INTERVIEW: Director Toby Amies of “In the Court of the Crimson King, King Crimson at 50” on Robert Fripp and More


Keefy had a chat with Director Toby Amies – to discuss his King Crimson documentary In the Court of the Crimson King, King Crimson at 50 – which was released in October. Toby was granted unprecedented access to King Crimson on their last world tour, documented the story of the band, talked to former and current members, and had a lot of contact with Robert Fripp, himself. We had a candid chat about the enigmatic prog legend and guitar wizard, their diehard fanbase, Toby’s relationship with Robert, Robert and Toyah’s popularity, and much more.

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King Crimson Documentary “In the Court of the Crimson King, King Crimson at 50” to Receive a Global Release


DGM Ltd and King Crimson have announced the public launch of the highly anticipated documentary ‘In the Court of the Crimson King, King Crimson at 50,’ directed by Toby Amies (The Man Whose Mind Exploded). King Crimson has always pioneered its own uncompromisingly independent route, and this documentary, 4 years in the making, has followed the same path. In a carefully choreographed global event, the movie will be available for One Day Only in select independent cinemas worldwide on Wednesday 19th October, with a specially filmed introduction. Watch the trailer here:

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King Crimson Announces 50th Anniversary Tour And Box Set Plans


Arguably the best progressive rock band ever, King Crimson will celebrate the 50th Anniversary as a band in 2019, and the 50th anniversary of their debut album In The Court Of The Crimson King. The band has announced plans for major tour with a career-spanning setlist. Starting this summer, they will embark on a “Celebration Tour” consisting of 50 dates. Currently, the trek kicks off in this summer in Germany and wraps up in New York in September. Check their itinerary at their website, and purchase tickets at the link below. This year will also see the release of the documentary Cosmic F*Kc. Directed by Toby Amies, the film will include archival footage and interviews with King Crimson members past and present. It’s set for release in late 2019. A soundtrack is also planned. Continuing the celebration, the band has announced several new box sets. Their debut album, 1969’s In the Court of the Crimson King, will receive a limited edition expanded set featuring live recordings, studio sessions, photos, liner notes, and a new remix of the album proper. A vinyl release of all their 1969 recordings is in the works. Release dates have not yet been set. 90s through 2008 with the box set Heaven & Earth. Other celebratory releases planned for this year include clothing, archival live albums (in their ongoing Collectors’ Club series), an updated edition of Sid Smith’s long out-of-print band biography In the Court of King Crimson, and 50 new rarities uploaded to their website and streaming services one week at a time.Continue reading


Progressive Rock Legend Greg Lake Dead At 69


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The year of the reaper continues to reach in and slice us right through our hearts as the music world has lost another giant. Greg Lake, bassist and guitarist best known for his work with Emerson, Lake And Palmer, King Crimson, and Asia has passed away at age 69 after a battle with cancer. Continue reading


Progressive Rock Albums 101 by The Great Discord


Genesis Selling England By The Pound Album cover

Duende, the Metal Blade début from progressive metallers The Great Discord was released this week. As much as the album is a tight and technical metal album, the music has a spirit that is steeped in the history of prog rock. We asked singer Fia Kempe and drummer Aksel Holmgren what was their singular favorite albums in classic prog history. After hearing the bands’ music their answers make perfect sense:

Fia: “I was thinking about this the other day, because we have gotten this question before and you always… always when you get the question you think “Fuck! What am I going to answer?” (laughs) Because there are too many great progressive records out there. If I had to say one album I would say Selling England By The Pound by Genesis, it’s just an amazing progressive rock album which stuck. That opened a whole new world for me. Actually it opened my entire musical world, I guess. I come from a very musical family. I have grown up with these kind of old prog rock bands like Genesis, and Gentle Giant, King Crimson and Jethro Tull. So Selling England By The Pound is an album that really means a lot to me, and also one album that I have so many emotional connections to and definitely inspired me as to why we make the music we make today. So thanks Genesis for that!”

 

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Aksel: “I think it’s probably going to be King Crimson: In The Court Of The Crimson King. I think that album is the one that opened up my eyes to the playfulness of the genre. I heard it the first time when I wasn’t even 10 years old. My dad had it on vinyl and I was listening to it in the background. And I heard it and I asked him “Dad what’s this weird music? And my father said “Oh this is King Crimson. It’s 70s music, you wouldn’t understand.” (laughs) Something like that basically. I was like “Holy shit, I have to listen back to this!” And especially In the Court of the Crimson King and I Talk to the Wind, they just blew my mind! The melodic passages and the way they construct songs, it becomes much more of a story way more than just a 3 minute song. It always you to go on a musical adventure that is so much more intricate than just radio music. That has always been one of the main catch points for me. If its progressive and that type of progressive music, it’s usually something that catches my attention for such a long period of time. It drags me on a long, almost spiritual journey. That’s something that no other musical genre can do for me; to capture my attention, except for Jazz in some ways. Progressive music, it would have to be King Crimson. I love them! It’s ridiculous! (laughs)”