King Crimson Larks Tongues In Aspic Documentary

[@progrockdocs]

Corrections: 1. Too much of my Maths lessons were spent drawing YES logos and not paying attention to angles. I should have said *180* degree turn and not 360!! 2. It's _Derek_ Bailey and not David Bailey 3. I mispronounce "Muir" throughout 🙄

[@thischannelhasnoname5780]

Where did you find the footage of Weir of Hermiston?

[@progrockdocs]

@@thischannelhasnoname5780 Search for the KZbin channel "Singing Sheep YTPs" He is a mini-me in the making

[@jdmresearch]

@@progrockdocs He has made two major discoveries regarding Larks, which I couldn't unlock for decades.

[@GuyJames]

Also the onscreen titles of the songs are missing. And The Sun Has Got His Hat On includes a racist slur which might even get the video pulled if you're unlucky. Apart from that, this was great, genuinely. It really captures the nightmarish-dreamlike feel of the album

[@progrockdocs]

@@jdmresearch The kid is a genius!

[@jdgiamario]

I was aware of this music, knew it was awesome, but was not ready for it then....I became READY for it with the four CD Great Deceiver release! such remarkable live performances! This video is so great! Thanks!

[@edo7382]

This is easily my favorite album of all time. It’s so eerie and mysterious and sunny at the same time. No matter how many times I listen to it I still fall in love with it. Absolute geniuses

[@ministerofdarkness]

To me this album is the greatest Progressive Rock album of all time. Pure Masterpiece! PLAY LOUD🎸

[@frankhoulihanfh4972]

Yeah, it’s right up there with anything.

[@Adam_The_Archivist]

This lineup of King Crimson can arguably be one of the top ten rock groups of all time! The three albums put out during their time together can stand up even today! Great Video! Thanks!

[@paulannable3734]

Yeah! This version of KC rocks. Then they turned into Talking Heads

[@ThePinkfloyd51]

No matter what artist/album the documentary is about, if Rael puts it out, I'm stopping what I am doing and watching. Someone, somewhere needs to hire you and pay you a lot of money to do this.

[@progrockdocs]

Mate, that's going on the gravestone!

[@slidetek]

Rael reignites the feelings of passion I had for these groups and albums as a teen. No other reviewer or channel comes close. And as much as I read and heard from articles to interviews, I always learn something new 50 years later!

[@audiotomb]

Oh my - I saw Rael had covered LTiA - I have to stop completely and watch his brilliant work. This is one of my absolutely favorite albums. I grew up with this yet like any other work you do there are always new insights and photos never seen. A major Bravo! 10 minutes in and it will be interesting to hear how you handle Jamie Muir

[@DanielSantos-mg8pe]

That's what iam talking about!!

[@nickpatten5263]

Likewise for me too. Always more detailed than any other music documentaries.

[@JWD1992]

I mean, if there was a group of musicians I could see having been brought together by magic spells, it was this lineup of Crimson. They were truly something else, even by King Crimson standards. Those three albums are my favorites of the KC catalog.

[@jameslocopo4742]

For 40 years I have been curious what the spoken parts of Lark’s Tongues Part I were from and not only did you tell me, but then showed it! I literally shouted in glee in hearing the judge in a completely different context in its original form. Bravo!

[@progrockdocs]

Superb! Yes, it was a real goosebumps momment for me seeing that footage. I've waited 30 years to know what was bing said in the background. Now knowing it's sinister origins (mad women / child crying / hanging) it's even better! Search KZbin for a kid called "SingingSheep YTPs" he has the whole story.

[@jamescarter9973]

@@progrockdocs I've seen an interview with Robert Fripp who said Bill Bruford brought an audio tape of that broadcast into the studio???

[@progrockdocs]

@ I’ve read the opposite and it makes more sense it was Muir.

[@audiotomb]

It has been a quest to be able to discern the vocals clearly. As my audio equipment became better and better it was still evasive but you could pick up fragments. Thanks for laying out just what and where this came from

[@jamescarter9973]

@@progrockdocs According to Sid Smith’s book In the Court of the Crimson King - “It was Muir’s idea to use voices in this way and Bruford recorded them directly off his radio at home. The play he recorded “Gallowglass” by John and Wiley Maley was chosen totally at random”. Excellent video, by the way. This is one of my favorite albums (I have owned this on cassette, then album, then CD, then album again) and this video is a worthwhile documentary of it.

[@kevindobson3701]

I hope you do more documentaries on the Genesis albums like Foxtrot Trespass and more Your content is so amazing I'm hooked .

