When I heard the first Crimson LP I quit my 3 year stint with a Blues band and started to listen to all the early BeBop greats as well as Stavinsky, Bartok and Debussy. Instead of learning Blues riffs I was borrowing riffs from the Bartok string Quartets. When I heard Larks I could recognize a very similar thing going on. I am 76 and still at it . I have not performed a cover tune or borrowed a guitar riff for over 50 years. I taught myself theory and spent hours every day not just learning it but applying it. So 2 albums did not just changed my life, they were the first rung of a ladder that was and is my life.

This one on several levels seemed to come out of nowhere. You couldn't find rock albums that would prepare you for this in 1973. It took several repetitions to get this one to play back in the head. The atmosphere and the way tension builds here creates its own sonic film. It's heavy and dark in a way way makes Sabbath seem like a lightweight Saturday morning cartoon. To find something approaching a visual art equivalent, you'd have to look at William Blake or Albrecht Durer. It's truly a groundbreaking work of genius.

The Jamie Muir album. Marvelous percussion and sounds, the man behind the mustache was a true artist. This band was peak Crimson to me even though Red is perhaps even better, they never matched the sonic landscape of Larks

The quintersal bass playing of the late John wetton. And the impeccable drumming of Bill bruford.crimsons best rhythm section ever.

I'm sad that I could not share this group as well as Progressive music with my father. As I came into my own with music and broadened my musical ear, my father was traveling the world, working. He had a very eclectic ear. He loved ELP, and also African music. He would have loved Crimson and Yes. This album and the next several in my opinion was the best music Crimson recorded, not forgetting, In the Court! Cutting edge was an understatement for Larks. Saw them twice in 75. Couldn't get enough.

One story goes that when Jamie Muir was asked what the new music they were making sounded like he replied, "like Larks' Tongues in Aspic," which Fripp recognized as a superb title.

Larks Tongues in Aspic still sounds modern after more than 50 years. For me, Fripp's solo in Easy Money is his best ever. An understated masterpiece in building tension and release, build and release. Amazing drumming, too, from Bruford throughout the album.

@mattias4864

11 ай бұрын

thats a utterly fantastic solo, but i personally prefer the Exiles solo, with Easy Money close second

@tonyanderton3521

11 ай бұрын

@@mattias4864 Yes, the Exiles solo is a little gem, Matteo. At under a minute in duration, though, it's too short.

It always put the willies up me this album, especially that trumpet sound on Talking Drum, think it's a trumpet being swung around on a rope and catching the wind, I've had nightmares about it.

I quite agree with comments on Jamie Muir's contribution to 'Lark's Tongues...', and IMO his contribution was as missed on 'Starless and Bible Black' as was David Cross's on the bulk of 'Red'. Muir and Cross gave this particular iteration of KC a kind of nuance that figured greatly in the sheer dynamic range of its music. I was lucky to see KC in concert when they were touring this album in spring '73, but if I'm not mistaken Muir had already left. There's this cool little record ('Ghost Dance') he did in '83 with Michael Giles (a great drummer) and David Cunningham. 'Lark's Tongues...' and 'Islands' are my two favourite KC albums.

Great album. I hear some of the Bartok fourth string quartet in the title track.

In my view, each of the first 3 Crimson eras kicks off with a door busting, creatively out-of nowhere statement of artistic intent (In the Court of the Crimson King, Lark’s Tongues, Discipline) which is followed by weaker albums which explore the same territory but with diminishing returns. Red gets more love these days, probably thanks to Kurt Cobain’s endorsement of it. But Lark’s Tongues is the most radical album of the 72-74 Crimson, and perhaps their best album ever.

Long live the magic of Robert Fripp's King Crimson!!!

I was wondering if you were going to do this one. The 50th Anniversary of its release was March 23. So many times people will speak of how an album or an artist "changed my life". Seems a bit over the top, but I will say this about this album: The way in which I view and listen to music was altered permanently and in major way by this album and in particular "Larks'' Tongues in Aspic pt. 1". The first 3 minutes put the hook in me. Words fail to do justice to the impact that track had on my innocent and tender 19 year-old ears. I can understand why Bill Bruford speaks in such reverent terms about how Jamie Muir had such a transformative impact on his playing as a drummer.

