King Crimson - Larks’ Tongues In Aspic Part II (The Noise - Live At Fréjus 1982)

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Ah, here we return to King Crimson in full flight, back in 1982. Looks suspiciously like we’re having fun in my ‘spiritual home with a bed of nails’. In 1982, confidence was sky high. We were pretty sure we were one of the better bands on the block with an interesting perspective on how and what rock musicians should be doing, and what they should be doing it with. Lots of boobams, electronic drums, stick bass, guitar synthesisers, out-board effects processors and pink suits would all be in the mix. I’m playing double bass drums: the one on my left foot is a Simmons trash-metal ‘bass drum’, prominent here at 3’32”.
The slashing 3-3-2-2 figure that begins the thing has links to Igor Stravinsky’s work. In musicologist Andrew Keeling’s words “[The 10/8 metre] bears some similarity to the ‘Auguries of Spring’ from [Stravinsky’s] the ‘Rite of Spring’ and Bartok’s ‘Bulgarian Dance No 153’ from ‘Mikrokosmos VI’, and… the theme music for the TV series ‘Mission Impossible’” (Keeling, A. A Musical Guide to Larks’ Tongues in Aspic. Spaceward, Cambridge. p.115) A good example, then, of how multiple music influences could and did seep into rock music in a receptive and adventurous decade such as the 1970s, when this piece was written.
How did I feel when I played big places? Was I nervous? The more people on stage, of course, the more places to hide. If you’re at the back of seven people or more and your name is not on the Marquee, there’s not much you need to worry about. On the other hand, a hundred knowledgeable listeners plus the critic from the New York Times at the Blue Note, NYC, on an evening of ‘your’ music with ‘your’ band; then that, nearly, became insurmountable in my later years.
Paradoxically, the larger the venue and audience, the less forensically detailed is the attention given to what’s actually happening on stage. Impressive train-wrecks up there can go seemingly unnoticed by whole sections of a large crowd. King Crimson was mid-level attraction. It wasn’t my band or music, but I was heavily invested. Audiences could be large, but generally not so large that close attention was impossible. So we had both attention and decent hotels. No complaints!
#billbruford #drummer #tamadrums #yes #earthworks #jazzdrummer #kingcrimson #paistecymbals #drumsolos #electronicdrumkit

[@sevenbark]

All these years later and this piece still sounds like it's from the future

[@GoogleUser-cx1ii]

Very true.

[@progressivevalen]

I always say that some prog songs were so ahead of time than even now we find them timeless

[@rhythmfield]

… yet it was sort of an “oldy” already then, created a few Crimsons ago in 1973. Creative honest music (and musicians) always age well.

[@PrimericanIdol]

If Prince was playing in place of Adrian Belew, this version would sound just the same.

[@marioleonibalpedroso3073]

​@@PrimericanIdolsem prince

[@timothydillow3160]

"Whether it's jazz, funk, or rock and roll, music sweeps the dust from our soul." td

[@jonesisdying]

Belew's solo on this has long been a favourite of mine - a textbook example of the fully-matured psychedelic style. Shivers, every time...

[@RushAss]

Robert and Bill get a ton of attention and that's rightfully so. But Adrian and Tony were also absolute beasts I tell you. Top notch!

[@incognito7479]

This is the best KC lineup, in my humble opinion of course.

[@FranciscoMJuan]

Los cuatro fantásticos. Tema genial de Fripp.

[@SplendidCoffee0]

@@incognito7479hard agree. As much as I love the classic lineups, this lineup had a lovely sonic playground that they explored. It’s just so much fun to listen to

[@ahuramazda32]

That bass makes my hemmhoroids act up

[@adamswing6115]

​@@ahuramazda32is anal bleeding good or bad in this case?

[@peterryan4185]

It's 2023 and this sounds incredible!!!!!

[@MrBlackbriar69]

there will be no other drummer like Mr. Bill Bruford, simply amazing 👍👍👍👍

[@VegasAlien1]

The master of beat displacement. You never knew quite when the snare would drop. Different every time he played the song.

[@ytnsanw]

@@VegasAlien1 Bok!

[@avantprog6902]

@@VegasAlien1 yes, he inspired me to pickup the sticks after being a guitarist for years. I practice syncopating over odd times.

[@avantprog6902]

@@VegasAlien1 he taught me that sometimes less is more.

