"No More Heroes" by THE STRANGLERS (March 2018 Parlophone 'The Classic Collection' Expanded Edition CD Reissue - Peter Mew Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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1960s and 1970s MUSIC ON CD - Volume 2 of 3 - Exceptional CD Remasters

As well as 1960s and 1970s Rock and Pop - It Also Focuses On

Folk, Folk Rock, Country Rock, Reggae, Punk and New Wave

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"...From Out Of Town..."

Although Amazon doesn't give this March 2018 CD Reissue a secondary title - 'The Classic Collection' Series by THE STRANGLERS encompasses the British Punk and New Wave band’s first seven albums on United Artists and Liberty Records - everything from their debut "IV - Rattus Norvegicus" in April 1977 through to "La Folie" in November 1981 (see full list below).

Each CD contains the same liner notes covering all seven albums in a 32-page booklet, but the booklets also provide original artwork, lyrics, additional period photos, picture sleeves and Extras. These are PETER MEW Remasters (probably done at Abbey Road) and as you can see from the list below - each comes with a generous amount of Bonus Tracks. Here are all the Dagenham Daves...from out of town...

UK and EUROPE released Friday, 2 March 2018 (9 March 2018 in the USA) - "No More Heroes" by THE STRANGLERS on Parlophone 0190295892548 (Barcode 0190295892548) is an Expanded Edition CD Reissue with Five Bonus Tracks. It is the second of seven CD titles in 'The Classic Collection' Reissue Series and plays out as follows (54:50 minutes):

1. I Feel Like A Wog [Side 1]

2. Bitching

3. Dead Ringer

4. Dagenham Dave

5. Bring On The Nubiles

6. Something Better Change

7. No More Heroes [Side 2]

8. Peasant In The Big Shi**y

9. Burning Up Time

10. English Towns

11. School Mam

Tracks 1 to 11 are their second studio album "No More Heroes" – released September 1977 in the UK on United Artists UAG 30200 and in the USA on A&M Records SP-4659. Produced by MARTIN RUSHENT – it peaked at No. 2 on the UK LP charts (didn’t chart in the USA).

ASSOCIATED RECORDINGS (Bonus Tracks):

12. Straighten Out – non-album B-side of "Something Better Change" – a July 1977 UK 7" single on United Artists UP 36277

13. In The Shadows - non-album B-side of "No More Heroes" – a September 1977 UK 7" single on United Artists UP 36300

14. 5 Minutes

15. Rok It To The Moon

Tracks 14 and 15 are the non-album A&B-sides of a January 1978 UK 7" single on United Artists UP 36350

16. No More Heroes (Edit) – a September 1977 UK 7" single 1-Side PROMO on United Artists FREE 8 sent out to UK DJs. The standard single is 3:25 minutes, this version is 2:58 minutes

THE STRANGLERS were:

HUGH CORNWELL – Guitar and Vocals

JEAN JACQUES BURNEL – Bass and Vocals

DAVE GREENFIELD – Keyboards

JET BLACK – Drums and Percussion

DAVID BUCKLEY – author of the band's official biography "No Mercy" published in 1997 by Hodder – has helmed the extremely detailed liner notes from Page 6 to 21 with the rest of the pages filled in by album artwork (rat looking up out of the wreath), photos of the band live, lyrics (including the non-album singles), a picture sleeve for "Something Better Change" and the usual original LP/CD reissue credits. It's very nicely done although it's obvious that diehard fans buying all seven CDs will be yawning at the repetition of liner-notes info and its odd that no-one involved with the reissue thought to feature the 1-sided UK promo of the "No More Heroes" as a picture/rarity (the album’s most famous song isn’t pictured as a single anywhere in the booklet).

But the Audio is fabulous (a Peter Mew Remaster), the price appears to be pitched at mid-price (less than a tenner and cheaper still if you look around) and it's frankly so good to see these underrated gems out there again in digital-land (they haven’t been available as Remasters since November 2001). Let’s get to the school Mam and controlling promiscuity after hours...

If the April 1977 "Rattus Norvegicus" debut album was a grubby and grimy skirt-grabber (look at all them peaches Jean) – the IV boys became even more sleazoid with LP number two - released only five months later in what was to be Punk’s most explosive year. The single "No More Heroes" was a monster – an anthem of the British New Wave and pummelled the album up the UK LP charts into No. 2 – two places better than the debut. There were few bands using the offensive word gollywog in a chorus – yet when The Stranglers do so - they come at you with a righteous anger felt by the disenfranchised as the Pimpo character in their pumping song makes them feel used and abused. The Audio is fantastic and when it then kicks into "Bitching" you can already hear that their songwriting was on fire – a killer tune that a clever ‘gospel truth’ chorus.

