King Crimson - Starless Solo (Trio Version)

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

Alex Mundy’s latest exploration of the Crimson catalogue centres upon the closing moments of Red and its final track, Starless. It’s always interesting hearing something so familiar, so deeply ingrained into the fabric of our listening life that it’s almost impossible to imagine it being any other way. By revisiting the multitracks we hear, for the first time, a guitar solo where Mel Collins’ extemporising would later be placed. By stripping and paring away some other instrumentation on the coda we can more clearly discern the harmonic and textural additions that formed part of Fripp’s approach to the recording of the piece, some that made it through to the final and some that didn't. These kinds of reveals, while not seeking to usurp the place of the finished work, do at least allow Crimheads to get a better understanding of all the elements, heard and not heard, that go into the making of a classic Crim track. 

#kingcrimson
#RobertFripp

[franka.]

King Crimson. It was my youth. Starless, Fallen Angel with the great voice of John Wetton was the fulfillment for me 🙏

[bencarter]

Brilliant. What a trio. We miss you John Wetton.

[Horaczkocom]

It is one of most beautiful piece in my life.

[ganzonomy]

Now THIS is a surprise!

Please let this loose on any upcoming 50th anniversary of RED CDs

[hippomancy]

amusing how an "art rock" jam trio from 1974 is still heavier, and better, than anything currently on the go. 3 musicians at their peak being true to themselves yet making room for each other. I'd take this 2:49 over any other 60:00 you can name au courant.

[cigarmerchant]

Wait a minute. This is Wetton, Fripp and Bruford? I saw these guys play in the day, so satisfied I saw them play.

[purplegz]

Why did you fade in at the peak of the song ?? That John Wetton bass drop at the end is pure gold

[RatSlapper]

What a surprise! A very nice surprise at that, sounds amazing!

[clarkbabin]

Most of the people other than my oldest brother who knew of King Crimson only knew of one song. My dad and my oldest brother were the people who introduced me to a lot of music I heard in the late 60s and early 70s. I was 12 when this album came out. Already i had been through the shock of going from listening to Santana and Black Sabbath and others who navigated in the same waters of rock. King Crimson was and still is one of my favorite artists.

[pauloles]

This will be a treat. It's 5 am where I am and I am wide awake for this!!!

[tbuts]

OMG I can't believe it! After all these years!

[boo]

Oh my god im so glad this is out, it's my fav song

[worldprog]

One of the tightest, most insane versions of Starless. Amazing.

[Some_Cat_]

I absolutely love Red and this is an awesome version of Starless! Superb 🔥🔥🔥

[randysmith]

Bruford in his element! Able to free form inside a structure. That’s what attracted him away from Yes. Pure Crimson! I had tickets to the Red tour but it was cancelled mid-tour. What a disappointment. Just another time I could have enjoyed the Bruford/Wetton magic.

[leandronicolas]

@2:14 is some of my favorite by King Crimson, it's like the sweet release after the huge tension they build in the previous section. I wish they'd had let the guitar continue in this track (if it was recorded), still glad the album version has Mel Collins' saxophone and wish we could hear that in the live performances of Starless.

[ganzonomy]

I played this at 6am and the neighbors called the cops

The cops came over and joined in on the fun 😁👍

[Tohski]

I found this song a week or two ago, this is perfect timing