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King Crimson / Larks’ Tongues in Aspic: Complete Recording Sessions

Dolby Atmos Mix + Complete Recording Sessions

By Paul Sinclair

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38

50th anniversary edition of King Crimson’s classic 1973 album • The Complete Recording Sessions · Dolby Atmos ·2023 Mixes

King Crimson’s 1973 album Larks’ Tongues in Aspic is to be reissued for its 50th anniversary in an all encompassing four-disc set that includes brand new Steven Wilson Dolby Atmos, 5.1 and stereo mixes and “the complete recordings of every session recorded for the album”.

This set comprises two blu-ray audio discs and two CDs. The first blu-ray contains Steven Wilson’s brand new Dolby Atmos Mix which is described as “more expansive than the earlier mixes as released in 2012, while still retaining and enhancing the core power of the original material”. Since Wilson’s Atmos process involves going back to the multi-track tapes and first building a new stereo mix and then a 5.1 surround mix, we are presented with three brand news mixes for this product.

While Steven was working on this aspect of the material Alex R. Mundy and David Singleton were mixing every single take of the original studio sessions. These unreleased early takes are presented not as traditionally blended pieces, but with maximum separation, with the idea being to mimic “the experience of sitting in the studio with the individual elements being performed around you”.

David Singleton’s ‘Elemental mixes’ apply this same approach to the main album takes to give a fresh view on the familiar, with the focus often falling in unusual places, some originally hidden, some unused. Four of the album’s core tracks feature: extended mixes of ‘Larks’ 1’ and ‘Talking Drum’ along with ‘Easy Money’ and ‘Larks’ 2’. This material is also on the first blu-ray alongside Wilson’s three mixes and some instrumental mixes.

Thanks to the capacity of the blu-ray audio format, the second blu-ray disc contains the complete recordings of every session recorded for the album. As stated, all of this material has been newly mixed from the original performances and is presented on disc for the first time in hi-res 24/96 stereo. This second blu-ray also includes the original stereo mixes of the album and David Singleton’s audio documentary of the album recording Keep That One, Nick. These are the sole previously released elements in this package (both were included in the 2012 box set).

As if all that’s not enough, there’s two CDs. The first includes the 2023 stereo mix and instrumentals of the album and the second offers the elemental mixes and selected master reels.

In terms of packaging these four discs come in two gatefold sleeved editions with a new booklet with new notes by King Crimson biographer Sid Smith. All of this slots into a rigid outer slipcase. In other words, this sounds consistent with the 2019 In The Court of the Crimson King 3CD+blu-ray offering.

Additionally, there’s a 2LP vinyl version, with LP 1 being Steven Wilson’s 2023 stereo mix and the second record featuring David Singleton’s four ‘Elemental’ mixes.

Larks’ Tongues in Aspic will be reissued on 20 October 2023 via Panegyric. Full tracklistings below. You can pre-order both editions via the SDE shop using this link or the buttons (‘pre-order’) below.

TECHNICAL NOTES: This blu-ray audio requires a blu-ray player. Decoding the Dolby Atmos mix requires a Dolby Atmos-certified soundbar or a Dolby Atmos-compatible AV Receiver/Amp. The Dolby Atmos mix will ‘fold down’ to 5.1 or stereo if a Dolby Atmos decoder is not detected.
EU SHIPPING NOTES: If you are ordering from the EU please be aware that that goods may be subject to import VAT when they arrive from the UK. The prices the SDE shop charge you do not include VAT

Tracklisting

Larks’ Tongues in Aspic King Crimson / 2 x blu-ray + 2CD set

    • Blu-ray 1
      All previously unreleased:
      Larks’ Tongues in Aspic – 2023 mixes.
      Dolby Atmos, DTS HD-MA 5.1 Surround, LPCM 24.96 Stereo
      1. Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part One
      2. Book of Saturday
      3. Exiles
      4. Easy Money
      5. The Talking Drum
      6. Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part Two
      Elemental Mixes (24/96 Stereo)
      1. Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part One
      2. Easy Money
      3. The Talking Drum
      4. Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part Two
      Instrumental Mixes (24/96 Stereo)
      1. Book of Saturday
      2. Exiles
      3. Easy Money
    • Blu-ray 2