[@tonkatonkatonka]

almost jumped out of my chair when i saw this, god do i love larks

[@sawbonesquad4876]

Oh my goodness this is so well done. Looking forward to Red. The KING of ALL.

[@ronhobbs463]

The minute I heard this album, I loved it. Saw The David Cross Band play it in entirety this summer and they did a great job. Long live the King.

[@jonesy2111]

Cross has done some of the best post Crimson music including his brilliant solo album

[@Chuckles..]

This is the one I've been waiting for. Larks is Crimson's supreme masterpiece in my mind.

[@evan-r6f2e]

Pure genius! Have played this album countless times. Have tried to introduce my mates to this album over the years but nobody liked it calling it weird. Thanks for all the info you shared. This album is like no other - unique. This member line-up was my favourite in the long history on Crimson. Out of my vast music collection, this album is the most played. And I never got tired of it over the last 50 plus years.

[@jawoody9745]

It's likely the most un-weird album I've heard. It shows people who aren't afraid of new musical ideas and not afraid to try them out in a display of immediacy.

[@EvanHeisler-w6l]

@@jawoody9745 Thanks for your comments. They don't make music like this anymore.

[@Ghoopty]

Yours is the benchmark by which documentaries should be judged. Awesome 🤘

[@MikeGervasi]

Brilliant, lad. This is the video this album needed. Jamie Muir became a legend for me with this one album. You have to be a genius to forever change the way Bruford looked at percussion. My favorite Crim album by the best lineup. My friends also gave me the sideye ;)

[@tomtrana3449]

Totally agree!

[@MarcoBonacchi]

Very Very VERY BEAUTIFUL. Thank you indeed for this work of art. And LOVE.

[@PaulPhilp-pe5oe]

New Rael's Documentary Drops. 2025 is going to be a great year. Happy New Year, Rael.

[@asymptoticspatula]

This is my favorite Crimson album, easily. It’s one of my favorite albums by anyone. Great documentary!

[@rikk1546]

After beginning my 2025 with news of the unspeakable atrocity in New Orleans, this video reminds me, on several levels, of the beauty and greatness that humans are capable of. Rael Sir, your work is VERY appreciated and necessary.

[@progrockdocs]

Cheers mate, I think we all get what you're saying here. At the heart of all of this (both the original music and my videos) is a love of something and passion to create and share ideas. Together, we will always win.

[@scottplumer3668]

I was never a big KC fan, but this album moved me from the moment I heard it. Thanks again for another masterful documentary!

[@robertcervero6826]

Wonderful...album, musicianship & storytelling.

[@Stunlite]

Nice Life of Brian Python reference with the wolf nipple chips! 🤣 Great perspectives and stories as always!

[@carlomatthews6676]

Brilliant, thank you so much.

[@TheJayson8899]

Larks' took me the longest of all KC albums to truly appreciate. Now it's my third favourite, and one of my favourite albums by anyone.

[@salsalzman2325]

Yup... We weren't ready for the music, and as we have more life experiences and maturity now we are.

[@Biffer5]

I bought this album as soon as it came out (thanks to the inclusion of Bruford) and to this day it is my favorite album of all time. I saw them perform this twice at Felt Forum (NYC) and, again, my favorite concerts (along with Gentle Giant in Boston) of all time. Great Documentary!!

[@TrevorDennis100]

I thoroughly enjoyed this, and learned a few things on the way. I'm 75 and started my KC journey with COTCK, but list much more to their later stuff nowadays. Having said that, the John Wetton and Greg Lake vocals are the most beautiful out of all KC line ups. I am going to spend more time with Islands and Larks Tongues this year.

[@drummersagainstitk]

Well done documentary. Thank you for all your work.

[@JosephFrancisBurton]

I think the problem I have always had in appreciating Larks Tongues in Aspic is that I could not understand what I was listening to. This documentary helps immensely. I shall now listen with fresh ears and understanding. Thank you for this outstanding video.

[@mikeseed7328]

Awesome work. You rule at this stuff. This album was my gateway into all kinds of free and weird music and I will be for ever grateful. Now, how about VDGG's "Godbluff" and the state of Britain in the mid - 70's......

[@DanielSantos-mg8pe]

This documentary is bloody amazing, mate. Just like the piromancy of Fripp, you have done magic. And as this is my favorite album of all time, i thank you with all my hearth.

[@burke9497]

Rael makes the best prog rock documentaries on the internet. Happy New Year. 🎉

[@МаксРогозин-е1ю]

For the first time in my life I see a documentary about... King Crimson album! Sensational.