A huge Bass opens the so-cool "Dead Ringer" followed immediately by treated guitars that still sound exciting and fresh like Television and their masterpiece "Marquee Moon" (and don’t ask me what a conkeroonee stringer is?). From out of town, Dagenham Dave works the scaffolding during the day, spending his big bucks on drugs at night only to lose himself amidst the city creeps. Jean gives it some mock-German vocals on the uncomfortable "Bring On The Nubiles" – a tune where you feel the band is just a little too smarty pants for their own good. Better is the Side 1 finisher and obvious single - "Something Better Change" where the IV are impatient (ain’t got time to wait) and won’t mind sticking their fingers up your nose to get what they want.

Side 2 opens with a killer-double – the genre defining anthemic title track (Leon Trotsky got an ice-pick) and the studio version of "Peasant In The Big Shi**y". The delightfully-titled "Peasant..." had been one of the sides of the 2-track Free single that came with UK copies of the debut album in April 1977 – only that cut was a live version (its a Bonus Track on the "IV - Rattus Norvegicus" CD reissue). Here it feels right at home as a studio cut packing just as much punch and vitriol. The final trio "Burning Up Time" (the most Punk tune on the album), "English Towns" (towers of saddened ivory) and "School Mam" round up the school-holidays impishness of the band in fine style. Damn good album overall and the stand-alone "5 Minutes/Rok It To The Moon" UK single (two of the associated recordings) feel like Extras actually worthy of the word Bonus.

Great audio - comprehensive (f not a tad repetitive) packaging and a decent price - what's not to love? I'm having the first four for sure with the sap in me probably wanting the other three. And the first commandment reads, straighten up and line the walls...Amen to that...

  

UK and Europe released 2 March 2018

'The Classic Collection' CD Reissue Series for THE STRANGLERS 

Includes the following albums (all have 32-page booklets)

1. "IV - Rattus Norvegicus" (April 1977) - Parlophone 0190295892586 (Barcode 0190295892586) - 6 Bonus Tracks
2. "No More Heroes" (September 1977) - Parlophone 0190295892548 (Barcode 0190295892548) - 5 Bonus Tracks
3. "Black And White" (May 1978) - Parlophone 0190295892524 (Barcode 0190295892524) - 7 Bonus Tracks
4. "Live X-Cert" (February 1979) - Parlophone 0190295892500 (Barcode 0190295892500) - 8 Bonus Tracks
5. "The Raven" (September 1979) - Parlophone 0190295892487 (Barcode 0190295892487) - 7 Bonus Tracks
6. "The Gospel According To) The Meninblack" (February 1981) - Parlophone 0190295892463 (Barcode 0190295892463) - 7 Bonus Tracks
7. "La Folie" (November 1981) - Parlophone 019029892449 (Barcode 019029892449) - 7 Bonus Tracks

"IV - Rattus Norvegicus" by THE STRANGLERS (March 2018 Parlophone 'The Classic Collection' Expanded Edition CD Reissue - Peter Mew Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 300+ Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

1960s and 1970s MUSIC ON CD - Volume 2 of 3 - Exceptional CD Remasters

As well as 1960s and 1970s Rock and Pop - It Also Focuses On

Folk, Folk Rock, Country Rock, Reggae, Punk and New Wave

Just Click Below To Purchase for £3.95

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"...Look At All Them Peaches..."

Although Amazon doesn't give this March 2018 CD Reissue a secondary title - 'The Classic Collection' Series by THE STRANGLERS encompasses the British Punk and New Wave band’s first seven albums on United Artists and Liberty Records - everything from their debut "IV - Rattus Norvegicus" in April 1977 through to "La Folie" in November 1981 (see full list below).

Each CD contains the same liner notes covering all seven albums in a 32-page booklet, but the booklets also provides original artwork, lyrics, additional period photos and Extras. These are PETER MEW Remasters (probably done at Abbey Road) and as you can see from the list below - each comes with a generous amount of Bonus Tracks. Here are all the lovely Peaches...

