USA

This is the single best record of the 72-74 Crimson line up, arguably their finest. Everyone's playing is strong and focused, especially Fripp, Bruford and Wetton. The live versions of their songs have much more drive and power and are a more accurate reflection of the artists' intentions than the studio versions.I worried that Fripp's long laboring over this CD would result in a radically different mix than the original. But other than the expected clean up work, the mix is very, very close to the old vinyl mix. I think some punch was taken out of Bruford's drums (Fripp always hated how Bill's syncopated style overlapped his guitar parts), but not enough to detract.For fans of the original USA, there are now 2 additional tracks - Fracture and Starless. Taken as a whole, USA now includes the finest songs from this version of Crimson (absent Red). However, the version of Fracture is lamentably disjointed in the middle section and overall not as crisp as the version on Starless and Bible Black. And Starless doesn't quite have the power and presence at its climax that the Red version has. Nonetheless, they are great songs and it's wonderful to hear live versions of them.If you like Crimson, this is a no brainer. If you like Progressive Rock, and haven't heard this version of Crimson, grab this album, but be prepared. This is hard core stuff - dark, ominous, loud. Turn it up!

This is a high fidelity, butt-kicking record, so my reservations are based on fine points and on my view that there are other, better representations of the 1973-74 Crimson. What's odd about this record are the violin overdubs by Eddie Jobson. As others here point out, David Cross, the violinist on site, was dialed out of the mix (perhaps because he wasn't loud enough in the original), and Jobson brought in. Jobson is an excellent player, mind you, and he sounds great on a record like Roxy Music's live "Viva." But overdubbing a live record is tricky business at best, and the ambiance of the violin is rather obviously not that of Crimson's locale: it sounds mailed-in. The best live set from this period remains "The Great Deceiver;" in second place I'd put the double set "Night Watch." The production of the "Great Deceiver" performances, many also made in America, is drier and "realer" sounding overall (there's either ambient echo or a tad added to "USA"), and the violinist Cross is fine on those records. Still, "USA" remains the only single-disc live Crimson from this period.

If you can't find a way to buy "Road To Red" , this will give you the best sounding "USA" yet. I'm so obsessive , I bought this in addition to the massive box. It's just so nice to have it sitting there next to all the other 40th anniversary editions. (And of course , I did the same with "In The Court Of The Crimson King" and "Larks' Tongues In Aspic").The expanded edition of the "USA" lp provides the listener the full experience of what transpired that night known as the "Casino" show.BUT , if you can find a way for the box , do so. It will provide the complete picture of what led up to "Red" , and you get to hear each piece throughout all development stages.Hearing David Cross' contributions to what turned into Fripp guitar leads on "Red" (due to Cross' departure) , add illumination to the creative process.

The main difference from this issue vs. all past issues is the exclusion of the Providence, RI Schizoid performance. Maybe in an effort to present the live material in a better way, this release contains the entire show from Asbury Park. This is identical to the Collectable KC release from 2006. Sonically, the 2006 release has a higher volume output; however, this version sounds more balanced. Since I do not have a 5.1 system, I cannot comment on that. However, I do not understand the inclusion of the lp version on the DVD, complete with scratches. Although I am somewhat disappointed with this release, where some archival live video footage would have been appropriate; I am rating it 5 stars because of its historical KC significance. I wish Amazon would expand their ratings to different categories.

Haight Asbury: An improvisation that makes this record complete. After listening King Crimson for more than 30 years of my life, hearing the subtle differences of their live performances such as Easy Money, Larks Tongues in Aspic and all of their great period of Bruford/Wetton & sometimes Cross with Fripp, nothing compares to this exploration into improv. It was one of the only examples we had about a live performance of what was later to be an impossible to follow body of work made out of the live (and sometimes slightly overrated) material of the Crim. You had to live this record.

Earthbound and USA in the same sentence? Some Crimsos may consider that sacrilege but it makes sense. Two powerful live documents of a band storming through their material: one blown-out and distorted and the other clean and clear but both grabbing you by the scruff and giving you a good healthy shake and leaving you better off at the end. Dynamic, inventive, amusing, enthralling, scary in parts and massive throughout, this is a great album from a unique band and highly recommended for when you want to purge the mundane and predictable from your surroundings.

Originally bought this as an LP back in 1975, I had heard it on a local Philly "underground" AOR (at the time - I think it was WMMR) and loved it. Wore out the LP. Finally got around to buying the CD for my collection. Favorites are "Larks Tongues" and "Lament". "21st Century Schizoid Man", though one of my favorite KC tunes, is kinda weak here. But still ear-ticklin' good! I love listening to this, particularly fun to blast it on my truck stereo while filling up and see the gangsta hiphoppies stare, wondering what the heck it is I'm listening to so loudly that they can't hear their subwoofies! Buy it and see what I'm talking about!

USA is a very strong live album recorded by one of my favourite rock bands King Crimson. I feel that at this time the group were at the height of their powers and it features three tracks from the excellent studio album "Larks' Tongues In Aspic". I must admit that of the three I found "Easy Money" not quite as good as the original - probably because of the difficulty of producing the effects on the studio version live. On the other hand the version of the much earlier "21st Century Schizoid Man" surpasses the original in its power and ferocity, The 'new' track "Asbury Park" is very good and the bonus tracks are excellent especially "Starless"which is one of their creative peaks. A great album for the true fan and a good introduction for anyone new to the group.

This album was my first experience of King Crimson playing to a live audience and i wasn't disappointed,this 40th anniversary edition sounds fantastic - particularly FRACTURE and IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING.John Wetton's vocals sound as though he's standing next to you and this package also includes an extra dvd of bonus tracks and a new mix of the original vinyl album .Overall, a really nice package and well rocommended.

This for me is one of the best if not the best King Crimson album.It is very much in the style of the early configuration of the band.Very different from e.g. the trilogy of The Beat, Three of a perfect pair and discipline.

I've been waiting for this to be issued on CD or mp3, so I was well pleased to finally get it. I practically wore out my vinyl copy. This has a couple of extra tracks too - including 'Starless', which is possibly my favourite King Crimson track from all their albums. I was also interested to see the DVD included, but a little disappointed to find that it was just remixes of the album, the video content being just song titles. On the whole though, I love it.

I have many of King Crimsons live offerings and although they often contain the same tracks they are all different. This album would serve as a good intro to those who are new to King Crimson or is a welcome addition to any Crimson collection. Their music is inventive, moving, and sometimes a little frightening. This album would have been a fitting epitaph but after all these years they are still as good as ever, may it long be so.