 Monday, 11 May 2009 at 5:01:00 AM PDT Tommy Hash's review at YTSEJAM.com Consisting of King Crimson Drummer Ian Wallace, Jody Nardone on grand piano, and Tim Landers on upright and electric bass, it's the second time around of Crimson music stripped down, yet expanded at the same time - stripped to just three instruments and expanded to jazz arrangements, where these arrangements are given room to breathe for all three guys involved, giving a whole new 'progressive take' with new improvisations and lush passages. Yes this is strictly as jazz record, as we don't hear the Mellotrons or Fripp's Les Paul - but these new versions at times, are surprisingly much livelier than the older versions; "In the Court of The Crimson King" is as quick as anything, devoid of any moody atmosphere, "Frame by Frame" is re-worked with one-time Crimson saxman, guest Mel Collins going berserk, "The Plank" gives Landers room to step out on his own on the upright, "Islands Suite" is eased back, having this 'loungy' feel, and "Inner Garden" goes into more contemporary territories with another guest, Jakko Jakszyk taking the mic - so the music is diversified without being consistently jammy or anything like that - each song has a whole new personality to it. Sadly, this is possibly the final recording from the trio, now that Ian Wallace passed away a couple years ago, but these tunes that are now released, expose a testament to what a great drummer he was and his versatility and his technical skills went way beyond what we heard on not only King Crimson records, but on a multitude of rock records - the guy has album credits like you won't believe. King Crimson Songbook Vol. 2 is a jazz record that is filled with a lot of action instead of being this laid back NPR type set; certainly played with the gusto of a rock band for sure. Back to previous page |