The Evolution of King Crimson's Legendary Bassists

Музыка

This video is a deep dive into the low end of one of my favorite bands, King Crimson. We'll discover the history of the band, it's revolving door of members and the bass playing legends that propelled this group into prog rock history.
Bass players like Greg Lake, Boz Burrell, John Wetton and Tony Levin. Some only spent a short time in Crimson but would go on to play in equally legendary bands like Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Bad Company and Asia.
King Crimson on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/artist/7M1FP...
Required Listening Spotify Playlist:
open.spotify.com/playlist/1cF...
Follow me on Instagram:
/ daveporterband
Website:
daveporterband.com
Timecodes
0:00 Intro
0:40 Greg Lake - Version 1
2:18 Gordon Haskell - Version 1
3:15 Boz Burrell - Version 1
4:02 John Wetton - Version 2
5:56 Tony Levin - Version 3
8:25 Trey Gunn/Tony Levin - Version 4
10:38 BEAT Tour
#justplaybass #groove #bassplayer

Пікірлер: 117

  • @visog
    @visogАй бұрын

    Oh Man! This is what the Internet is for! Great video - I love these musicians. Great to share some insight on them.

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    Ай бұрын

    Rock on!🤘🏼🤘🏼 Thanks for watching!

  • @johngleason9407
    @johngleason9407Ай бұрын

    All were excellent, but the Wetton/Bruford unit redefined what a modern rhythm section was capable of. Their grasp of composition and improvisation will never be equaled 🤪

  • @user-cj4df7vs7w

    @user-cj4df7vs7w

    Ай бұрын

    The heaviest incarnation, those three albums are the highlights of the band's discography in my opinion.

  • @stuartwaby3081

    @stuartwaby3081

    Ай бұрын

    Absolutely correct.

  • @glennhecker4422

    @glennhecker4422

    Ай бұрын

    THAT rhythm section was LETHAL AF.

  • @user-qm2hr8rv8b

    @user-qm2hr8rv8b

    Ай бұрын

    ​@@user-cj4df7vs7wheaviest? Heaviest than TCOL and TPTB? 😊

  • @radiomindchatter7994
    @radiomindchatter7994Ай бұрын

    Listening to John Wetton's bass lines on USA made me want to take up bass along with guitar. That was in 1978..I still can't master the bass like that but it's still fun trying.

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    Ай бұрын

    USA is a great live album, thanks for watching!

  • @donaldanderson6604
    @donaldanderson6604Ай бұрын

    John Wetton would have replaced Greg Lake but had just joined Family. However, the Wetton/Bruford partnership was outstanding.

  • @SonicProfessor_a.k.a._T._Andra
    @SonicProfessor_a.k.a._T._AndraАй бұрын

    Ian Wallace (and to a lesser degree: Fripp himself) trained Boz Burrell to play bass. (He was a serviceable guitarist, but, really, primarily a vocalist.). Amazing how well he turned out! [Give the teacher some, I guess. 😛🤘🤘]

  • @yes_head
    @yes_headАй бұрын

    Back in the early 80's I was in a 'rock band' class at a local JC and I asked the guest bass player they brought in to perform for the class what he thought of Greg Lake (I was deep into ELP at the time). He snorted and said "Yeah -- he's just a guitar player who plays bass." I thought that was a bit snotty and unfair, but it was the first time I'd heard that criticism. This guy considered himself a studio ace, and his hero at the time was Will Lee from the David Letterman band. That said, I don't consider Greg a bassist on par with someone like George Murray or Bernard Edwards, but he was the definitely the right guy for ELP. And what a singer. One of the three great prog rock singing bassists (with Wetton and Chris Squire.) Anyways, thanks for doing this video. And excellent discography choices for each guy.

  • @wernerhaider2338
    @wernerhaider2338Ай бұрын

    King Crimson is the best group ever. Period. Greetings from Vienna!

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    Ай бұрын

    🙏🙏🙏

  • @robertotolosajr4890
    @robertotolosajr48905 күн бұрын

    Excellent summary. It's how I remember it. Thanks. Enjoying King Crimson since the first album (I'm 70)

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    2 күн бұрын

    Awesome, thanks for watching!

  • @mikecimerian6913
    @mikecimerian6913Ай бұрын

    Succinct chronology. I enjoyed, thank you. Larks Tongues in Aspic was my first KC album. I like the three drummer tour and their rendition of Starless. I remember that Fripp smiled once at the end. :)

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    Ай бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!

