Just an added note that they are also fantastic live, and well worth the effort of tracking down for live performances.
Thanks to Dijon Warlock for alerting me to the existence of Earthbound on CD at amazon - they had three left, and one of them is now mine!
How about Frank Zappa?
I have In the Court, Islands, and Discipline.
In the Court is an amazingly great album, although I would advise skipping past the mind-numbingly long windchimey bit at the end of “Moonchild.” Or better yet, falling asleep, as I’ve done, only to be awoken by the kickass title track.
Discipline is completely different, but also a totally great album. The only part I’ve ever found drags a bit is “The Sheltering Sky,” but that track can be cool as well if you’re in the right mood.
As for Islands, I like it and all, but with its classical influences and mythological lyrics, it’s pretty much the definition of pretentious prog rock.
Never seen KC live, but I’d like to. I did see Greg Lake when he played with Ringo’s All-Starr Band, though.
It’s a nice “what if” to ponder, Bruford in Zappa’s band, but my interpretation of the gist of his comment in the '70s was that he seemed to think he’d been to the top of the mountain already, and every other direction was downhill. I wasn’t trying to do a disservice to any other musicians of that caliber. Sorry if I was unclear.
Adrian Belew played with Zappa and Crimson, among other projects. He was with FZ first though.