King Crimson - Man With An Open Heart (Alt Take)

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

In January 1983 King Crimson was a band in search of an album. That journey had taken them to CV Lloyde music store in downtown Champaign, Illinois to work on the follow-up to Beat.

This early version of Man With An Open Heart has a round-the-campfire intimacy to it. For a split second, you could fool yourself into thinking you were about to hear an outtake of John Martyn’s sepulchral Solid Air as Adrian strums his acoustic guitar on the intro.

A lovely and unexpected glimpse into the life of a song in its early stages before its sonic embellishments and ultimate final form for Three Of A Perfect Pair at Bearsville Studios later in the year.

#KingCrimson
#RobertFripp

[zzz-resh]

Them boys were making twee indie pop in 83

[serialartistry]

i really appreciate the love that stormy is giving three of a perfect pair. there was a remix of open heart last year, than the larks 3 pullback, now this.

[PrimitiveInTheExtreme]

Really wonderful this instrumental version.

[karstenschulze]

Such a unique and strange piece of popular music. I like the unexpected chord changes in the bridge and the very effective vocal melodies throughout the whole song. I used this song for a dance performance in 1990 when I was trying out my own choreographies at the dance school I attended at that time.

[merit]

The best rock band in the world 1969-2022

[darktoby]

The more I listen to King Crimson, the more I am amazed at the skill of this band! Love for all eternity!

[frankjamesenglishartist]

Beautiful!! Great back story as well so cool that you sketched out the album in Champaign, IL

[Tyrell_Corp]

Awesome 👏 When this song arrived on the “3rd album, ” I thought music… All music… especially pop was headed in this direction. I mean hey, KC actually got airplay once in a while in the 80’s. It was so bold and revolutionary but yet familiar at the same time.

Unfortunately, reality turned out quite different from how I thought it would. But at least I still have this as part of my reality. And for that, I eternally thank you Mr. Fripp and friends.

[projekt]

Nice to hear a mix that differs from today's sometimes boring mixes 👍

[juankgonzalez]

Very interesting version. The bass is particularly great, very raw

[aliensporebomb]

The actual bass rather than synthy bass as on the release version and bright 12-string guitar alongside Robert's darker six string really makes this version for me.

[wdsavage]

Wow! They were in Champaing, IL??? I was there for many a year! Hope I didn't miss them! What a great, music-changing band. Wish I could have seen them in concert sometime!

[DrQandtheGang]

So many tweaking melodies all rolled into one. Worthy of worldwide dance.

[thelovelyseamus]

Sounds like a rough jam around the chord sequence whilst working out a structure opposed to an 'alternate take'

[Harry_Eyeball]

Makes you wanna bop your head up & down and wiggle your leg left to right!

[tcj]

This sounds so much better than the original. I will pledge my money to DGM for getting "reimagined" versions of ToaPP and Beat songs that are mixed to sound like this.