King Crimson - Lizard

King Crimson — Lizard 

A 2025 Elemental Mix of King Crimson's extraordinary Lizard by David Singleton

On 200-gram vinyl. Lacquers cut by Jason Mitchell at Loud Mastering

One of the highlights of the King Crimson 50th anniversary CD/Blu-Ray editions to date has been King Crimson producer David Singleton's series of Elemental Mixes as he utilises the full spectrum of available studio sessions for each album to produce very different takes on the familiar songs and pieces.

This is especially true of Lizard where the ambition of the material, the much-expanded line-up of musicians — the background of many of them in the jazz rather than the rock world — and the number of takes recorded, resulted in a large amount of material to be considered for this album.

There was enough material for David to be able to mix and produce alternate takes for every piece from the original album.

As well as giving great insight into the recordings, the nature of Elemental Mixes allows for different takes from individual musicians to be included — sometimes alongside one another — in a way that would never be considered in the formulation of the original album.

David comments that "When I was working on the Elemental Mixes, I jokingly described them as ‘Lizard for those who don't like Lizard'. They were a complete revelation. Lizard is the one album which, in its initial incarnation, never quite convinced me. And yet these Elemental mixes, with their opportunity to look ‘under the hood' of the album, revealed something fresh, wonderful and astonishing. So, if you are a King Crimson fan, who like me, has never quite taken Lizard to your heart, then these are essential listening. And hopefully equally fascinating to those who already love the album."

Presented as a single 200-gram LP and including the complete album in Elemental Mixes form, running in the same sequence as the original album, this release showcases Lizard in a very different manner to how it's previously been heard.

 

Side A

1. Cirkus (Including: Entry Of The Chameleons)

2. Indoor Games

3. Happy Family

4. Lady Of The Dancing Water

Side B

1. Lizard

- Prince Rupert Awakes

- Bolero - The Peacock's Tale

- The Battle of Glass Tears

--- Dawn Song

--- Last Skirmish

--- Prince Rupert's Lament

- Big Top

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