This fall, legendary prog rockers King Crimson will embark on their first North American tour in some five years. For this go-around, the lineup features guitarist Robert Fripp; drummers Gavin Harrison, Bill Rieflin, and Pat Mastelotto; bassist Tony Levin; saxophonist Mel Collins; and rhythm guitarist Jakko Jakszyk. While each member has been involved with King Crimson for some extended period of time, this is the first outing to feature this specific configuration.
To coincide with the outing, the band has written new music. Today, they’ve shared a preview of a song entitled “Venturing Unto Joy Pt. I”. Taken from rehearsal sessions at London’s Elstree Studios, the song features the back-and-forth interplay between Fripp, Reiflin, Levin, and Harrison. Any rust that King Crimson may have accumulated is scarcely apparent, as the foursome blend sweltering guitars into a cannonade of drums with the prowess of a band who has had a dozen or so tours together.
In an accompanying statement, the band wrote, “One should always be wary of coming to judgement about anything based upon a clip that lasts less than a minute and a half but, but, but… Taken from the rehearsals in Elstree Studios, this snippet has four of the seven-piece Crimso clearly enjoying themselves. There’s a wealth of back and forth interplay detail between Reiflin and Harrison and of course Levin and Fripp not only grab the lapels but go straight for the jugular. Oh, never mind about the rush to judgement: this is King Crimson and they’re on fiery form!”
Check out a 75-second preview below. Though brief, it serves as King Crimson’s first new bit of music since 2003’s The Power to Believe.
King Crimson 2014 Tour Dates:
09/09 – Albany, NY @ The Egg
09/10 – Albany, NY @ The Egg
09/12 – Philadelphia, PA @ Kimmel Center
09/13 – Philadelphia, PA @ Kimmel Center
09/15 – Boston, MA @ Colonial Theatre
09/16 – Boston, MA @ Colonial Theatre
09/18 – New York, NY @ Best Buy Theater
09/19 – New York, NY @ Best Buy Theater
09/20 – New York, NY @ Best Buy Theater
09/23 – Madison, WI @ Barrymore Threatre
09/25 – Chicago, IL @ The Vic
09/26 – Chicago, IL @ The Vic
09/30 – Los Angeles, CA @ Orpheum Theatre
10/01 – Los Angeles, CA @ Orpheum Theatre
10/03 – San Francisco, CA @ Warfield Theater
10/04 – San Francisco, CA @ Warfield Theater
10/06 – Seattle, WA @ Moore Theatre