      All previously unreleased except *

      Original Masters (24/96 Stereo) *
      30th Anniversary Master
      1. Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part One
      2. Book of Saturday
      3. Exiles
      4. Easy Money
      5. The Talking Drum
      6. Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part Two
      The Session Reels
      1. ‘Keep That One, Nick’ * (David Singleton audio documentary)
      Complete Recording Sessions (24/96 Stereo)
      January 16th, 1973
      1. Larks’ I – Takes 1 to 10
      2. Larks’ I – Takes 12 to 18 & 20 to 22
      3. Larks’ II – Take 1
      4. Book Of Saturday – Take 1
      5. Book Of Saturday – Take 1 Overdubs & 2nd Main Vocal Take
      January 17th, 1973
      1. Larks’ I – Edit 2 Takes 1 to 11
      2. Larks’ I – Edit 2 Take 12 & Overdubs
      3. Larks’ I – 4/4 Section Remake Takes 1 to 4
      4. Larks’ I – 4/4 Section Remake Takes 5 to 9 & 11 to 17
      5. Larks’ I – 2nd Edit Takes 1 to 6
      6. Larks’ I – 2nd Edit Take 1 with Overdubs
      January 18th, 1973
      1. Larks’ I – Bill Drum Check
      2. Larks’ I – Jamie Drum Check
      3. Larks’ II – Takes 1 & 2
      January 19th, 1973
      1. Larks’ I – 7/8 Section Remake Takes 1 to 5
      2. Larks’ I – 4/4 Section Remake Takes 1 to 9
      January 20th, 1973
      1. Larks’ I – 4/4 Section 2nd Remake Takes 10 to 20
      January 21st, 1973
      1. Larks’ I – 4/4 Section 2nd Remake Takes 21 to 26
      January 23rd, 1973
      1. Easy Money – Takes 1 to 9
      2. Easy Money – Takes 10 & 11
      3. Jamie Various Atmosphere Takes
      4. Jamie More Atmosphere Takes
      January 24th, 1973
      1. Easy Money – Remake Takes 1 to 6
      2. Easy Money – Remake Takes 7 to 9
      3. Intermezzo Takes 1 to 6
      4. Intermezzo Takes 7 to 16
      5. Intermezzo Takes 19 to 25
      January 25th, 1973
      1. The Talking Drum – Takes 1 to 3
      2. The Talking Drum – Take 3 (Complete)
      3. Larks’ I – 2nd Edit Takes 1 to 5
      4. Larks’ I – Final Edit Remake Non Takes
      January 26th, 1973
      1. Exiles – Takes 1 to 3
      2. Exiles – Takes 5 & 6
      3. Exiles – Master Reel Take 4 Backing
      4. Exiles – Master Reel Take 4 Overdubs 1
      5. Exiles – Master Reel Take 4 Overdubs 2
      6. Exiles – Master Reel Take 4 Vocal Overdubs
      January 30th, 1973
      1. The Talking Drum – Remake Takes 1 to 6
      2. Larks’ I – Master Bass Drums Percussion 4/4 section
      3. Larks’ I – Master Bass Drums Percussion 7/8 section
      4. Larks’ I – Master Guitar 4/4 Section Pass 1
      5. Larks’ I – Master Guitar 4/4 Section Pass 2
      6. Larks’ I – Master Guitar 4/4 Section Pass 3
      7. Larks’ I – Master Guitar and Violin 7/8 Section
      8. Larks’ I – Master Intermezzo Part 1
      9. Larks’ I – Master Intermezzo Part 1 Overdubs
      10. Larks’ I – Master Intermezzo Part 2
      11. Larks’ I – Master Introduction David & Jamie
      12. Larks’ I – Master Introduction Overdubs
      13. Larks’ I – Master Last Section Newspaper Readings
      14. Larks’ I – Master Lead Guitar Overdubs
      15. Larks’ I – Master Opening Bass, Drums, Guitar, Percussion
      16. Larks’ I – Master Opening Violin and Guitar
      17. Larks’ I – Master Last Section Violin And Guitar
      January 31st, 1973
      1. Easy Money – Master Ambient Overdubs to the End
      2. Easy Money – Master Backing Track to the End
      3. Easy Money – Master Intro Backing Track
      4. Easy Money – Master Intro Jamie Overdubs
      5. Easy Money – Master Intro Vocal Overdubs
      6. Easy Money – Master Vocal Overdubs to the End
      7. The Talking Drum – Master Reel Backing Track
      8. The Talking Drum – Master Reel Overdubs
      9. Larks’ II – Master Reel Backing Track
      10. Larks’ II – Master Reel Overdubs
      11. Larks’ II – Master Reel Violin Solos
      February 1st, 1973
      1. Book Of Saturday – Takes 1 to 3 & 5 to 10
      2. Book Of Saturday – Master Reel Bass Pass 1, Guitar, Violin
      3. Book Of Saturday – Master Reel Guide Vocals, Guitar, Violin Overdubs
      4. Book Of Saturday – Master Reel Bass Pass 2, Vocals with Vocal Overdubs
    • CD 1
      CDs: All material newly mixed/released
      Larks’ Tongues in Aspic (2023 Mix and Instrumentals)
      1. Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part One
      2. Book of Saturday
      3. Exiles
      4. Easy Money
      5. The Talking Drum
      6. Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part Two
      7. Book of Saturday
      8. Exiles
      9. Easy Money
    • CD 2
      Larks’ Tongues in Aspic (Elemental Mixes and Selected Master Reels)
      1. Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part One
      2. Easy Money
      3. The Talking Drum
      4. Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part Two
      5. Exiles – Master Reel Take 4 Backing
      6. Book Of Saturday – Master Reel Guide Vocals, Guitar, Violin Overdubs
      7. Book Of Saturday – Master Reel Bass Pass 2, Vocals with Vocal Overdubs

