Two vinyl boxed sets covering King Crimson between 1969 and 1974 are due to hit the shelves in November 2018. They will feature Steven Wilson’s 40th Anniversary Edition stereo mixes - the first time these have appeared on vinyl.
The first set chronicling 1969 - 1972 comes with a special 2LP set of rarities from the period while the second set, covering 1972 - 1974, will include an alt-take version of Larks’ Tongues In Aspic and the expanded two-disc edition of the classic live album, USA.
All albums are pressed on 200gm super-heavyweight vinyl housed in their original sleeves. Details for each box set are as follows.
King Crimson 1969 – 1972
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The albums: “In the Court of the Crimson King”, “In The Wake of Poseidon”*, “Lizard” and “Islands” are presented in the 40th anniversary edition mixes as mixed and produced by Steven Wilson and Robert Fripp in 2009 and 2010. This is the first time that these mixes have appeared on vinyl*.
Additionally, a 2LP set of rarities is included (track-listing below) – many of them mixed and produced by Steven Wilson and all new to vinyl, except for the single, ‘Catfood’. “The Alternative Guide to King Crimson” is presented in the gatefold artwork originally used for the 1975 compilation “The Young Person’s Guide to King Crimson”.
A full sized replica of the original King Crimson timeline booklet which accompanied that compilation is also included.
All albums are pressed using 200gram super heavyweight vinyl for the best audio reproduction.
The albums were cut at Loud Mastering by Jason Mitchell from original hi-res sources as prepared by Steven Wilson and approved by Robert Fripp.
*excluding ‘The Devil’s Triangle, presented in original 1970 mix for as multi-track tapes no longer exist for this track
Track-listing: The Alternative Guide to King Crimson
Side 1
1 21st Century Schizoid Man (instrumental, trio version)
2 I Talk to the Wind (studio run through)
3 Epitaph (alt. instrumental version)
Side 2
1 Moonchild (take 1)
2 The Court of the Crimson King (take 3, instrumental)
3 I Talk to the Wind (duo version)
4 Cadence and Cascade (guide vocal, Greg Lake)*
5 Peace - An End (alt. mix)*
All tracks Mixed and Produced by Steven Wilson except
* Produced by Robert Fripp and Peter Sinfield
Side 3
1 Cat Food (single version)
2 Groon (2010 mix)
3 Indoor Games (alt. take)
4 Lady of the Dancing Water (alt. take)*
5 Prince Rupert Awakes (piano, Keith Tippett)
6 Prince Rupert's Lament (alt take)
1 Produced by Robert Fripp and Peter Sinfield.
2, 4 Mixed and Produced by Steven Wilson 3 Produced by
David Singleton and Alex R Mundy 6 Produced by Jakko Jakszyk
Side 4
1 A Peacemaking Stint Unrolls
2 Sailor's Tale (alt guitar takes)
3 Ladies of the Road (remix)
4 Prelude: Song of the Gulls (string section, take 2)
5 Islands (run through with oboe prominent)
1 Mixed and Produced by Steven Wilson 2 Mixed by Alex R Mundy
3 Produced and Mixed by David Singleton and Alex R Mundy
4, 5 Produced by Robert Fripp and Peter Sinfield
All tracks/versions previously unreleased on vinyl except Side 3, Track 1
King Crimson 1972 - 1974
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King Crimson 1972 - 1974 Boxed set contains the band’s three classic albums by the celebrated 1972 – 1974 line-ups - “Larks’ Tongues in Aspic”, “Starless and Bible Black”** and “Red” plus a fourth album containing a complete alternate version of “Larks’ Tongues in Aspic” mixed and produced by Steven Wilson featuring the LP’s original US artwork.*
King Crimson 1972 - 1974 presents the band’s celebrated trio of studio albums from that period “Larks’ Tongues in Aspic”, “Starless and Bible Black”** and “Red” in their 40th anniversary edition mixes as mixed and produced by Steven Wilson and Robert Fripp in 2009 - 2012.
This is the first time that these mixes have appeared on vinyl.**
All albums are presented in their original sleeves.
Additionally, a fourth LP features an Alternate “Larks’ Tongues in Aspic” mixed and produced by Steven Wilson, with ‘Easy Money’ appearing in its 2012 mix by David Singleton and Alex R Mundy and presented in the album’s original American sleeve art.
The vinyl set is completed with the inclusion of the expanded version of the live USA album, presented in its 2013 mix with interior gatefold art based on the original imagery.
A 24 pages photographic booklet and album art poster are also included.
All albums are pressed using 200gram super heavyweight vinyl for the best audio reproduction.
The albums were cut at Loud Mastering by Jason Mitchell from original hi-res sources as prepared by Steven Wilson and approved by Robert Fripp.
*except ‘Easy Money’ (alt. mix), Mixed and Produced by David Singleton and Alex R Mundy
**excluding ‘Trio’ and ‘The Mincer’, presented in original mixes as multi-track tapes for these tracks remain lost
