Starless and Bible Black

Attitudes to King Crimson are odd, they can generate much hostility as well as praise. For music over 40 years old now this is as fresh as a daisy. Along with 'Lark's Tongue' and 'Red' it is part of a great trilogy. Thoroughly recommended starting point for anyone unfamiliar with the music of King Crimson.

When a record is this expensive it better be top shop. It wasn't. There was actually crud ground into the first song on both sides and it got spread out over the record in the form of dust and "pebbles". Wreaking havoc. Even after cleaning it exposed no fill errors and bad surface noise. Fortunately, the marketplace seller was excellent so I wasn't stuck with it. It's sort of sad really. I find it so hit and miss these days, that along with the high prices, is starting to nudge me out of records...for a 2nd time in my life. The music industry is destined to eat itself isn't it!? ;)

King Crimson's Bruford/Wetton period was amazing, releasing weirder and more wonderful music than many people could understand and fewer could rival. The other two albums by this fantastic line up 'Red,' and 'larks Tongues in Aspic,' are five star efforts, some of the best prog ever written.Logically, the album in between, 'Starless and Bible Black,' should be amazing... well, it almost is.As you may know, some of the album is studio material, and some was recorded live in concert and just overdubbed. Some feel this leaves the album uneven, but others feel this was one of the bands best ever decisions.The album contains two fantastic songs, in the form of 'Lament,' and 'The Night Watch,' which are as good as anything crimson have ever done, perhaps better! Also worth mentioning is the sprawling, loose but incredibly good 'Fracture,' which jams along powerfully and EXPLODES after about seven minutes 40 seconds, into RED style fury, with astounding bass, great violin and some very Bruford drumming. However some of the song feels like it could've been trimmed and refined to produce a more cohesive piece. Thats the problem with the album as a whole, its almost Perfect, and heads and shoulders above many of its peers, but at the same time, some of the mess and free form sections could've been improved and this would be one of the best albums ever made.Overall, this is an amazing album, with great violin, Perfect singing, and great atmosphere, its just that the band could do slightly better.However this album is still essential to any Crimson or prog fan, especially for 'Lament,' and even the popular Zeppelin in a blender style 'Great Deciever.'Well Worth a try !

Great cd the band

I had forgotten how good this album was/is. King Crimson at their best

The vinyl died , and had to be replaced.Old but still hits the spot, Mr Fripps fingers doing their stuff.

Stunning

Great album !