  • @tomdbass1
    @tomdbass1Ай бұрын

    Always enjoy any music that Tony Levin is a part of. Every album/song he plays on is a master class in composition and intuitiveness on the bass.

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    Ай бұрын

    I agree, thanks for watching!

  • @bugeanuflorin1531
    @bugeanuflorin1531Ай бұрын

    Thanks so much for posting them. Fabulous performance. Fabulous comments. Good time for you. King Crimson is King. Thanks

  • @dantheman9766
    @dantheman976626 күн бұрын

    This band has done so much for me, but it also made me discover my love for bass and music in general. John Wetton and Tony Levin are my heroes for bass playing! this band is legendary! Long live King Crimson!

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    26 күн бұрын

    Awesome, thanks for watching!

  • @harveytadman
    @harveytadmanАй бұрын

    It would be impossible to chose a favourite album. Thank you to everyone involved for bringing such pleasure and enjoyment into this world.

  • @nikolajkrarup-os9gn

    @nikolajkrarup-os9gn

    Ай бұрын

    Yes it would. Larks tongues in aspic

  • @AboubacarSiddikh
    @AboubacarSiddikh27 күн бұрын

    Robert Fripp met Adrian Belew at a Steve Reich concert in New York in early 1980. (I think Belew came with Bowie). So they did not meet at a Bowie recording session.

  • @leftpastsaturn67
    @leftpastsaturn67Ай бұрын

    I don't know about the other versions of KC, but with regards to the pattern of '3's', Belew confirmed recently that Fripp's firm plan with version 3.0 was to write, record and tour 3 albums and to then disband.

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    Ай бұрын

    Good to know, thank you!

  • @lawrencetaylor4101
    @lawrencetaylor4101Ай бұрын

    Merci, great summary.

  • @flaviofrascino2842
    @flaviofrascino284226 күн бұрын

    Dear Dave, wonderful video! Thanks a lot!!

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    26 күн бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it!

  • @misfit2022
    @misfit2022Ай бұрын

    You wouldn’t get the legendary Bill Bruford drum parts without John Wetton and later Tony Levin

  • @danielmacdonald8349
    @danielmacdonald8349Ай бұрын

    I’ve been a KC fan from day one. I bought In The Court of the Crimson King in 1970 - when I was 12 years old - and just about everyone since. Absolutely one of my top 5 all time bands.

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks for watching!

  • @PedroBroggini
    @PedroBrogginiАй бұрын

    Tremendous video! It was a great joy to watch.

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks for watching, Pedro!

  • @jimbrown5552
    @jimbrown5552Ай бұрын

    Thanks again for sharing

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks for watching!

  • @russellhammond4373
    @russellhammond4373Ай бұрын

    Thanks for the history lesson. Loved this video.

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks for watching!

  • @clivefester5447
    @clivefester544717 күн бұрын

    Awesome video. Thank you

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    16 күн бұрын

    Thanks for watching!

  • @nickhewitt320
    @nickhewitt320Ай бұрын

    According to Sid Smith's biography of Crimson, it was Crimson's management (E. G.) who persuaded the band to change the name from Discipline to King Crimson so E. G. could use the name to re-release Crimson's back-catalogue. Also, it was, primarily Fripp who taught Boz the rudiments of bass - Ian Wallace helped with the aspects of rhythm & timing.

  • @billyz5088

    @billyz5088

    Ай бұрын

    that is also my memory of how Boz learned to play bass - mostly from Fripp - who likely would have tried to steer him away from blues-based playing - but apparently on tour he tended to go that direction - much to Fripp's chagrin ..

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    Ай бұрын

    Belew and Levin have both stated in interviews that they persuaded Fripp to change the name but I’m sure management could have been involved also. Boz was already an accomplished singer and guitar player so he didn’t need anyone to teach him bass but I’m sure Fripp and Wallace spent lots of time with him rehearsing complex parts and arrangements. Thanks for watching!

  • @oupahens9219

    @oupahens9219

    Ай бұрын

    @@billyz5088 Yeah, Boz went to join the bluesman Alexis Korner then.

  • @Threlgar
    @Threlgar27 күн бұрын

    Great vid! Much homework to do to catch me up on the ‘required listening’ list!!!😮

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    27 күн бұрын

    Thanks for watching!

