King Crimson / Larks' Tongue in Aspic 2 x blu-ray + 2CD 50th anniversary box set

Larks' Tongue in Aspic 50th anniversary 2 x blu-ray +2CD box set

50th anniversary reissue • 2023 Steven Wilson Dolby Atmos Mix, 5.1 mix and stereo mix • Plus Complete Recording Sessions & more • Release date: 20 October 2023

King Crimson's 1973 album Larks' Tongues in Aspic is presented as this 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.

This is issued by Panegyric on 20 October 2023.

 

Blu-ray 1 (NTSC, Zone ABC, playable on all BD players & drives)

 

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 (NTSC, Zone ABC, playable on all BD players & drives)

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 - All material newly mixed/released

Larks' Tongues in Aspic (Steven Wilson 2023 stereo 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 -  All material newly mixed/released

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