KING CRIMSON — USA (review)

KING CRIMSON — USA album cover Live album · 1975 · Jazz Related Rock Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
Sean Trane
Undefined State of Amnesia

For over twenty years, this was the only live testimony of the second KC era (and it was a posthumous release), and although much better than Earthbound, the sound was hardly great on this album too. Finally for the 30th anniversary (and along with the Japanese mini-Lp), this album got its first official Cd release (some 25 years after its release) and I could not resist because it is the only Crimson album to have received bonus tracks and this alone made a solid better value.

Although there was a nowhere-else available track, the Asbury Park improv, I had not kept the vinyl since I was not pleased with the muddy sound. Then came out The Nightwatch double-set, which had a very good sound and I had almost forgotten this album, when I had a great opportunity and did not hesitate much since it was re-mastered. However, even remastered (and well improved over the vinyl), the sound is still not excellent (there is only so much you can do to average recordings), but at least, I got them three bonus tracks.

Knowing that the sound is still not up to par with The Nightwatch, this is really a toss-up as to which you should own first, but this one has Asbury Park, Starless (with Cross on violin) but the other has the eponymous, Talking Drum and three other improvs. Since I could not make-out a clear winner I now have both. This one has got Starless as a finale now and this is certainly a great asset.

With this remastered edition, this album has now gained a full place next to their historical studio albums and it now proudly sits next to Red and before The Nightwatch.
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