King Crimson

King Crimson

by Pete Clemons

Robert Fripp has said that King Crimson is, not so much a band, more of a way of doing things. And January 2019 saw the anniversary of the 50th year since King Crimson came into being and began to do things.

During its 50 years in existence, King Crimson has experienced various phases of change. When it comes to trying to define the music of King Crimson, such is the bands complicated history that includes leaving the past behind and reinventing the way they sound, then I don’t even try to bother.

Each phase on the bands journey has come some incredibly challenging and yet strangely stimulating music, more so to the musicians (of which there has been in excess of 20) I am guessing, but also to the listener.

To get the best out of the listening experience of a King Crimson album, and other bands of this ilk, I find that for me personally, I need to switch off and take myself away from this fast-paced world for an hour or so, and totally commit your complete aural senses. The rewards can be just incredible.

By 2012 Robert Fripp, the bands leader and the one remaining constant throughout the bands 50-year history, appeared to be as detached from making music as he had been at any point in his life. While his contemporaries revisit their past on the reunion circuit, Robert Fripp appeared to be ignoring it all and not getting caught up in the nostalgia.

However, by September 2013 it was all change when, seemingly, out of the blue a message emerged announcing the resurrection of King Crimson. Further, the band would be revisiting the past. But things were not as straight forward as simply putting a band together and going through the motions. Any touching of early King Crimson music was going to be on Robert Fripps terms and conditions.

And so, it was, that for the first time since 1974 the world got to hear, albeit, reconstructed versions of songs from albums such as ‘In the court of the Crimson King’, ‘Red’ and ‘Larks Tongue in Aspic’. Except of course, if you were lucky enough to have seen a gig by the short lived 21st Century Schizoid Band. The 21st CSB had essentially been a large part of the musicians who made up the original King Crimson, less the main man himself, but with his full blessing.

Along with guitarist Fripp, the lineup for this new incarnation of the band included Tony Levin (bass and vocals), Mel Collins (Sax, flute), Jakko Jakszyk (guitar, vocals), Gavin Harrison (drums), Bill Rieflin (drums) and Pat Mastelotto (drums). Yes, three drummers. It was a sight and sound to behold.

Previous comments I have read about it all cover the event well. But it was just one of those gigs where you could read all the words in the world about it and yet it still wouldn’t be able to capture the whole of the magic.

But just being sat there in the hall, being subjected to a set that revolved around such classic music was just stunning. Watching the 3 drummers was at times hypnotic. In fact, there were countless musical moments that had us mere menials simply scratching our heads in wonderment at the genius being displayed.

The lighting was limited as it virtually remained the same throughout until they played ‘Starless’ when it changed to a red hue that filled the stage. All very dramatic.

King Crimson are several life time’s away from the band that evolved and revolved around the lyrical mysticism of Pete Sinfield but are still able capable to hold the attention of an audience for several hours. The whole thing was simply spell binding.