Speaking In (Larks) Tongues Part 2

In terms of stage performances, the 72-74 group deviated from the prior live incarnations in several ways. As I noted before, earlier editions made use of flute and saxophone, which in itself gave a different aural space than the later line-up occupied. The original 69 band and particularly the 71-72 edition made heavier overtones towards jazz and in particular the free-jazz idiom. These earlier units also overlapped songs from the KC library as the original group included material that would appear on the band’s, not-yet-recorded second album. The 71-72 unit typically made use of songs that had appeared on all phases of the band’s prior catalog. The 72-74 ensemble was very stingy in playing works that existed before it’s own inception. I have heard them do “Peace-A Theme” and “Catfood” from the second KC album but only on the rarest of occasions. Aside from that they only performed “21^st Century Schizoid Man”, from the first KC album, with any regularity.

But you really need to hear some of this stuff. Here is a link to Youtube for an example of the earliest incarnation of the 72-74 outfit. As a matter of fact it’s only the group’s 4^th live appearance. This is a performance of “Larks Tongues In Aspic Pt. 1” from German television and it includes Jamie Muir

One of the more interesting discoveries that I have recently made is that a prototypical version of the song existed prior to the Fripp/Bruford/Wetton/Cross/Muir formation. During the “Island” sessions the previous edition of the band committed “A Peacemaking Stint Unrolls” to tape. 

End Of Part 2