David Cross came to prominence in 1972 when he, John Wetton, Bill Bruford and Jamie Muir all responded to Robert Fripp's invitation to join his new version of King Crimson. Although all versions of the band have had their strengths and received great respect from the fans, this particular version of the band has gained a near mythic status over the years. Although Cross showed up occasionally on other recordings, such as Forever Blowing Bubbles with Clearlight Symphony, to his record buying fans he seemed to disappear for quite a long time. However, Cross was keeping himself quite busy in the world of theater. A little more than a decade later, Cross decided it was time to return to the world of recordings and released a number of albums on the Red Hot Records label before forming his own label, Noisy Records. Cross's next album will find him composing with former King Crimson lyricist, Richard W. Palmer-James, who wrote the lyrics for the Crimson albums Cross appeared on!
David Cross Band/Alive in the Underworld ....import CD $21.99
"This incarnation of the David Cross Band initially came together for a trip to Japan in April 2005. In March 2006 the band played concerts at the Robin in Bilston, at the Stables in Milton Keynes and the Underworld in North London, where the nine live tracks (from King Crimson on up to today) on this album were recorded. The tenth track on this album points to the future – Floodlights was recorded on a very hot afternoon in July 2005 at FrooSound, Mick's studio in Worthing. It makes use of a technique we used in King Crimson involving recording an improvisation and subsequently adding a vocal line and other parts to create a piece that has the best of both worlds – the considered structure and coherence of composition with the spontaneity and boldness of improvisation." - David Cross Tracks include: Out of the Darkness, Nurse Insane, Learning Curve, Are We One?, Exiles, Tonk, I Buy Silence, Starless, 21st Century Schizoid Man, Floodlights.
Radius/A Round Radius ....import CD $17.99
(excerpt from 'Pagoda')
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Radius is the band formed by respected musician Geoff Serle. The band first came into existence in 1987 and since that time has played many concerts and even appeared on television on the BBC Jazz programme Jazz Today. The band has also released a number of highly regarded and critically well received albums including Sightseeing, Elevation, There Is No Peace and Civilizations. Another key member of the band is David Cross who will be familiar to fans of King Crimson as David was a member of the band and featured on a number of albums released by King Crimson during the seventies including Larks Tongues In Aspic, Starless and Bible Black and USA. A Round Radius is the latest album from the band which will be of interest to both fans of Geoff Serle who has an extensive catalogue of releases and David Cross and of course fans who have come to David Cross through his work with King Crimson and has more recently developed a strong solo career.
David Cross and Naomi Maki/Unbounded ....import CD $19.99
(excerpt from 'Alarum and Coda')
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Unbounded is an extraordinary collaboration between David Cross (King Crimson's Larks' Tongues era violinist and keyboardist) and the Japanese pianist and singer Naomi Maki. The artists share an exceptional musical affinity and fluidity in that dangerous area between rock and art music. This is the first release in the new Electric Chamber Music series from Noisy Records. David Cross's previous release, Closer than Skin, was #5 on The Artist Shop's Top 200 for 2005.
David Cross/Closer than Skin ....import CD $19.99
(excerpt from 'Tell Me Your Name')
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In contrast to earlier David Cross CD's, mixing vocal and instrumental tracks 'Closer than Skin' was conceived from the start as a 'book of songs'. With music by David Cross and bassist Mick Paul the album's lyrics have been written by Richard Palmer-James who wrote the words for King Crimson's 'Larks Tongues in Aspic', 'Starless and Bible Black' and 'Red' albums. The album features newcomers Arch Stanton (a singer from Dublin who makes it all sound easy, negotiating the often difficult vocal lines with a relaxed sophistication) and Lloyd on drums (who underpins the everchanging musical scenario with a calm authority). The other musicians surviving from previous albums are David (prominent on electric violin), Paul Clark (on blazing rock guitar) and Mick (solid and singable) on bass. The contrasts evident in earlier work are drawn even more clearly in these songs, hard edged riffs sitting next to soft choruses, but the words of Richard Palmer-James constantly challenge our confidence in the persona presented. Identity is repeatedly confused so that we never know if the feelings are real or if they're 'Only Fooling' (track 4).
Radius/Civilizations ....import CD $17.99
The latest release from David Cross' Noisy Records is from the band Radius. Featuring David Cross and violin and Geoff Serle on keyboards and other electronics, is a very satisfying combination of progressive, ambient and improvisation! Guests on this release include Sheila Maloney (from the David Cross band) on keyboards, and Maxine Braham and Carlo Lucius Asciutti on vocals. The 19 minute title track is especially good!
David Cross/The Big Picture ....import CD $17.99
The Big Picture is David Cross' first release on his new label. Originally released on Red Hot, this new reissue contains a bonus track not available on the original. The Big Picture runs the gamut from beautifully delicate melodies to bone crunching progressive metal and everthing in between. It is reminiscent of the best of both King Crimson (of course) and Pink Floyd. A definite must for progressive fans!
