Red (40th Ann. Ed) [Deluxe Edition, Original recording remastered, Extra tracks]

 

 

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This is the first of the DVD-A 5.1 40th Anniversary Series. The second will be "In The Court Of The Crimson King" following about 6 weeks later.
That being said RED is by far one of Crimson's best album's. The Line up of Fripp, Wetton and Bruford worked great together. The only thing that stinks is they only made three album's (well studio there are also a bunch of live CD's from this point in Crimson's career). If you like Prog. Rock or band's like Tool or NIN you might really like this CD. Best tracks "Red" and "Starless". I can not wait for to hear the DVD-A 5.1 mix.(Just got this today from Amazon.ca and Wow what a great mix. I was at first a little let down when i saw it was 48/24 and not 96/24 (there is a 96/24 stereo mix) but (for the first time) i really didn't notice any sound loss. This series was made from the original multi tracks and it really shows. The mix is what i call a center of room mix. That is were the sound is all around you and not just in the front with reverb in the back. Great liner notes and almost a half hour of live clips from French TV. These are in stereo (well double mono) but sound great. I guess French TV took better care then North American TV with the sound back in the 70's. Plus as far as i know this is all there is for this line up of King Crimson. Figures they can record anything today and most of the groups are crap.)

From DMG web site.
The classic album has been mixed for 5.1 Surround Sound from the original studio masters by Steven Wilson and is fully approved by Crimson founder Robert Fripp.

CD
Original album

1. Red
2. Fallen Angel
3. One More Red Nightmare
4. Providence
5. Starless

Bonus tracks

6. Red - Trio version
7. Fallen Angel - Trio version (instrumental)
8. Providence Full version - taken from "The Great Deceiver"

Robert Fripp Guitar and Mellotron
John Wetton Bass and Voice
William Bruford Percussives

With thanks to:
David Cross Violin
Mel Collins Soprano Saxophone
Ian McDonald Alto Saxophone
Robin Miller Oboe
Marc Charig Cornet

George Chkiantz Engineer
Rod Thear Assistant Engineer

Equipment by: Chris, Tex, Harvey
and Peter Walmsley
Cover by: John Kosh
Photography: Gered Mankowitz
Produced by King Crimson at Olympic Sound
Studios, London, England, July and August 1974

8 mixed by Robert Fripp, Tony Arnold
and David Singleton
6 & 7 Previously unreleased: mixed and produced by Steven Wilson
Executive producer: Robert Fripp

DVD-A

MLP Lossless Stereo (24/96)
PCM Stereo 2.0 (24/48)

Original album

1. Red
2. Fallen Angel
3. One More Red Nightmare
4. Providence
5. Starless

Bonus tracks

6. Red - Trio version
7. Fallen Angel Trio version (instrumental)
8. Providence Full version - taken from "The Great Deceiver"
9. A Voyage to the Centre of the Cosmos - taken from "The Great Deceiver"

MLP Lossless 5.1 Surround
DTS 5.1 Digital Surround

Original album

1. Red
2. Fallen Angel
3. One More Red Nightmare
4. Providence
5. Starless

Bonus tracks

6. Fallen Angel - Trio version (instrumental)
7. Providence Full version - taken from "The Great Deceiver"
8. A Voyage to the Centre of the Cosmos - taken from "The Great Deceiver"

Mixed & produced from the original
multi track tapes by Steven Wilson
Executive producer Robert Fripp

Video Content
Audio: mono

1. Larks' Tongues in Aspic: Part II
2. Lament
3. The Night Watch
4. Starless

David Cross - Violin and Mellotron
Robert Fripp - Guitar and Mellotron
John Wetton - Bass and Voice
Bill Bruford - Drums

Originally broadcast by ORTF, France,
March 22nd 1974, copyright Ina.
Issued under exclusive license

Remastered in DTS 5.1 Digital surround sound, this 1974 release is astounding. After purchasing, "In The Court of the Crimson King" in DTS 5.1, I had to get this and it's no disappointment. Unlike "In the Court..." this edition doesn't flaunt the surround sound as much, but still makes it sound like you are in the studio.

From the complex soundings of "Red" and the wild "Fallen Angel" to the more somber "Providence" the band can be clearly heard with no distortion whatsoever. Robert Fripp's guitar playing is simply amazing and every track is different in sound, feel and ambience. It's a real treat to hear different versions of "Red", "Fallen Angel" (love the instrumental songs) and "Providence". Also included is "A Voyage to the Centre of the Cosmos", which I did not realize was a live recording until the applause at the end!

While the CD is perfect for those who prefer stereo recordings (remastered to perfection), the DVD contains additional songs with videos. Sure, it was 1974 and there is not much in the way of psychodelia, but that's the point. It's the music that matters. The videos of "Lark's Tongue In Aspic: Part II" is nothing short of amazing and it makes me want for the album of that name. "Starless" is also a standout video cut, with the classical King Crimson song arrangement that is breathtaking. Sid Smith provides a nice biography of the band with Robert Fripp speaking about pop star status. This is more than progressive rock. This edition is a keeper.

'Red' is not a [soundtrack] as such, as stated by Amazon Canada, although those who who grew up with this album during the mid 70's, like myself, may feel it has become part of the 'soundtrack' of their lives. Absolutely essential (and one of Kurt Cobain's favourites, so I am told!).

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