Islands (Instrumental)

Stormy Mundy Selection (Occasional Series - Acts of Random Archive Rummaging)

The title track of Islands is surely one of Robert’s most enduring ballads. With this special mix, akin to an audio documentary, we take a peek behind the curtain to hear it under construction. Before Boz’s sensitive vocal, Robin Miller’s plaintive oboe, or the gentle sweep of mellotron strings are added at a later stage, it starts out a rather sparse, unadorned arrangement for guitar with Ian Wallace's original guide part keeping time. Cutting to a proper take, Keith Tippett’s moving piano, sensitively rendered enables Mel Collins’ gorgeous alto flute to etch a rich harmony to the main melody. When Mark Charig’s eloquent and passionate cornet is dropped in, the mood is both heartfelt and oddly vulnerable. Exquisite stuff from the Crims in Command.

#KingCrimson
#RobertFripp

[dantealighieri]

Underrated album, possibly the one I've had the most repeated listens to as a whole. #KingCrimson #ProgressiveRock #JazzFusion

[juankgonzalez]

Everything about this song is utter beauty

[ThabourinGilles]

Great pleasure to hear this piece while islands IS one of m'y favorite album from KC

[deeliciousplum]

Beautiful. A reminder of the wondrous artists that are King Crimson. 🌸

[gbarbosar]

Perhaps one of the best songs of all times

[stefangruhn]

It's touching my soul again after all the years, but it takes away some kind of sadness... Formenterra Lady

[christopher]

A fantastic song from a truly underrated album. Islands is in my top handful of Crimson favorites.

[rolandeschain]

Music that really transcends over time, thanks for that much King Crimson; by the way the sadness in the song is overcome by the hopefull and cheerfull part at the 3d fourth of the song, so that is not really just a sad tune, but one that shows the hope and the light after the dark tunnel in wich sometimes we all've been lingering.

[MotoDx]

Where can I get the whole masterpiece besides DGM?

[lefterislazaropoulos]

I wonder if Fripp reads the comments on these videos

[powerviolenceog]

Would love to see the entire Hyde park show again!