The harmonic reason for the melody "The Letters" is derived from the Giles, Giles in addition to Fripp vocal "Why Don't You Just Drop In," available on The Brondesbury Tapes compilation. The span department is also taken from the King Crimson version of the song, performed past times the original line-up, titled precisely "Drop In" in addition to later on released on the live-album Epitaph. The original reason for the vocal "Prelude: Song of the Gulls" is derived from the Giles, Giles in addition to Fripp vocal "Suite No. 1". The outset vinyl unloose of the album features a hidden track. At the terminate of side 2 at that spot is a recording of studio chatter followed past times Fripp saying, alongside other things, "...What we're going to do, umm... create it twice more, ane time with the oboe, ane time without it, in addition to then... nosotros finish." This was included on the initial CD unloose but was accidentally left off the outset pressings of the 1989 Definitive Edition CD remaster. It was restored on all subsequent reissues.
The original Great Britain in addition to European encompass depicts the Trifid Nebula inward Sagittarius in addition to displays neither the call of the band nor the title. The original USA in addition to Canadian album encompass (as released past times Atlantic Records) was a Peter Sinfield epitome of off-white with coloured "islands". This was used equally an internal gatefold sleeve inward the UK. When the King Crimson catalogue was re-issued past times EG, they standardised on the "Trifid Nebula" encompass world-wide.
I actually bask this 1971 unloose past times King Crimson inward spite of the fact that it is neither equally wildly virtuosic nor heavy equally the outset album in addition to the trio of vivid albums released during 1973-1974. In contrast, Islands is largely serenity in addition to brooding, with dark, depression tones played on reed, brass, in addition to string instruments, woodwinds, along with moody mellotron pads hither in addition to there. With observe to the novel band members, bassist Boz Burrell's lack of familiarity with the electrical bass in addition to his admittedly simplistic approach to the musical instrument mightiness non receive got worked inward whatever other setting but industrial plant good inward this stripped downwards context. Fortunately, his lack of playing powerfulness is to a greater extent than than compensated for past times his corking vocal abilities, superior acoustic bassist Harry Miller (his bowed in addition to plucked parts are featured on the outset piece), in addition to superb drumming past times Ian Wallace. Fripp of course of educational activity is first-class equally both a composer/arranger in addition to guitarist, although his guitar playing is non featured prominently on this album - inward fact, with the exception of a single, frenzied guitar solo on Sailor's Tale, the electrical guitar is pretty much absent. Keboardist extraordinaire Keith Tippett is or thus other soul that I want at that spot was to a greater extent than of on this album. The pieces including Formentara Lady/Sailor's Tale, The Letters, in addition to Islands are to a greater extent than or less similarly sullen, quiet, in addition to acoustic, piece the classically influenced instrumental Song of the Gulls is hauntingly beautiful in addition to features a wonderful string organisation written past times Robert Fripp. In stark contrast to these v pieces is Ladies of the Road, which is a brash in addition to vulgar vocal (with Beatle-esque undertones) that pays homage to groupies in addition to is non terribly good, although Mel Collins sax solo is perfectly "brash in addition to vulgar". Although this album may non last a fan favorite in addition to the lineup was pretty awful alive (listen to Earthbound for proof), I uncovering corking pleasance inward the overall darkness in addition to gloom of the recording. Although King Crimson would larn on to greater things next this album, I regard this an first-class improver to whatever King Crimson collection.
When I outset listened to 'Letters', dorsum inward 1971, I constitute myself shaking afterwards! When I brain to this vocal today, it has the same outcome on me equally dorsum then! Nothing has changed, because this incredible album was eons ahead of its time, to get down with. It's no wonder that many Crimson fans create non house this precious rock where it belongs: It's also personal, also esoteric, perchance fully accessible alone to the "initiates" (let us non forget that Robert Fripp is a really spiritual soul in addition to a serious student/teacher of meditation. In fact, inward his guitar school, meditation is an integral job of the student's training). This album surely contains the best elements of King Crimson's music. The heavy (Sailor's Tale), the lyrical (Formentera Lady, Islands), the classical (Prelude..), the jazzy (Letters, Sailor's Tale), in addition to the pop/humorous (Ladies of the Road). But nearly important, behind the existent beauty of the music, comes a message of despair in addition to agony: The outcry of the contemporary human being who tries to escape the crashing loneliness of this age. The demand of us humans to escape our plightful, lonely "island" nation of beingness in addition to merge into a collective consciousness (..Islands bring together hands 'neath sky sea). Together with 'Red', this is non alone my favourite Crimson album, but ane of my v favourite albums ever!
Tracks Listing
1. Formentera Lady (10:14)
2. Sailor's Tale (7:21)
3. The Letters (4:26)
4. Ladies Of The Road (5:28)
5. Prelude: Song Of The Gulls (4:14)
6. Islands (11:51)
Total Time: 43:34
Line-up / Musicians
- Robert Fripp / guitar, Mellotron, Peter's Pedal Harmonium in addition to sundry implements
- Mel Collins / flute, bass flute, saxes in addition to vocals
- Boz Burrell / bass guitar, atomic number 82 vocals in addition to choreography
- Ian Wallace / drums, percussion in addition to vocals
- Peter Sinfield / words, sounds in addition to visions
WITH:
- Keith Tippet / piano
- Paulina Lucas / soprano
- Robin Miller / oboe
- Mark Charig / cornet
- Harry Miller / string bass
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