Eclectic Prog(Boxset/Compilation, 1991)
4.00/5
(10 ratings)
Review by Gatot (Gatot Widayanto)
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator
This boxset is a MUST for Crimson-heads even if you have all albums of King Crimson, you should not miss this compilation. This applies also to those who are new to the band also, because it really contains essential material in the band’s history. My chief reason to buy a box set is usually to get to know better the band – from the booklet provided – so that I know the background, the situations or the life dynamics of the band on albums they had made. I really love this compilation and it has become a precious collection altogether with The Great Deceiver – the live concerts boxset. I purchased “Frame By Frame” boxset in 1996 – it’s already twelve years with me and it’s really still in its mint condition. Because I like the packaging, I put the box (empty) on the wall and put the four CDs in my CD shelf. The great thing about the package, in addition to its deluxe box, is the large size booklet containing all narratives and photographs throughout the band’s history.
My boxset - the front cover
Informative and Comprehensive Boxset
This boxset covers the band’s history from its embryonic stage in 1969 until 1984. In terms of music direction, it covers both pre and post Belew (vocal, guitar) era. As you might have known that since Discipline album (1981) King Crimson changed its course dramatically from symphonic, mellotron-drenched type of music into those with a bit of new wave music due to largely the swept of punk music at the end of 70s and early 80s. The booklet and band’s family tree are really great and it’s a great joy reading them.
Disc 1 covers 1969-1971 era which starts with a track that inspired heavy metal bands in the world: “21st Century Schizoid Man (7:20) from the debut album that has been considered by most people as the birth of progressive rock genre (Classic Rock magazine, October 2008 issue). (Robert Fripp, Michael Giles, Greg Lake, Ian McDonald, Peter Sinfield) – 7:20. The next four tracks were taken from the same album. With five tracks featured here, it’s basically the whole debut album tracks were featured in here, with the exception of abridged version of Moonchild. For newbie, this is great because the complete version of Moonchild is too long in silent part at the end.
My boxset - the four CDs
The next track Peace: A Theme (1:16) was taken from the album “In the Wake of Poseidon” (1970) followed with great singles “Cat Food (2:45) and Groon (3:31). Cadence and Cascade (4:10) was taken from “In the Wake of Poseidon” (1970) but with a change of vocal from Gordon Haskell to Adrian Belew. It’s good also to feature the abridged version of Sailor’s Tale (7:27) from the album “Islands” (1971) followed with Ladies of the Road which combines mellow and hard drive music nicely, from the same album. Disc 1 ends with one track from Lizard (1970) album: “Lizard (Part II: Bolero – The Peacock’s Tale) (6:45).
Disc 2 covers the band’s era of 1972-1974. It starts with a great track with heavy metal riffs “Larks’ Tongues in Aspic (Part I) (10:53). I like this track especially on parts where the rough guitar riffs meet with dazzling drumwork by Bill Bruford. It’s really great, especially when it’s combined with David Cross’ violin. Book of Saturday (2:53) is a track of my favorite followed by another great track Easy Money (7:55). Larks’ Tongues in Aspic (Part II) (7:09) concludes the “Larks’ Tongues in Aspic” (1973) album. The next album “Starless and Bible Black” was represented by three tracks: “The Night Watch (4:40), The Great Deceiver (4:03), and Fracture (6:57). The next four tracks “Starless (4:38), Red (6:17), Fallen Angel (5:59), and One More Red Nightmare (7:09) from the album Red (1974) conclude disc 2.
My boxset - The booklet
Disc 3 covers the period of 1981-1984 and it represents the critical milestone for the band as the music shifted dramatically when Discipline (1981) was released and Adrian Belew joined the band as lead vocal and guitar player. Most people would be shocked with this third CD as the music is totally different with previous two discs. Disc 4 is basically live recordings from their performances in 1969 until 1984.
Overall, I am really delighted with this boxset and I consider this as a masterpiece compilation. Keep on proggin’ ..!
Peace on earth and mercy mild – GW
Bon belinya masih ada: Rp. 150 ribu (16 Dec 96)
October 9, 2008 at 7:44 pm |
Nang nduwur sampean nyinggung Bill Bruford, nah ini drummer favorit saya mas….. rasanya suara gebukkannya khas…….beda dg yg lain2. Genesis live “seconds out” mendjadi punya nilai lebih karena faktor Bruford ini …kaleee…!
Lagu yg paling saya suka dari dia adalah “One of a kind” traaatang….traatang…..traatang…..des..des…des, wuih……asik-e…
Drummer Indonesia yg memper2 dia sepertinya Bung Keenan deh…….
October 10, 2008 at 8:00 am |
Iyo mas Bruford pancen maine ngguajak tenan. Musisi sing durung nate main karo Bruford pasti bingung lha wong nggebug drum-nya setelah ketukan lagu…opo ora bingung! Mulane mas musti denger King Crimson lagu EASY MONEY atau LARK’S TOUNGE IN ASPIC! Uediyannn massss!!!! Mainnya guendhenk pol! LARK’s itu bener2 lagu metal abis dengan riff garang Fripp dan gebugan drum Bruford. Ada suara violin pula! Wesssss …..!!! JRENG!
Salam,
G
October 10, 2008 at 11:34 am |
Daya djeladjah sampean ngggrigisi tenan……
Matur nuwun pencerahannya mas ….terus terang deh…. Saya itu nyetel musik muter2 di-situ2 adja, djalan ditempat …………….
Kadang u/ selingan saya nyetel lagu om2 n’ tante2 ………….ya……saat remadja saya ndjuluki demikian, seperti lagu…”The shadow of your smile” , “Stranger in the night”, “Moon river”, “Hawaiian wedding song”, “Born Free” , etc…… Aku nek nyetel koyo ngono rasane ….koyo wong sugih…………..”Sugih tanpo bondo” …… ha…ha…ha….
October 10, 2008 at 1:17 pm |
Ngikut ah ngomongin om Bill Bruford hehehe,
gebugan drum bill Bruford kalo dibanding phil collins asik banget ya. Phil banyak rofel (tulisannya bener gak xixixi) en rampak, Bill dikit rofel tapi padet empug. Kenapa? soalnya pas saya nguping lagu “Watcher of the skies” versi Bill yg main, beda bgt ya. Ya iyalah beda, wong dua duanya drum master kekeke…
October 12, 2008 at 9:46 am |
Mas Indrayana …mengenai daya jelajah, biasa aja kok mas … hanya ngikuti yang sedang berkembang aja. Tapi kalo penjenengan mendengarkan tembang EASY MONEY dari King Crimson, dijamin suka. Apalagi kalo mendengarkan lagu berjudul STARLESS …!!! Bisa menetes tuh air mata menikmati alunan musik merdu dibalut gitaran Fripp yang bluesy menohok sukma, menampar jiwa ….
Bro sepedalutfi nan Brufordi ….. Ha ha ha …. deskripsi penjenengan tentang Collins dan Bruford terasa adem mak nyus menyengat enak pas gitu …. Memang rofel Collins top markotop. Kalo Bruford khasnya di bunyi snare yang “THANG THANG!” dan jatuhnya diluar ketukan! pancen wong uediyan!!! Tapi keduanya memiliki kesamaan: mainnya santai banget! ha ha ha ha ………..
Salam,
G