In the Court of the Crimson King - Summer of Prog

[@R4D11_]

I found this album by listening to TDSOTM on Tidal. I fell asleep midway through it and woke up to "Moonchild" improv part playing. I fell in love with it and checked out the rest of the album. It is my favourite track, too bad it is considered filler. I think it is such a magical piece.

[@terminaldisfunction5306]

Moonchild is a great tune, do you prefer the main song or the improv section?

[@R4D11_]

@terminaldisfunction5306 the improv part, it sounds so amazing on a good pair of headphones.

[@kevhead1525]

The finesse of Bruford with the speed and power of Carl Palmer = Michael Giles. Shame more didn't come from him. Even Fripp said he was his favorite KC drummer.

[@miguelangelmontenegro9939]

The creativity from Michael Giles and the speed from Bill bruford = Carl Palmer 😅

[@andermier]

I started listening to King Crimson with this album, and it absolutely captivated me. I had never heard anything like it before. I listened to almost nothing but Pink Floyd before, but this album blew me away and blew Pink Floyd out of the water. It took a few listens for me to really "get" it, and I definitely understand what you mean about the improv on 'Moonchild' being rather lackluster and boring, but what I do like about it is that it sets you up for the explosive opening of the final track. As for Epitaph, I'm glad they didn't include a solo section. I feel like they wanted you to mull over the lyrics in your head, give you a moment to really contemplate what was being said, before they dive into the final verse. It really does sound sort of like a eulogy for humanity, given the era in which it was written. Definitely a Goldfish from me, and an album that I think everyone should at least give a listen to once. Was very excited to see you finally do a video on this album. 👍

[@terminaldisfunction5306]

Have you listened to in the wake of posiden red or discipline?

[@TigerZilla520]

Ayyyy one of my favorite albums for sure. Great job covering it JT!

[@5pmbedmaking]

Hi JT I study English using your nice music videos. Actually I love King crimson and 21st is my fav! THANKS FOR UPLOADING!!!

[@TheProgCorner]

JT!!!! You rock!!!!!!!!

[@JTCurtisMusic]

@@TheProgCorner just trying to keep up with you my friend 😎

[@wyattsudbrink8350]

I’ll be honest it took getting extremely high for me to understand moonchild, I even used to hate the track. during my “experience” I interpreted the improv section as an argument between the sun child and moon child growing with more and more destain until the end where they reach a breaking point and finally converge and make the final melody of the song. I look at it more a story told through sound than a song and I’ve appreciated it a lot more since then.

[@dannypacini9820]

For me LSD ❤

[@crummyregent0527]

This is my second favorite album of all time

[@EtonDG]

What’s you favorite?

[@crummyregent0527]

@@EtonDG Wish You Were Here

[@AndrewAmbrose]

I listened to the album for the first time back in July and really liked it.

[@loveshankme]

Y'know, in your History of Rock: 70s video, you mentioned the fans of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure getting obsessed with Roundabout, the animators using it as their closing song for the show and whatnot. And I bring it up here because, yes, 'King Crimson' is the name of a character in a later season. But maybe that's not such a bad thing? I think it's neat that a show from across the seas can somehow bring prog rock back into the limelight, even if as indirectly as a name. Heck, having watched the show, i've even gotten myself into enjoying new artists I wouldn't have otherwise, like Little Feat. Great album, by the way! I've heard people argue that this is THE prog rock album over Dark Side, which I think comes up to personal taste more than anything. Still super jamming though, even if i like Lark more. Can't wait for the Thick as a Brick review!

[@terminaldisfunction5306]

Man I love me some crimson, this album, red, in the wake of posiden, and discipline are alk apsolute bangers

[@AndrewFloydWebber]

Can’t thank you enough for teaching me that Schizoid Man isn’t an ELP song, which I have thought it was for decades. I first heard that and Court of the Crimson King in high school on Sunday flashback shows on Houston rock stations in the early’80’s and loved them both. Been wondering for years why Schizoid wasn’t on the Best of ELP I have now!

[@tylerhackner9731]

Iconic incredible album

[@bigratt5413]

I do feel as though you play down Robert's Guitar playing throughout KC's history. I would recommend listening to the David Bowie songs Fashion and especially Teenage Wildlife for examples of Robert's extraordinary solo guitar in order to get a feel for precisely how he plays. Following that it would likely be easier to hear his signature style in every album from Larks' Tongues onward.

