King Crimson’s third album “Lizard” was released in 1970. Described at the time by one critic as “The abyss where modern jazz and rock meet”,with its clashing styles, whirling improvisations, soaring classical-tinged themes and dramatic showcases, “Lizard” remains a remarkable album in the King Crimson catalogue. Given the ambitious ground it attempted to cover it is perhaps no surprise that it still has the capacity to polarise opinion amongst fans and band members alike.
This was King Crimson’s third album it is their strangest detour: a dense, dazzling swirl of free-jazz brass, knotty time signatures, and surrealist imagery. Jon Anderson of Yes even drops by for a guest vocal, adding to its otherworldly aura. The music veers between moments of startling beauty and dizzying dissonance, demanding patience and repeat listens. For many, it’s a bewildering misstep; for devoted fans, a bold, beguiling plunge into uncharted prog waters.
The album featured a guest performance from Yes vocalist Jon Anderson. He had been approached by Greg Lake who had relayed Fripp’s interest in having the singer record with King Crimson. “I said OK and gave him my number and then about three months later Bob rang me up and said I’m going to record next month,” Anderson remembers. He had no idea what he was going to sing until he turned up at Wessex, and then couldn’t help but smile when he saw the title. “Prince Rupert was the name of a train that would go past our school every Wednesday and I thought it’s so bizarre that he wrote this song which I sang and it had that kind of connection.
Afterwards I told Bob that story, and you know Bob Fripp, he just said ‘Oh. Thank you, Jon. Bye.’” laughs Anderson.
While “Cirkus” from the album was performed by the “Islands“-era line-up in 1971 it was not until the formation of the current incarnation of the group that tracks such as “Dawn Song”, “The Battle Of Glass Tears” “and “Prince Rupert’s Lament” were played in concert for the very first time.
Mister Stormy has unearthed part of a session recorded during the making of King Crimson’s third studio album, “Lizard“. Taken directly from the 1970 session reels, the piece has Fripp working with oboist and cor anglais player, Robin Miller on the atmospheric “Dawn Song“.
In this early take we hear how the piece was put together. Featuring Fripp on electric piano talking Robin Miller through the piece, we also hear Gordon Haskell’s vocal.
“Dawn Song” run-through and rehearsal
The album’s striking cover was executed by Gini Barris, who as Julie Felix’s housekeeper at the time had a King Crimson connection through the folk singer’s managers, David Enthoven and John Gaydon. Commissioned by Peter Sinfield, and with only a set of lyrics to work with, over the next three months Barris seeded her beautiful illuminated lettering design with all kinds of commentaries and allusions upon the world suggested by the lyrics.
The Fat Angel Sings 