Starless and Bible Black

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

After Larks' Tongues in Aspic, the percussionist Jamie Muir left King Crimson. The band carried on as a quartet and struggled with a lack of new material. The solution was to improvise. Much of Starless and Bible Black was recorded live and stitched onto studio work. Only The Great Deceiver and Lament were made entirely in the studio. Trio, the title piece and Fracture come from the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and We'll Let You Know was improvised in Glasgow. The album was released in March 1974 and is the last with the violinist David Cross as a member.

During Trio, Bill Bruford let his sticks rest crossed on his chest and decided not to play. The others considered that a crucial choice, and he received a writing credit. Rolling Stone compared the record in power to In the Court of the Crimson King.

Listening

Track list

1. 1The Great Deceiver4:02Apple Music ↗
2. 2Lament4:05Apple Music ↗
3. 3We'll Let You Know3:40Apple Music ↗
4. 4The Night Watch4:42Apple Music ↗
5. 5Trio5:39Apple Music ↗
6. 6The Mincer4:09Apple Music ↗
7. 7Starless and Bible Black9:11Apple Music ↗
8. 8Fracture11:14Apple Music ↗
9. 9The Law of Maximum Distress (Including "The Mincer") [Bonus Track]12:49Apple Music ↗
10. 10Dr. Diamond (Live 23 June, 1973) [Bonus Track]4:03Apple Music ↗
11. 11Guts On My Side (Live Audience Recording 19 March, 1973) [Bonus Track]4:31Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