[@JTCurtisMusic]

I do know that his playing is more pronounced on his work with Bowie and Brian Eno.

[@hakushranata7726]

When Steven Wilson was listening to Moonchild with Fripp while they were going through and remixing the album, Fripp actually stood up midway through the song and yelled “what the hell are we even listening too!?”. Needless to say, Wilson ended up cutting a few minutes off of Moonchild for the Remix.

[@JTCurtisMusic]

I did read about that.

[@infowarriorone]

King Crimson is hugely influential and talented.

[@progressiveperson1974]

I'm a huge King Crimson fan and I don't really think that the debut album was not their greatest work(still a great album) and I agree that Red is their work and is my favorite album.

[@teddyfurstman1997]

I got King Crimson's Albums on the 40th CD / DVD from In the Court of the Crimson King, Islands, and Larks Tongues in Aspic. They were early Prog-Rock Pioners. I also got their 69 - 74 Album output from iTunes AAC files.

[@fran98832]

11:26 it's the best song on the album , nah but fr, i do agree with you that Red is a better album to start King Crimson, but i do think that the reason that they didn't hit that climax on most songs is because it's something you'd expect them to do, i think King Crimson is all about doing the unexpected which i think is kinda cool, cool video JT, keep 'em up man !!

[@kevhead1525]

A very fair take on the record, JT.

[@anthonyblakely399]

In the 60's and 70's I never was a big King Crimson fan either. My friend at the time, Ruben Hernandez was and played the albums when he came over my place while I played YES albums for him and we would compare notes.....but not my bag....I really did not get into King Crimson until 1994 when I first started to get into Jazz again. Remember being an African American in the 50's and 60's, you grow up with these types of music only: Gospel music. Blues music. Jazz music. Soul music or today would called "R & B" music. It was all I, we, Black people, heard constantly and experienced. I didn't liked Jazz because I have problems grasping the melody or in my mind there was no melody. It was all about improvisation, and I couldn't follow it. Classical music had the same effect on me. I was into following melodies. My mind was trained and brainwashed into that strand of thinking. It wasn't until the disgust of the direction of music in the 90's and the Punk, Grunge, Rap, Hip-Hop, Country movement, my mind fled to Jazz radio stations and for the first time I began following and hearing the language of Jazz instruments without lyrics. I was astounded by my new love. I worked at Tower Records at the time in the 90's....and was accessible to Jazz and contemporary Jazz and LOVE it!!! Four play. the Yellow Jackets. Diana Krall. Chris Botti. Candy Dauffer. among others I hear a King Crimson song on the radio, this song, "Schzoid man" and I had to heard the whole album which a purchased at Tower Records. Then I really started to really like King Crimson!!! But generally speaking the King Crimson was inferior to YES or Pink Flody, and Genesis. Jazz influenced the group really had not real instruments solos or climax in their song like Jazz does....so it was the only album I purchased.

[@kevhead1525]

Yeah. Moonchild. Filler. But I like Wind and Epitaph and love Schizoid and Court. All in all, a stellar first effort and mind blowing at the time.

[@opinion3742]

Moonchild is not filler.

[@TheHappySpaceman]

Great review! _In the Court of the Crimson King_ is alright. I'd definitely say it's not my favorite prog album, mainly because I'm not huge on "Moonchild" or "I Talk to the Wind," but I'd give it a few extra points just because of its huge influence on the genre as a whole. Can't wait for the _Thick as a Brick_ video! Also, yeah, now that you mention it, why _are_ prog lineups so unstable? Even Emerson, Lake & Palmer changed lineups twice.

[@JTCurtisMusic]

I think you have to be a certain kind of band member to be in a Prog rock band in which you’d either be frustrated that the music is so complicated, or not complicated enough or it’s not moving in the direction you want it to. Others might be content with making records, playing gigs, having girls scream for them, but Prog rock musicians have different goals.