  • @mletrout7942
    @mletrout794224 күн бұрын

    Greg Lake’s contributions cannot be…understated??? I really hope you mean overstated, bro. He was prett awesome.

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    20 күн бұрын

    I misspoke, thanks for the catch!

  • @MakeWeirdMusic
    @MakeWeirdMusicАй бұрын

    Thanks for making this video!

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks, Anthony, you're channel is awesome!

  • @MakeWeirdMusic

    @MakeWeirdMusic

    Ай бұрын

    @@DavePorterBand oh wow, didn’t expect you to know me. Thanks, dave!

  • @thedude-jb7wx
    @thedude-jb7wx21 күн бұрын

    First 3 albums are the most original genius music ever made for me.

  • @mccypr
    @mccyprАй бұрын

    Great Band! Thanks! 🎻🙂✌️😎

  • @piotrnowara107
    @piotrnowara10728 күн бұрын

    When I first heard Wetton on the great The Great Deceiver live album I realized he's so unique I would never be able to play like this. No matter how hard I would try 😊

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    27 күн бұрын

    Wetton was a great bassist for sure, thanks for watching!

  • @harrynewiss4630
    @harrynewiss4630Ай бұрын

    Three terrific players and one rather non-descript one.

  • @bobsbigboy_
    @bobsbigboy_Ай бұрын

    amazing video!

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks!

  • @dbassman27
    @dbassman27Ай бұрын

    I was fortunate enough to see John Wetton with UK and a later version of Asia. I saw King Crimson 1981 on tour for the Discipline album. Tony Levin played the Stick primarily.

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    Ай бұрын

    Awesome, thanks for watching!

  • @TheGerkuman
    @TheGerkumanАй бұрын

    Absent Lovers, the live album from the King Crimson 3.0 lineup, is one of the best live albums of all time. It's amazing.

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    Ай бұрын

    I'll have to listen to it, thanks for watching!

  • @januszdurolek7594
    @januszdurolek7594Ай бұрын

    King Crimson das beste progresiw rock . Legende 👍🫀🧠

  • @aminahmed2220
    @aminahmed2220Ай бұрын

    What a fantastic video have a wonderful weekend also Saturday is my friends birthday ❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊😊

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    Ай бұрын

    Happy Birthday!

  • @Miykael
    @Miykael20 күн бұрын

    I enjoy all these bassists and their contributions to Crimson. I think Trey Gunn doesn't get enough respect for his basslines on the Warr Guitar. Check out his solo albums as well.

  • @jimbrown5552
    @jimbrown5552Ай бұрын

    Very interesting

  • @josephnaja
    @josephnaja27 күн бұрын

    One of my favorite prog bands of all time! I think Red is my favorite album by KC

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    27 күн бұрын

    One of mine too, thanks for watching!

  • @josephnaja

    @josephnaja

    27 күн бұрын

    @@DavePorterBand Thank you ✌️

  • @agirotto1
    @agirotto1Ай бұрын

    I'm a fan of Belew's, but the Wetton/Bruford years were genius. Love Crimson.

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks for watching!

  • @tumbleddry2887
    @tumbleddry288728 күн бұрын

    As soon as the Beat tour was announced, me and several buddies got tickets immediately...seeing them in Minneapolis in November...cannot wait. I've seen Adrian Belew as well as Tony Levin several several times over the years. And although I'm a fan of both, I've never had the pleasure of seeing Steve Vai or Danny Carey live, so this is going to be an Awesome show.

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    27 күн бұрын

    Yeah, I grabbed my tickets as soon as they were available too. I can't wait to see them. Thanks for watching!

  • @DavePocklington
    @DavePocklingtonАй бұрын

    Adrian Belew, Tony Levin and Danny Carey are going on tour playing Crimson tracks with Steve Vai taking the place of Fripp. That should be interesting, the tour starts in September.

  • @Iomhar
    @IomharАй бұрын

    I'm not so sure that Fripp was the initial bandleader. McDonald always seemed a more plausible contender. (He co-authored ALL the songs on their debut album.) Fripp was just the bloke who was left alone with the name of the band.

  • @mikecimerian6913

    @mikecimerian6913

    Ай бұрын

    He never was much of an acrobat. He prefers playing.

  • @theo9952
    @theo9952Ай бұрын

    Anyone who ever played in King Crimson, simply kicked ass.

