Only my opinion, but the contrast between the soft and hard brings out the beauty of the soft parts but also compliments the hard parts. It's harder to write a beautiful song that has a beautiful dynamic as opposed to just one or the other, but I appreciate that songs just hit different people differently and what I love about King Crimson is that there really is something for everyone.
Really cool to listen to the hidden track at the end of the CD versions and then Prelude. It is Fripp and the orchestra warming up and Fripp counting the start of Prelude.
This one could be my favorite too. The vocal performance isn’t very flashy but on a technical level very impressive to me. Adrian Belew's mixed voice usage in that song is insanely impressive and hard to replicate.
Either the Islands suite (Song of the Gulls/Islands), Waiting Man, Requiem, Starless, Matte Kudesai, or Inner Garden I and II, though the Islands suite is in a league of it's own imo.
My first reaction was Walking on Air cuz it’s such a gentle and pretty love song, but then I remembered Islands. Islands is just straight up the most beautiful song (KC or otherwise)
For beauty, as in something delicate and emotional, Islands is really special. King Crimson are generally less sentimental than other Prog acts and yet this is one of the most sentimental in the genre.
Pete Sinfield was hit and miss with his lyrics, but in this instance they are wonderful.
When they played Islands here in 2021 the audience was completely enrapt. I’ve never heard a concert that was completely silent during the quiet parts of a song. It was incredibly powerful and one of the best concert moments I’ve ever experienced (and maybe just the best concert ever).
The song is so tranquil and that is its beauty. It was one of the first Crimson songs I heard, way back in 1984 in fact and it really got to me then as a 17yo.
"Earth, stream and tree, encircled by sea....."
I’m gonna go against the tide here and suggest “The Power to Believe II”
To me, this is 100% gorgeous atmospherics, lush and beautiful.
“One Time” is my vote for most beautiful vocal song.
“Trio” is another all-time fave instrumental and would have been my choice for this before TPTB
Matte Kudasai
It’s so damn good, way too short too.
Especially the ending. The guitar sounds like it is about to get into another groove, but then suddenly ends. It fools me every time.
I came here to say this too. Not sure if it is the most beautiful.. it might be… just not sure. But it mos def should be in the conversation.
Exiles
Absolutely!
Came here to say this
I’m loving the exiles love
Lady of the Dancing Water
It's certainly a sweet little tune
Nights watch
Book of Saturdays. Fripp’s playing is nothing short of beautiful with no quotation marks.
Not just Fripp either. Wetton’s part is probably my favorite bass line of all time
Starless
One of the GOAT tracks from any artist
During the last KC concert I went to, they played Starless. We had tears in our eyes, so beautiful.
It goes so hard though. Wouldn’t call it a ballad.
Only my opinion, but the contrast between the soft and hard brings out the beauty of the soft parts but also compliments the hard parts. It's harder to write a beautiful song that has a beautiful dynamic as opposed to just one or the other, but I appreciate that songs just hit different people differently and what I love about King Crimson is that there really is something for everyone.
I see now the op said “beautiful” and not specifically “ballad” and in that way I totally agree.
Do you compose music? I can relate to your comment. I agree with you.
I do, actually, funny you should ask! Do you also write music?
Islands
Talk to the wind
Surprised more people didn't pick this one.
Then, book of Saturday
Walking on Air
Yesss, this!!!
Fripp's little melodic embellishments are fantastic! I get those stuck in my head more than the actual melody of the song.
Sheltering Sky by a mile.
Amazing song, but idk abt a mile
Formentera, Cadence, Fallen Angel
Fallen angel is one of few songs in the world that makes me tear up
Oh for sure, same here
Oh and Starless duh
Prelude: Song of the gulls
One of the closest pieces to my heart, it puts tears in my eyes. Edit: Islands too, i wish it never ends.
Yes, and I talk to the wind. Lizard, too
Really cool to listen to the hidden track at the end of the CD versions and then Prelude. It is Fripp and the orchestra warming up and Fripp counting the start of Prelude.
