With all the recent discussion of Fracture both on the news page and Robert’s diary, it seems appropriate to note that on this date 32 years ago, King Crimson’s seventh album, Starless And Bible Black was released.
Not that there was anytime for the lads to pop the champagne corks in its honour. They were out working that night in Heidelberg – as documented on KCCC 29.
Reaching No.28 in the UK charts, the bulk of Starless And Bible Black was lifted from their gig the previous year at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam (the title track, Fracture, Trio and the introduction to The Night Watch) with additional material from Glasgow (We’ll Let You Know) and Zurich (The Mincer).
Closing side one of the original album, The Mincer was a bold attempt to bridge the gap left by a lack of composed studio-ready material. Doctor Diamond, which had emerged in the last writing session, was considered as needing more work and rejected - although in Heidelberg they turn in arguably the best live version of the track.
So with a few minutes needed to round off the album, they opted to overdub an improv with some lyrics. The track dribbles to an end when the tape runs out – an effect which Cross and Fripp applauded at the time but which the others did not. Talk to Wetton, Bruford and Palmer-James today and they’ll tell you the track is little more than filler.
This being an anniversary day gives me the excuse to point to Tom Phillips’ website. As you’ll know, Tom did the cover art for the album after he was recommended to Fripp by Brian Eno.
The inside gatefold was a reworking of his earlier painting, Here We Exemplify and the quote on the back sleeve was lifted from page 222 of his epic work A Humument.
