MUSICAL GUIDE TO LIZARD BY KING CRIMSON

Andrew Keeling SPACEWARD Crimson’s jazz opus under the microscope.

Composer Andrew Keeling’s knowledge of the inner workings of King Crimson’s music has resulted in several similar volumes chronicling the band’s output in the last few years. This forensic examination of their third album goes deep into the architecture and internal structure of the notes and the times in which they were created and recorded. A traumatic recording that witnessed the breakdown in Robert Fripp and lyricist Peter Sinfield’s creative partnership (both are interviewed here), for many years the guitarist couldn’t listen to any of it. However, Steven Wilson’s superb 2009 remix rehabilitated Fripp’s opinion to the point where large sections of Lizard are now performed live.

The book works best when accompanied by the album, with Keeling’s commentary explaining what’s going on. His observations make some interesting connections to the work of other performers, such as Black Sabbath and Henry Purcell. Exploring Miles Davis’ unconscious influence upon the record, and Keith Tippett’s work, whose actual presence throughout is a defining highlight, Keeling also offers convincing interpretations of the album’s words and startling cover art. SS