Usa

This is the single best record of the 72-74 Crimson line up, arguably their finest. Everyone's playing is strong and focused, especially Fripp, Bruford and Wetton. The live versions of their songs have much more drive and power and are a more accurate reflection of the artists' intentions than the studio versions.I worried that Fripp's long laboring over this CD would result in a radically different mix than the original. But other than the expected clean up work, the mix is very, very close to the old vinyl mix. I think some punch was taken out of Bruford's drums (Fripp always hated how Bill's syncopated style overlapped his guitar parts), but not enough to detract.For fans of the original USA, there are now 2 additional tracks - Fracture and Starless. Taken as a whole, USA now includes the finest songs from this version of Crimson (absent Red). However, the version of Fracture is lamentably disjointed in the middle section and overall not as crisp as the version on Starless and Bible Black. And Starless doesn't quite have the power and presence at its climax that the Red version has. Nonetheless, they are great songs and it's wonderful to hear live versions of them.If you like Crimson, this is a no brainer. If you like Progressive Rock, and haven't heard this version of Crimson, grab this album, but be prepared. This is hard core stuff - dark, ominous, loud. Turn it up!

If you can't find a way to buy "Road To Red" , this will give you the best sounding "USA" yet. I'm so obsessive , I bought this in addition to the massive box. It's just so nice to have it sitting there next to all the other 40th anniversary editions. (And of course , I did the same with "In The Court Of The Crimson King" and "Larks' Tongues In Aspic").The expanded edition of the "USA" lp provides the listener the full experience of what transpired that night known as the "Casino" show.BUT , if you can find a way for the box , do so. It will provide the complete picture of what led up to "Red" , and you get to hear each piece throughout all development stages.Hearing David Cross' contributions to what turned into Fripp guitar leads on "Red" (due to Cross' departure) , add illumination to the creative process.

The main difference from this issue vs. all past issues is the exclusion of the Providence, RI Schizoid performance. Maybe in an effort to present the live material in a better way, this release contains the entire show from Asbury Park. This is identical to the Collectable KC release from 2006. Sonically, the 2006 release has a higher volume output; however, this version sounds more balanced. Since I do not have a 5.1 system, I cannot comment on that. However, I do not understand the inclusion of the lp version on the DVD, complete with scratches. Although I am somewhat disappointed with this release, where some archival live video footage would have been appropriate; I am rating it 5 stars because of its historical KC significance. I wish Amazon would expand their ratings to different categories.

Haight Asbury: An improvisation that makes this record complete. After listening King Crimson for more than 30 years of my life, hearing the subtle differences of their live performances such as Easy Money, Larks Tongues in Aspic and all of their great period of Bruford/Wetton & sometimes Cross with Fripp, nothing compares to this exploration into improv. It was one of the only examples we had about a live performance of what was later to be an impossible to follow body of work made out of the live (and sometimes slightly overrated) material of the Crim. You had to live this record.

Originally bought this as an LP back in 1975, I had heard it on a local Philly "underground" AOR (at the time - I think it was WMMR) and loved it. Wore out the LP. Finally got around to buying the CD for my collection. Favorites are "Larks Tongues" and "Lament". "21st Century Schizoid Man", though one of my favorite KC tunes, is kinda weak here. But still ear-ticklin' good! I love listening to this, particularly fun to blast it on my truck stereo while filling up and see the gangsta hiphoppies stare, wondering what the heck it is I'm listening to so loudly that they can't hear their subwoofies! Buy it and see what I'm talking about!

A brilliant new mix of the last album of the greatest Prog band of them all. Taken from their last tour of the USA, this album contains excellent performances by all concerned, albeit beefed up in the afterlife by Eddie Jobson. The Album Red was recorded after this tour, and you can hear that phenomenon brewing in this performance. In the liner notes you can read how Fripp was sick of touring and even sick of King Crimson. He especially thought little of David Cross as a performer. An excellent album, an excellent relic. An excellent remaster.

Wow!! Were these guys are good. Light years ahead of their time. Best described as progressive rock, many instrumental interludes and songs. Sort of the genre promoted by early YES, but remember, this is the band that Bill Brufford (master drummer) chose as his band (after a short stint with YES). If you are a fan of the jazz-fushion period, you can hear some of the influences here that were heard in subsequent bands such as the Mahavishnu Orchestra.