UK and EUROPE released Friday, 2 March 2018 (9 March 2018 in the USA) - "IV - Rattus Norvegicus" by THE STRANGLERS on Parlophone 0190295892586 (Barcode 0190295892586) is an Expanded Edition CD Reissue with Six Bonus Tracks. It is the first of seven CD titles in 'The Classic Collection' Series and plays out as follows (64:42 minutes):

1. Sometimes [Side 1]

2. Goodbye Toulouse

3. London Lady

4. Princess Of The Street

5. Hanging Around

6. Peaches [Side 2]

7. (Get A) Grip (On Yourself)

8. Ugly

9. Down By The Sewer (a) Falling (b) Down In The Sewer (c) Trying To Get Out Again (d) Rats Rally

Tracks 1 to 9 are their debut album "IV - Rattus Norvegicus" – released April 1977 in the UK on United Artists UAG 30045 (see also 10 and 11 below)

ASSOCIATED RECORDINGS (Bonus Tracks):

10. Choosey Susie

11. Peasant In The Big Shitty (Live)

Tracks 11 and 10 are the A&B-sides of a Free 7" single that came with original copies of the British LP (Catalogue No. FREE 3). "Peasant..." was the A-side

12. Go Buddy Go (Other Side Of 'Peaches')

Track 12 is the B-side of "Peaches" – their second UK 7" single released May 1977 on United Artists UP 36248 – also on the B-side of Track 13

13. Peaches (Airplay Version)

Track 13 is the reissued/censored version of "Peaches" released as a UK 7" single May 1977 on United Artists FREE 4. Track 12 is the B-side

14. Grip '89 (Get A) Grip (On Yourself)

Track 14 is the A-side of a January 1989 UK 7" single on Liberty/EMI EM 84

15. Grip '89 (Get A) Grip (On Yourself)  (Grippin' Stuff 12" Mix)

Track 15 is the A-side of a January 1989 UK 12" single on Liberty/EMI 12 EM 84

THE STRANGLERS were:

HUGH CORNWELL – Guitar and Vocals

JEAN JACQUES BURNEL – Bass and Vocals

DAVE GREENFIELD – Keyboards

JET BLACK – Drums and Percussion

Guest:

Eric Clark – Tenor Sax on "Peaches"

DAVID BUCKLEY – author of the band's official biography "No Mercy" published in 1997 by Hodder – has helmed the extremely detailed liner notes from Page 6 to 21 with the rest of the pages filled in by album artwork, photos, lyrics, rare picture sleeves for their debut 45 "Grip" followed by "Peaches" and the usual original LP/CD reissue credits. It's very nicely done although it's obvious that diehard fans buying all seven CDs will be yawning at the repetition of info. But the Audio is fabulous, the price appears to be pitched at mid-price (less than a tenner) and it's frankly so good to see these underrated gems out there again in digital-land (they haven’t been available as Remasters since November 2001). Let’s get to the rats in the sewers...

The moment the smack-you-in-the-face Bass and Keyboards of "Sometimes" hits your speakers - you're clobbered by two things - the great audio and just how much you've missed this band. It's ancient musical history now of course but The Clash, The Sex Pistols, The Buzzcocks, The Damned et all - always got the critical plaudits with The Stranglers settling for mere fan worship (they're as big a cult as Depeche Mode or Kraftwerk). When David Buckley opens his liner notes with a quote from former Stranglers publicist Alan Edwards that angrily blasts "...They were one of the most under-recognized and under-valued British bands, full stop!" - you can understand why. How good is this album! Their cracking debut continues with the musically Punk "Goodbye Toulouse" – walking those French streets in fear – goodbye café society – hello "London Lady" and a rather bitter diatribe at a Dingwalls groupie (she won’t be too pleased with this).

A real good looking lady makes out hero sigh in "Princess Of The Streets" although he worries she might stab him in the back with a shinny new pick-axe acquired in Woolworths on Sale (nice audio on that guitar solo). "Hanging Around" is one of the album's best tracks in my books - all those classic Stranglers signatures - huge Bass line - hooky keyboard - snarling vocals and tee'd off lyrics. The obvious and brilliantly provocative single "Peaches" never fails to disturb and thrill - the 'lap me up' girls rubbing in that sun-tan lotion - eliciting an 'oh s**t' lyric from out singer that United Artists edited out for the 'air play' version of the re-released 45 in May 1977 (what a bummer indeed). "...The worst crime I ever did was play in Rock 'n' Roll..." but at least the money's good (or maybe not) were told in "(Get A) Grip (On Yourself)" - The Stranglers sounding like a cross between an angry Roxy Music (Eric Clark's Saxophone) and The Boomtown Rats having a good old moan. "Ugly" could have been a single too but the 'allergic to sulphuric acid' lyrics might have made some DJs nervous and reach for tubes of Calamine Lotion. It ends on the near eight-minutes of "Down In the Sewer" which feels like some Punk-Prog moment with its instrumental passages intertwined with 'keeping your tootsies warm' in the bowls of London's drainage system (nice). The extras only add to overall wallop - especially the so-good Rock 'n' Roll of "Go Buddy Go" - a track I've always felt should have been on Side 2 of the album.

