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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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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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