[@TheHappySpaceman]

@@JTCurtisMusic Good way of looking at it. Also, the amount of time and work it takes to write, record, and practice to get everything right is likely another contributing factor. Being a musician in the process of recording my own 16-minute prog song, I know that doing so is incredibly time-consuming (I'm guessing the same was the case with your "Elements" piece). If I had to guess, I think the only way Rush managed to last over 40 years as a prog band without changing lineups (Neil Peart joined in 1974 and stayed with them until their final tour in 2015) is because they were all allowed to take breaks between recording, touring, etc.

[@emmasahlberg5315]

Would love to see more ELP videos

[@luizjose778]

Superbanda king crimson ❤ saudo desde Brasil

[@klaidikamberi786]

16:19 you are absolutely fricking right in these song choices.

[@redpig6878]

Alright! I admit that I’m definitely more of a fan of this album than you are, but that’s okay. I absolutely love Epitaph, I think its energy and emotion is very prevalent and very heavy-hitting. I’m a huge fan of the lyrics on that song and the title track too. I LOVE the attention to detail. I am quite upset you’re not going to be reviewing Lamb Lies Down on Broadway but I get there are so many more amazing albums to review! Nonetheless, amazing video!

[@mondobe]

Red pig spotted in the wild, when are we getting a King Crimson drum cover

[@joshmcmillan348]

To finish off summer of prog 16:28 ??? WITHOUT RUSH??? I know rush fans are known for being very vocal but there really is not prog without rush’s 2112, hemispheres or moving pictures

[@JTCurtisMusic]

Unfortunately I didn't get 2112 or Hemispheres on vinyl, but if they come my way I'd be happy to implement them into a Fall of Prog or Winter of Prog special!

[@joshmcmillan348]

@@JTCurtisMusicah I forgot the whole vinyl thing (which I appreciate btw) if I could find a copy that isn’t insanely over priced then I’ll send it your way (my copies are beyond beat up)

[@JamesBond00797]

In terms of best to worst on the album, my list is epitaph, i talk to the wind, in the court of the crimson king, 21st century schizoid man (not a bad song by any stretch, but had to be somewhere), and moonchild to round it out.

[@eewweeppkk]

May be worth a footnote, Kanye West sampled 21st Century Schizoid Man for his track "Power" which did pretty well when it released in ~2010

[@theposeidonguy]

I never thought that he'd ever review King Crimson, do Zappa next.

[@josephst.george7841]

Awesome review! I’m more than happy to donate to the channel when I can! I have to agree with you on this album. The first and last songs are amazing and “I talk to the wind” and “epitaph” are good but moonchild really brings the whole thing down to me. I too had to crank the shit out of my volume with my copy to hear some of the more quiet parts. Avant-garde music can either be really good, really bad, or just plain weird. I’d say this album is somewhere between plain weird and really good. I personally like it better than Tarkus but not as much as close to the edge and thick as a brick. That being said, I only started listening to this band when I donated this copy to JT about a month ago so maybe my opinions will change over time. But as it stands, I agree with the rating and I agree that red is probably better for newcomers to king crimson.

[@JTCurtisMusic]

Thank you so much for the donation Joe! I am glad I got to listen to it on vinyl because it gave me a different listening experience for the record.

[@markdownes8606]

Great review 👍 If you haven't heard it already I recommend supertramps self titled 1st album. It's got a very similar vibe to this.

[@JeremiahPickardMusic]

I always thought the band were better when they cranked the distortion with the three albums with John Wetton in the band. There are some fantastic songs outside of these albums, three of which are on this album (Yes it's Schizoid Man, Epitaph and Court) and some tracks on Discipline like Thela Hun Ginjeet are intense jams. My favourite album by them is Red which I think is leagues above ITCOTKC.

[@JTCurtisMusic]

@@JeremiahPickardMusic agreed

[@reneelyons6836]

Be Bop Jazz????? YES!!!! Please!!!!!

[@PhilWare1]

I think Epitaph is an incredible song...which to me sounds like a James Bond title track. In fact it would have been a great song for the last film "No time to Die"

[@specialized500]

Try larks tongues and islands for contrasting brilliance.

