The Road To Red

PREFACE: I work on the assumption that anyone reading this/contemplating purchasing this box is familiar with the band and the music /original album(s).I find it hard to imagine a better box could be produced celebrating a single album (OK 2 if you include USA (30th Anniversary Edition)) as here we have everything they could put out. The box contains the recordings from their North American tour combined with remixed Red album and loads of other goodies. What you get is:CD1 - Veterans Memorial Coliseum Columbus 28/4/74CD2 & CD3 - Stanley Theatre Pittsburgh - 29/4/74CD4 - Hofheinz Pavilion Houston 6/6/74CD5 - Tarrant County convention Centre Fort Worth 6/6/74CD6 - Fairground Arena Oklahoma 7/6/74CD7 - Civic Auditorium El Paso 8/6/74CD8 - Coliseum Denver 16/6/74CD9 - Performing Arts Centre Milwaukee 22/6/74CD10 - Aquinas College Grand Rapids 23/6/74CD 11 & CD 12 - Massey Hall Toronto 24/6/74CD13 - Convention Centre Quebec 25/6/74CD14 - Kennedy Centre Washington 27/6/74CD15 & CD16 - Casino Arena Asbury Park - 28/6/74CD17 - Penn State University University Park PA 29/6/74CD18 & CD19 - Palace Theatre Providence 30/6/74CD20 - Central Park NYC 1/7/74CD21 - RED 2013 Stereo MixDVD - Casino Arena Asbury Park 2013 Mix; Casino Arena Asbury Park 2005 Mix; USA 30th ANNIVERSARY REMASTER; RED 2013 Stereo MixBR1 - The Stanley Theatre, Penn State, Massey Hall & Palace Theatre all in stereo.BR2 - RED in 5.1 Surround sound; Asbury Park in stereo; USA 30th Anniversary Remaster; USA original vinyl transfer; RED 30th Anniversary Remaster; RED 2013 Stereo mix + a couple of bonus tracks.Many of the recordings are taken from cassettes taken from the soundboard with only one (CD20) being taken from a bootleg. As a result the overall sound quality is good and is superior to much of what was released on Larks' Tongues In Aspic (40th Anniversary Limited Edition). The new remaster of Red sounds superb to these ears and whilst the 5.1 recording is crystal clear, it is a matter of personal taste as to whether you like this modern take on classic albums.The overall package follows that of "Larks" with each of the four compartments holding two triple disc cardboard foldouts with the only plastic being the tray that holds them - well done again guys. There are full size prints of the original Red and USA covers, a wallets with photos and sets lists, a 40 page soft cover book and a couple of other bits of memorabilia. The book contains Fripp's diary which hold some interesting or telling comments and it would appear that Bill Bruford caused him some concerns at times, but there again he was not happy with his own playing all the time.So there you have it, a marvellous box if you want it, and a fine companion to the previous two - surely they will never top this one!

As far as box sets go, The Road To Red has it all, Longtime King Crimson followers like me will remember the original thrill experienced when purchasing the original vinyl in the mid 1974. Tracks including One More Red Nightmare with John Wetton in top form and Robert Fripp creating building tension and release on the title track, it became one of Crimson's most powerful beasts. And what about the beautiful, haunting mellotron intro to Starless introducing one of Fripp's melodious and pure solos. Oh simply wondrous, To the box set then, not only is it beautifully packaged with an album size replica of the original cover, plus USA envelope of track recordings with pics inside and a most informative 40 page booklet - ha - therein lies the music 21 CDs, 2 blu-Ray discs and DVD, yes it is a lot, a big lot to absorb, but that is Crimson and while some live tracks - yes it is all live- were heard previously via The Great Deceiver - taking this set as a whole, it matters not. Favs include Stanley Theatre in Pittsburgh - splendid Talking Drum while Lament and The Night Watch are refreshingly thrilling. One can play any disc at random and be seated in the front row of a live KC concert and Fripp's personal anecdotes in the book - where his focus is on honesty, not pleasantries is the icing on the cake for any true Crimson follower, absolutely worth saving your hard earned pennies for.

If only this level of attention to detail was lavished on other seminal albums from the 70's. At first glance this seems like an over-indulgent set and it's certainly one which will only appeal to King Crimson completists. But in reality much of the music included in this 21 CD + DVDa & Blu-ray set is stunning. The power of this line up of King Crimson is monumental. Their ability to improvise on stage is mesmerising and there are plenty of examples on here.Red was one of King Crimson's best albums, if not THE best and this set serves as a document of the music the band were making live leading up to Red. If it weren't for the cost I'd say everyone should own this. This is a record of a ground-breaking band at the height of their powers.The remixed Steven Wilson version of Red opens up the sound and allows instrumentation which was previously buried in the mix to come through. There's also a copy of the live album USA on the DVDa and Blu-ray which sounds fantastic.The box itself is lavishly produced with some nice extra's included and an informative booklet. It just goes to show what can be done when an artist gets full control of their music from record companies.

In this set you are receiving low-res and hi-res recordings from the North-American tour from April to June 1974.Especially full-resoluiton live tracks (192/24) depicts the four piece band as heavy advancing machine that was most significant leap forward in the first half of the decade. One would only regret that this band ceased to exist shortly afterwards the last show in Central Park (NYC) 1st of July 1974.Although we can understand why Robert did not want to continue due to completely changed situation in music industry and especially due to bewildered audiences (see Rome Venue from November 1973) as he personally sees as major frustration for him and his mates.Despite unconvenient circumstances one should always consider the personal responsibility and the fact that KING CRIMSON "ceased to exist" has been a failure no matter how many arguments you could pile up. THIS OPULENT SET is proof for that.The Quality of the package is outstanding and you are receiving very good product for your money. There is no other group that is capable to do such complete referrence to their live & studio output in the whole world - not to mention in the hi-resolution.