  • @haorongxu3539
    @haorongxu3539Ай бұрын

    tony levin is definitely the best

  • @user-cj4df7vs7w

    @user-cj4df7vs7w

    Ай бұрын

    Maybe but their music from 80s is not very interesting to me.

  • @Bob-of-Zoid
    @Bob-of-Zoid25 күн бұрын

    Of course they're all great! Robert Fripp was a Lot Like Zappa in that he didn't pick anyone to play in his bands, unless they had that little something special on top of excellent musicianship, and there is no "Best" King Crimson or Zappa Lineup, because they were all too different to compare, and all freaking great!

  • @januszdurolek7594
    @januszdurolek7594Ай бұрын

    Das ende album Scarcity of Miracles - 2011 . Ende interesante plate 😊

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks for watching! I did overlook that album but technically it's considered one of the "Projekcts" albums and not King Crimson.

  • @user-cj4df7vs7w
    @user-cj4df7vs7wАй бұрын

    Haskell always stands in shade. Okay he wasn't a strong singer and preferred soul music so left the band. Lizard lineup never performed live. I always loved that album.

  • @MyNameIsBucket

    @MyNameIsBucket

    Ай бұрын

    I've been getting into Haskell's solo stuff and it is excellent

  • @majwilsonlion

    @majwilsonlion

    Ай бұрын

    Lizard is my favorite also. And I think Haskell's voice is great. Especially on Cadence and Cascade

  • @michaelward9880
    @michaelward9880Ай бұрын

    I'd never noticed this before. The trio of the early 80's albums had the 3 primary colors as their background colors. Red, blue, yellow. Another pattern of 3.

  • @unknown6390
    @unknown6390Ай бұрын

    No mention that John Wetton was in the fantastic group Family?

  • @nikolajkrarup-os9gn
    @nikolajkrarup-os9gnАй бұрын

    The by far best period of King Crimson is from 72-74. Larks tongues in aspic. Starless and Bible black and Red are their best albums. All awesome. It's such a shame David Cross stoped playing violin. It was perfect for the band. They never had violin before and after.

  • @stuartwaby3081

    @stuartwaby3081

    Ай бұрын

    Agree with your comment, however David Cross still tours with his own band and still performs classic KC pieces alongside Music from his solo albums.

  • @charleselderton5546
    @charleselderton5546Ай бұрын

    Ian Wallace is Mel Collins.

  • @kw19193
    @kw19193Ай бұрын

    Regarding Lake as a producer on ItCotCK Pete Sinfield has stated that Lake's involvement with the producing of the album was minimal, mostly centered around his vocals although Lake, owner of a massive ego, would always insist otherwise. Cheers!

  • @evankeal
    @evankealАй бұрын

    To me the Thrak album and tour are as much a continuation and finale for the 80s era as much as the start of the following era.

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    Ай бұрын

    I agree! 👍👍👍

  • @williammcallister8247
    @williammcallister8247Ай бұрын

    What about Peter Giles?

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    Ай бұрын

    2:45

  • @Iomhar
    @IomharАй бұрын

    Jamie Muir?

  • @user-cj4df7vs7w

    @user-cj4df7vs7w

    Ай бұрын

    A percussionist. I must admit he made huge work on Larks Tongues in Aspic.

  • @Iomhar

    @Iomhar

    Ай бұрын

    @@user-cj4df7vs7w , yep, not mention ed at all!

  • @simonagree4070

    @simonagree4070

    Ай бұрын

    Just popped in to say the same -- I liked his contributions very much and thought it a shame that his interests did not coincide with further KC involvement. I suppose that he was more noticeable in the live concerts and video around the time of Lark's Tongues, and this overview does ignore the live aspect of the band, aside from a few pictures.

  • @Novalarke
    @NovalarkeАй бұрын

    I guess Jamie Muir was never part of the band... >😞

  • @Pandamasque
    @PandamasqueАй бұрын

    2 corrections: - There IS some original material on new releases. - You left out an important Wetton-era KC member, absolutely wild percussionist Jamie Muir. Even though he left after Larks, he and his chaotic orchestra of scrap items had a big influence on Bruford's subsequent drumming. Muir appears in the live video King Crimson - Larks' Tongues in Aspic (1972) uploaded by Beat-Club.

  • @Frameshaft
    @FrameshaftАй бұрын

    I feel like King Crimson isn’t a band, it’s a movement, a living entity forever alive, forever evolving.

