King Crimson The Night Watch 1973

The Night Watch is a live album by progressive rock group King Crimson. It was recorded on 23 November 1973 at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Holland while they were promoting the Larks’ Tongues in Aspic studio album.

I think King Crimson could be the most difficult group to buy albums for because of the many different changes in line-up and basic sound.

The group at this stage were:

Robert Fripp – guitar, mellotron
John Wetton – bass guitar, vocals
David Cross – violin, viola, keyboards
Bill Bruford – drums, percussion

Many will argue that this is the classic line-up, even surpassing the version with Greg Lake as all four people appeared on Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Starless and Bible Black and Red although the involvement of David Cross on Red is very limited.

There is a very strong argument that a group as innovative as King Crimson are best live rather than caught in the studio.

King Crimson The Night Watch

king crimson nightwatch

Set List

  1. Easy Money –  6:14 (originally on the studio album Larks’ Tongues in Aspic)
  2. Lament –  4:14 (preview of a song to appear on Starless and Bible Black)
  3. Book of Saturday –  4:07 (Larks’ Tongues in Aspic)
  4. Fracture – 11:28 (Starless and Bible Black)
  5. The Night Watch – 5:28 (Starless and Bible Black)
  6. Improvisation: Starless and Bible Black –  9:11 (Starless and Bible Black)

Disc 2

  1. Improvisation: Trio –  6:09 (Starless and Bible Black)
  2. Exiles –  6:37 (Larks’ Tongues in Aspic)
  3. Improvisation: The Fright Watch –  6:03
  4. The Talking Drum –  6:34 (Larks’ Tongues in Aspic)
  5. Larks’ Tongues in Aspic (Part II) –  7:51 (Larks’ Tongues in Aspic)
  6. 21st Century Schizoid Man –  10:38 (In The Court Of The Crimson King)

What Other People Say About The Night Watch

It is a surprise to me that I haven’t seen any live King Crimson albums on the lists of the best live albums. I suspect that it’s because even critics are left unsure about how to approach the group.

It’s a different story at Amazon.

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Buying The Night Watch

To help you to find the album quickly and easily, I’ve given you the following links::

Unfortunately there aren’t any mp3 samples available through Amazon of The Night Watch or any other King Crimson albums (at the time of writing). iTunes does a little better but it doesn’t have any of the live albums when I checked. I think that’s a big shame.

What Do You Think About The Night Watch Live Album By King Crimson?

Do you think The Night Watch is the best King Crimson live album? If so, why?

If you are a King Crimson fan, what do you think the best live King Crimson album is?

What Are The FIVE Best King Crimson Live Albums? (Click on the links to go to the reviews)

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What Are The Best Prog Rock Live Albums?

The Night Watch has been included in the poll to discover the greatest prog rock live albums ever.

What Are The TEN Best Prog Rock Live Albums? (Click on the links to go to the reviews)

View Results

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Do you think it should be at the top of the list or are there much better live albums by progressive rock groups? Please vote.

Because there are so many great progressive rock live albums I have split the poll into two and you may find some of your favourites in the second division. Albums will be promoted when they get enough votes.

Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.

You can get these albums from Amazon.comAmazon.co.uk.

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