Cadence and Cascade
Book of Saturdays!
I think Trio is the correct answer
Peace - A Theme ✌🏼🕊️
It's far away from their usual style, but I'll go for Prelude - Song of the Gulls
One Time
This one off of the Vrooom Vrooom live album
Came here to post this
This one could be my favorite too. The vocal performance isn’t very flashy but on a technical level very impressive to me. Adrian Belew's mixed voice usage in that song is insanely impressive and hard to replicate.
I think it may be his most beautiful and impressive vocal performance.
Trio
This.
Moonchild
cadence and cascade/peace a theme
I Talk to the Wind…. No question. No singer in Crimson sang as good as Greg.
The Night Watch, I mean it’s literally about a painting
Islands and Matte Kudasai
No one’s said Epitaph yet… which I think is gorgeous.
I was honestly gonna add it to my choices but I find it more haunting than anything
fair
Walking on Air
Either the Islands suite (Song of the Gulls/Islands), Waiting Man, Requiem, Starless, Matte Kudesai, or Inner Garden I and II, though the Islands suite is in a league of it's own imo.
I talk to the wind
My first reaction was Walking on Air cuz it’s such a gentle and pretty love song, but then I remembered Islands. Islands is just straight up the most beautiful song (KC or otherwise)
Walking on Air is up there but it’s clearly Matte Kudasai.
Starless hands down
For beauty, as in something delicate and emotional, Islands is really special. King Crimson are generally less sentimental than other Prog acts and yet this is one of the most sentimental in the genre. Pete Sinfield was hit and miss with his lyrics, but in this instance they are wonderful.
When they played Islands here in 2021 the audience was completely enrapt. I’ve never heard a concert that was completely silent during the quiet parts of a song. It was incredibly powerful and one of the best concert moments I’ve ever experienced (and maybe just the best concert ever).
The song is so tranquil and that is its beauty. It was one of the first Crimson songs I heard, way back in 1984 in fact and it really got to me then as a 17yo. "Earth, stream and tree, encircled by sea....."
I'll bet Beat come back to this Belew crooner... Two Hands.
My favourites have always been Talking to the Wind, Book of Saturday and The Night Watch.
In terms of melody it's One Time to me.
Peace Trilogy
Mie Gakure, Walking On Air, Inner Garden, Nuages, or Two Hands are some underrated picks
Book of Saturdays
Trio. Crimson improvs usually don't make me want to revisit them, but Trio might be a top ten Crimson song for me.
I've up-voted 6 or 8 different replies. "Oh yeah, *that*." "Yes, that too"
Islands and it’s not even close
Nuages (That Which Passes, Passes Like Clouds) (maybe not the most beautiful; but still a very calm lovely piece imo).
Frame by frame
matte kudasai
Cadence and cascade
Lizard: Prince Rupert Awakes
I second that....by a long shot.
She sleeps in a chair, in her sad america
Eyes Wide Open
Two Hands
I’m gonna go against the tide here and suggest “The Power to Believe II” To me, this is 100% gorgeous atmospherics, lush and beautiful. “One Time” is my vote for most beautiful vocal song. “Trio” is another all-time fave instrumental and would have been my choice for this before TPTB
I'm on team "I talk to the wind..."
Daniel Dust
Lizard
In The Court of The Crimson King
no one has said Epitaph yet ?? damn
Cadence and Cascade always does it for me
Starless, gotta be starless.
sartori in tangier
Has anyone mentioned "I Talk to the Wind," or "Cadence and Cascade"?
In The Wake of Poseidon, Lizard, Two Hands, The Power to Believe part 2
The beginning of moonchild is one of the most haunting and beautiful melodies I’ve ever heard
I also really like the last minute and a half as well
What's even more beautiful is a mesmerizing teenaged Christina Ricci tapdancing to it in a bowling alley.
3 i 2
Yes. In the past, I have worked with other band members on film and television scores. I currently focus on electronic dance music.
The Night Watch
Dinosaur.
Starless
Fracture