  • @slobberkissintl3548
    @slobberkissintl3548Ай бұрын

    I would say there are only two distinct periods of King Crimson, that would be Wetton/Bruford/Cross/Muir and then Belew/Levin/Bruford Thrak is basically band two in personnel but band one in tone. Before Larks' Tongues you can't really say there was a band, each record is a different thing. Well, the second record has some continuity but Lizard is only contractually a king crimson record. (I like Lizard, a lot actually, I'm just saying it's definitely an outlier in the kc oeuvre). I don't know if I've heard anything post-Belew. Singing for King Crimson is weird. John Wetton to me is the most, besides Fripp if course, King Crimsony member, then Bruford, then Belew, then Ian MacDonald just because his part on One More Red Nightmare is so good. Wetton's wary voice and austerity and growly bass for me IS King Crimson. And Bruford revels in this. Wetton/Bruford is a perfect "battery". Levin is the much better bass player and Belew is clearly more virtuosic and innovative than David Cross, so the mid90s King Crimson play the 70s material with more muscle, the double trio ABSOLUTELY RIP on Red and Larks Tongues II, but credit Wetton for giving them something to rip! Belew's sideways twisting narratives grew on me but his lyrics on the 80s records to me is more like, a side of King Crimson. Whereas Wetton is THE side. Does that make sense? Belew is like, hey we can also do this. And Wetton is, this is what we do.

  • @withnail70
    @withnail70Ай бұрын

    Informative, but music documentaries with no music 😴 😪

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    Ай бұрын

    I agree! Unfortunately, I'm not able to license music through KZread yet. Thanks for watching!!

  • @V-ec1lv
    @V-ec1lvАй бұрын

    Good video, though I will say that I dont think you can catergorize 1994 to present as a version of King Crimson. The modern incarnation is completely different from specifically the 2000s era and feels a bit disrespectful to Pat Mastelotto and Trey Gunns contribution to King Crimson. Trey Gunn also has written many classic KC bass lines like the ConstruKction of Light and glossing over that seems unfair in my opinion.

  • @JasonTheHedgehog816
    @JasonTheHedgehog816Ай бұрын

    wow King Crimson hopefully a mafia boss doesnt have a red ghost that has a somewhat ability to erase time/skip time 10 seconds but i could tell the info of it King Crimson is the name of a Stand, which is a supernatural ability or power that appears in the series. Stands are often depicted as humanoid figures with unique abilities that assist their users in battles. King Crimson is the Stand of the main antagonist of Part 5 of the series, Diavolo (also known as Vinegar Doppio). Its appearance is characterized by a humanoid figure with a muscular build, often depicted with a crown-like headpiece and a blank face. Its color scheme typically includes shades of red and black. The abilities of King Crimson are among the most complex and enigmatic in the series. Its primary ability, "Epitaph," allows its user to foresee up to 10 seconds into the future, giving them the ability to predict their opponent's actions. However, its main ability, "Time Erasure," enables King Crimson to erase the flow of time for up to 10 seconds, effectively allowing Diavolo to skip through those moments without being affected by events that occur within that timeframe. To others, it appears as if those 10 seconds have been inexplicably skipped, leading to confusion and disorientation. This ability grants Diavolo a significant advantage in battles, as he can anticipate his opponent's moves and then maneuver freely during the time erasure, making it extremely difficult for his enemies to counterattack or defend themselves effectively. King Crimson's appearance in "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" adds to the series' already surreal and fantastical elements, contributing to its unique and memorable storytelling.

  • @goingnowherefastman
    @goingnowherefastmanАй бұрын

    Talk, talk, talk...where are the music examples ?

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    Ай бұрын

    I'm unable to license music until I'm monetized, thank for watching!

  • @Alembizoa
    @AlembizoaАй бұрын

    Kinda glossed over Trey Gunn....he and pat propelled the band in new directions, and the improv of that phase was extraordinary!

  • @user-ny8dh2mk7m
    @user-ny8dh2mk7mАй бұрын

    Way killer vid. i have 2 lp's, by Family, with the Late great John wetton, on bass and co-lead vox. Cheers

  • @DavePorterBand

    @DavePorterBand

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks for watching!

  • @user-bn9rw5xj5z
    @user-bn9rw5xj5zАй бұрын

    To me john wetton was the best singer and bass player king crimson had rip John wetton

  • @I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music
    @I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_MusicАй бұрын

    Most surprising phrase in this is "ex-Ministry drummer on keyboards"

Келесі