Starless & Bible Black 30th Annive Rsary Edition

Three part review : Part One :The product arrives. Now,in a timely fashion shipped from Texas,comes this vintage disc, with stickers indicating it has traveled quite far, from Virgin in Great Britain, claiming to be made in Holland (I don't believe it, we used put fatuous stickers on certain discs to make them "collectible") But the Virgin exclaimer says all proceeds go to Robert Fripp,which may or not be true,at this point ,having bought it third hand from our beloved Amazon. The sleeve has poop on it, But the disc is flawless.As I grow in age , I have my cat read me the liner notes. Don't bother.It's OK to be proud whether anyone loves your music or not. Part Two : Sound Reproduction. I had this masterpiece ,featuring almost inaudible crescendos (n decrescendos) on Basf 1/4 in.reel ,too.There are some do's and don't in audio reproduction. Don't believe your ears. Take the highest audible pitch and mark it in a decibel range that does it justice. I cringed when i hoid dis distoibin' sound, Bruford's top paiste crash go 'crunch'. Not acceptable. The bass was way too mid range as well.It sounded like a pre-tech remaster from 2000 . Warmth and body wud hv bn 6 stars. Part Three. The music. I ran it outside on the patio. Birds stopped chirping. Traffic seized to exist. I was jacked into baby and recalled every passage., Particularly starless n fracture . Go to the video tape. What really warmed the cockles of my heart ,was, David Cross's voilin, embracing ALL THE NEW (NOW RETRO) TECHNOLOGY of that period. (envelope followers, wah pedals) and this composer loves things that go quack. n it quacked in musical splendor. I miss the symphonic stratagems of people like Robert Fripp , After all, it is a masterpiece of music .it swells and augments your imagination along with the planned plotted course by the band,the navigators. I also followed Mr. Bruford in his musical endeavors, and his innovative approach to drums are distinctly in character here. I just wish the bass was more pronounced, as I originally heard it. But, I peaked with the band,my cat came out of the woods just as the"Fracture" concluded , and she gave a standing feline ovation and said to me telepathically, "I liked that". Those little golden birdies, just look at them.Re-qualification of digital remix- It is wonderful that such compositions can simulated digitally without subtracting from the ambient studio creation. Those who own a "state of the aRT " 1970 Quadraphonic receiver ...please take note. I was fooled by the original remix assuming that you could simulate the sound automatically by popping in this CD and not adjusting your settings on your receiver, If you have a quadraphonic receiver or late sixties/early seventies receiver YOU MUST ACCOMMODATE THESE SETTINGS TO ENJOY THIS DIGITAL REMIX. ON YOUR RECIEVER HIKE UP THE BASS TO THE 3/4 FULL POSITION. PUT YOUR TREBLE SETTINGS AT ONE o'CLOCK. yOU WILL ENJOY THEN THE INTENTIONAL REMASTER. this is a recording. Not meant for every 1970-ish remaSTer,.

Starless and Bible Black (1974) is a most unusual album, in that it features 6 tracks that were recorded live, then edited in the studio. The first 2 tracks are studio recordings. One can't even tell that the last 6 songs on this album are live. This album is very progressive, and features an abundance of violin. It seems as if this album covers the entire musical spectrum. The album starts with THE GREAT DECEIVER, which is a bit punchy and choppy. Probably my favorite tracks (besides THE GREAT DECEIVER) on this album are THE NIGHT WATCH and the hauntingly beautiful and heartfelt TRIO. The album concludes with two extended numbers, FRACTURE, and the title track, both of which have the most progressive structures in them. While this album isn't as good as their debut album or Red, it can nevertheless hold its own, and I still give it 5 stars, as it's one of the best albums in the Crimson catalog. To sum up, this album has an artistic presence and beauty to it. Don't skip this album. 9/10

This is a great album from the Robert Fripp-lead band which I was delighted that Amazon had available. Fripp is a master arranger and a killer guitarist. "The Night Watch" is a beautiful ode to renaissance Europe, and "The Great Deceiver" and "Starless and Bible Black" are great, too.

This is perhaps my favorite KC album. As a drummer I appreciate what BB is trying to accomplish: musicality, tonality and melody. These terms not usually associated with the drumset but BB is a musician who plays percussion with the keyboard in mind. He listens, anticipates, complements and defines passages. For a better, more developed grasp of this concept check out his current band Earthworks. There is ample room and spacing; changes in speed, volume, textures. I agree that this is Fripp's best KC work. The guitar sounds paint images of internal struggle. Not much light stuff here! Wetton's bass is tight and musical. David Cross (violin) provides additional, mesmerizing sounds to Fripp's concerto. Buy it, listen to it, pay close attention to sound details. For drummers the lessons are simple: 1-music comes first; 2- breath; 3- listen carefully; 4- use the set in multiple conceptual ways; 5. play solid and clean.

The first time I listen to it, I was somewhat disappointed but after a few more listens the true beauty of Fripp’s guitar playing and arrangements were evident. He is a master of experimental sounds. Bill Bruford’s drumming and percussions are right on. David Cross has always been my favorite band member and continues to shine on this release. John Wetton vocals are as hypnotic as ever. Who can forget his singing on Red and Larks’ Tongue and Aspic. Give this a good listen with headphones

thanks

I've always liked this album. This is the third time I've bought it.

This remaster sounds OK to me and, for those not familiar with the record, it is a Masterpiece of Innovation as it relates to 20th century musicianship and composition. The musical elites of the day (myself included) snacked on this disc made of vinyl and petroleum spinning on a DUEL manual turntable often, along with gentle giant and a few other worthy works. YOU CANT GO WRONG, BESIDES OLGA JUST SAID...

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 !

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.

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

Great album !