King Crimson - Exiles (USA (Live))

USA was recorded towards the end of King Crimson's final US tour of the 70s in June 1974 and was issued as an epitaph for the band in Spring 1975.

Featured:
Robert Fripp - Guitar, Mellotron, Devices.
John Wetton - Bass, Vocals.
Bill Bruford - Drums Percussion.
David Cross - Violin, Mellotron, Keyboards.

Deleted towards the end of the vinyl era in the mid 80s, it remained unreleased in the CD era until the expanded edition was finally issued in October 2002. In common with much of Crimson's output, it was not well received at the time by critics, though its critical reputation has grown immeasurably in the intervening years to the point where a recent review of the '21st Century Guide to King Crimson' box set identifies the album as the point 'where Fripp maps out the guitar blueprint for the entire post-punk movement.'

If that claim sounds somewhat exaggerated, a casual listen to the opening minutes of the album - where the ethereal 'walk on..' tape of Fripp & Eno's 'No Pussyfooting' gives way to the sonic assault of 'Larks II' - provides ample evidence to back up the claim. It's also worth noting the audience response to the band - especially at the end of 'Starless', a track yet to be recorded at that point. The mid 70s Crimson touring lineup had been the most stable of the band's career to date, particularly popular with US audiences & would go on, over time, to become immensely influential.

The addition of 'Fracture' & 'Starless' to the original vinyl edition enables the presentation of a near complete performance by one of the key bands of the era playing at its peak. (Some studio overdubs for violin parts on 2 tracks and a keyboard part on a 3rd were necessary due to erratic microphone contact from the original shows with Eddie Jobson taking the place of an unavailable David Cross.) While it may have been issued at the time as an artifact from a recently disbanded rock group, and the availability of other live recordings of the band from the same period (notably the 4CD comprehensive 'Great Deceiver' set & the 4th CD of the '21st Century Guide' set), give a more complete overview of the band live, the sense of completeness permitted by the additional tracks & the reputation now enjoyed by that particular incarnation of King Crimson, have all contributed to USA's current status as one of the best live albums of its time.

#kingcrimson #robertfripp #billbruford #johnwetton #davidcross #21stcenturyschizoidman #starless #epitaph

[michaeltotten]

I believe that I was privileged to sit on the floor of a beat-up, former movie theater, with all the seats removed (soon-to-be demolished) in a run-down neighborhood of Asbury Park, NJ, to listen to this live performance of this great song, with some of my friends at the time, back around 1973, when I was 21, and a senior at a great university. Now, 72--I still listen to this classic, regularly, as if I'm hearing it again for the first time.

[Spencers]

This is definitely one of King Crimson's best songs ever!
And in a wonderful version! With the expressive singing of John Wetton! May he rest in peace 🙏

[clarion]

Everybody is playing in perfect synch here but John Wetton's delivery of this melancholy song gets me every time. Just fantastic.

[st_Century]

They don't write songs like this anymore. We were spoiled back then. Agree, Wetton, s vocal delivery was brilliant in this live performance. Cross, s violin excellent. Lovely tinkering by Bill on the symbals as well.

[Guy_Forget]

One of the greatest recordings of all time

[mckeich]

The second solo is one of the best ever live guitar solos ever recorded. I absolutely adore it from the very beginning to the harmonics at the end.

[tama]

This is one of the best live recordings ever made.

[michaeltotten]

King Crimson was always special to me, from owning their first album back in high school in 1969, to owning (between me and my friends), their next 3 albums (particularly loving Islands, their 4th album), to seeing them do this song live, in Asbury Park, around 1973, when I was 21 and a senior at a great university, to owning or listening to several later albums, like Larks Tongue in Aspic, or Starless and Bible Black, for this great live album with Exiles on it. And I also enjoyed Fripp's collaboration later with another artist around 1979 (for the moment I can't recall his name, but it was a great electronic duo, in a later time period, of later groups like OMD, or Xray Spex, or DNA, or Flipper). Anyway, my life would never have been the same, without the great work of King Crimson (in whatever form), and it's members. And I can still hear Wetton, as if I'm still sitting there, listening to his great vocals, 51 years ago, in person, as I did.

[andrewbullock]

Yes. Born in Bournemouth and arriving in London in 1969 I fully understand the nature and meaning of this composition. Wonderful stuff.

[comocuandoeres-os]

This is the best version of Exiles and no one will say otherwise

[MetalGearZeta]

I really like how you can hear hints of Red in this Ver of Exiles, some instrumental sections sounded a bit Fallen Angel like

[marsstubblefield]

1:03 - 1:30 & 2:18 - 3:01; King Crimson in a Pink Floyd suit - this is the only version I have ever heard that's arranged this way - are there others? I would love to hear. Ever listen and try to figure out who is playing what? The violin and drum parts are obvious, but Fripp & Wetton create a wonderful mystery of amplified rock axes throughout these parts - sonic richness that you can taste (esp. if you are on psychedelics :>) !!!

[douglasennis]

Was at this show ... I was sad they overdubbed Eddie Jobson on violin 🎻!! David's parts were excellent that night ... though the weather 🌡️☁️🌧️🌨️🥶was 🚫

[fernandomarmol]

En esta continuidad de los K.C., lei en un reportaje a Robert Fripp, que él decía que Bill Bruford era el músico que resultaba imprescindible para la formación de la década del 80, y luego en los 90, esto mismo aplicaba para Adrian Belew. Hoy observo que el viejo Robert tenía razón, Bill en los 70 fue el pulso insustituible de Crimson en el grupo, claro, y para la que siguió fue la piedra basal de lo que vendría. Lo demás, lo debatimos en otro video-audio...

[marcmacario-yttd]

When play the bass and when the guitar ???

[pearsrtasty]

Did anyone come here, because of the Dr. Phil show? Wondering if this was the murder rap guy? Just me? Huh..mmk :) Interesting music tho, I must say ;) When I say interesting, I mean it's very good. I really like it.

[visiondigital]

Sounds like the Mahavishnu, RTF, Weather Report of progressive rock.