SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: VARIOUS ARTISTS – REIMAGINING THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING

VARIOUS ARTISTS
REIMAGINING THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING
CLEOPATRA RECORDS

Tribute albums are always a tricky thing. When artists cover a much-loved album, there are some very high expectations for the covers.  Recording a tribute album with various artists covering an iconic album such as King Crimson’s In The Court Of The Crimson King is a very brave thing to do. When In The Court Of The Crimson King was released in 1969, it was a much-anticipated debut and King Crimson did not disappoint. In The Court Of The Crimson King has been hailed as a masterpiece since then and it is no wonder that these artists want to pay tribute to an album that, no doubt, influenced them in a huge way. And, King Crimson made Robert Fripp a household name.

Reimagining The Court Of The Crimson King kicks off with Todd Rundgren’s blistering take on “21st Century Schizoid Man”. Featured in the song are Arthur Brown, Ian Paice (Deep Purple), Chris Poland (Megadeth), and Mel Collins, who played saxophone for King Crimson. It maintains the melody and structure of the original, but it does let loose with Poland’s incredible guitar and Rundgren’s very convincing vocals. If there is any doubt that Rundgren’s roots are in rock and prog rock, they are quickly dispelled with this track. This is followed by the much more mellow and beautiful “I Talk To The Wind ”, featuring former King Crimson members Mel Collins and Jakko M Jakszyk. The song also features Jakszyk’s son, Django Jakszyk.

“Epitaph” is another more drawn-out prog rock type song. It is a beautiful song and this version contains that beauty and sense. Three members of Hawkwind, Alan Davey, Paul Rudolph, and Nik Turner, as well as Adam Hamilton and Danny Faulkner, who take on this beauty. Again, it is not that different from the original, but this version is a bit heavier at times and the vocals are extremely strong and quite full of emotion. Jah Wobble, Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Deep Purple), Marty Friedman (Megadeth), and Chester Thompson (Weather Report, Genesis, Frank Zappa) breathe a heavy metal vibe into the classic “Moonchild”. This version is less psychedelic and leans towards a much harder sound. It works, and features some very tasteful keyboard and guitar solos. Although, it did have me reaching for the original when all is said and done.

The album ends with the prog rock classic, “In The Court Of The Crimson King”. The song includes “The Return of The Fire Witch” and “The Dance Of The Puppets”. This version is performed by James LaBrie (Dream Theater), Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge), and Steve Hillage. They do a great version of it, with LaBrie’s vocals leaning more to the heavy metal genre, at times, rather than prog. It is nice to hear Hillage play again as he is a seriously underrated musician. It is still well done and is the perfect way to end the album. The CD version does feature two bonus tracks, an instrumental of “21st Century Schizoid Man” and yet another version of the same song performed by Arthur Brown, Brian Auger, Chris Poland, and Ian Paice. Although it is nice to hear Auger play his organ and Brown’s vocals, it really does not add a great deal to the overall album.

Overall, this is a loving, well-played and well-produced tribute to an iconic album. This version highlights the harder edges of the original, which is not to say the original did not have its hard moments, quite the opposite. This makes for an interesting and pleasant listening experience.

King Crimson Links