King Crimson - "Starless - Live in Europe" box set confirmed

I agree that many of the discs in the LTIA box are in quite rough sound, because of low-quality sources - but as someone who listens to a lot of very old blues, jazz, country etc stuff recorded in the pre-tape era - often very rough sounding - I guess it just doesn't break the deal for me.

The thing is there is some simply AMAZING music in that LTIA box, and for me it is no exaggeration to say that my life is just a bit better for having heard it - sonic warts and all. I hate to think of the possibility that if Fripp et al had felt similarly about the rough sonics I might never have been able to hear a legit release of the material. In my opinion there was a fly by the seat of your pants improvisational excitement in that period - much of it prompted by the presence of Jamie Muir - that basically went out the window by the time of the STARLESS box. Now that STARLESS box is admittedly great, yes - I wouldn't be without that one either - and in much better sound than the LTIA box overall - but the point is they had nonetheless settled into a routine by the period covered by the STARLESS box. I realize this is a relative thing given the overall adventurousness of Crimson relative to other acts, but the fact is by the STARLESS box period they had become far less adventurous, albeit more consistent.

I would just hate for adventurous listeners, particularly those who love really "go for it" kinds of improv, to avoid the LTIA box simply on the basis of sonics, if they can pick it up for a good price. It does (at least to what I have seen) tend to sell for quite little on Amazon given the amount of material in the set and the amazing booklet and extras. And, btw, some of the discs in the set sound quite good - the whole thing isn't a loss sonically by any means.

Anyway not to "argue" with Marty T, who provides a perfectly valid perspective, but just to throw in a somewhat different one, particularly for folks who are more tolerant of low-quality sonics in cases where the music is of high inherent and historical value. I mean after all there is a lot of great-sounding Crimson stuff out there to enjoy, when one is in that kind of mood - not sure it has to be an either/or kind of choice.

 

Well put, @DrJ.

 

I ordered the Starless set. I have the rest in digital from the internet and wanted to support one. The better blurays and DVDa plus more discs put it over for me. I also dig the sound venues a bit more I think. No Fallen Angel stuff is a shame on the road boxset. There is just way too much repeated USA/Casino content on that box despite some awesome shows as well.

 

The sound limitations are no impediment to my enjoyment either. And the LTIA Session Reels disc is a pretty amazing listen as well.

 

I totally agree.

 

Great choice! There is a wealth of greatness in that box. I really like the booklet that's included as well. Enjoy the ride.

 

Yes, that and the hi rez are the drawing cards. Think all of the Live material had been issued by the Collectors Club.

 

I can't put the LTIA box in the class of so many of the pre-tape era classics, DrJ. I personally have listen many more times to the CD's comprising Blind Blakes complete works. I have yet to go back to any of the audience recordings from the LTIA box. However, I am glad to know there are folks such as yourself who find value in it.

 

There isn't a King Crimson 1972-1974 tape that I wouldn't listen to, or buy. (And yes, there are still MANY not enshrined in box sets).

One strategy I have employed on the Muir era live tapes is to compile all the improv's to a compilation. A fascinating listen that quickly transcends any sonic limitations, although I've never had any problems with sound quality.

 

I'm sorry but maybe my attention span is not what it was 30 years back when I was a teenager, so I really have a hard time getting through the LTIA box and other bootleg recordings that sound like I am listening to the show from the bathroom. With KC's Brighton 71 club release, I had first encountered a feeling of remorse for buying it. Years later I had made the mistake of purchasing the somewhat similar bootleg sounding LTIA box, I then swore off buying either the Red or Starless box. But then last summer I bought Starless and it blew me away. This summer thanks to a forum member I just picked up the Road to Red box. I probably own 75% of it but I know the sound and playing quality are all near top notch, & having complete shows that I previously only had pieces of is another benefit. With all the love here for the performances on the LTIA box I will have to give it another shot in the near future.

 

I can handle the sound quality on most of the Muir era stuff, since that's all we have and beggars can't be choosers, but there are one or two performances there with that set that test even my fairly generous standard (like the Portsmith Guildhall which is close to unlistenable to me). If all of the audience recordings sounded as good as, say, Oxford, I would have been happy indeed. I still think that it's worth exploring this set, but maybe not for those who prefer more pristine sound quality.

I also wish that there were more good quality recordings from the first half of '73. Though they had lost Muir by that point, his anarchic spirit still seems to haunt the proceedings on freewheeling performances like the excellent Paris show.

 

A new post for anyone dealing with a defective disc #23
Disc 23 Starless Box Set Update

 

What's the best price anyone got on this?

 

I paid $174 at Overstock when it came out, which seemed like a competitive price at the time. I see one on Discogs for under $150US right now.

 

Importcds has it $125, but I swear I saw one for $110 a while back.

 

I paid $146 including shipping from amason last week

 

I finally got this (new from Import CDs for $125). The surround mixes of the live stuff are a blast!

It seems my blurays are okay. Was there ever a way to tell we got a repress by a matrix number or something?

I promptly ordered Larks' Tongues and Road to Red boxes after receiving Starless. Slippery slope, etc.

 

Now $110 with the TAKE10 discount code:

King Crimson Starless [Import] Boxed Set, United Kingdom - Import, 27PC, Oversize Item Split on ImportCDs

 

Good to read that the Larks' box is the lowest quality audio in the series. Bought it on the day of release, but found it hard to listen to. The new Sailor Tales box has made me interested in getting the remaining boxes as well...

 

And if it isn’t enough:

King Crimson: King Crimson: On (and Off) The Road
King Crimson: King Crimson: THRAK BOX - Live and Studio Recordings 1994-1997
King Crimson: King Crimson: Starless - Live in Europe
King Crimson: King Crimson: The Road to Red
King Crimson: King Crimson: Larks' Tongues in Aspic (40th Anniversary Series Box)

Cheers!
John

 

Have to say I'm not a big fan of the 80's and beyond incarnation of the band - so for now I'll "just" get Starless/Road to Red/Sailors Tale I think

 

Yes, but if you ever feel like you want to have a good representation of the 80s band without going crazy (there aren't a zillion live shows in the box - but the most video content of any box released to date), this is a good way to get all you need in one convenient package.

 

But appears to be on backorder.

 

Oh, but I've got the 40th Anniversary editi0ns of Discipline/Beat/TOAPP, as well as the Thrak one. In the end I'll probably end up getting the O&OTR/Thrak boxes either way. Must be complete and all.

 

Oh, it wasn't yesterday when I ordered.