Great audio - comprehensive (f not a tad repetitive) packaging and a decent price - what's not to love? I'm having the first four for sure with the sap in me probably wanting the other three. Boogie Woogie and Go Buddy Go...Nice ‘n’ Sleazy does it...Amen to that...

UK and Europe released 2 March 2018

'The Classic Collection' CD Reissue Series for THE STRANGLERS 

includes the following albums (all have 32-page booklets)

1. "IV - Rattus Norvegicus" (April 1977) - Parlophone 0190295892586 (Barcode 0190295892586) - 6 Bonus Tracks

2. "No More Heroes" (September 1977) - Parlophone 0190295892548 (Barcode 0190295892548) - 5 Bonus Tracks

3. "Black And White" (May 1978) - Parlophone 0190295892524 (Barcode 0190295892524) - 7 Bonus Tracks

4. "Live X-Cert" (February 1979) - Parlophone 0190295892500 (Barcode 0190295892500) - 8 Bonus Tracks

5. "The Raven" (September 1979) - Parlophone 0190295892487 (Barcode 0190295892487) - 7 Bonus Tracks

6. "The Gospel According To) The Meninblack" (February 1981) - Parlophone 0190295892463 (Barcode 0190295892463) - 7 Bonus Tracks

7. "La Folie" (November 1981) - Parlophone 019029892449 (Barcode 019029892449) - 7 Bonus Tracks

"In The Court Of The Crimson King: 40th Anniversary Series" by KING CRIMSON (October 2009 Panegyric CD and DVD-A Reissue - Robert Fripp and Steve Wilson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With Over 310 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites
CADENCE /CASCADE 

PROG ROCK, PSYCH, AVANT GARDE...
And Others Genres Thereabouts
Exceptional CD Remasters

Covering 1967 to 1977 - It Also Focuses On

Fusion Rock, Acid Folk, Art Rock and Underground 

Just Click Below To Purchase

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"…Outside Looking Inside…"

There can't be too many album covers as iconic as this - Barry Godber's startling painting still having the capability of shock and awe - even now. But then everything about King Crimson's debut album was more than a little different and ready to shake up the old and herald in the new. The birth of Progressive Rock some say. Well here we go at a rebirth on CD - because this 2009 Steve Wilson/Robert Fripp overseen Remix and Remaster is the nut's butts in every way. Here are the cat's foot and the iron claw (and that's just the CD)...

Released October 2009 - "In The Court Of The Crimson King" by KING CRIMSON is a 40th Anniversary Series CD and DVD reissue on Panegyric KCSP1 (Barcode 633367400123) and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 - 2009 STEREO MIX remixed from original multitrack master tapes - (78:15 minutes):

1. 21st Century Schizoid Man (including "Mirrors") (7:24 minutes)

2. I Talk To The Wind (6:00 minutes)

3. Epitaph (including "March For No Reason" and "Tomorrow And Tomorrow") (8:53 minutes)

4. Moonchild (including "The Dream" and "The Illusion") (9:02 minutes) - [Side 2]

5. The Court Of The Crimson King (9:31 minutes)

Tracks 1 to 5 are the original Stereo album "In The Court Of The Crimson King" - released October 1969 in the UK on Island ILPS 9111 and December 1969 in the USA on Atlantic SD 8245

BONUS TRACKS

6. Moonchild (Full Version - 12:16 minutes)

7. I Talk To The Wind (Duo Version - 4:56 minutes)

8. I Talk To The Wind (Alternate Mix - 6:37 minutes)

9. Epitaph (Backing Track - 9:06 minutes)

10. Wind Session [21st Century Schizoid Man Intro - 4:31 minutes]

DVD - AUDIO CONTENT:

Tracks 1 to 5 - Original Album Remixed In MLP Lossless 5.1 Surround and DTS 5.1 Digital Surround (track names as per Disc 1)

Tracks 6 to 10 - 2009 Stereo Mix (track names as per Disc 1)

Tracks 11 to 15 - Original 2004 Master Edition - Simon Heyworth Remaster (track names as per Disc 1)

Tracks 16 to 20 are Additional Audio Content is in MLP Lossless Stereo 2.0 and  PCM Stereo 2.0 (track names as per 6 to 10 on Disc 1)

Tracks 21 to 25 are The Alternate Album

21. 21st Century Schizoid Man (Instrumental)

22. I Talk To The Wind (Studio Run Through)

23. Epitaph (Alternate Version)

24. Moonchild (Take 1)

25. The Court Of The Crimson King (Take 3)

[Note: 21 to 25 are alternate takes mixed for the first time from the original studio recordings]

DVD - VIDEO CONTENT

1. 21st Century Schizoid Man (Edit). Film from Hyde Park concert 5 July 1969 available for the first time with original audio from the actual performance