I'm not as adept as some of the more inciteful reviews of KC on Amazon. But this King Crimson cd is a must for any fan or fan of prog rock. The intensity of Fripp and mates is hardly found with any other prog rock band. Owning the album I would not have purchased the cd without the extra tracks. Believe me they are worth the cost of the CD itself. Sit down in a comfortable chair, strap yourself in, set the volume LOUD, then be prepared for a musical assault few other bands can accomplish.

Muito bom.

They were a great band at the peak of there powers on this the 40th anniversary edition excellent!

Questo lavoro segna una sorta di intervallo, infatti dal 1974 data di uscita del Live i King Crimson (Robert Fripp) si presero una pausa che duro sino al1980 con l'uscita di Discipline con una nuova band

L'histoire de King Crimson n'a jamais été simple à suivre avec des dissolutions, reformations avec des équipes de musiciens changeantes. Le seul qui est là depuis le début est évidemment Robert Fripp, leader ahurissant et intransigeant, refusant de jouer le "star system" et de brader sa musique pour obtenir un succès plus grand. Et pourtant le succès avait été fracassant dès le 1er album, In the court of the Crimson King, "21th Century Schizoid Man" devenant quasiment un hymne! Quelques années après et déjà le départ de nombreux musiciens, Fripp s'entoure de John Wetton, bassiste et chanteur, David Cross au violon et l'excellent Bill Bruford à la batterie (il a fait partie de Yes). C'est avec cette nouvelle mouture que paraissent 2 des chefs d'oeuvre du groupe, Larks' Tongues in Aspic et Starless end bible Black en 1973-1974. La musique est passionnante, sans aucune concession, mélangeant le jazz le plus free au hard rock, à la musique contemporaine complexe (Fripp en a une parfaite connaissance) alors que Wetton apporte une touche plus pop et accessible: une mélange improbable mais qui fonctionne! Au printemps 1974, une tournée nord-américaine est organisée et le 28 juin, le groupe est à Asbury Park, dans le New Jersey (petite ville popularisée dans le monde entier par Bruce Springsteen et son 1er album qui était sorti en 1973) et c'est ce concert qui est immortalisé dans ce "USA". La setlist est quasi-parfaite, comprenant Larks' Tongues in Aspic (Part II), Starless ou encore Easy Money, titre court mais dont le texte pointe bien la difficulté d'accorder exigence musicale et gros succès commercial. Le tout s'achève évidemment par 21th Century. Autant de titres qui font aujourd'hui figures de classiques et que le groupe interprète encore sur scène! Les musiciens ont largement la possibilité de s'exprimer lors de longues improvisations dont une dédiée à Asbury Park. Ce concert est fantastique mais froid, austère, à l'image de Fripp à cette époque-là et c'est aussi pour cette raison qu'il est réussi, avec King Crimson, il ne faut surtout pas s'attendre à ce que le public soit caressé dans le sens du poil, au contraire (il me semble déjà anticiper les groupes New Wave de la fin des années 70 et en cela c'est bien un groupe hyper-novateur). La remasterisation de 2013 de ce live est parfaite, le son est clair et puissant, c'est du beau boulot. Le DVD, lui, comprend 4 mixes différents de l'album, pour les fans assidus qui disposent de bon matériel. Mais le CD en lui-même vaut plus que le détour. Après cette tournée, le groupe, sans Cross, a enregistré ce qui est pour moi son meilleur album, Red avant que Fripp...ne dissolve le groupe en pleine apogée! Le groupe, toujours autour de Fripp, connaîtra, des années 80 à aujourd'hui, différentes incarnations même si dans les années 2000, King Crimson est devenu un laboratoire purement scénique pour la musique de Fripp, le groupe n'ayant plus rien sorti en studio depuis 2003 je crois. C'est dommage et un peu frustrant pour les amateurs mais on peut se plonger dans la discographie live (désormais gigantesque) de ce groupe qui ne ressemble vraiment à aucun autre.

Un directo con canciones de su mejor epoca y a un precio muy bueno