Product Description

Second release in the 40th Anniversary series, this version of one of the most revered rock albums of all time contains a compact disc with 5.1 surround sound mix by Steven Wilson, with Robert Fripp as executive producer, from the original studio masters, as well as a new stereo mix from the original multitrack tapes. Disc one also features five previously unreleased tracks. Disc two is a DVD A which features both the original album imx and the new album mix in high res stereo, as well as three bonus tracks in high res stereo.

Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. 21st Century Schizoid Man
2. I Talk to the Wind
3. Epitaph
4. Moonchild
5. The Court of the Crimson King
6. Moonchild 2009 mix (full version)
7. I Talk to the Wind (Alternate take - Duo version)
8. I Talk to the Wind (Alternate Mix)
9. Epitaph (Backing track)
10. Wind Session (from album session recordings)

Disc 2:

1. Moonchild 2009 mix full version
2. I Talk to the Wind Alternate take - Duo version
3. I Talk to the Wind Alternate Mix
4. Epitaph Backing track
5. Wind Session from album session recordings
6. 21st Century Schizoid Man Instrumental mix
7. I Talk to the Wind Studio run through
8. Epitaph Alternate version
9. Moonchild Take 1 1
10. The Court of the Crimson King Take 3
11. Bonus Video of 21st Century Schizoid Man as performed at Hyde Park July 1969.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #609 in Music
• Released on: 2009-11-10
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .28 pounds

Customer Reviews

Something for Everyone...
First of all, let me preface my comments by saying that I am a fan of surround. Generally, when given the choice between stereo and 5.1 I will always listen to the 5.1 version. This time, I prefer the MLP lossless stereo version of In the Court of the Crimson King. I think that it has enormous clarity, but is smoother and more listenable than the surround version.

I am not sure whether it is the excellent mix on this 2009 stereo version or a weakness in the 5.1 version (probably a little of both), but this time around the separation and distinct presentation of the instruments and voice were at times a bit distracting to me in surround. In particular, "The Court of the Crimson King" sounded much better to me in the stereo version. For example, the keyboards coming from the left channel in 5.1 were a bit overwhelming to me. The distorted vocals in 21st Century Schizoid Man are isolated in the center channel, which makes Greg Lake sound, well, even more distorted.

I have the 1999 remaster, which as I understand it, was not taken from the original master tapes (as was this new version). The clarity of this 2009 version, compared to the 1999 mix of In the Court of the Crimson King, is very much improved. If you do not have a remix taken from the original master tapes, this is worth the money. Plus, there are so many different versions of this album it's hard to compare them all. It's fun to try, though. The 2 disc set contains: 1.) MLP lossless 5.1 surround; 2.) MLP lossless stereo; 3.) DTS 5.1 surround; 4.) LPCM stereo; 5.) standard CD stereo on a second disc. The CD stereo is the 2009 remaster, but the DVD also contains the 24-bit "Original Master Edition 2004." There is additional audio content on the DVD, including a "full version" of Moonchild, a duo version and alternate mix of "I Talk to the Wind," the backing track from "Epitaph," and studio tapes from the sound effects recording for the beginning of "21st Century Schizoid Man." There is an "alternate album" mix. The video is a brief edit from Hyde Park in 1969, and the quality is poor.

I just noticed that the December issue of Sound and Vision magazine has an article (several, actually) on the King Crimson 2009 releases as well as Steve Wilson and surround sound. It's worth a read if you are interested in these recordings.In the end, I have to go with five stars on In the Court of the Crimson King. This is, after all, one of the top 100 records ever made. I may have gone less than five stars for the surround mix, but the 2009 stereo mix is top notch. There is something here for every fan of this album to enjoy.

A Fresh Vintage Masterpiece, mixed from scratch. Very nice!
Get this one before the price goes even higher. This is another fine job by Steve Wilson (porcupine tree) mixing a King Crimson masterpiece. Other reviewers will no doubt go into details about how and why and what is so good about this album's re-mixing. My last version of this was vinyl, so all I can say is it's really, really, really sounds great! DVD-Audio in 5.1 is the way to listen to music! Who whould have thought Fripp and Wilson could have gotten so much fidelity out of those old anologue tapes from 1969? It's clear and crisp with a full frequency response - and no hiss, pops, rumble or flutter! A really fine job. King Crimson's Red in 5.1 is also outstanding, if not better, than this release. I would check it out, too.

Awesome Mix
I actually think the inverse of the other comments. This 5.1 mix sounds much more dynamic than that of Red--whose stereo mix I preferred. This cd will never sound this good again and that is a guarantee. It should be mentioned that on both titles the stereo mix is of higher resolution (96/24 as opposed to 48/24), but " The Court" 5.1 really seems to have its own life, consciousness and existence--it is more free and unpredictable (like the way music sounds when you hear it live) and really keeps you on your toes with the surprises literally lurking around every turn. This is the way 5.1 should be!! Don't even hesitate to buy this one!!