Lizard: 30th Anniversary Edition

King Crimson - Lizard: 30th Anniversary Edition

Lizard: 30th Anniversary Edition
List Price: $16.98
Our Price: $9.11
You Save: $7.87 (46%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $9.10 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more new music releases
Listen soundtracks from this album



(Click here)
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store

Music CD Cover

Artist: King Crimson
Edition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
CD Release Date: 2004-12-20
Music Label: Discipline Us
Soundtracks:
  1. Cirkus (Including Entry Of The Chameleons)
  2. Indoor Game
  3. Happy Family
  4. Lizard
  5. Big Top

Free Music Notes for Lizard: 30th Anniversary Edition

Free Music Review: A great and extremely experimental Crimson album
Hit: 5 Stars

This 1970 release was created in-between the brilliant 1969 debut (In the Court of the Crimson King) and the staggering virtuosity and general "wildness" of the 1973-1975 incarnation of King Crimson (Larks Tongues in Aspic; Starless and Bible Black, and Red). Although some fans and critics regard Lizard as a weaker album (and even hard to "get into"), I personally feel that the music is excellent and shows a great deal of compositional sophistication (classical influences figure prominently). Pete Sinfield even turned the heat up on his lyrics and they are very elaborate and complex on Lizard. Come to think of it, the album stands among some of my favorite King Crimson albums.

The core lineup on Lizard included: Robert Fripp (acoustic and electric guitars, mellotron, electric keyboards & devices); Mel Collins (flute & saxophones); Gordon Haskell (bass guitar & vocals); Andy McCulloch (drums and percussion); and Peter Sinfield (words & pictures; VCS3 synthesizer). Additional musicians include: Robin Miller (oboe & cor anglais); Mark Charig (cornet); Nick Evans (trombone); Keith Tippet (piano & electric piano); and finally Jon Anderson of Yes fame (vocals on "Prince Rupert Awakes"). In terms of musicianship, Robert Fripp and excellent drummer Andy McCulloch are the true standouts here, although the supporting brass and woodwind players turn in some excellent ensemble work (especially on the track Bolero). Bassist/vocalist Gordon Haskell (who was apparently a fan of soul and Motown music) was either reluctant (or unable) to embrace the complex material on Lizard and it shows in his bass playing, which is fairly weak throughout (his vocals may be an acquired taste for some - although I like them a lot). Following the release of the Lizard album, Haskell left the band (along with McCulloch).

The five tracks on the album range in length from 2'47" (the delicate Lady of the Dancing water) to the massive (23'15"), seven-part Lizard suite, which would prove to be the largest piece that the band would ever compose. Musically, Lizard presents a nice mixture of symphonic prog, the avant-garde, and even some highly experimental, jazz-inflected moments here and there (apparently a Miles Davis influence), although it is extremely odd-sounding and angular jazz. Pieces that are good examples of the avant-garde aspects include Happy Family, which features Tippetts' insane pounding on the piano. Although there are some hectic and aggressive moments on the album, in large part it is quiet and even reflective at points. Lady of the Dancing Water is the most soft and pastoral piece on the album, and features some excellent flute playing by Mel Collins.

Other personal favorites include Cirkus (love the mellotron), Indoor Games, and the huge Lizard suite. The suite opens with the very delicate and pastoral Prince Rupert Awakes movement and features the high pitched and soft vocals of Jon Anderson. His vocals work perfectly with this track. Bolero (the second movement in the Lizard suite) is another favorite and is a virtual showcase for supporting musicians Tippett, Miller, Charig, and Evans. The Lizard suite goes through a number of twists and turns, ranging from the delicate to the all out instrumental chaos of The Battle of Glass Tears/Last Skirmish. The piece closes some 23 minutes later with Big Top, which consists of carnival music, sped up and otherwise distorted (very creepy sounding stuff).

All in all this is a very progressive and challenging album by King Crimson and is a personal favorite from the 1970 -1972 period. Very highly recommended along with the 1969 debut, Larks Tongues in Aspic (1973), and Red (1974).