[@blossomsquirrel]

I saw this line-up in Swansea in December '72 (seems to have been on the 6th according to a list of dates that flashed up on the screen at 24:50). Jamie Muir was in the band - he made his presence felt quite strongly - so it was after more than 'a few shows' (which you state) that he left, as the Swansea Uni gig is the 19th in the list. Apart from that, and the (irritating to a grammar pedant such as myself) inappropriately placed, as well as erroneously omitted, apostrophes, the video was well put together. You really dug up some interesting background material. I also loved the instrumental versions of bits of side two of 'Lizard' and 'Moonchild', not to mention the magical melding of the photo of Walli Elmark into the lady from the 'Poseidon' album cover. Brilliant video. Thanks a lot. David.

[@progrockdocs]

I think he played about 25 shows, and yes, I agree what I lack in apostrophe use I make up for in shit-hot documentaries 👌🏻

[@VladimirBarriere]

Brilliant video packed with incredible information, about such an iconic album that I was a fan of right from the start 50 years ago!

[@peteh7966]

This album was my introduction to Crimson, always been a firm favourite. Many thanks.

[@salsalzman2325]

Needed decades to truly understand this- the problem wasn't the music- I wasn't mature enough... on it's way to becoming my favorite album ever. Thank you for this documentary.

[@Zenny_6969]

...in the mighty Crimson catalog, Larks took me a few listens to get it, and I'm not entirely sure I ever will....thanks for the fun doc, Rael...

[@bendowling8281]

Thank you so much for this. Hugely enjoyable.

[@thisklik]

One of my all time favorite Album!!Great documentary,thank You very much!!❤

[@jawoody9745]

It's outstanding! This album is in a niche of it's own.

[@Mister_Jahn]

Excellence, explored... As years go by Bartok is the composer from my orchestral upbringing that I keep returning to and I always hear it in Crimson. I appreciate Cross so much in this. Inspired so much by this incarnation

[@MMCEnsemble]

Nice to see all this old footage. Would of never thought Fripp was into those teachings but I guess I can see it since he was o to the Fourth Way stuff. Great stuff, thank you a thousand times.

[@wibblywobblyidiotvision]

Lark's Tongues is one of the greatest albums ever.

[@FreeBrunoPowroznik]

Larks Tongues in Aspic is perfection. No other album hits the g-spot in quite the same way.

[@FireMoon42]

You Sir, are a scholar and a gentleman.. thank you so much

[@stefannelson]

Wow, thank you for creating this. A favorite record of mine. Love your work.

[@MaritDikkanen]

great presentation of a great album

[@brunosamppa]

Fine job, Sir

[@maotse-tung4438]

Wonderful documentary

[@Sternodox]

Brilliant analysis of my favorite album!

[@DoctorOcculator]

Absolute brilliant doc on a classic album !

[@charlesnolan7602]

Monday September 3 , 1973 Labor day ( USA) After seeing the Lark's Togues in Aspic full page ads in Zoo World music monthly, and Rolling Stone , along with a nice KC article describing the new line up- I bought Lark's Tongues in Aspic at the Island Record Shop Ship Bottom, New Jersey. Lark's was a musical boundary pusher for me. Bill Bruford was " the focal point." I have been a YES fan since 1971. Where Bill goes, I know to go! ( LOL) 1:21

[@rivereuphrates8103]

I've been waiting for this, Rael. I knew you'd delve into a Crimson arc someday. Few bands are this ambitious, this good, and this consistent. I can't wait to sit down and finish this.

[@grimperpl]

One of my favourite albums! Thank you!

[@hjcasella]

Thanks for this video. This album is very importat for me. It taught me that music has no limits, can be adventurous, dangerous and beaty at the same track.

[@simongrundy2208]

Another fantastic watch Lee. I still recall you describing Larks Tongue in Aspic part one as the most frightening piece of music a description that has stuck with me. I first heard the lp in the late 70's and at first wondered what on earth I was hearing. It rapidly became a favourite though and still sounds awesome to this day!

[@henryhoward8341]

Thank you for the great insights. i loved this album since 1973. Still play it often.

[@danreilly2373]

Really well written, especially the ending. This record is its own branch of the tree.🌳🌲☀

[@progrockdocs]

Nice expression! I like it!

[@williamwinslow6582]

This is a terrific documentary.