[@gregorystinette8271]

I was 16 when I saw King Crimson @ the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, front Center. My life was forever changed. No drugs necessary

[@bencarter6702]

Hi Bill 😀 Robert Fripp on his KZbin channel during the past week pointed out that it was 50 years ago this month since Larks Tongues was released. That news made me feel old! It was also the first Crim piece I heard. I was in my middle high school years at the time. Courtesy of my Dad's copy of the USA live LP. This being the opening track. It stuck. So glad it did. Thanks Dad...and thanks Bill!

[@timothydillow3160]

The song is half a century old. Still sounds completely unique and modern.

[@jeffweber292]

This is LTIA Part 2, which was the closing track on the album. The opening track was LTIA Part 1.

[@Relayer6a]

That was the first Crimson album I bought too. I had heard "In the Court of the Crimson King" before that but wasn't crazy about all the big droning Melotron stuff, loved Schizoid Man though. And I wasn't disappointed with the Live album. I proceeded to buy Red and Lark Tongues after that. I did buy some of their older stuff too but the stuff with Bruford was my favorite. When this lineup came out I was blown away again.

[@bencarter6702]

@@jeffweber292 LTIA 2 was the opening track of the USA Live album. As I stated in my original post.

[@RobertWeingher]

When musicians are real musicians and they really know how to play, very impressive!!!

[@saltspringdesign]

One of my favourite pieces of music ever. So far ahead of it's time that it's still fresh. Can't wait to see it with Belew also. Fripp and Belew are two of the most innovative and intelligent guitarist of all time and you Bill, I want to BE you, you are so amazing percussionist/drummer. Love you long time 🧡🎸🪘

[@jimatyeo]

No matter how great KC was before or after, this is my all time favorite line up. With Adrian and Tony, Robert and of course one of the worlds most amazing drummers, this line up totally kills it. Crimson with any players is so innovative and wonderful to watch and hear. There was a magic with this crew though that I haven't heard since,. Those 3 albums to me did not have a bad song. Beat, Three of a Perfect Pair, and Discipline. Thanks Bill for sharing these gems with us. It also adds a lot with your recollection of the events during your performance. Plus us gear nerds do like hearing about the gadgetry when you are so moved. Best to you and family.

[@alexv850]

All time KC fan here from Hungary. Probably Laks is my all time favourite KC album (or the one I am actually listing to...hard to decide of thes so many incredible albums...). I was privilaged to see KC with this line up and later on with the double trio. This 82 version of Larks II is the best ever I heard. Buzz with ceativity of this '73 song. All 4 of them are mosnters on their instruments, it is so powerful, so tight, so dynamic and plus everybody so enjoying playing it. Even I noticed a smile on Robert's face too!! Which is quite special thing!! Thank you for the music Bill and KC. It is a great part of my life.

[@jakeenan]

Great chemistry from my favourite Crimson line-up......with BB thoroughly enjoying himself....how could he not with those three crushing it in front of him.

[@ralphus555]

Saw this line-up at Oberlin College in 1981. I was a freshman at the school. Still remember how shocked and excited we were when the show was announced. Good times...

[@kathowed]

Magnificent! I've not seen Fripp enjoy himself as much as he did with this version of KC. Things may have been difficult and fractious, but it certainly delivered!

[@anuragpranav]

a touring king crimson was astonishingly powerful

[@juanjosevega5212]

Dead times, but not forgotten. Summits crowned and not climbed again. Extraordinary is an adjective that, by no means, reflects the grandeur of these compositions. I was a child and, since that prodigious decade, nothing fills me musically.

[@valentino2258]

they look like supervillains

[@IAmInfinitus208]

Especially Fripp!

[@worldprog]

Love the phase and crunch on Robert's guitar. What a great live version!

[@toshinokyokosenpai9239]

Hi Bill, you were always the best drummer and this presentation of 'larks 2' in Frejus the best interpretation of music that I have seen/heard/felt in my life, you're right Crimson 80's best band ever ❤️

[@toshinokyokosenpai9239]

03:39 Tony throws his pick by the way*

[@Synthetrix]

I had the pleasure of seeing the reformed King Crimson Discipline tour performance at the Roxy in Hollywood in the early 1980s. It was stunning. Cheeers!

[@ozzraven]

just look how tight the band plays.... great video!

[@jamesstreeter4725]

Thanks so much Bill, for posting this video. I saw this version of the band play at their first US date with this lineup. The date was 10/29/1981 at the Metro in Boston, MA. That concert was the first time I saw Tony playing a Chapman Stick. From that point onward, I knew I wanted one. I eventually bought one that was a very early model. Number 255, which was an old 10-string Ironwood model, like the one Tony was playing. I've since upgraded to a 12-string and enjoy it immensely. I was surprised to see him playing a regular bass guitar on this. I have enjoyed all of your music over the decades. If someone put a gun to my head, I'd have to say that the Fripp, Wetton, Bruford, and Cross version of the band is my favorite. But this is a VERY close second. The version of "Asbury Park" on the USA album might be my favorite piece of music of all time.