@AndyEdwardsDrummer

Жыл бұрын

Jamie Muir is key to understanding this album and where KC then went

@ganazby

Жыл бұрын

Ditto here. Those first three or so minutes of LTIA pt.1 literally altered my consciousness. I still get the same vibe when I listen to it now (not too often, mind, as I don’t want to drain the magic from it).

Andy please stop reminding me of how old I am I bought all these albums when they first were released 😂

This is basically my favorite album from my favorite band. Which I guess it makes it my favorite album ever. An incredible band at a creative peak. And the most amazing this is that a lot people think that the album was not as good as what the band achieved live. Richard Williams would argue that they were doing magic.

same typeface as discipline, beat and three of a perfect pair also. those three albums looked back to this album as well as talking heads, who adrian belew played with in live shows. i zimbra, in particular, which fripp played on.

Nice video, thanks Andy. Yeah, it's hard to overstate the importance of this album both in terms of King Crimson's catalog, but also in progressive rock in general. Hope you've had a chance to see the two 1973 Midnight Special videos that have just recently surfaced (sadly post Jamie Muir, but at least we have the Beat Club videos.) And as a Yes junkie I'll just make sure it gets into this comment thread that it was Jamie Muir who turned Jon Anderson onto "Autobiography of a Yogi", which formed the basis of Yes' Tales from Topographic Oceans album! And this was at Bill Bruford's wedding! 😄

What can you say? I always come back to this album. It's so odd and unique. I love it when some young person reacts to it and can't believe when it was released. It makes them question the "uniquenesd and originality" of the bands they thought were.trailblazers. All I know is when I was young there really was no other band as groundbreaking and new as Crimson and nothing like them since.

Saw them playing most of "Larks Tongues" in Nov 72 in the old Cardiff Capitol building (has since been redeveloped). At the time of attending the gig, I'd only ever heard "Schizoid Man" and a friend's copy of "Islands". I was nearly 16 at that time. I remember being really excited on entering the gig to see not 1 but 2 Mellotrons on either side of the stage (cutting edge at that time of course). Lights go down, audience very studious and respectful, as the band walks on to a polite ripple of applause, moments later they quietly start the opening sequence to Larks....... I've never seen anything quite like Jamie Muir, from that day to this. Genius. But they were all brilliant! Still my favourite King Crimson album in a very strong field (Beat, Red, 3 of a Perfect Pair). Made a huge impression on me as a musician and their not even my favourite band!! Thanks Andy, great memories for me!! 😎👌

Bill Bruford left Yes so he could play on Lark's Tongues in Aspic. Wise man.

@mikedonoghues4018

Жыл бұрын

To quote the man himself, when he left Yes for King Crimson, Bill Bruford went over the Berlin Wall…into East Germany.

@paulbrookes413

Жыл бұрын

Yes did nicely without him !!

@tonyanderton3521

Жыл бұрын

@@paulbrookes413 I agree, Paul. I think that White's style was much better suited to Topographic Oceans than Bruford's greater jazz/fusion leanings which wouldn't have fitted at all.

@paulbrookes413

Жыл бұрын

​@@tonyanderton3521 White definitely gave Yes more room to manoeuvre.

I think you are right about Jamie Muir, although I would say he isn't missed on the next 2 albums. Also agree LTIA is one of the heaviest things ever recorded, no metal band ever got near Crimson. Easy Money is heavy as hell too. Loved your point about the juxta with John and Jamie, I had never thought about that. Power to Believe is great, lovely and heavy.

My favorite, too -- unless/maybe you count the live "Great Deceiver" set, from the Larks Tongues tour

Great video Andy! This is one of the few albums from 50 years ago that I still find interesting. And I believe Jamie Muir’s mustache deserves reconsideration. Thanks for all you do.

Thanks a lot especially for putting a light on Jamie Muir's role. Not just for the glory of Jamie Muir, but for a better understanding of KC's music in that era.

thanks for the heads up will dig out my copy and give it a good listen before the show starts :-)

I bought this album when I was in high school in about 2000, I believe. I bought it without hearing a single note from the album, but I owned Court, Poseidon, and Red. My first thought, "Oh, a percussionist. Is he going to play bongos or something?" As soon as the violin part in LTIA Part 1 began, I thought "Here we go!" and I was not disappointed. It's my favorite album from the band. It's a great album to listen to in the dark, especially. Jamie Muir's influence is on every album afterward and especially the more recent live versions of the group.

