musitorial n mashing music, musings and editorials, music and song that evokes thought and commentary.
Today’s musitorial selection came to mind several times in recent days, less for the music than for the album – the album cover, actually. The spirit(s) of the entire album qualify as something to make you think in terms of our contemporary political world.
A studio album, King Crimson’s In The Court Of The Crimson King An Observation, 1969, Island – Atlantic, was billed as Progressive rock and/or art rock. I for one was completely gobsmacked by the album, and especially for the seven-plus minute song, “21st Century Schizoid Man.” Knowing what I know now, I can’t approve of their use of the term “Schizoid,” no matter what the context of the day, but the song ... my goodness, the song! I used to fine tune my stereo speakers with that. My god!
But the other songs on the album, though more melodious than hard rock, were lovely to listen to and still are. Looking back, I think it was the artwork on the albums outside cover that most astounded me at the time. Let me illustrate why below, and thus why I chose “21st Century Schizoid Man” as a suitable musitorial.
Look closely, form your opinion, now cover the eye on the right – what do you see expressed in the other eye singly? I see fear.
Now, do the opposite. Cover the eye to the left – what do you see expressed? Anger, right?
How marvelous is that! You can imagine what me and my 1970s friends thought about that contrast. That’s what I wanted to share as a way to express the times we are living through just now, a time of fear and loathing.
Below are links to a Wikipedia entry on King Crimson and to the YouTube entries of the album and individual songs. Turn it up!
Lyrics excerpt from “Epitaph,” Songwriters: Robert Fripp / Peter John Sinfield / Ian Mcdonald / Michael Rex Giles / Greg Lake; E.g. Music Ltd. 1969.
Confusion will be my epitaph As I crawl, a cracked and broken path If we make it, we can all sit back and laugh But I fear tomorrow I'll be crying
Link to YouTube recording of “21st Century Schizoid Man” by King Crimson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OvW8Z7kiws
Link to YouTube recording of “Epitaph” by King Crimson: https://tinyurl.com/4yz6vumw
Link to lyrics of “Talk To The Wind” by King Crimson: https://tinyurl.com/mv22zvjr
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