[@driexxx]

Saw them that year in a Tent , Amsterdam. Still gives me goosebumbs when i remember how overwhelming that was. They were truly a league of their own....

[@LeDoctoer]

This was an all star lineup with an all star composition to express themselves on.

[@mikegarwood8680]

It looks like you all were having a blast. Anyone should count themselves fortunate as to have a moment like this.

[@Chuckles..]

What a joyous and clever performance of a classic!.

[@m-tetsuo]

Love to see the big smiles on all their faces

[@jamesgilgannon4164]

Just immense musicianship!

[@ahuramazda32]

Been listening since probably 85 as a kid. It all sounds like heartbeats to me

[@daveturner2484]

Will forever be the greatest gig I have ever attended..High Summer, South of France, Roman Ampitheatre and KC were the only bloody support act😜

[@juanramonmuntada7394]

supporting Roxy Music, I guess

[@renevaz96]

Awesome Dave! I had a chance to see them around 2003 in Austin Tx, but didn’t attend! I kick myself and regret my decision! Awesome lineup!

[@daveturner2484]

@@juanramonmuntada7394 yup, they weren't bad either

[@incognito7479]

You’ll notice a slight smile from Robert early on. Rare. ‘Exposure’ is s great album by Fripp.

[@gpg9516]

Yes it is a brilliant lp.

[@josephkrokoski5095]

Bill Bruford has been an inspiration of mine since I was 13(1977)...His sound is so UNIQUE.

[@V.G.F.]

Bill and Neil are two legends.

[@rob8482]

This was a great lineup, all the best at their instruments! Awesome band. I also loved the last iteration. Mr. Fripp knows his stuff!

[@mattponikvar4944]

So glad you're uploading all this footage Bill, you're without a doubt my favorite drummer and you've made it very easy to enjoy your incredible work. Cheers!!!!

[@GoogleUser-cx1ii]

Totally agree!

[@cantseenothing]

Yes, and I for one really enjoy the well-written commentary and insight he provides in his intro, along with some salient notes about some of his equipment. Thank you, Mr. Bruford!

[@interstellar618]

Bill, you are just awesome. 40 years a fan!!! I started playing drums 18 months ago and now have a freakishly deeper appreciation for your skills. Thank you:)

[@64blip]

Haha, fucking massive. How much fun must it have been sat behind Adrian Belew going mental every night? Making music with people who can inspire and surprise you is the best. If it pays the bills wow. Thanks for the inimitable snare drum and style Bill. Love you loads xx

[@davidhockley1082]

The pinnacle of modern music....Nothing has come close to this since that most beautiful of night in the south of France.

[@jordanwebb3483]

First king crimson song and video I have ever seen. Made me love this band and this version. Love it.

[@Clearanceman2]

Adrian on Larks Tongues!!! Levin is also excellent as always.

[@claudio130]

Thanks Bill for posting this fantastic stuff!

[@billyruss]

Love the description accompanying this video almost as much as the video itself 🙂

[@mathematicalpoetry4066]

Incredible --- How does one reasonably describe this? - This is the apex of progrock - it just doesn't get better.

[@consulentecomunicazionestr3072]

Life have more a sense after listening this music

[@txa1265]

I loved being able to see King Crimson in Boston area for Discipline and Three of a Perfect Pair tours ... but as I was in high school at the time it is really now looking back (and seeing performances from the tours) that I can appreciate just how special it was!

[@uubuuh]

Orpheum, yes?

[@billostroff22]

Saw them on the beat tour and it still blows me away. Truly blessed.

[@brettmarlar4154]

I own the Neil, and Jack, and Me DVD and is still one of my favorite live DVDs.

[@timmartin8191]

So Bill, I was managing a record store in Houston, Texas in 1979 at the ripe old age of 18. We used to get 10-20 albums every week in the mail and it was like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates, you never knew what you were going to get. When we got the UK and Bruford albums, we couldn't stop playing them. You and Pierre Moerlen are my all-time favorite drummers and I'll always be grateful that I have been able to enjoy your talent over all of these years. I'm 62 now and I bought fresh copies of UK and Bruford lps about 5 years ago. Best to you and yours!

