Thanks to our friends at Eclectic Discs we have a copy of The Cheerful Insanity of Giles, Giles & Fripp to give away.
Though essentially the same as the old Deram CD version (minus one bonus track), Eclectic have done a lovely remastering job from the original tapes and it comes in a nice package designed by the great Phil Smee with comprehensive notes from Mark Powell.
The success of King Crimson meant that the GG&F album was sought out and examined by enthusiasts far more closely than during the time of its initial release when it sold a maximum of 600 copies.
For the most part, people seeking clues as to where Crimson came from were baffled by the overall lightness of the album. Perhaps only Erudite Eyes and the Suite No.1 offer any hint of what lay ahead. Even then you’d be better off checking out the Brondesbury Tapes for any real evidence of nascent Crimness.
Poring over the juvenilia of any artist for signs and indicators of the future isn’t always a good thing and perhaps it’s best to accept the album for what it is — the product of three musicians in search of material.
If you’d like to get your mits on a free copy all you have do tell me which other Eclectic Disc album in their new releases section has contributions from Robert Fripp.
If you’re unsure check out the Eclectic Discs website and then leave your answer on the DGMLive guestbook. The giveaway will close September 8 and the winner will be a name picked out of the hat.
