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I Talk to the Wind
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = I Talk to the Wind
| artist = King Crimson
| album = In the Court of the Crimson King
| released =
| recorded = 29 July 1969
| genre = *Folk
*progressive rock
| length =
| composer = Ian McDonald
| lyricist = Peter Sinfield
| label = Atlantic
| producer = King Crimson
}}
"'I Talk to the Wind'" is the second track from the British progressive rock band King Crimson's debut album, 'In the Court of the Crimson King'.
Starting immediately after the cacophony that ends "21st Century Schizoid Man", the mood of this song is a stark contrast; it is serene, simple and peaceful. Ian McDonald's flute begins the song, and is one of the lead instruments throughout. He also plays a classical-inspired solo in the middle of the song as a "C" section and a longer one at the end as a coda.
An earlier demo version of this song may be found on the now out-of-print LP 'A Young Person's Guide to King Crimson', which featured Robert Fripp (guitar), Peter Giles (bass), Michael Giles (drums), and Ian McDonald (flute), along with Judy Dyble (formerly of Fairport Convention) on vocals. This version was more up-tempo and lighter in instrumentation. The 'Young Person's Guide' recording and another demo of the same song were recorded in 1968 by Giles, Giles and Fripp. However, the song did not actually appear on a Giles, Giles and Fripp record until 'The Brondesbury Tapes (1968)' was released on CD in 2002. There are actually two recordings of "I Talk to the Wind" on this CD; one features vocals by Judy Dyble, and the other features vocals by Peter Giles.
Personnel
* Ian McDonald flute, clarinet, organ, vocals
* Robert Fripp electric guitar
* Greg Lake bass guitar, vocals
* Michael Giles drums
* Peter Sinfield lyrics
Opus III version
{{Infobox song
| name = I Talk to the Wind
| cover = Opus III-I Talk to the Wind.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Opus III
| album = Mind Fruit
| B-side = Sea People
| released =
| recorded =
| studio =
* Fluffy Trees
* PWL
* The Bunker
| venue =
| genre =
* Dance
* house
* synth-pop
* trance
| length = 4:06
| label = PWL International
| writer =
* Ian McDonald
* Peter Sinfield
| producer = Opus III
| prev_title = It's a Fine Day
| prev_year = 1992
| next_title = When You Made the Mountain
| next_year = 1994
| misc =
}}
In 1992, the song was covered by English electronic music group Opus III, whose lead vocalist was Kirsty Hawkshaw. It was released as the follow-up to their successful "It's a Fine Day" and the second single from the album, 'Mind Fruit'. The single reached number six in Finland, number 52 in the United Kingdom and number 162 in Australia. The accompanying music video for "I Talk to the Wind" is similar to the video for "It's a Fine Day", featuring Hawkshaw with her head shaved and dressed in a silvery bodysuit with silver boots and silver make-up.
Critical reception
AllMusic editor MacKenzie Wilson said that their "crafty version" of King Crimson's "I Talk to the Wind" "composes a dreamy synthetic wave." He also noted Kirsty Hawkshaw's "dove-like vocals transcended into freewheeling soundscapes". Randy Clark from 'Cashbox' wrote that her "childlike and breathy voice blows through this dance track like a gentle breeze." Andy Beevers from 'Music Week' stated that the song "is similar in style" to "It's a Fine Day". Sian Pattenden from 'Smash Hits' commented that "the flutes whisper along merrily with the bubbly syntheramic background".Track listings
* 'Europe 7-inch single (1992)'# "I Talk to the Wind" (edit) 4:06
# "Sea People" 6:00
* 'UK 12-inch single (1992)'
# "I Talk to the Wind" (extended mix) 6:11
# "Sea People" 5:33
* 'UK CD single (1992)'
# "I Talk to the Wind" (edit) 4:06
# "I Talk to the Wind" (12-inch extended mix) 6:11
# "Sea People" 6:00
Charts
References
Category:King Crimson songs
Category:1969 songs
Category:Opus III (band) songs
Category:1992 singles
Category:Pete Waterman Entertainment singles
Category:Songs written by Ian McDonald (musician)
Category:Song recordings produced by Greg Lake
Category:Songs with lyrics by Peter Sinfield
it:In the Court of the Crimson King#Tracce
he:In the Court of the Crimson King#I Talk to the Wind
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