The first incarnation of King Crimson - though in truth the band evolved even during this stage with massive personnel changes - occurred between 1969 when they releaesed In the Court of the Crimson King until 1975 when a last studio album (Red) was released and also an edited version of a concert in Asbury Park (USA). They released nine albums during this phase - 7 studio albums and 2 live - and these nine albums are the starting point for anyone discovering or re-discovering the band. Different fans have their favourite albums (I preferred Islands and USA but there was a concensus in the seventies that perhaps the later albums were better - i.e. Lark's Tongues in Aspic, Starless and Bible Black, Red and USA. And for anyone in agreement, The Collectable King Crimson Volume 1 is simply a must have - though owners of USA be a little cautious.
The Live in Mainz is a previously unreleased concert featuring improvisations highlighting the magnificent musicianship of Robert Fripp and Bill Bruford (David Cross - excellent violinist - and John Wetton - bassist and vocals - make up the band). Tracks from Lark's Tongues, Starless and Bible Black, and Red enable Wetton's distinctive vocals to be showcased, with Fripp's technical and innovative guitarwork always present. Overall it is an excellent concert - good quality recording and worth the (budget) price on its own.
The second disk (LIve in Asbury Park) is a bit of KC history as if forms the basis of the live album USA. The original USA contained six tracks from this concert - an 'anniversary' reissue then added 'Fracture' and 'Starless'. But the way in which this disk scores is that it contains full versions of Asbury Park and Easy Money - instead of the edited down versions on USA. Much hair was ripped out in the seventies over the truncating of Easy Money which, after the main song section was over, slipped into one of the most magnificent guitar solos of the era. Why fade out? No one knew. Now we can hear the whole lot - full versions of both songs, plus the other six tracks. So why did they fade out during editing in the seventies? Beats me - a moron with a tacky view of what would be commercial? Anyway, all's well that end's well. USA - one of the great live albums of the seventies - is available in its entirety and it is magnifient. Strongly recommended.