Name: Starless and Bible Black
Brand: King Crimson

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

KCLP6

{"blocks": [{"data": {"text": "KCLP6"}, "type": "paragraph"}]}

Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2015-11-06

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Little Amber Fish

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

633367910615

{"blocks": [{"data": {"text": "633367910615"}, "type": "paragraph"}]}

Total Cap

1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

King Crimson

Genre GB

Prog Rock

Label GB

Panegyric

King Crimson is one of the pioneers of the progressive rock genre. Formed in 1969, their first line-up included guitarist Robert Fripp, lyricist and lighting man Peter Sinfield, composer and multi-instrumentalist Ian McDonald, bassist and vocalist Greg Lake, and drummer Michael Giles. They released the seminal album "In the Court of the Crimson King" in 1969 before undergoing several personnel changes. The band evolved over the years, experimenting with fusion and improvisation in their live performances. In 1981, they changed their name to King Crimson and released three studio albums with a new line-up. After a hiatus, they reformed again in 1994 as a double trio and continued to release music through various spin-off groups. Their extensive back catalogue makes them one of the most influential rock bands ever.

In 2000, King Crimson underwent another transformation with a new line-up that excluded Bill Bruford and Tony Levin. They released "The ConstruKction of Light" in 2000 before Tony Levin rejoined the group. In 2008, they embarked on a 40th Anniversary Tour with Gavin Harrison joining as a new member. Despite Robert Fripp's retirement announcement in 2012, King Crimson returned in 2014 with yet another line-up for touring purposes.

The current incarnation of King Crimson features Robert Fripp (guitar), Mel Collins (saxophones, flute), Tony Levin

Panegyric is a renowned music label that originated as a UK distributor for various artists. Over time, it evolved into an independent brand, focusing primarily on musicians associated with the iconic band King Crimson.

With LC 00614 as its unique identifier, Panegyric has established itself as a trusted platform for fans of progressive rock and related genres. The label offers a diverse range of music from talented artists who have been influenced by or collaborated with members of King Crimson.

As a leading e-commerce website in the music industry, Panegyric provides an extensive collection of albums, merchandise, and exclusive releases. With its informative and authoritative tone, the label ensures that fans can easily discover and enjoy the extraordinary talent within their carefully curated catalog.

The album's return to the 12" vinyl format is newly cut from masters approved by Robert Fripp. The super-heavyweight vinyl is housed in a reprint of the original sleeve. The first pressing run of this edition also contains bonus MP3 codes giving access to a download of a transfer of an original 1975 pressing. For a band that favoured the presentation and honing of material in live performance prior to studio recording, it was inevitable that with the increasing portability of quality recording machines, the concert performance would, in effect, become the basis of the subsequent studio recordings. With 'Starless and Bible Black' King Crimson, reduced to a quartet following the departure of percussionist Jamie Muir, took that step. Half of the album was sourced from live gigs - much of it from a concert at the Amsterdam Concertegebouw in November 1973. (The complete concert was subsequently issued as 'The Nightwatch' album and fully detailed on 2014's 'Starless' boxed set.) While some of the material was developed or overdubbed in the studio, other tracks were presented exactly as per the concert setting with the audience applause removed. With the band's burgeoning live reputation, increased tour schedule and commitment to improvisation, the use of the live material led to the album being the most accurate representation to date of the lineup's uniquely powerful live sets. Side 2 of the original vinyl in particular, allowed the band to present a pair of lengthy tracks - the title track drawn directly from the Amsterdam concert and 'Fracture' with additional studio overdubs - that demonstrated the manner in which live improvisations were forming the foundations for much of their material. 'Starless and Bible Black' demanded the attention and concentration of the listener. Crimson's audience responded to the challenge, making it a much loved album by the band. As with the other recordings by the mid-1970s lineup, the intervening years have seen the album's reputation increase among fans &amp; musicians alike, while the then unusual approach to using live performances as core elements of subsequent studio recordings has become increasingly commonplace. 

Starless and Bible Black

Music GB

Buy King Crimson - Starless and Bible Black (Vinyl, CD) now from Rough Trade - independent purveyors of great music, since 1976.