[@uubuuh]

Great comment, Tim. Yeah, '79 and that one truly was One of A Kind. A big deal. And that also was my introduction to Holdsworth...

[@1pineapplehorse]

so bad ass and awesome! Love King Crimson!

[@Truckngirl]

I fell in love with this album the year it was released! I love your performance on Melody! I think Part 2 is my second favorite KC song (ITCOTCK, LTIA2, Sleepless...) Thank you for ALWAYS looking like you're having a good time making lovely music!!!!

[@toddglacy1161]

Incredible, groundbreaking, original and amazing.

[@santiagosanchezblanco9430]

Inmenso,magnífico.Sensacional set.

[@rhythmfield]

Is that an ever-so-slight Mona Lisa-ish SMILE on Robert Fripp’s lips at around 00:35 ??? A moment of joy for the grim master composer/guitarist/instigator??? I didn’t realize that’s something that can happen while he’s playing on stage…

[@wallybeery4058]

I've seen this configuration of KC several times. ALWAYS amazing. I loved bouncy Adrian!! But THIS BAND played so well together - it was sometimes hard to decide who to pay attention to (visually) at any given moment!

[@sawbonesquad4876]

I love your heavy drumming Mr. Bruford! So cool to see you uploading old clips.

[@msaintpc]

One of the best bands ever been.

[@kumoyuki]

Ok, total fan moment here, but I have to say that this is the best lineup KC ever had, and I think this version of _Larks' Tongue_ maybe proves it. That bit from 4:24 where Adrian drops out of 40 seconds of Zappa-esque guitar thrashing xenochrony to rejoin Robert with such a sweet tone at 4:35 is just pure magic. And I'm going to let my Bru-fan out as well and just notice that it took *three* drummers to almost adequately replace you in the modern KC tours (seriously, _Starless and Bible Black_ from _Monkey Mind_ still doesn't live up to the standard).

[@SkelatorRevisited]

Agreed

[@MarceloKatayama]

what do you mean with xenochrony? Were Belew's lines taken from Zappa's material?

[@kumoyuki]

​@@MarceloKatayama no. Xenochrony was a concept that Zappa pioneered as a specific compositional and improvisational technique. It literally means "alien time", and is where you are playing in a way that is rhythmically alien to the main composition. This is *not* the same as polyrhythm, although you could view it as an extension of the polyrhythmic idea. In composition, FZ notably used this technique (through tape edit techniques) for most of the guitar solos on _Joe's Garage_. You could also hear FZ play xenochronistically on a lot of his live solos. I'm sure that during his time with FZ, Belew honed the ability to play outside the time signature, and that he subsequently brought it into the 1980s KC. But I'm also sure Adrian was playing his own lines :) Xenochrony gets used a lot these days...

[@MarceloKatayama]

@@kumoyuki Ahh, pardon me. I thought xenochrony meant taking ideas or motifs of previous works removed from the context that they were used in; like Paul singing she loves you on all you need is love.

[@kumoyuki]

@@MarceloKatayama That's an example of the compositional technique, yes. But it's not the only way it is used :)

[@ninjaking2548]

The lineup that wrote this is my all time favorite band. Cross, Wetton, Bruford and Fripp are all legends.

[@duncanparsons]

I love that the video production for that film was overseen by Robin Nash, who had been the producer of BBC's Top Of The Pops from 1973-1980!

[@davidzagami9723]

Thanks Bill for the posting and the insightful words.

[@johnnolan4312]

I just sit In awe every time I listen to Crimson

[@tomaburque]

Bill has the best snare tone of all time

[@davidadams2478]

I used to call it the ultimate technical " keck" in high school now I know it's called a rimshot..

[@cherrypepsi2815]

him and carey have a pretty nice snare tone but it's honestly not fitting for most songs outside of their genres

[@ThaiThom]

that is true... i wish more bruford fans who are drummers understood that @@cherrypepsi2815

[@monger6689]

@@cherrypepsi2815It’s great for punk and metal, not really for the the softer stuff though

[@cherrypepsi2815]

@@monger6689 his sidestick is pretty good for the softer stuff though to be fair

[@BoBo0807]

The sky-high confidence was, my dear Mr. Bruford, entirely appropriate.

[@noahmijo]

Okay can we also appreciate that Bill displays those amazing skills while also dressing like Sonny Crockett?

[@1pineapplehorse]

Bill Bruford ... what a drummer phenom extraordinaire!!

[@PhilipMollica]

that has to be one of my favorites live versions of II. You were all very excited and top form.

[@juanjosevega5212]

And what to say about Bill Bruford, magical, versatile, great drummer.