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38 Comments

38 thoughts on “King Crimson / Larks’ Tongues in Aspic: Complete Recording Sessions”

  1. Oh I am not happy with the sessions on Blu Ray. The rest of it I could care less I’m not a surround guy…. The first 4 albums were easy downloads from DGM live and etc… Now how does one if they want to transfer a Blu Ray disc to Flac … Fripp you’re a pain in the ass … Why could he at least offer the sessions of DGM live like he was supposed to … A BLU RAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  2. The sound on the live recordings on the big box was not bad at all, for being soundboards mainly. For the KC-connoisseur, it’s all about the inventiveness of the live improvisations anyway, some of them were real deep. This set is the studio aspect and I am actually glad that the producers issue them separately. Simplifies the handling. The European price – 40€ – is very reasonable. KC are indeed exemplary in their archive editions. Only a few missed details: fi. as I do a radio-program, I would appreciate that the duration of the tracks would be indicated in the book and/or on the sleeves.

  4. There are a lot of positives about this set for the KC fan, but as someone who doesn’t have a decent blu-ray/surround sound set-up it’s a shame that I can’t hear the session material in high quality sound. I would have preferred to have this material on CD like the 1969 sessions. However, that probably would have made it another 10 disc set so I can see why they have chosen the blu-ray route and it’s a must buy for me. But am I the only one that thinks this is a little pricey for 4 discs, when compared to other KC box sets?

    1. I think perhaps we have all been spoiled by how cheaply the previous huge sets have been sold for. I think the price of this Larks one is comparable to the amount a lot of artists charge for similar sized releases.

  5. I agree with Steve P’s comment here regarding this seeming to ‘drain the well dry’ and CDLP’s comment about the cost. I bought the 2012 DVD-A, which seems generally rated a very good surround mix by Wilson (at least on the QQ site). For me, it is good, but not as dramatic as it could be, and seems to lack low end. So yes, I would love to hear an improved Steven Wilson surround mix, especially in Atmos! HOWEVER: £45.00 + shipping to Canada is far too much to pay for the Blu-Ray when I have no interest in all the studio meanderings bulking up this overpriced box set. Once again, these box sets infuriate those who just want to hear the surround mixes of these classic albums. Please, SDE, push for a single Blu-Ray Atmos disk release of this as an affordable option!

  6. I suppose the benefits of an extreme comprehensive box set like this are;
    a) nobody can complain of stuff being missing, and
    b) nobody can accuse the label of holding stuff back for a future anniversary/RSD ‘rip off’.
    Winners all round!

  8. Just when you thought you had it all with the 40th anniversary box set… The Crimson King of reissues strikes back wiith a wealth of previously unreleased material!

  9. I think I’m going to need an extra room soon just for my King Crimson collection. But this is a great companion to the big box set of several years ago so I’m sure I’ll be trying to find space for it (and the ones that follow) very soon.

  11. Mixed feelings about this. I didn’t have much King Crimson in my collection so purchased the CD/DVD sets and then upgraded and bought all the 12″ deluxe box sets with blu-rays which is a great set, well presented. I’d like to have the Atmos mix but can I justify spending another £45 for it. Not bothered about everything else in this set.

