King Crimson‘s seminal 1974 album Red is receiving an 50th anniversary expanded reissue on vinyl and CD/Blu-Ray, arriving October 25th.
The new reissue opens the vaults on the Red sessions, with he 2-CD/2-Blu-Ray package “representing all material to survive” from the original tapes.
The first disc includes a new Stereo mix from Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree, as well as new instrumental mixes by Wilson. The prog musician/producer undertook remixes of Red back in 2009 — among his earliest remix work in the field — and was brought back to reprise that role 15 years later.
“What I hear on Red is the best representation of [the] ’72-74-era line-up in the studio,” said Wilson in the press release. “In effect this is a power trio record and their sound is just huge.”
Additional bonus material is contained on Disc 2, including new “Elemental Mixes” by longtime King Crimson producer and manager David Singleton. These are reimagined versions of the original songs, rearranging elements from the original tapes — and unused instrumental tracks and takes — to present an alternative picture of the album. The second disc is rounded out by extra takes found on the reels for the recording of “Starless.”
The double Blu-Ray houses the live component from this era in the form of five audio-restored bootleg concert recordings from the 1974 US tour and an audio restored bootleg of the band’s final US show in Central Park NYC on July 1st, 1974. The Blu-Ray also features Dolby Atmos, 5.1 DTS-HD MA Surround and hi-res stereo mixes by Steven Wilson and the new “Elemental Mixes” in hi-res stereo.
Red stands as King Crimson’s second best-selling album (after In the Court of the Crimson King) and was notably released after the band had already split up in 1974, ending its initial run. It’s widely considered one of the greatest progressive rock albums of all-time.
The 50th anniversary edition is available in multiple configurations, including a double-vinyl release that only features the stereo mixes and elemental mixes. You can pre-order the vinyl via Burning Shed (and the CD/Blu-Ray set here).
See the complete tracklist for the CD/Blu-Ray set below.
Red – The 50th Anniversary Edition Tracklist:
Disc 1 CD 2024 mixes and Additional Material
01. Red
02. Fallen Angel
03. One More Red Nightmare
04. Providence
05. Starless
Instrumental mixes
06. Fallen Angel
07. One More Red Nightmare
08. Starless – Edit
Produced and Mixed by Steven Wilson
*o9. Providence – Complete Track
Produced and Mixed by Robert Fripp and David Singleton
Disc 2 CD Elemental Mixes and Session Material
Elemental Mixes
01. Red
02. Fallen Angel
03. One More Red Nightmare
04. Starless – Percussion
05. Starless
The Making of Starless
06. Starless – Mellotron
07. Starless – Three Saxophones
08. Starless – Basic Take
09. Starless – Sax Solos
10. Starless – Cornet and Guitar Solos
11. Starless – Cornet takes
Produced and Mixed by David Singleton
Disc 3 Blu-Ray
USA
I * 01. June 28th, 1974, Casino Arena, NJ
DTS-HD MA 24/192 Stereo, 2013 Mix
Mixed by Robert Fripp, David Singleton and Tony Arnold
* 02. June 28th, 1974, Casino Arena, NJ
24/48 Stereo, 2005 Mix
Mixed by Ronan Chris Murphy
24/96 Stereo, 30th Anniversary Mix
* 03. June 28th, 1974, Casino Arena, NJ
24/48 Stereo, Original album mix
A Crimson Production, Remastered by Simon Heyworth and Robert Fripp, 2001
II USA Tour Concerts
24/48 Stereo
01. April 17th, 1974, Muthers, Nashville, TN
02. April 20th, 1974, Hollywood Sportatorium, Miami, FL
03. May 1st, 1974, Felt Forum, New York, NY
04. June 4th, 1974, Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas, TX
05. June 19th, 1974, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, CA
The Final US Concert
24/48 Stereo
* 6 July 1st, 1974, Central Park, New York, NY
Disc 4 Blu-Ray
I Red 2024 mixes and Additional Material
Dolby Atmos/DTS-HD MA 5.1 Surround/24/96 Stereo
01. Red
02. Fallen Angel
03. One More Red Nightmare
04. Providence
05. Starless
Produced and Mixed by Steven Wilson
II Elemental Mixes and Session Recordings, 24/192 DTS-HD MA Stereo
Elemental Mixes
01. Red
02. Fallen Angel
03. One More Red Nightmare
04. Starless – Percussion
05. Starless
Three More Red Nightmares
01. One More Red Nightmare – Early Guide Vox Section
02. One More Red Nightmare – Saxophone Overdub Section
03. One More Red Nightmare – Bass and Drums
The Making of Starless
01. Starless – Mellotron
02. Starless – Three Saxophones
03. Starless – Basic Take
04. Starless – Sax Solos
05. Starless – Percussion
06. Starless – Cornet and Guitar Solos
*07. Starless – Cornet takes ~
Produced and Mixed by David Singleton except 7 ~ Produced and Mixed by Alex R Mundy sourced
at 24/48
*01. Providence – Complete Track
Produced and Mixed by Robert Fripp and David Singleton
02. Think Again – Fragment
Mastered by Alex R Mundy from a John Wetton 1/4″ file tape
III 2024 Instrumental Mixes, 24/96 Stereo
01. Fallen Angel
02. One More Red Nightmare
03. Starless (edit)
Produced and Mixed by Steven Wilson
IV * Original Masters, 24/96 Stereo
30th Anniversary Master
01. Red
02. Fallen Angel
03. One More Red Nightmare
04. Providence
05. Starless
* Indicates material previously available on disc
All other material newly mixed/new to disc
Red 2024 Steven Wilson Mixes & 2024 David Singleton Elemental Mixes
2 x 200gm vinyl
• 50th Anniversary editions of King Crimson’s classic 1974 album
• 2LP set pressed on 200-gram audiophile vinyl
• LP1 features all new 2024 stereo mixes by Steven Wilson
• LP2 features all new 2024 elemental mixes by David Singleton
• Cut by Jason Mitchell at Loud Mastering
Red – The 50th Anniversary Edition Artwork:
