In The Court of the Crimson King

by King Crimson

In The Court of the Crimson King cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: 10 October 1969
  • Label: Island, Atlantic
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Length: 1:07:37
  • Community rating: 4.42/5 from 153 ratings

Artists on this release: Robert Fripp, Ian McDonald, Michael Giles, Peter Sinfield, Greg Lake

Album Notes & Community Reviews

'In The Court of the Crimson King' is a foundational progressive rock album that established a new musical vocabulary by fusing rock with jazz, classical, and symphonic elements. [1, 2] The band's self-production is defined by Ian McDonald's heavily overdubbed Mellotron, which creates a lush, orchestral texture against which Robert Fripp's guitar work shifts from elegant passages to explosive rock, and Greg Lake delivers commanding vocals. [7] Lyrically, Peter Sinfield's portentous words explore dark themes of societal collapse, alienation, and war, matching the album's dynamic and complex arrangements. [2, 3, 6, 7]

Genres

Descriptors: progressive, complex, political, symphonic, dystopian

Tracklist

  1. 21st Century Schizoid Man - Including "Mirrors" (7:22)
  2. I Talk To The Wind (6:05)
  3. Epitaph - Including "March for No Reason" and "Tomorrow and Tomorrow" (8:46)
  4. Moonchild - Including "The Dream" and "The Illusion" (12:12)
  5. The Court Of The Crimson King - Including "The Return of the Fire Witch" and "The Dance of the Puppets" (10:02)
  6. 21st Century Schizoid Man [Bonus Track] - Radio Version (6:41)
  7. I Talk To The Wind [Bonus Track] - Duo Version (4:45)
  8. A Man A City [Bonus Track] - Live At the Fillmore West (11:44)

Credits

  • Robert Fripp - guitar, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, keyboards, production
  • Ian McDonald - reeds, woodwind, vibes, keyboards, mellotron, vocals, alto saxophone, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, vibraphone, mellotron mk ii, reed organ, piano, harpsichord, co-lead vocals, backing vocals, production
  • Greg Lake - bass guitar, lead vocals, co-lead vocals, backing vocals, production
  • Michael Giles - drums, percussion, vocals, drum set, timpani, backing vocals, production
  • Peter Sinfield - words, illumination, lyrics, production, lighting
  • King Crimson - producer
  • Robin Thompson - engineer
  • Tony Page - assistant engineer
  • Barry Godber - cover
  • Dik* - equipment
  • Vick* - equipment

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