The matt outer slipcase houses a gatefold card digipak within - the CD having the cover artwork while the DVD has the inner smiling face (with fangs!). The oversized 16-page colour booklet is a surprisingly short affair - reissue credits, some liner notes from guitarist ROBERT FRIPP, a repro on the centre pages of the album's inner gatefold, some live photos (a fun shot of Barry Godber in a record shop holding the album looking at his handywork on the front cover) and an appreciation of the album and its historical placing by SID SMITH. But the real deal is in the indepth Steve Wilson/Robert Fripp Remix and Remaster - and wow is a word that jumps to mind. Every track of this overly familiar album is improved and I'm amazed also at the quality of the bonus material - especially on Disc 1.

Designed to scare the knackers of your aging Uncle Bob - "21st Century Schizoid Man" kicks off proceedings with a fuzzed-up vocal wallop. It's never been a favourite of mine but I know others worship at its anarchic feet. What is not dismissible however is the power of the sound. It comes at you head-on and feels like you're hearing the record anew - what an unbelievably powerful racket they made. After the madness of "Schizoid Man" -the flute-laden softness of "I Talk To The Wind" and Greg Lake's hippy lyrics now feature stunning delicacy that was hard to get on original vinyl LP. Its six-minutes are suddenly warm and cackle-free in those quiet parts - frankly frank it sounds beautiful. We're into Moody Blues Mellotron territory for the very Crimson "Epitaph" - with those acoustic guitar strums plinging in your speakers with fabulous clarity. At about 6:20 when the song goes into a soft break - the drums and bass are 'so' good and that Mellotron is just `there' in the mix rather than swamping the whole thing. "Mankind is in the hands of fools..." Greg Lake sang on "Epitaph" and it's a bit worrying just how relevant those lyrics still are.

If any one track showed improvement most it would be the trippy Side 2 opener "Moonchild". Its soft guitar and vibes part at about 2:24 now sound gorgeous- and while tape hiss is still in evidence - it's not been crushed out by Wilson or Fripp - but controlled. They've allowed the centre section to breath and the delicacy of Robert Fripp's playing allied with Ian McDonald's vibes and the percussion of Michael Giles is now what you hear. And it stays that way until the Jazz flip-out towards the end. In fact its nine-minutes now feel so AMBIENT and ENO - but years before these phrases become common terminology. It ends on the epic title track with that huge Mellotron/Vocal refrain sounding clearer than ever. The drums, booming bass and acoustic guitar have lovely separation too when they kick in while the madrigal reprise ending is properly full on. A genius beginning of an album that still sounds so far ahead of its time it's embarrassing.

The extras are shockingly good - I love the 'Duo Version' of "I Talk To The Wind" with Robert Fripp on acoustic guitar with Ian McDonald giving it some reeds - it just so pretty - Fripp's playing amazingly fluid and musical. The 'Alternate Version' is over a half-minute longer than the album cut and features different solos (with the same gorgeous sound quality as the album cut). There's a "one, two, three, four..." count-in before we get the epic Mellotron beginning of "Epitaph" and then - no lyrics! It sounds great but strange! What it does do is to allow you to concentrate on the playing - which is incredible - and you can almost 'feel' EMERSON, LAKE and PALMER being formed as Lake plays...

The DVD is jam-packed if not a tad repetitive with the endless mixes - but for most - the important set of tracks here is the `Alternate Album' with a great `Take 3' of "The Court Of The Crimson King". And it doesn't have the nonsense that is "Wind Session" which is faffing about in the studio with well `wind' and sounds ("it's meant to be frightening...but it's not..."). The Surround Mix (which I heard on a mate's system) is mindblowingly good - and makes me realise why so many audio fans go nuts for 5.1 - especially when it’s done properly.

Subtitled "An Observation by KING CRIMSON" - this album has arrived at legendary status - especially in the last few decades. And on the strength of this quality reissue - that's hardly surprising. Well done again to Steven Wilson and the good people involved...

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"Larks' Tongues In Aspic: 40th Anniversary Series" by KING CRIMSON - March 1973 UK Album on Island Records and April 1973 USA on Atlantic Records (October 2010 UK Panegyric CD and DVD-A Reissue - Robert Fripp and Steven Wilson Remasters) - A Review my Mark Barry...

This Review Along With 319 Others Is Available In My

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites
CADENCE / CASCADE 

PROG ROCK, PSYCH, AVANT GARDE...
And Others Genres Thereabouts
Exceptional CD Remasters

Covering 1967 to 1977 - It Also Focuses On

Fusion Rock, Acid Folk, Art Rock and Underground 

Just Click Below To Purchase

Thousands of E-Pages - All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"...In This Faraway Land..." 