Jamie Muir had a bag of leaves as a part of his collection of instruments; so yes, anything and everything was fair game as a producer of sound, including the kitchen sink and blood capsules. IIRC, he dumped the bag of leaves on to stage after the performance of the extended improv on the Beat Club TV performance.

You can't go around apologising for forgetting stuff when I'm around. All the video's I've seen so far have been very interesting and entertaining and... oh, what else was it? I've forgotten... anyway, keep making these videos Andy... 😁

LTIA is one of my favourites. This five-piece had a really unique sound and vibe. I think of KC's music in tranches. You have quirky pop that opens an album side with jazz improv in Cat Food, Cirkus, Ladies of the Road and Easy Money (Elephant Talk dispensed with the improv). You have the long slow build ostinato from ppp to fff, such as Devil's Triangle, Bolero, Talking Drum and Dangerous Curves. You have symphonic tracks Epitaph, ITCOTCK, ITWOP, Islands, Exiles. There's a ballad of sorts on most albums. There's the mathematical odd time sig head-banging tranch. The free improv tranch. Later on, the "gamelan" tranch. And, of course, a whole bunch of LTIA variations.

Great, great album. Your information was spot on except that Keith Tippet played on three albums not just Islands. First album he played on was the second, In the Wake of Poseidon follow by Lizard then Islands. Level Five is Level Five, it was only referred to as LTIA5 during the last live only incarnation of King Crimson as it has a similar construction. There is no guitar solo as such on Book of Saturday, it's an acoustic short song just over a couple of minutes. You might be referring to the beautiful solo on Exiles, the following track. A bit picky I know but Crimson are my favourite band of all time and it as to be correct 👌👍 Totally agree about this album though, my favourite of theirs, closely followed by Lizard. Great, great album though. Nice to see it talked about here, instead of Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, which personally, as good as it is, I'm sick of hearing about. 👍 Just like to add, it sounds amazing in 5.1.

@interstellaroverdriven6450

Жыл бұрын

Great insight and choice re: Lizard as one of your favourites. For me Lizard is the 'Sketches of Spain' of rock music and such an outlier of contemporary music even within the context of the remaining Crimson catalogue. It beholds a beauty for me that can only be matched by maybe 'Mingus Ah Um' or perhaps even 'Atom Heart Mother'. Funny how both Lizard and Atom Heart Mother, magnum opus epics of 1970 experimental avant-guard, are vehemently disavowed by their creators yet beloved by their hardcore fans (for Lizard at least Fripp softened a little and add some repertoire to the latter live incarnations).

Mr Pedantic here. The opening line of Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood is: It is spring, moonless night in the small town, starless and bible-black. There's no THE before Bible-Black.

@Emlizardo

Жыл бұрын

My favorite album is The Beat!

This was mind-blowing to me when I heard it at the age of 17

Love this album. Muir is a beast on this. Is that a Wharfdale speaker behind you? I have a set of Lintons that I really enjoy.

Another great video. A true classic. Thank you!

Great video, Andy. Very important and educational. Keith Tippet also played on ITWOP and on Lizard as well as on Islands

Its the beginners album for The Magic City (1966) by Sun Ra.

@scoop1178

Жыл бұрын

A wild relation that you create there. But what you can do, there is an ECM record "The Music Improvisation Company" with Jamie Muir, among others. Play it at the same time as The Magic City, it works. (Double improvisation)

I enjoyed this a lot!

Just to note: The violin solo in Larks Tongues in Aspic Part 1 quotes from Ralph Vaughan Williams 'The Lark Ascending'; itself inspired by a poem by George Meredith. The poem contains the lines : "A press of hurried notes that run So fleet they scarce are more than one, Yet changingly the trills repeat And linger ringing while they fleet, " Which seems reasonable. I think we are invited to consider the contrast with the song of the lark and the food larks tongues in aspic which has the association of decadence. Eating the art.

Great video, Andy. You’re right about the live considerations even for a studio album. Fripp once said that some bands were there for the love letter (the album), others were there for the hot date (the live show). King Crimson, he maintains, were always the band for the hot date. Maybe that’s why he was dissatisfied with so many of their studio recordings? Thanks for posting this. Good stuff!

