Exiles Foldback Mix

Featuring John, Bill, and Robert, this pre-Red power trio can be heard mapping out the song’s overall structure with Robert putting in placeholder strumming that gives the piece a welcoming, almost folk-rock feel.

John’s funk-soaked bass pushing around below the song is quite high in the mix and it’s possible this reference copy was run off for home listening in order to define the part he would soon finalise. Interesting also, hearing Bill refining the clipped military march feel.

By utilising Robert’s introspective Mantra theme which had last seen live action in 1969 where it surfaced during looser, free-form sections of their concerts, combined with David Cross’s wistful main melody and Richard Palmer-James’ semi-autobiographical lyrics about youths leaving their native stomping ground (in this case Bournemouth), Exiles has a kind of end-of-an-era poignancy.

[Wizuu]

Love how much clearer it becomes that Mantra from the original lineup was adapted into the intro.
Whatever iteration it is, Exiles is always one of the highlights of Crimson's catalogue.

[terrabull-shitty]

STORMY MONDAY SELECTION is the best. So glad he has the keys to the King’s castle and sneaks us in the side door.

[PierreGarrabrant]

Bruford made the best artistic decision in Rock by leaving Yes at their peak and joining Crimson

[enrkaton]

The ornate instrumentation of the album version adds a sad, nostalgic and bittersweet mood. But, but by i reason i don´t know, this naked and raw version turns the song into a sadder one. Can´t explain why, but this is the way i feel.

[enriquehernandezhevia]

I love these rough mixes where you can hear some mistakes...It gives hope for all the other humans musicians to carry on I think, at least that is my case.

[MANCITYGEOFF]

Brilliant to hear this, my all time favourite KC tune.

[jdmresearch]

Similar to the Beat Club version! Wetton's vocals and bass playing are particularly impressive. "England's finest bass player" I think Fripp said at the time.

[stevenbaker]

Oh I've gone all unexpectedly nostalgic on a Monday morning! Nice to hear this, thanks.

[Afroman]

So grateful King Crimson immortalized their music so youngsters like me can enjoy these clips

[keobou]

Robert Fripp Bill Bruford John Wetton The best trio ever!

[michaelsestak]

Love Wetton's bass playing and singing here along with Bruford's drum playing.

[doubleotwentyone]

Saw them twice with this line up, with and without Jamie Muir. John Wetton was particularly impressive. I like this 'formative' stuff.

[lautariccio]

The intro sounds like Fly on a windshield by Genesis.

[raydarable]

This is what all music channels should do, upload unused mixes/songs.

[pockmonters]

These are a gift to humanity, thank you so much for uploading them! I love that the intro sounds more like how the original line-up would play Mantra; I love Mantra so it's nice to hear a studio version of what it would sound like.

[purplegz]

How can Wetton play these sick bass lines and manage to sing at the same time so perfectly

[billsmith]

Thank you Mr. Stormy for sharing this, very nice 🙂

[raoulduke-kd]

One of my favourite songs...
Very interesting. Thanks

[dmatveev]

Sounds completely different without that extra instruments

[davidryan]

Hearing fly on a windshield for a spell