The Road to Red is quasi-mystical. Imagine if King Crimson truly ceased to exist in 1974. The only other band that I can think of, whose end would have bordered on total shock, were The Doors. After finishing their European tour (presented on Starless), King Crimson embarked on a stratospherical North American tour, that was arguably even "better" then the EU one. The band was absolutely on fire. I can barely imagine what it was like to witness one of those concerts. Some attendees reported that...
The Road to Red is quasi-mystical. Imagine if King Crimson truly ceased to exist in 1974. The only other band that I can think of, whose end would have bordered on total shock, were The Doors. After finishing their European tour (presented on Starless), King Crimson embarked on a stratospherical North American tour, that was arguably even "better" then the EU one. The band was absolutely on fire. I can barely imagine what it was like to witness one of those concerts. Some attendees reported that some performances were unlike anything they have seen before. As for me, going through these discs, I can only say this: what a ridiculously excellent experience. Why this reaction? Because for the first time in my life, I had gone through 20 discs of basically the same setlist TWO TIMES, and not getting tired of it. Unbeliavable interpretations of Easy Money, bone shattering performances of Fracture, apocalyptic versions of Starless and improvs that border on impossible. I never, thus far, enjoyed a nearly whole tour without thinking of having a break. And then it happened. The band finished the tour, went to the studio, recordered Red and was no more, literally overnight. No one died, but as I said earlier, the only other band that achieved this shock throughout the rock world were The Doors. Well, maybe Led Zeppelin. Red is a unique album, regarded as one of the most influental albums of all time, but I always felt it was rushed. As if the band couldn't wait to disband (as it was probably the case).
In short a box set of outstanding concerts on CDs, amazing blu-rays, an in-depth booklet, photos and more. This is not merely a box set for die-hard Crimson fans. It's history.