The first time I heard this album as a child...it scared me.

I always put ‘Cat Food’ and ‘Easy Money’ together. Great insight re ‘Talking Drum’ - hadn’t occurred to me.

@interstellaroverdriven6450

Жыл бұрын

No coincidence that the Larks era band played 'Cat Food' for a handful of dates and can be found on the 'Great Deceiver' box set. They add a tremendous amount of energy to it as well and it sounds great!

@ganazby

Жыл бұрын

@@interstellaroverdriven6450 Cheers for the heads up. I haven’t heard that box set.

I saw Fripp and the League of Crafty Guitarists play Lark's Tongues on 24 acoustic guitars.

it's a wonder any band members had any ears left playing with King Crimson ! Ps. think tippett ( recently deceased ) played on 2nd, 3rd & 4th albums to great effect it must be said.....

Agreed with your comment about the album’s heaviness. I remember the first time I heard Larks 1, those kalimbas building into the heaviest riff I ever heard. It’s not only heavy - it’s evil. Something from HP Lovecraft. I also link it to Fripp’s preference for the occult. And perhaps Guardjeff. Anyway, I remember showing this piece to some friends who were into Dearh metal, and they were sh**Ing their pants when confronted with this thing.

Saw this tour 74 bill bruford on drums great prog band .

John Wetton at his peak.🌜👌

@whitneyjacobs7874

Жыл бұрын

He was certainly at his most freewheeling as a bass player here (and on the live material from this period). His singing, however, improved in later years.

Great video on a unique and fantastic album.

Guitarists with an interest in Larks' Part One may want to refer to Robert Fripp's "Robert at Home" post of April 1, 2023. (Remarkably, he refrained from any April Fool shenanigans.)

Andy, you're the best. I was surprised that we have the same favorite 3 King Crimson albums, but I like Starless best. Reason? FRACTURE!!!!!!! Fripp is today's answer to Beethoven.

Robert fripp still playing at a high level in 2023!

I think Steven Wilson remixed this LP and all their others too. What do you think of his remixes? Personally I think he's done a fantastic job with Gentle Giant.

Admittedly, I’ve only listened to this album once, as I’m somewhat of a Crimson noob. But I remember liking the abstract free sections more than the songs, since I like listening to free and improvised music. I’ll certainly give it another go however.

The genesis of this landmark album is extraordinary in itself. By the time of their first November 1972 gigs at the Zoom Club, the band had already written a vast amount of material within only a couple of months together, including sketches of the Larks tracks as well as Fallen Angel and fragments of what was to come later. What is most extraordinary about these gigs (and the one released by KCCC) is the extreme level of improvisation demonstrated that is reminiscent of the insane Coltrane 1966 Japanese tour (6 songs on 4 cd's LOL!!). While the band would go on to be known for their improvisational prowess, arguably culminating in the epic 'Voyage to the Centre of the Cosmos", they would never pursue it with such reckless abandon and bravery as on the Zoom Club gigs.

@grahamnunn8998

Жыл бұрын

Crimson's official bootlegs really fill in the gaps on this era.

You are a drummer. Timing is everything! ^5!

Robert Fripp always had great drummers and percussionist.

@mikedonoghues4018

Жыл бұрын

I agree. Whilst one would never describe Fripp as a rhythm guitarist, he understands and respects rhythm immensely - and those who drive and maintain it. Bass and percussion are far more than mere timekeepers for keyboard and guitar melodies, unlike how they were relegated in many other bands.

@paulbrookes413

Жыл бұрын

​@@mikedonoghues4018 🐘 🗣

@mikedonoghues4018

Жыл бұрын

@@paulbrookes413 Balderdash.

As I think about the aural intricacies of Larks' Tongues In Aspic Part 2, I cannot help but feel that the recording studio has rendered it somewhat stiff and restrained, like a bird with clipped wings. The instruments lack vivacity and the precision is almost suffocating. The track's structure and punctuation exacerbate these issues, laying them bare for all to hear. Don't get me wrong, I adore this piece, but the studio version fails to satisfy my sonic desires. For me, the definitive rendition can be found on their live album "USA." Oh, what a beast it is! The performers are truly in their element, unshackled and alive. But, as always, musical taste is subjective, and this is merely my humble opinion. And now, having been reminded of this masterpiece, I shall indulge in a deep listening session, accompanied by a steaming cup of tea. Luckily, I have both the original and the Steven Wilson remix at my disposal, double the pleasure!

