King Crimson- The Road To Red

[polmico]

Definitely got through the whole thing. Asbury remains my favorite (of the shows I hadn't heard--surprisingly, I never picked up USA). The Washington and Montreal shows are the second best of the bunch of the brand new to me stuff (I'm not sure what has been released via download). Toronto, Providence and Pittsburgh (previously released in physical formats) are, of course, awesome.

While it's a great set, I prefer the "German" set that has been released through the KCCC; Mainz, Heidelberg and Kassel are all great, great shows and all three of those surpass mostly everything (Asbury, Providence) on RtR.

[jkelman]

You know you are the first person I have heard say that. Congratulations! (I'm sure Kelman has as well, but then it is his job...)

Well, All About Jazz is not a paying job, though that's neither here more there. I was fortunate enough to have been sent advance burns a couple months out, because I like to hear music 8-10 times before I put virtual pen to paper, so I needed that time to absorb it all....and it sure was a lot to absorb....

.....but bloody well worth it!

[WytchCrypt]

I got mine in November and listened non-stop for the next month and got through it in one piece I also wrote up an extensive review on another prog site and since PE doesn't yet have the album review function active, here's a link to my review. Happy to answer any questions from anyone considering purchase of this monster

http://www.progarchives.com/album-reviews.asp?id=43721

[tallliman]

Thanks! I don't think there should be many questions about whether to buy. As long as one likes live music, there's no question to my mind.

[WytchCrypt]

Thanks! I don't think there should be many questions about whether to buy. As long as one likes live music, there's no question to my mind.

Agreed...the only thing is some people may expect this to be as polished and high quality as The Great Deceiver/USA/The Night Watch and it's not. The sound quality from show to show can vary due to different sources for the recordings (band cassette vs direct sound board vs audience cassette). Also on many of the shows the first few seconds is missing from the opening song or on occaission a few seconds are missing in the middle of other songs due to the sound engineer changing a reel-to-reel tape etc during the show. If you're a Crimso maniac it's a dream come true but if you're a casual fan you'd be better off sticking to the mainstream releases.

[tallliman]

Yeah, I can agree with that. Perhaps the most frustrating was the show with Starless cut in the middle.

[Mister Triscuits]

For those of us who didn't get enough spring '74 Crimson in the Road to Red box, DGM now has the May 1 NYC show up for download.

[WytchCrypt]

When I bought "The Road to Red" Fripp's DGM website asked people to submit pix of the box set taken from their home's and they would try to post them...mine finally made it, on April Fools Day no less!

http://www.dgmlive.com/news.htm

[JKL2000]

Feel my fear, then joy! I had foolishly left the 2nd digipak from The Road to Red sitting on a sort of shelf thingy in our house, and at some point realized I hadn't put it back in the box and couldn't find it anywhere! I looked and looked today, and finally just found it - my wife had put it in the lower cabinet of this glass fronted book case we have. I never would have thought to look there, but since I had eliminated the obvious...

Lesson learned - never leave disks from big, expensive boxed sets lying around. At least the world is back in balance for me...

[Sturgeon's Lawyer]

Mine (a gift from a dear friend) just arrived today - having a great deal of fun with it. This was an aggressive band indeed!

[JKL2000]

Mine (a gift from a dear friend) just arrived today - having a great deal of fun with it. This was an aggressive band indeed!

Wow, nice gift!

[Sturgeon's Lawyer]

Very much so. It was in response to my buying the Crim tickets for this fall

[timmy]

I just saw Panegyric are reissuing The Road to Red boxset. Check it out if you've been wanting one but did not want to pay a ransom for it.
Burning Shed should have it.