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KING CRIMSON released their seventh studio album Red on October 6, 1974 through Island Records and Atlantic Records. This was their last studio recording of the 1970s and the last before lead member Robert Fripp temporarily disbanded the group. King Crimson disbanded on September 24, 1974 and the album was released without any promotional tours taking place.
Red was recorded at Olympic Studios, London in July – August 1974 with the exception of the fourth track “Providence”, which was recorded live at the Palace Theatre, Providence, Rhode Island, USA on June 30, 1974. King Crimson himself served as producer for this album.
This record lasted only 1 week on the UK charts, at No. 45, of which all of the band’s previous albums reached the Top 30. In the US, the album reached No. 66 on the Billboard 200. However, the album was well known to fans and critics alike.
In 2001 Q Magazine ranked Red as one of the “50 Heaviest Albums of All Time”, and Kurt Cobain cites this album as his biggest influence.
“Red” is at No. 87 on Rolling Stones magazine’s list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Songs. Pitchfork put Red at No. 72 in the Top 100 Albums of the 1970s. Rateyourmusic chose Red as the #1 album of 1974 and No. 47 in the greatest albums of all time.
Track List: (1). Red (instrumental), (2). Fallen Angel, (3). One More Red Nightmare, (4). Providence (Instrumental improve), (5). Starless.
King Crimson personnel – production, arrangements: • Robert Fripp – guitar, mellotron, • John Wetton – bass, vocals, lyrics on “One More Red Nightmare” and “Starless”, • Bill Bruford – drums, percussion
Additional personnel: • David Cross – violin on “Providence”, • Mel Collins – soprano saxophone on “Starless”, • Ian McDonald – alto saxophone on “One More Red Nightmare” and “Starless”, • Mark Charig – cornet on “Fallen Angel”, bass cello on “Red” (uncredited), • Robin Miller – oboe on “Fallen Angel”, • Uncredited musician – cello on “Starless”, • Richard Palmer-James – lyrics on “Fallen Angel” and “Starless”. [sources/photo special]