1973 , one of the best years for vinyl releases , together with 1967 and 1970. We'll get bombarded this year with 50th ann releases , except for Billion Dollar Babies , though a top album in the charts , the Coop is not releasing anything special so far .....total bummer since that album is as good as not to be found unless at ludicrous prices . I have this KC one on new vinyl , Papersleeve cd & Wilson remaster.

Robert did include avant garde free improvisation through his work with Keith Tippett. Fripp wanted Tippett to join King Crimson, but Tippett declined. Other avant garde free improvisers who worked with rock groups included some of the line up of Soft Machine between SM 3-5; Jaki Liebezeit from Can, and some others. The MO influence is there, but MO never took things as far out as KC did during this period.

Interesting suggestion of a Mahavishnu influence in the violon department - Dream Theater employed none other than Jerry Goodman to play the string parts on their 2009 cover (which I like, though it has a very different feel, much more reigned-in and nailed-down, with none of Muir's avant-garde splatter) kzread.info/dash/bejne/m2uKs5l9eLLgkrA.html

Larks Tongue group exceeds the studio stuff on some of the live recordings

Keith Tippet

Easily King Crimson's best lineup and elpee. I saw this ensemble play four times including once in NYC Central Park.

Keith Tippett is also all over Lizard.

Great album but I still prefer Red. So, here’s why Larks isn’t my #1 - I think Exiles has a kind of sonic “sourness” that annoys me. It’s like they’re forcing Wetton to sing in a key that doesn’t suit him. Furthermore, Book of Saturday is a bit boring. Otherwise, the rest of the album is amazing. 4.5/5 No one ever talks about the “middle child” Starless and Bible Black, which is almost as good as Larks and underrated. That said, it has peaks and valleys. 4/5 By comparison, Red doesn’t misstep at all. 5/5

Jaime Muir is the most avant garde artist to work within progressive rock... (excluding Zappa)...

Musicologist always forget/chose to not include King Crimson with the Holy Trinity... (Led Zeppelin/Deep Purple/Black Sabbath) as the pioneers of Heavy Metal (not cool)... Larks (masterpiece) is my favorite from the Wetton era of KC... Jazz/Classical/Prog/Avant Garde... big part of the Evolution of Metal since its birth... I think a lot of the prejudice for Metal... lies in Metal musicians chops are superior to most other genres... haters have a hard time acknowledging... their Compositions/Improvising/Innovations/Diversity is also on that level (its to much for them to accept)... I love all eras of KC but the Adrian Belew era is my favorite... The Power To Believe/Discipline are tied for my favorite KC album... Out of the first 7 albums... Islands is my favorite... I pick up a lot of KC influence in Primus music (especially 80' & some 70') Dont know if u heard the Prog Metal band Damn the Machine (self titled) album from 1993... theres a huge KC influemce (80' & 70') on that album (plus they have a great b-side/cover of Cat Food which is on youtube)... their also a huge influence on Tool... etc Cool Video (thoughtful)

Very interesting additions to my knowledge about this wonderful album! On a sidenote: Just wondering about the pronunciation of "Larks' ". I was taught to pronounce it *larkses* (as with any plural noun in possessive form?) . But you're not the first with English as your mother tongue to pronounce it *larks*. What's the proper way?

@paulbrookes413

Жыл бұрын

They were larking about 😂

@progperljungman8218

Жыл бұрын

@@paulbrookes413 🤣

I think you sell Wetton short here. At this stage he was the heaviest element of the band (though not the most unstable). His playing at the end of LTIA pt1 is phenomenally original and weighty. Also I don't think this is following The Mahavishnu Orchestra - Cross is firmly in the European classical tradition, unlike Goodman, who plays jazz licks, echoing McLaughlin closely. Birds of Fire defines Fusion, Larks' Tongues is far more diffuse and diverse.

LTIA is the best KC album. Don't listen to all the Red folk. Great stuff.