[@supermariofan772003]

I know it's all a matter of opinion and it's very clear we have different views on what makes great music. There is no wrong or right opinion. So, there is nothing to "disagree" on when it comes to how two different people perceive an album. 21st Schizoid Man is a classic and I don't think anything else needs to be said about it. I actually think I Talk to the Wind is a really nice change of pace after the heaviness of Schizoid Man. It's not too different from something A Pillow of Winds off of Meddle. It doesn't really sound like the Moodies that much to me. I mean, it is a soft acoustic ballad, but it has some of the intricate instrumentation that King Crimson are known for. It features some really lovely flute solos that I think work as a stand in for the "missing" solo on Epitath. The album is meant to be experienced as one cohesive work and the two songs do flow into each other. I don't know why people consider Epitath a ballad because it is definitely NOT a ballad. It's too intense for me to consider it one, at least. This song just kicks ass. While King Crimson definitely was about technical playing, one of the things that makes them really special for me was their ability of create atmosphere. Epitath gets really heavy near the end. It just keeps building and building until it becomes almost crushing, which I think was the point. It sounds like the entire world is collapsing upon itself and personally, I think having solos would've been unnecessary and took away from the dense moody atmosphere that the piece creates. But that's just me. I'm actually one of those weirdos who really enjoys Moonchild. I wouldn't say it's the best song on the album, but I was a little sad about how dismissive you were towards it. I used to not like it, but I've grown to appreciate it as being an interesting piece of "anti-music". It's all about vibe and atmosphere, like I mentioned with Epitath. The only thing I can think of that comes close to it in vibes is In a Silent Way by Miles Davis. It's almost like a proto-ambient piece. While it is sparse in instrumentation, there is some nice interplay between the band and some really nice guitar strumming from Fripp. It gives the piece a bit more of a playful spark, and it's a needed calm before the storm that is The Court of the Crimson King. And yeah, I feel commenting on that song is a bit redundant too because everyone knows how great it is. So yeah, I still love In the Court of the Crimson King. It's a top ten album of all time for me. But hey, I'm glad to see you try to give the album a chance and explain your reasons for not really digging it. It's impossible for an album to please everybody, and King Crimson have always been a divisive band. So, I really appreciate the effort put into the review and explaining your thoughts on the album.

[@MidnightBlueMovies]

Very much looking forward to Jethro Tull. I'm surprised you didn't pick Aqualung. Still thick as a brick is good.

[@sunsunavery4237]

with you on the moon child thing. Just got the physical version of the album. Have always loved I talk to the wind and epitaph. Obviously Schizoid Man is great. Idk, It’s not an album I’m always going to but it’s a special , groundbreaking record for sure. I think if the last 4 songs weren’t ballads , I’d listen more 😂. Definitely higher on it than you. Once again though, i really don’t get moon child lmao

[@ossiejon-nwakalo8644]

I feel watching this vid has helped me understand my feelings towards this album. I liked Red first and it took me a while to like Court. I disagree with some of the things you say about the flashy solos and I like the ballads of this album (especially I talk to the Wind) but Red has a more consistent hard hitting energy. Each song just sounds epic and different. Moonchilds second half is still a slog for me and the title track, although I like it now, it’s very repetitive and I found that very melodramatic on first listen.

[@daemonspudguy]

The Boz Burrell-fronted (yes the bassist for Bad Company) incarnation of Krim is often referred to by Fripp as being more of a jam band, because, well, they were more of a jam band

[@lamecasuelas2]

@@daemonspudguy the Schizoid Man Versions of that era aré increíble, It sounds so gritty

[@WildHorses9958]

Cirkus i my favorite KC album.

[@lamecasuelas2]

@@WildHorses9958 that's a hot Take! I like It!

[@-brackets-]

Hot take: Larks Tounge > Court of the Crimson King

[@dadsmarmelade]

Beat club version >studio album version

[@JTCurtisMusic]

I mean any album that features The Bruford is going to have an edge to it!

[@daemonspudguy]

​@@JTCurtisMusicBr00f came out of retirement for one night only last year and played a song for the John Wetton An Extraordinary Life tribute show with Phil Manzanera and Guy Pratt, because everybody in the British prog rock scene apparently knows each other.

[@arshiahomayoonmehr2420]

Can "Abbey Road"(the beatles) be Considered A Prog album? Not the Whole Album but The Medley I think Can be Considered early Progressive Rock

[@JTCurtisMusic]

I've always kind of considered it to be such.