1973 was a strange year for Prog Rock. By all accounts the genre should have been stabbed in the Tolkien, kicked in the Third Eye and left for dead in a Topographic ditch. But it prevailed even more than it had done in 1971 and 1972 – the years of Yes, Genesis, ELP, Gentle Giant, Focus, Van Der Graaf Generator - the Vertigo Spiral, Harvest, Charisma and Deram Nova labels and of course – the mighty King Crimson over on Island Records (Atlantic in the US).

KC were already one of the most cultish of Progressive Rock bands to have ever spanked the planks - "Larks' Tongues In Aspic" managing a decent No. 20 spot on the UK LP charts in April 1973 when many other genre names couldn't get arrested. At the opposite end of the commercial abyss - Pink Floyd had unleashed the album monster "The Dark Side Of The Moon" a month earlier – a record that has virtually defined chart longevity for five decades straight (prisms and pyramids ahoy) - while Mike Oldfield was clanging on his "Tubular Bells" in May. The whole broody, moody and musically adventurous lot of them were huge albums – absolute global goliaths really. Hell - Yes would even put the sprawling and deeply challenging double-LP set "Tales from Topographic Oceans" on the No. 1 spot in Blighty in December – a staggering achievement in 1973 and quite probably impossible to achieve in 2018. Which brings us to this fifth platter from England’s defiantly different KC – a sextet of musical birds body parts in jelly...

The last Remaster stab at this so-so album came in 2000 for a 30th Anniversary Edition (Simon Heyworth and Robert Fripp did the honours) - but this '40th Anniversary Series' Edition has had the magic and nimble fingers of STEVE WILSON around it's sunny throat - and once again the Porcupine Tree boy wonder has brought forth nuances that I for one hadn't heard before (the DVD-A includes the 2000 Remaster and Flat Transfer versions too). Here are the Talking Drums...

UK released 22 October 2010 - "Larks' Tongues In Aspic: 40th Anniversary Series" by KING CRIMSON on Panegyric KCSP5 (Barcode 633367400529) is a CD and DVD-Audio Reissue and New Remaster that plays out as follows:

Disc 1 CD (68:02 minutes):

2012 Stereo Mix

1. Larks' Tongues In Aspic (Part I) [Side 1]

2. Book Of Saturday

3. Exiles

4. Easy Money [Side 2]

5. The Talking Drum

6. Larks' Tongues In Aspic (Part II)

Tracks 1 to 6 are their fifth studio album "Larks' Tongues In Aspic" - released March 1973 in the UK on Island ILPS 9230 and April 1973 in the USA on Atlantic SD 7263. Produced by King Crimson (Engineer Nick Ryan) - the LP peaked at No. 20 and No. 61 on the UK and US album charts.

BONUS TRACKS:

7. Larks' Tongues In Aspic (Part I) (Alternate Mix)

8. Book Of Saturday (Alternate Mix)

9. The Talking Drum (Alternate Mix)

Disc 2 DVD-AUDIO, NTSC, Region 0 (Code Exempt):

AUDIO CONTENT

1. Original Album Remixed In MPL Lossless 5.1 Surround

2. Original Album Remixed In DTS 5.1 Digital Surround

3. 2012 Stereo Album Mix In MPL Lossless Stereo (24/96)

4. 2012 Stereo Album Mix in PCM Stereo 2.0 (24/48)

5. Original Album Mix (30th Anniversary Edition from 1999)

6. Original Album Mix Alternate Takes and Mixes in PCM Stereo 2.0 (24/48)

VIDEO CONTENT (Dual Mono)

1. Improv: The Rich Tapestry Of Life

2. Exiles

3. Larks' Tongues In Aspic (Part i)

4. Larks' Tongues In Aspic (Part II) as Broadcast on Beat Club

KING CRIMSON was:

DAVID CROSS – Violin, Viola, Mellotron

ROBERT FRIPP – Guitars, Mellotron and Devices

JOHN WETTON – Bass, Vocals and Piano

BILL BRUFORD – Drums

JAMIE MUIR – Percussion and Allsorts

Like the other issues in this series the outer card slipcase and 2-disc foldout digipak contained within are aesthetically nice but only in a limited sort of way. The loose 16-page booklet leaves much to be desired despite a short and informative set of liner notes by noted writer and Prog music nut – SID SMITH. There's a snap of a 5-piece Crimson in London's Command Studios in January 1973 recording the album as well as other outtake photos - the stickered American LP artwork is pictured and the inner lyric bag that came with both UK and US issues is here too as - a live shot of the band on stage at The Rainbow Theatre in London in December 1973 (including a trade advert for the show) - a small shot of the Rare Promo-Only US EP on Atlantic Records and a Billboard advert for the 'new' LP and Tape of April 1973.