[@djozouavenul4930]

Bill Bruford’s works on electronic drums is highly underrated and it’s a shame how by the time video guys didn’t understand the craft and how important it was to show it better.

[@opaljk4835]

It’s not a tutorial

[@latexsolarbeef4990]

....tony levin...those lines...and that P bass ...it roots the madness of AB's genius guitar brilliantly....this f'n song is a mountain...Best 2U Bill.......

[@V.G.F.]

Beautiful ❤

[@ellisvener5337]

I’ve listened to at least a dozen variations n this song, and seen it played live at least three times. Hands down this is my favorite.

[@HisHowliness]

Every time I hear KC, I realize how important they must've been to Tool's creation. Virtuosos.

[@poodius7]

What musicianship! They don't mame them any better......brilliant!!

[@P.DuncanMonk]

They do not make musicians like these anymore .

[@daghetto101]

​@@P.DuncanMonklots of modern musicians can definitely play this lol

[@maazvdo]

Really a great performance and, your drums 🥁tuning, Mr. B.B, I recognize with closed eyes and ears, which fortunately has no eyelids.Thanks for share

[@avantprog6902]

I'm a guitarist and a drummer. As I grow older, I wish I spent more time doing what Mr. Belew did. I was caught up trying to be a virtuoso. My tastes lean more toward the avant-garde these days. He's perfect for that.

[@ceisonyamada1932]

Quarteto inesquecível, inigualável, insuperável. Fantástico!!!

[@xDrawingDead]

You can tell that Wetton is missing here and that it’s the 80’s crimson line up, you can hear it with Tony and Adrian like crazyyyy. That being said, absolutely no complaints here, I love king crimson in all of their shapes and forms❤

[@chinshihtang]

Thank you, Bill!

[@MatheusManzano]

Hell of a composition. Your channel is a precious gem in YT.

[@jpprr]

Outstanding

[@Radulenco]

Kudos to Belew's super-human ability to dance and groove to this mind bending broken-time-signature weird stuff. Also, it's the perfect counterpoint to Fripp's neurotic, super-concentrated performance.

[@TheSlaughtercultden]

Proof that 80's king crimson is the best king crimson. Wish we couldve gotten 3 more albums from this lineup in the 80's.

[@PointyTailofSatan]

A lot of people don't know that much of Fripp's unique sound is due to his using non-standard tunings of his guitars.

[@MichaelRoy-hc3lz]

If you were to visit me in 1974 you would find me listening to Yes (Close To The Edge back) Genesis (with Pete) Gong or King Crimson (LTIA or SABB). So at that time and still to this day l believe Mr. Bruford is the great drummer ever. I also listened to a lot of Van Der Graf Generator and Gentle Giant too

[@JamesBlevins0]

The overhead shot of Bill Bruford playing "Larks' Tongues in Aspic: Part II" on "The Midnight Special" is even more spectacular than the overhead shot in "John Wick 4".

[@shuriken4100]

Bill you are a Master....

[@miker5233]

You got to love those Simmons SDS five drums

[@mercster]

Wonderful.

[@afrigal2420]

still love it!!

[@victorprince7560]

I was at that gig and believe me, it was a truly amazing experience 🙌

[@modsl.i.l.e.2047]

Too😊nice instrumentaL...Thank you

[@ingralia2]

I like how Bill and Tony have matching outfits.

[@jonlen5784]

Four of a perfect pair

[@angeldelatorre1316]

¡Qué maravilla! Este tema nunca envejece. Desde que tuve 16 años que lo escuché por primera vez suena IGUAL, o mejor ;)

[@luciavaniaramosribeiro]

Great stuff, amazing KC lineup, Thank you very much for uploading BB. Cheers

[@Dremth]

This was such a tight performance

[@MarcAndreLacas]

Stellar performance. Thanks for sharing this!

[@marshallross3373]

This is a great recording. Everything is balanced nicely. Thanks for sharing.

[@roddmcleodable]

ferocious.

[@artysanmobile]

I was so fortunate to see the band touring in support of Larks Tongues in late 1973. John Wetton and David Cross but no Jamie Muir at that show. It was kinda life-changing to be honest. I knew the music very well but the live delivery was fantastic. My seats were in row 5, stage center, practically onstage. Not always the best place for sound in those days, but within range of a visceral feeling from the players. I am a guitarist and I was a superfan of Robert Fripp. He was on his usual stage left and close enough to observe his technique. Peter Frampton opened the show.

[@nationalfinkgamng]

love how bill opens his mouth every time he hits the snare drum