[@arshiahomayoonmehr2420]

@@JTCurtisMusic I mean Abbey Road Came out before this Album

[@FaxiFirst]

Thanks for the video. I think you got much of it right, but I have to disagree on what I consider one of their best songs in "Epitaph". To me this a song about coming to terms with the tragedy of dying without ever understanding the meaning behind why you lived in the first place. Confusion, frustration, desperation for answers pervade the lyrics and the vocals. The middle instrumental bit that you would see made more dramatic is a solemn funeral march, the fate waiting for us all. This unrewarded search for something seems to pervade all the songs leading up to the finale, where we meet (do we, though?) the man behind it all.

[@MacieRobins]

I'm with you on Epitaph and the major themes of the album but I think JT finally spoke the truth we don't like to admit... the improvisations on Moon Child just don't cut it.

[@PhilWare1]

I reckon it would have been great song for "No time to Die", for some reason it got a grand, James Bond type feel.

[@ossiejon-nwakalo8644]

I feel watching this vid has helped me understand my feelings towards this album. I liked Red first and it took me a while to like Court. I disagree with some of the things you say about the flashy solos and I like the ballads of this album (especially I talk to the Wind) but Red has a more consistent hard hitting energy. Each song just sounds epic and different. Moonchilds second half is still a slog for me and the title track, although I like it now, it’s very repetitive and I found that very melodramatic on first listen. But, it’s still one of my fav prog rock albums. I’ll take it over Pink Floyd

[@opinion3742]

Moonchild is the best first song on the second side!

[@ricardoguerrero7051]

You have a lot to learn ………… I mean a lot to learn !!!!

[@JTCurtisMusic]

@@ricardoguerrero7051 such as…

[@moxxiepeppino]

venture brothers reference

[@albarton7189]

Ok. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Just don’t let “Unsubscribe” become your “Epitaph”.

[@JTCurtisMusic]

Too late, The Final Cut review already sealed my fate…

[@eaindy]

Rush album reviews ????????

[@williamlangan5902]

“Now watch everyone comment it’s the best track on the album.” Not me. It’s my least favorite, too. I love the first two songs, 21st Century Schizoid Man and I Talk To The Wind. The latter is the calm before the stormy Epitaph. Even for me, it’s too stormy for me to enjoy. Yes, Crimson King has a triumphant finale with the title track. You have to endure over 10 minutes of the weakest track to get there. It starts out interesting but goes on and on. But if some of you like it, I’m glad you did! So they saved the best for last! I know the Summer of prog is almost over but how about making this every Summer?

[@JTCurtisMusic]

@@williamlangan5902 it’s a possibility

[@miguelangelmontenegro9939]

In the Court , In the Wake... GREG LAKE

[@juhist4598]

Van der Graaf Generator should be next

[@lamecasuelas2]

@@juhist4598 haha! Faust!

[@careyatchison1348]

If this guy is this out to lunch about crimso (Fripp doesn't do many solos on Crimson albums?), VDGG would sound like random pig noises to him.

[@nikolajkrarup-os9gn]

The highlight of King crimson. Is these 3.albums:Larks tongues in aspic. Starless and Bible black. And red. Everything before or after is good but not great. It's a shame they dropped the violin. That was an important part of the greatness.

[@lamecasuelas2]

Aww, i was hoping for him to get all the way into THRaKaTTaK, but it looks like it ain't happening.

[@riggedfromthestart]

i feel i should like this album more than i do, but the middle 3 tracks just arent very good

[@Local_PepsiOfficial]

I honestly love every song on here. despite moonchild being the weakest on the album, I can still enjoy it as I do enjoy the instrumental section (even if it's 12 minutes). I think it's just the fact that the title track erupts immediately after moonchild finishes. besides moonchild, I love every other song in this album

[@omegacentauri73]

🍅

[@yakotako717]

JoJo reference

[@Finnster45]

Hi

[@miguelangelmontenegro9939]

Nice Review Curtis ! But In utero sucks, Cobain, Dave Grohl sucks, Nirvana, Foo fighters are not Music. Only a ball of noise and destruction... Better when you compares KC with Coltrane... Greg Lake was Superb ! Cheers from Buenos Aires Argentina 🤙 By the way, i Saw ELP 6 times in Buenos Aires

[@dannypacini9820]

Please do Grateful Dead next❤

[@dannypacini9820]

Im here as a heavy listener to Pink Floyd and got recommended this by other Floyd fans