Downsides - the print is tiny and there are no photos or memorabilia pictured under the see-through CD trays (both sides lazily left blank) and the digipak itself has all the imagination of a common cold. Hardly exciting in any way and when you consider just how stunning the Jethro Tull 'Book Format' reissues are (I think there's eight now all of which have received universal fan worship and rightly so) – the presentation on all of these so called 'Definitive' 40th Anniversary Series Editions is staggeringly ordinary by comparison. But that's where the carping ends because on these babies - it's all about the sound...

All that 96 kHz and MPL Lossless techno jiggery-pokery mentioned on the card slipcase aside - the Audio is amazing right from the get go. For this Panegyric reissue ROBERT FRIPP and STEVE WILSON (of Porcupine Tree) carried out the 2012 multi-track mix from original tapes - whilst SIMON HEYWORTH (of Nick Drake fame), ROBERT FRIPP and ANDY MILES did the Stereo and 51. Surround Mastering at Super Audio Mastering Studios (DVD authoring by NEIL WILKES at Opus Productions). The DVD-A 'contains a complete album's worth of alternate takes and mixes, plus 43 minutes of previously unseen filmed performance of the band'. It all 'feels' clearer than the '30th Anniversary' reissue put out by Virgin in 2000.

From the moment that the percussive pinging of "Part I" of "Larks' Tongues In Aspic" kicks in - the sound is sweet and continues so for 13:35 minutes. When that huge riffage does emerge it may be time to turn this sucker down but you will of course want to turn it up again to catch those beautifully played violin passages (madness and sweetness in the same song). John Wetton's voice isn't the greatest for sure on the unreasonably short "Book Of Saturday" – a moment where Crimson sound closest to Yes (at least musically). Side 1 ends with 7:41 minutes of "Exiles" - again so clean during that building fade in. Without doubt one of my favourite tracks on an album I'm not that pushed on - the violin, acoustic guitars and Mellotron parts are beautifully present in this mix.

The cleverly structured "Easy Money" talks of suspect dudes in 'moccasin sneakers' - fabulous audio to that Bass break - but again for me Wetton's voice just let’s the side down a tad. "The Talking Drum" is another seven-minutes of whirling winds and far away electronic buzzing bees that soon emerge into a sly percussive pattern - violin taking the enjoyable romp home. Part II of the title track takes no prisoners and goes straight into that cool guitar grunge - returning to familiar sounds as it progresses - and again all of it so impress sonically. With "Exiles" it's my second fave-rave on the album.

I've listened to the 5.1 Surround Mix (on a friend's set up) and I can only describe it as 'powerful' with a capitol 'P'. I'm reminded of hearing those 'Quad' albums back in the Seventies - instruments coming out of speakers that you'd swear you've never heard before. As with all of these reissues - I can understand the completist reason for the Flat Transfer of the album but it’s just that - flat - and after the Wilson version - hard to go back to.

To sum up – their fifth studio outing "Larks' Tongues In Aspic" isn’t my fave-rave KC LP (never has been) - but this gorgeous CD and DVD-A Audio makeover by Steve Wilson and Robert Fripp has made me hear it again – and favourably. 

And despite my reservations about that so-so presentation – you keep coming back to the Audio – the best this Lark has ever sounded...and that's ultimately the best fan news...

"Crown Of Creation" by JEFFERSON AIRPLANE (2003 RCA/BMG Heritage 'Original Masters' Expanded Edition CD Reissue - Bob Irwin Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Pictures Of Mountains..."

Like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones – musically Jefferson Airplane grew in staggering leaps and bounds in the mid to late Sixties. The songwriting difference between their rather cutesy Byrds-like debut "Jefferson Airplane Takes Off" in August 1966 and their fourth platter "Crown Of Creation" delivered in September 1968 is frankly breathtaking. It was rightly revered back in the day and still is now.

They really did live up to that space-age-music moniker foisted on them by RCA Records on the rear cover of their 1966 debut album – here comes the 'Jet Age Sound'. Let's get to the details of this digital doozy...

