In The Wake of Poseidon 40th Anniversary Series (CD + DVD-A) [CD+DVD, Deluxe Edition, Extra tracks]

Following "In The Court Of The Crimson King", "In The Wake Of Poseidon" was all the more remarkable, in that it contained half of the original group. Songwriter Pete Sinfield now had nearly total lyrical control. "Poseidon" is peppered with more poetic and beautifully arranged songs than its predecessor, but also contains the stark urgency of that original.

"Peace-A Beginning", a sweet vocal/acoustic song opens and then transcends into the wild jazz infused "Pictures Of A City" where there are bridges and changes in momentum in less than eight minutes than on "In The Court's..." songs. There is a theme within this album as songs seem to alternate between calm, whimsical melodies to the urgent, almost frantic pace of some of King Crimson's best songs. This is proven again with the very pretty "Cadence And Cascade" before diving into the mellotron weighted title track, with great lyrics and the pre ELP vocals of Greg Lake. The very short "Peace-A Theme" is quickly followed by one of King Crimson's most bizarre songs (if that is possible), "Cat Food" marked with a seemingly non-sensical piano that bounces around like; well a cat running back and forth across the keys. Amazingly, this song was released as a single with "Groon" as the B-Side. It was an odd choice indeed.

"The Devil's Triangle" (Parts 1, 2 and 3) are a mesmerizing, haunting, almost fearsome trio of songs that push the edge of sanity on a mellotron with a marching drum beat. Part 1 introduces the listener to the original mood before a bridge of a computer-like foghorn pierces the song. Part 2 continues the pace with a second bridge with the simple banging of a `stick on rock'. Then all hell breaks loose on Part 3 with the tempo increasing and the occasional jazz input for emphasis and variety. About a minute into the 3rd part the band begins a true concoction of a random free-form of musical mayhem, including a great short harmony vocal from "In The Court of The Crimson King". Its musical madness until "Peace-An End" brings the album full circle with a calming melody and lyrics that seems to bring sanity back until the final fade-out.

The 2010 mix of "Groon" is included here which is a rock/jazz influence that can only be King Crimson, with the dichotomy of making no sense and total sense at once. Two extras on the CD are an alternate version of "Peace: An End" and a Greg Lake vocal of "Cadence And Cascade".

The DVD contains the entire album remixed by Steven Wilson in 5.1 from the original studio master (note that "The Devil's Triangle" was painstakingly remixed from a stereo version). Along with the 5.1, there is the Lossless 2010 Stereo Mix, The original 1970 stereo mix (the 30th Anniversary remaster) and some great bonus tracks. The single version of "Cat Food" is here, along with three versions of "Cadence And Cascade", three versions of "Groon" (take 1, take 5 and take 15 for those who need all the details), the rehearsed version of "The Devil's Triangle" and an alternate mix of "Peace An End".

King Crimson actually matches if not tops itself with this 40th anniversary edition with more music and great liner notes again, by Sid Smith.

Another great re-master from King Crimson, `In the Wake of Poseidon' was King Crimsons Second album and follows the template closely set by the first album, we know from the sleeve notes that Robert Fripp (Guitarist) does not like the album as much and in particular would have loved to excise a whole section of `The devils Triangle' however this has not happened as much because this track is missing the multi-track masters as anything else. The whole album has been re-mixed in 5,.1 with the devils triangle section enhanced for surround using the rather excellent Pentio software so this does not sound to bad in surround though not nearly as good as it could have done should the multi track tapes have been found.
The 40th anniversary edition then comes with a CD and DVD and plenty of extras, a surround mix two stereo mixes in Hi resolution original and 2010 Fripp approve Steven Wilson Mix. This then is the most complete re-release that is possible and probably one to make the Genesis fans a bit jealous that their albums were not reissued with such care and attention.
The contents then are as follows:
CD contains
Original album - 2010 mix
Bonus Tracks
Groon
Peace: An End - Alternate mix
Cadence & Cascade (Greg Lake guide vocal version)

DVD-A

MLP Lossless 5.1 Surround - 2010 mix
DTS 5.1 Digital Surround - 2010 mix:
MLP lossless/LPCM - 2010 stereo mix
Plus
11. Groon Remix

MLP Lossless Original 1970 stereo mix:

Plus Bonus Tracks:

1. Cat Food (single version)
2. Groon (single b-side)
3. Cadence & Cascade (unedited master)
4. Cadence & Cascade (Greg Lake guide vocal version)
5. Cadence & Cascade (instrumental take from Wessex Studios)
6. Groon - Take 1
7. Groon - Take 5
8. Groon - Take 15
9. The Devil's Triangle (rehearsal version from Wessex Studios)
10. Peace: An End (alternative mix)

It's a shame about the Devils triangle but this still gets a 10/10 in my book a great package and another top reissue.

This 40th anniversary series continues to impress. The 2010 stereo mix and the 5.1 mixes of Poseidon are excellent. The swirling mix of romance, hard metal and jazz make this sound as fresh and as relevant today as when first released in vinyl. The album's dynamics are similar to In the Court, but there's no sitting on laurels here. All tracks apart from the Devil's Triangle sound stunning. The latter never really worked for me, being a meditation on the theme of Holst's Mars, and the missing master tapes which limit its restoration is no loss to me; I'm sure others will disagree. Everything else is excellent, including the extras. It's interesting to get the many incarnations of KIng Crimson released out of sequence. Compare the tightly focussed playing on Pictures of a City on this album to the slack run-through in the extras included in the Islands release.

While this is not the best of the 1970s Crimson albums the first two thirds make it essential listening. If you love Crimson you'll probably have this release already.