INSANITY OF GILES, GILES & FRIPP

In 1968, brothers Michael (drums) and Peter Giles (bass and vocals) posted an ad looking for a "singing organist," and Robbert Fripp (neither a singer nor an organist) replied. This trio recorded an album, The Cheerful Insanity of Giles, Giles and Fripp, which is an enjoyable-enough psychedelic folk record. The cover features what might be the only photo of Robert Fripp smiling. (He's on the right, wearing glasses.) The guitar parts clearly presage what would eventually be heard in King Crimson's first incarnation, but this is folkier and more psychedelic than anything that group would put out.

Cheerful Insanity at times reminds me of The Who's psychedelic efforts, as well as other contemporaneous acts, like The Small Faces and Pink Floyd. Organ lends a rich character to the compositions, and the vocals are nice. However, frequent spoken word interludes detract from the experience. These attempts at humor are clunky and feel like a lesser version of Frank Zappa.

Review originally posted here: theeliteextremophile.com/2024/04/15/deep-dive-king-crimson/