[@marcocayuso]

Another brilliant documentary by Rael NYC, this time about King Crimson's extraordinary album "Larks Tongues in Aspic"... It's not to be missed and it's worth watching it carefully, letting yourself be enveloped by the magic and energy of that legendary album... And the amount of very interesting and unknown photos is impressive... Tremendous work by this KZbin channel which is one of the best out there in KZbin related to Prog... Thank you very much for your superb work! 🙌

[@fcamiola]

Rael...another amazing documentary! Cheers mate, from Chalkpie (fellow PE'er ❤)

[@ThePajdzik]

Amazingg work!!! Thank you.

[@Jesusspop]

Excellent job ! Thanks for all your hard work!

[@kevhead1525]

Thanks Rael. My fav KC lineup.

[@slidetek]

Absolutely. Too short lived, sadly. I remember being so sad I missed Bruford with Yes, I couldn't make the Fragile gig. By the time I caught them on the Tales tour he was long gone. But not 6 months later, I got to see him touring for Starless - which turned out to be the last, and Red tour. So now, I've seen him with AWBH, Yes, KC and Genesis!

[@ronbo11]

Thanks! I really enjoyed this presentation. LTiA is my favorite Crimson album and I feel that it helped to have the presence of Jamie Muir which added a special, tasty ingredient to the musical bouillabaisse. Bruford carried on admirably with some of that alternative percussionist spirit after Muir left the band.

[@FormulaProg]

My favourite KC album, nice one fella.

[@shabbapaul9983]

God bless KZbin and god bless you. I am literally awe struck

[@paulbrocklehurst2346]

Fascinating work. Thanks for this effort.

[@manuelvalbonesi6762]

Bellissimo regalo per l'anno nuovo!.... Larks é sempre stato il mio album preferito dei Crimson

[@progrockdocs]

Mio preferito è Lizard!!!

[@elmolewis9123]

Very well done doc. 👍👍

[@BrianBaggett306]

Stellar work for a documentary avoiding use of the copyright work for which it is documenting. Well done!

[@moodyblue1964]

Another superb documentary. I patiently wait for these each and every time they are made. They are the best of their type I have seen on here.

[@radiomindchatter7994]

Excellent work👍

[@kzustang]

What a brilliant video. You've done a tremendous work!

[@scottsinner7530]

Excellent video, as they always are. That first album of that era is still my favorite.

[@unamacarana]

Outstanding work, as usual. Thank you for your passion and candor. More please!

[@pierrefournier5892]

Thank you. Beautiful music, and very intereting video.

[@jurgenkoslowski2097]

Brilliantly done! Probably my favorite King Crimson album. Just discovered this channel, I'm sure there is much worthwhile material here, and more to come. Thanks, and keep up the good work!

[@gratzilbrutto2]

Yes indeed!, ..t'was time for this to emerge and give us a good ..er.. great enlightening to those who needed, .. thank you, .. happy new year! .❤🎉😊😊😊

[@rubyjones01]

Fantastic video as always Rael! I consider myself something of a knowledgeable prog nerd yet there is always something I don't know and I always manage to learn something from your videos! Keep up the awesome work

[@Bilbo4123]

Back in the day, I heard this album and appreciated the brilliance of the music but did not understand where it came from. One night the drummer of the band I was in and I took a certain substance and listened to it on his car 8 track player while sitting on the hood of his car and leaning back on the windshield. Since 8 tracks continue to play, we listened to it over and over. We forever changed on that night and we both completely understand and anticipate each change as it moves from song to song and back again. Now I see it as mind blowing and perfect. Amazing what a little chemistry can do!

[@CargoCommando]

great video. talking drum is the best king crimson song

[@eaglesrule1415]

Another fantastic doc. Thank you so much. These are nice little gems to go back to of a rich, bygone musical and historical era. Great work. 👍🎶❤

[@richardjamieson6681]

This, and the two subsequent albums hold my favourite Crimson moments: Larks Tongues (both of them), The Talking Drum, Fracture, Red and Starless. Super stuff and I was pleased the later band with Levin and Belew chose to play at least two when I saw them. Nice job Rael.

[@weehudyy]

The first instalment in what would become a perfect trio of records .

[@muzboz]

Can I just say, as a massive fan of King Crimson, and especially Larks Tongues... the tone and vibe of this video is incredible. Unexpected!

[@progrockdocs]

Cheers mate. I totally get 'tone and vibe'. I essentially try and show people (with the basic software skills I have) what this music feels like in my head / soul. It has been amazing to discover just how many others (around the world) feel exactly the same.

[@pedrofernandes2799]

What a wonderfful way to start the year! Thank you so much,your videos are amazing!🙏🙏

[@miho772]

That album shook me so hard when I first heard it. A strange balance to it that intrigued me. Unsettling in how the music was invoking emotions that I don’t think I was ready for. Like opening a door and the wind keeping it open despite your body’s weight pushing on it.

