Crimson is well known for those frantic, knotty, heavy, intense, angular moments. But almost every King Crimson album has a song or two of serene beauty, and even what one might call ballads. What are some of KC fans' favorite softer tracks or ballads in the catalogue? I was thinking the slow/soft ones with vocals but if you want to include instrumental moments like 'Trio', that's ok too. Here's 5 of mine:
1) I Talk To The Wind - beautiful flute, very pastoral, and one that was hardly ever played live. Most of ITKOTCK was resurrected by the current/final lineup with exception of Talk To The Wind. I guess three drummers would kind of ruin it., It remains a classic from a classic album.
2) Cadence And Cascade - with Gordon Haskell on vocals. Many view him as the weakest vocalist in KC and his stint was brief (He appeared here, and on Lizard,, but abruptly quit before they could tour Lizard). Others have sung this track but Haskell's fragile vocals suit it best. Again, nice flute as well.
3) Two Hands - from Beat (1982). Overlooked gentler track borrows that African slit drum percussion thingy from The Sheltering Sky for this ballad sung from the perspective of a figure in a painting on a wall observing a couple making love. Robert Fripp's trumpet-like solo here is the kind of atmospheric solo he just dosn't play anymore. Fripp and Belew both supposedly dislike the track and thought it a mistake. I find it to be really swell. Never performed live.
4) Book Of Saturday - one of John Wetton's definitive songwriting moments with Richard Palmer-James, plus some tasty melodic violin from David Cross. On an album with a lot of far out fusion, such a track hits the spot.
5) Islands - dreamy title track is a standout for me in the entire catalogue. Gentle, stormy, evokes the sea. Piano, horns, flute, plaintive vocals from Boz Burrel (not a bad singer at all during his stint). You hardly hear any Fripp on it. Peter Sinfield's poetic words - very nice. Where else can you get lyrics like "Cats prowl, mice run" ? I like the anthemic ending, and I like how the drums are low in the mix. I love Islands. Beautiful track.
Honorable mentions: Matte Kudasai, Walking On Air, Lady Of The Dancing Water. I didn't want to leave them out, but I guess I did. What are your top 3 or 5 King Crimson soft tracks/ballads?
1) I Talk To The Wind - beautiful flute, very pastoral, and one that was hardly ever played live. Most of ITKOTCK was resurrected by the current/final lineup with exception of Talk To The Wind. I guess three drummers would kind of ruin it., It remains a classic from a classic album.
2) Cadence And Cascade - with Gordon Haskell on vocals. Many view him as the weakest vocalist in KC and his stint was brief (He appeared here, and on Lizard,, but abruptly quit before they could tour Lizard). Others have sung this track but Haskell's fragile vocals suit it best. Again, nice flute as well.
3) Two Hands - from Beat (1982). Overlooked gentler track borrows that African slit drum percussion thingy from The Sheltering Sky for this ballad sung from the perspective of a figure in a painting on a wall observing a couple making love. Robert Fripp's trumpet-like solo here is the kind of atmospheric solo he just dosn't play anymore. Fripp and Belew both supposedly dislike the track and thought it a mistake. I find it to be really swell. Never performed live.
4) Book Of Saturday - one of John Wetton's definitive songwriting moments with Richard Palmer-James, plus some tasty melodic violin from David Cross. On an album with a lot of far out fusion, such a track hits the spot.
5) Islands - dreamy title track is a standout for me in the entire catalogue. Gentle, stormy, evokes the sea. Piano, horns, flute, plaintive vocals from Boz Burrel (not a bad singer at all during his stint). You hardly hear any Fripp on it. Peter Sinfield's poetic words - very nice. Where else can you get lyrics like "Cats prowl, mice run" ? I like the anthemic ending, and I like how the drums are low in the mix. I love Islands. Beautiful track.
Honorable mentions: Matte Kudasai, Walking On Air, Lady Of The Dancing Water. I didn't want to leave them out, but I guess I did. What are your top 3 or 5 King Crimson soft tracks/ballads?
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