Larks' Tongues in Aspic

Untitled

Larks' Tongues in Aspic is a 1973 album by the British progressive rock group King Crimson. This album is the debut of King Crimson's third incarnation, and features original member and guitarist Robert Fripp and new members John Wetton (vocals, bass), David Cross (violin, mellotron), Jamie Muir (percussion), and Bill Bruford (drums), as well as lyricist Richard Palmer-James. The album sees the band incorporate into its sound violin and also various exotic percussion instruments, including sheet metal and mbiras.

The album opens with a long experimental instrumental piece titled "Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part One." After that there are three vocal pieces, "Book of Saturday", "Exiles" and "Easy Money." These are followed by two more instrumentals, "The Talking Drum" and "Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part Two." The instrumental pieces on this album have strong jazz fusion influences, and portions have an almost heavy metal feel.

The album spawned the concert staple "Exiles", whose mellotron introduction has been adapted from an instrumental piece called "Mantra" the band's original line up performed throughout 1969. At that time, as well as in late 1972, the melody was played by Fripp on guitar.

In the Q & Mojo Classic Special Edition Pink Floyd & The Story of Prog Rock, the album came #22 in its list of "40 Cosmic Rock Albums".

Track listing

Side one

1. "Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part One" (D. Cross/R. Fripp/J. Wetton/B. Bruford/J. Muir) – 13:36
2. "Book of Saturday" (R. Fripp/J. Wetton/R. Palmer-James) – 2:49
3. "Exiles" (D. Cross/R. Fripp/R. Palmer-James) – 7:40

Side two

1. "Easy Money" (R. Fripp/J. Wetton/R. Palmer-James) – 7:54
2. "The Talking Drum" (D. Cross/R. Fripp/J. Wetton/B. Bruford/J. Muir) – 7:26
3. "Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part Two" (R. Fripp) – 7:12

Personnel

• Robert Fripp - guitar, mellotron, devices, electric piano
• John Wetton - bass, lead vocals, acoustic piano
• Bill Bruford - drums
• David Cross - violin, viola, mellotron, flute, electric piano
• Jamie Muir - percussion

with

• Richard Palmer-James - lyrics