King Crimson - USA (1975) | CLOCKWORK PEACH

Label: Island Records
Country: UK
Released: 1975
Format: Vinyl,LP,Album

King Crimson's "USA": A Live Documentation of a Formidable Quartet

"USA," released in April 1975, captures King Crimson's live performance during their final North American tour. This album documents the band's lineup of Robert Fripp, John Wetton, Bill Bruford, and David Cross. The recording took place at the Casino Arena in Asbury Park, New Jersey, on June 28, 1974, and at the Palace Theater in Providence, Rhode Island, two days later. It serves as an official representation of the band's formidable presence during this period.

Recording and Production

The live album was captured using the Record Plant Mobile truck. The mixing occurred in February 1975 at Olympic Studios in London. Notably, Eddie Jobson contributed additional violin and electric piano parts to enhance the overall sound. His work was particularly evident in the tracks "Larks' Tongues In Aspic Part II" and "21st Century Schizoid Man." The inclusion of these overdubs improved the mix of David Cross's live signals, which were relatively low in volume.

Musical Content

"USA" presents six tracks, each showcasing the band's unique blend of rock and progressive elements. The album opens with "Larks' Tongues In Aspic Part II," a piece characterized by its intricate musicianship and dynamic shifts. Following this is "Lament," which features Wetton's poignant vocals combined with Fripp's distinctive guitar work. The improvisational track "Asbury Park" allows the band to explore heavy funk-fusion elements, illustrating their spontaneous musical chemistry.

Other highlights include "Exiles" and "Easy Money," further demonstrating the group's complex arrangements and rhythmic intensity. The album concludes with a powerful rendition of "21st Century Schizoid Man," encapsulating the energy of their live shows.

Visual Presentation

The album's cover design was created by Nicholas De Ville, while Willie Christie provided the photography. Together, they contributed to the visual identity of the album, complementing the intense musical experience contained within.

The release of "USA" marked a significant moment in King Crimson's career, recorded live at the Casino Arena in Asbury Park, New Jersey, on June 28, 1974.

Tracklist

A1	Larks' Tongues In Aspic Part II Written-By – Fripp*
A2	Lament Written-By – WettonWritten-By – Palmer-JamesWritten-By – Fripp*
A3	Exiles Written-By – CrossWritten-By – Palmer-JamesWritten-By – Fripp*
B1	Asbury Park Written-By – BrufordWritten-By – CrossWritten-By – WettonWritten-By – Fripp
B2	Easy Money Written-By – WettonWritten-By – Palmer-JamesWritten-By – Fripp*
B3	21st Century Schizoid Man Written-By – LakeWritten-By – McDonaldWritten-By – GilesWritten-By – SinfieldWritten-By – Fripp*