[@jdmresearch]

Dear Lee, This is my favorite album by my favorite band, which naturally makes it my favorite album ever. The album is not without flaws-the production was less than ideal, and Nick Ryan, the engineer, didn’t do it any favors. Over the years, I’ve read extensively about this album.... your documentary stands out as exceptionally well-researched. For instance, I already knew the origin of the voices and had even found most of the script, but I’d never actually been able to watch or listen to the source material (being outside the UK probably didn’t help). I’ve tried for years, and seeing it here gave me goosebumps. (It would be great if you could tell us the specifics of this). I also loved that you spoke to Tantra Design’s Pete Douglas-his insights were fascinating. Beyond this documentary, I’ve been following your work for years, and your editing skills have become truly outstanding. If I were to suggest one small change, it’s that the opening section featured too much the Islands and other pre-Larks music (nearly 1/5 of the documentary) that was so different from that of the new band . Personally, I’d have included earlier versions of Larks material, like Mantra or Larks 1, which Fripp teased during the Winter 1972 tour-Denver comes to mind. Also, the voice at the very end of Larks 1 is Bill Bruford reading random newspaper snippets, according to him. I know I’m being a bit nitpicky.... I genuinely loved the documentary. It’s an extraordinary piece of work, and I’ve made a modest donation as a small token of appreciation. Thank you so much for your dedication and for sharing this incredible story!

[@singingsheepytps9240]

The voices at the very end of Larks 1 are Bill, David, and Jamie reading excerpts from "Enough of Dying! Voices for Peace" and "The Sufi Message of Hazrat Inayat Khan".

[@jdmresearch]

​@@singingsheepytps9240 Thanks! Then Bill is wrong, that's what he says in his autobiography. Edit: I just checked your profile.... so you were the one who made these two major discoveries!

[@singingsheepytps9240]

@@jdmresearchperfect timing for that question as I have just uploaded a video explaining this

[@jdmresearch]

@@singingsheepytps9240 Thanks! I just saw your video (before seeing your answer) and edited my previous comment in which I asked about it. Anyway, thanks so much! It may sound a bit crazy but it means a lot to me as I've been trying to track down these things for ages. Thanks again.

[@onsenkuma-l2p]

One of the most difficult albums to hold me in its sway from the first listen, and a favourite since I bought it for the first time in early spring '73. I was lucky enough to see them shortly after during the North American leg of their tour. Larks Tongues in Aspic was a powerful listen then, and remains powerful to this day.

[@tomtrana3449]

Jamie Muir, the personalized mysticism of a mystical album.

[@sohamsinharay7400]

This is the definitive Lark's Tongues documentary!

[@progrockdocs]

You mean there's _another_ documentary on it??!!!

[@sohamsinharay7400]

@@progrockdocs my bad! There isn't another one at all! Then I guess it can't get more definitive than this. Much like In The Court album with regards to Prog Rock.

[@danjack-son4871]

Thank you so much for this fantastic documentary! This is the album that started my King Crimson journey in 1986. Happy New Year, cheers.

[@CarlosMorales-tn9sf]

Bombastic to serene it conjures up a mixture of sounds & the element of surprise is provocative. Has aged very well.

[@normanmacfarlane6724]

I watched your Genesis & Yes podcasts and they were wonderful ❤😂 I see your on to King Crimson , another of my favourite bands . Your enthusiasm is a wonder to behold . Thank you so much .

[@NickyByloo]

This was the first KC album my mate and I were immediately hooked and forever fans.

[@filosphere]

Brilliant documentary, as usual! Thanx so much.

[@beammeupscotty1955]

I came to love KC a little late, not discovering them until 1976, after the Red breakup. This was the first KC album I owned and it literally changed my life and my perspective on music. I've listened to this album hundreds of times over the years and have not tired of it yet. This album, and the next two are without a doubt, my favorite music of all time. I guess that make me kind of weird. Now, I'd love a documentary about Gentle Giant.

[@progrockdocs]

Watch this space...

[@progrockdocs]

By "watch this space" I mean, come back in two months 🤓

[@beammeupscotty1955]

@@progrockdocs guess I better subscribe then...

[@blahblahoink]

Well presented. Thanks! Saw them with Muir and Bruford at Brighton Dome in 72 or 3? Muir was running up and down the aisles waving chains and spitting fake blood. Intense. Larks is my fave KC lp.

[@progrockdocs]

I can say on behalf of almost everyone here, we are truly jealous!