You actually mentioned Asia and Progressive in the same sentence! Oh my goodness nooooo 😢

Too bad SUNSHIP never recorded tho that's a fantastic Coltrane esoteric breakthru. With electric instruments SUNSHIP sounds much like why Crimson are doing ⚛️🌈⚛️

If KC was trying to disturb people with that album title, they succeeded, in my case. Even though I know LTIA isn’t really a thing. God, I hope not.

Does anybody know how this album was titled?

@joegrinvalsky7222

Жыл бұрын

I believe Sid Smith mentioned it recently, the title was a phrase Jamie Muir said : "Fripp also ran the bare bones of an idea that he’d first tried out with the Islands-era line-up, and which would be later titled Larks’ Tongues In Aspic - a phrase coined by Jamie Muir but appropriated by Fripp.."

@glennhecker4422

4 ай бұрын

​@@joegrinvalsky7222I had read that Jamie Muir was asked, "What does this [piece?] make you think of?" (or something like that) Muir was said to have matter-of-factly responded: "Why, larks' tongues in aspic -- what else?" as if it were the most obvious thing imaginable!

Such an astonishing era. I love and respect "In The Court.." but there is an awful lot of noodly b@llocks, mildly entertaining but hardly essential.

Don't forget the kalimba.

Andy - Stop eating carbs, biscuits, bread, or anything, and stick to an all meat diet and your memory will improve. I am 63 and I know all the things you had to look up because I hardly ever eat anything that you do. It's a sign of early dementia, my friend.

@armandom28

Жыл бұрын

You will drop dead before he does

@matthewcoombs3282

Жыл бұрын

Bit of a leap - if he forgetting his home address or mobile number I might agree, forgetting the name of a musician on an album released 50 years ago is pretty normal. Having said that I agree that cutting down Carbs and refined grains is a good idea for all sorts of health reasons.

@SRV2013

Жыл бұрын

@@matthewcoombs3282 I'm 63 and I remember everything about every album I listened fifty years ago. I'm not bragging, I just to want Andy to fall into early-onset alzheimer's .

@sevenbark

Жыл бұрын

@@SRV2013 Physician, heal thyself.

@SRV2013

Жыл бұрын

@@sevenbark I have, thank you.

In no way A masterpiece in my opinion. First Track ruins it for me: That ridiculously hard to hear intro goes on for too long 3:15 then that soft violin bit 3/4 way through [over 3 mins+ of crap ] nearly fell asleep so because of this waste of time I give it four stars.

crimson king invented prog rock? i dont love court or pipers at gates but i do love astronomy and instellar. both prog master pieces. why not pipers? pipers released before court. or why not st pepper's?

@stuartraybould6433

Жыл бұрын

You could also include Day's of Future Past or albums by Zappa. The difference is that all those previous albums still had elements of pop or blues. In the Court of the Crimson King as none of those elements, it's the first completely whole prog rock album, not just one or two parts here and there but completely, all the way through. That's the difference. The other albums are just as important though because without those it might not have happened. Things change slowly, nothing comes completely out of the blue, not even punk.

@vmacart

Жыл бұрын

@@stuartraybould6433 thanks stuart. i appreciate your response. yeah i thought about dofp and zappa. i love zappa. i've been listening since 1973 and he's remains one of my top favorite GOATs. king crimson, i dont hear it that way. court, first song particularly, cant recall name, sounds like jazz fusion and not prog to me. i've heard a lot of my old friends say cotckc is the 1st prog album for a long time. i get how things change slowly. that's easy. i also get that nothing is "new." i love music! music is the best.

@nectarinedreams7208

Жыл бұрын

​@@stuartraybould6433 Aspic has lots of blues on it

@stuartraybould6433

Жыл бұрын

@@nectarinedreams7208 I wasn't talking about Larks Tongues in Aspic, I was referring to the first album.

Its BehEmoth

@AndyEdwardsDrummer

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for that

The rest of Court is alot better than the overrated 21stCSM

@nectarinedreams7208

Жыл бұрын

It must be opposite day

@bobsbigboy_

Жыл бұрын

@@nectarinedreams7208 no it isnt. 21st doesn't match the overall tone of the album

Isn't that a kalimba Jamie Muir is playing at the beginning of the album?