Larks Tongues In Aspic (50th Anniversay Edition) (Blu-Ray Pack)
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.
Blu-ray Audio: NTSC, All Zones (ABC), playable on all BD players & drives (Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD MA 5.1 & LPCM Stereo 24/96)
• 50th anniversary edition of King Crimson’s classic 1973 album
• Blu-Ray I features all-new 2023 mixes in Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD MA 5.1 Surround Sound and Hi-Res Stereo by Steven Wilson
• Blu-Ray I also features the new Elemental Mixes by David Singleton
• Blu-Ray II contains the complete recordings of every session recorded for the album. 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.
• Additionally, Blu-Ray II includes Hi-Res stereo mixes of the original stereo masters & David Singleton’s audio documentary of the album recording “Keep That One, Nick” as previously included on the 2012 boxed set. These are the sole inclusions on the disc to have been issued previously.
• CD1 includes the 2023 stereo mix and instrumentals of the album
• CD2 includes the elemental mixes and selected master reels
• Presented as a 2 x gatefold sleeve edition containing the individual discs plus booklet with new sleeve-notes by King Crimson biographer Sid Smith packaged in a rigid slipcase.