David Cross/Exiles ....CD $17.99
This is the brand new album by David Cross featuring such guests as Robert Fripp, John Wetton, Pete Sinfield and Peter Hammill! This album also features a new version of that classic King Crimson song, Exiles. David's version of 'Exiles' is also featured (along with Brand X and other artists) on the following tribute to King Crimson.
David Cross/Testing for Destruction ....import CD $17.99
David Cross was the violinist/keyboardist for King Crimson in the early 70's with Robert Fripp, John Wetton, Bill Bruford and Jamie Muir which produced such excellent albums as Lark's Tongue in Aspic, Starless and Bible Black, Red, USA, and more recently the live document of this period, a four disc boxed set called The Great Deceiver. After a long hibernation, Cross has returned as leader of his own band with some exciting new music (with a definite hint of that old Crimson sound). The above album combines songs and instrumentals. Don't forget to check for the latest on King Crimson on our Discipline page.
Clearlight Symphony/Forever Blowing Bubbles ....CD $12.99
This album followed the heady success of Symphony by charting into new territory. Forever Blowing Bubbles is also based on keyboardist Cyrille Verdeaux's piano and synthesizers but incorporates a more cohesive group sound featuring bassist/vocalist Joel Duregenot (ex-Zao), violinist David Cross (King Crimson) & guitarist/flutist Jean Claude d'Agostini (Magic Circus). Shorter songs with more variety are featured with pronounced synthesizer textures and a strong symphonic/psychedelic ambiance. Long a favorite of certain Clearlight fans, Bubbles was remastered to provide the best sound quality possible. In addition to the original tracks, this CD also boasts the presence of three bonus tracks remixed in 2000 from the original 16 track master tape. "Sweet Absinthe" was recorded for the original sessions but left off the LP because of its length. Featuring the triple tracked guitar artistry of Christian Boule along with Verdeaux's inventive keyboards and tuned drums with Gilbert Artman, this track transports the listener straight into the next level. The song "Without Words" was remixed to bring out the symphonic qualties of the keyboards, in particular the multliple layers of Mellotron that were obscured on the original mix. "Flute Aquatique" is a remix of "Jungle Bubbles" but with Francois Jeanneau's flute and percussion taking center stage creating a piece that would not be out of place at any world music festival.
King Crimson/The 21st Century Guide To King Crimson (Volume One: 1969-1974) ....4 CD Box Set $39.99
Drawn from seven studio albums & a wealth of archive live performances, 'The 21st Century Guide to King Crimson' outlines the history of one of the most enduring & influential British rock groups. Covering the period 1969-1974, the set consists of 2 CDs of studio & 2 CDs of live material. The studio tracks include material from the seminal debut album ‘In the Court of the Crimson King’ through to the classic ‘Red’ album. The concert performances feature recordings from just prior to the release of 'Court of...' to the next to final concert by the mid seventies lineup in June 1974. All of the music has been digitally remastered, edited & assembled from the best source tapes available. In the case of 'Court of...' this is the first time the recently rediscovered original master tapes have been available for CD release. The release is packaged in a fold out book containing the CDs & booklet, housed in an outer slipcase. The booklet features a diary style timeline of the band detailing complete concert listings, recording dates, archive photos, posters, reviews, memorabilia & a new introduction by founder member Robert Fripp.
"The aim of 21st Century Guide to King Crimson is to replace the Frame by Frame four CD compilation (1991) taking advantage of technological advances, ten years of additional live and studio Crimsonizing, and twelve years of archiving live material. Frame by Frame's three studio plus one live album are being replace by a two volume, eight CD guide, a comprehensive overview for new ears of all that is necessary in the Crimson corpus. Old generation completists might disagree with some choices, but material not included in the guide is available for new generation completists, should they wish. The Guide can only exist now that the complete King Crimson recorded work (live and studio) is, for the first time, in one place: DGM; and the place where, arguably also for the first time, it is not being driven to serve the interests of business." - Robert Fripp, July 2004 (note - volume 2 slated for 2005)
| King Crimson/Lark's Tongue in Aspic (mini-LP sleeve version) ....CD $16.99 (quantities limited!) | King Crimson/Starless and Bible Black (mini-LP sleeve version) ....CD $16.99 (quantities limited!) | King Crimson/Red (mini-LP sleeve version) ....CD $16.99 (quantities limited!) |
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Available now are King Crimson's phenomenal '72-'74 albums featuring Robert Fripp, Bill Bruford, John Wetton, David Cross and Jamie Muir. Red also features a guest appearance from Crimson founder Ian McDonald, not to mention Crimson alumni Mel Collins, Robin Miller and Marc Charig! Digitally remastered by Robert Fripp himself using 24 bit HDCD technology, they come in unique, limited edition, cardboard stock sleeves just as the original vinyl LP's with the original artwork & sleeve notes intact. As this period of King Crimson tends to be the most favored by Crimson fans, demand will be high. Get your copies right away!
King Crimson/The Nightwatch: Live at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw ....double CD $17.99
The definitive live statement from the '73 Crimson, surpassing even the standards set on the Great Deceiver. Remixed from the original multi-track tapes, the legendary Amsterdam concert is for the first time presented in its complete form, including Starless and Bible Black and Fracture.
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