Lizard: 30th Anniversary Edition Poster

2004 reissue of the band's 1970 album. Discipline.

Classic Rock Music CDs

Music Genres
Top music charts in Classic Rock Music CDs
Wings at the Speed of Sound ImagePaul Mccartney, Wings - Wings at the Speed of Sound
Release date: 1996-09-24; Music CD
Best price: $149.99
Boxed ImageSmall Faces - Boxed
Release date: 1997-11-01; Music CD
Best price: $39.95
Gris Gris ImageDr John - Gris Gris
Release date: 1994-07-15; Music CD
Price in other shops: $18.98
Eric Clapton: Live in Hyde Park [VHS] ImageEric Clapton: Live in Hyde Park [VHS]
Warner Bros / Wea; Release date: 1998-02-17; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $13.50
Price in other shops: $19.98
Human Highway [VHS] ImageHuman Highway [VHS]
Warner Bros / Wea; Release date: 1995-08-08; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $153.94
The Monkees - Head [VHS] ImageThe Monkees - Head [VHS]
Rhino / Wea; Release date: 1995-01-25; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $14.40
Price in other shops: $14.98
Live & Loud [VHS] ImageOzzy Osbourne - Live & Loud [VHS]
Sony; Release date: 1993-05-25; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $3.96
Price in other shops: $14.98
Unplugged [VHS] ImageBruce Springsteen - Unplugged [VHS]
Sony; Release date: 1992-12-15; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $2.75
Price in other shops: $14.98
Peter Gabriel - P.O.V. [VHS] ImagePeter Gabriel - Peter Gabriel - P.O.V. [VHS]
Virgin Records Us; Release date: 1992-06-29; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops: $19.98
Past to Present [VHS] ImageToto - Past to Present [VHS]
Sony; Release date: 1991-07-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $77.99
Top Rated Albums
Beat ImageKing Crimson - Beat
Release date: 2006-01-16; Music CD
Best price: $9.25
Price in other shops: $16.98
Construcktion of Light ImageKing Crimson - Construcktion of Light
Release date: 2008-01-15; Music CD
Best price: $9.54
Price in other shops: $16.98
Three of a Perfect Pair ImageKing Crimson - Three of a Perfect Pair
Release date: 2006-03-14; Music CD
Best price: $9.07
Price in other shops: $16.98
Discipline: 40th Anniversary Series ImageKing Crimson - Discipline: 40th Anniversary Series
Release date: 2011-10-24; Music CD
Best price: $16.96
Price in other shops: $24.98
Starless and Bible Black - 30th Anniversary Edition Remastered ImageKing Crimson - Starless and Bible Black - 30th Anniversary Edition Remastered
Release date: 2006-01-16; Music CD
Best price: $9.10
Price in other shops: $16.98
Larks Tongues in Aspic - 30th Anniversary Edition Remastered ImageKing Crimson - Larks Tongues in Aspic - 30th Anniversary Edition Remastered
Release date: 2004-12-20; Music CD
Best price: $9.17
Price in other shops: $16.98
Islands: 30th Anniversary Edition ImageKing Crimson - Islands: 30th Anniversary Edition
Release date: 2004-12-20; Music CD
Best price: $8.86
Price in other shops: $16.98
In the Wake of Poseidon: 30th Anniversary Edition ImageKing Crimson - In the Wake of Poseidon: 30th Anniversary Edition
Release date: 2004-12-20; Music CD
Best price: $8.92
Price in other shops: $16.98
In the Court of the Crimson King ImageKing Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King
Release date: 2004-11-22; Music CD
Best price: $9.83
Price in other shops: $16.98
Red 30th Anniversary Edition Remastered ImageKing Crimson - Red 30th Anniversary Edition Remastered
Release date: 2004-11-22; Music CD
Best price: $9.26
Price in other shops: $16.98
Compare prices and find music notes for more than one million Music CD titles