UK and USA released August 2003 - "Crown Of Creation" by JEFFERSON AIRPLANE on RCA/BMG Heritage 82876 53226 2 (Barcode 828765322621) is an Expanded Edition 'Original Masters' CD Reissue with Four Bonus Tracks (one of which is Previously Unissued) and pans out as follows (50:22 minutes);

1. Lather [Side 1]

2. In Time

3. Triad

4. Star Struck

5. Share A Little Joke

6. Chushingura

7. If You Feel [Side 2]

8. Crown Of Creation

9. Ice Cream Phoenix

10. Greasy Heart

11. The House Of Pooneil Corners

Tracks 1 to 11 are their fourth studio album "Crown Of Creation" - released September 1968 in the USA on RCA Victor LSP-4058 (Stereo-Only) and December 1968 in the UK on RCA Victor RD 7976 (Mono) and SF 7976 (Stereo). The STEREO Mix is used for this CD reissue.

BONUS TRACKS:

12. Ribump Ba Bap Dum Dum

13. Would You Like A Snack

Tracks 12 and 13 first appeared on the 1992 US 3CD Box Set compilation "Loves You" on RCA 61110-2. "Would You Like A Snack" is a co-write between Grace Slick and Frank Zappa

14. Share A Little Joke (With The World) (Mono Single Mix)

Track 14 is the B-side of the US 7” single to "Greasy Heart" released March 1968 on RCA Victor 47-9496

15. The Saga Of Sydney Spacepig – Previously Unreleased (7-minute Spencer Dryden song recorded May 1968)

JEFFERSON AIRPLANE was:

MARTY BALIN – Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar

GRACE SLICK – Lead Vocals, Organ and Piano

JORMA KAUKONEN - Lead Guitars and Vocals

PAUL KANTNER – Rhythm Guitars and Vocals

JACK CASADY - Bass

SPENCER DRYDEN – Drums, Vocals, Piano, Organ and Percussion

The 12-page liner notes are courtesy of band-expert and uber-fan JEFF TAMARKIN who authored "Got A Revolution! The Turbulent Flight Of Jefferson Airplane" issued on Atria Books the same year as the CD reissues (2003). Amidst the text you get several black and white and colour snaps of the sextet looking hip in varying shades, beany hats and pudding-bowl haircuts (the six-plate photo in the centre two-pages is very cool).

But a major disappointment and laziness is that the inner lyric sheet that came with original US LPs with the picture of a contented looking Brumus on the front is missing. Robert Kennedy’s dog Brumus (the band hung out with such luminaries) was supposed to counter the Hiroshima Atom Bomb photo on the front and rear of the album – a sort of a nod towards easy-going peacefulness if you want it. And of course the lyrics are missing too as is that Inner Bag advertising their other audio wares (I want a complete RCA Victor Catalog for 25c). Bit of a bummer that...

Grace Slick, Marty Balin and Kaukonen all get quotes in the text – Grace a 27-year old model at the time and a huge out-front focus for such a radical band. As the songs had way more depth lyrically that the boy-girl slots on the debut – age (turning 30), politics (Vietnam) and coping with life and fame all seep into view. It’s a good read and an enlightening one too.

But the big news here is a BOB IRWIN Remaster from original tapes. Listening to brilliant tunes like the sophisticated and beautiful "Lather", the San Francisco Sound of multi-voiced cool in "Ice Cream Phoenix", the heavy-guitars social-commentary of "The House Of Pooneil Corner", the put-your-lips-close-to-my-face sweetness of "In Time" or even their fabulous take on David Crosby’s ethereal "Triad" – the album is a virtual showcase for what happens when a band is allowed to go for it – allowed to grow. Irwin had a lot of his Audio Engineer plate when he stepped up to Remaster this most beloved of West Coast bands and especially this album and right from the off - you can hear he did a bang-up job. "Lather" sounds fantastic and it just doesn’t let up from there on in.

Other moments include is the jabbing guitar of "If You Feel" where you can’t work out if the "...feel like laughing...feel like love..." lyrics are an invitation or a sly slag off. Kantner’s "Crown Of Creation" tells the youth to believe in themselves. The Bonus "Ribump Ba Bap Dum Dum" turns out to one and half minutes of the band goofing off on silly words and even with a great drum sound is a bit of nonsense. "Would You Like A Snack" sounds like Grace fronting The Mothers Of Invention and is again hard to take in that Trout Mask Replica kind of a way. The 10:25 minutes of the Previously Unreleased "The Saga Of Sydney Spacepig” Is a sprawl of guitars, band jamming and rants at the CIA and is probably the Plane at their wildest. Nice one baby...

"...You are afraid...embarrassed too...no one has ever said such a thing to you...you cannot do that...it breaks all the rules..." – Grace Slick sang on the quietly hurtful "Triad" wondering what can we do – why can’t life be simple –how do we navigate relationships and the heart. Although it was someone else’s song (David Crosby) – it’s words somehow sum up the turmoil and beauty that was this great American band. Buy and enjoy (and it's cheap too)...