  12. I still listen to the my original vinyl copy. I cannot believe it is 50 years old. This looks really interesting and good value. Is it worth buying a Blue Ray player so I can listen to it?

    1. Always good to have a blu-ray player in the house. There’s many Sony players that can also play SACD’s as well as CD’s and DVD’s. The price of setting up Dolby Atmos is also coming down in price. It won’t be too long before a manufacturer will release an all-in-one 5.1.2 blu-ray/amp with Dolby Atmos complete with speakers I’m sure.
      If you’re not set up for Atmos, you can still listen to all the hi-res audio on the blu-ray through your TV speakers.

  13. King Crimson/Fripp/Singleton are second to none for value to product. To get ALL the recording sessions for $50 – sign me up. I LOVE the complete 1969 sessions. I wish Apple Corps took note on how to release album outtake sessions for the diehard.

  14. I bought a first UK-issue approx. 15yrs ago. It sounds…lets say “original” and good enough for my old ears. Steven Wilson may shake the dust from the recordings. But I give up and stay with my old record.

  16. An interesting one. As we all know, there was a huge box for this title released previously. I’d imagine most hard core would have bought that already. This has more on it, though quite how essential it is beyond my pay grade to work out. But here’s the thing, the big box set have a broad range of material in it, including exhaustive live performances, alternate takes, the surround mixes, the remixed album proper, and so on. It’s a look at the album in a wider context than what you get here.

    In short, if you don’t own the older box, you might be tempted to buy this because it’s cheaper. However, the reality is, you’re paying less and are getting a much narrower sense of what this album meant for the band. If you only want the Surround and the remix, there was a 3-disc edition released at the time of the big boxes. As for me, this may end up being an adjunct for the big box (which I own). But if I had to choose between the two, the big box would stay.

    1. A lot of the huge box was live material leading up to the recording sessions. This seems to be a studio based companion, so maybe of interest to many.

    2. I assist. As the 2012 box even already included a blu-ray with lots of content i’m insecure if i need this release too.

      As of now i say ‘I don’t’ but if the price would go down to around £25 i might reconsider…

    3. I don’t believe there was a three disc edition released at the time of the 40th Anniversary Larks’ Tongue box. There was a CD/DVD version which contained the Steven Wilson remix on the CD and the DVD containing various Surround mixes, the new stereo mix, the original stereo mix, a handful of alternate takes and mixes and some video content. And there was a 2 CD edition that had the Wilson remix plus a few bonus tracks on one disc and the original mix with the 30th Anniversary remastering and a couple of bonus tracks on the other.
      This new set will have a lot of material not available on the 40th Anniversary box. They have very little overlap and should complement each other very well for the dedicated Crimso fan.

  17. this is a purchase. The 2 subjects that got me are Steven Wilson mix and Dolby Atmos. KC are always a great surround experience and I own the 5.1 of Larks as well. I will also add that the surround platform is very slow when adding new music to purchase as well. Thank you Paul for all of your efforts.

  18. Ah-ha! I was only wondering yesterday what had happened to this release and the other two (Poseidon and Lizard). Does sound rather interesting, and although I don’t have either Atmos or 5.1, there’s still enough good stuff on here to make it worth a punt.

  19. Kind of tempted, as Larks is not one of my favourite KC albums, but that’s down to the original mix. Maybe they will change my mind with a new mix?
    All this really does is whet my appetite for what they plan to do with Red next year (my absolute favourite)!

  20. At the risk of sounding like an utter killjoy, but as someone who has avidly collected all previous Crimson box sets etc, this unfortunately looks like a case of overkill and draining the well dry. You have to be very honest and decide if you want to hear every thing they recorded, good or bad, rather than something even semi finished which we’ve likely had before. I’ll stick with the previous boxes as I can’t see myself listening to studio noodling and chat. Surprised that Fripp would go for this wringing every last drop approach but purely a subjective view which I’m pretty sure will be opposed by most people posting on this

    2. Funny that you keep Fripp/Wilson in such high regard. They are reasonably up there in my “greedomitor” list. Love KC by the way.

    1. *Everything* is newly mixed. There’s only two bits of content that are on this box and on the old box (the original stereo mix and the audio documentary).

      1. When it is published I will wait for the feedback from the users of this great website and yours Paul to see if it is worth it.
        Thanks for the comment.

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