Robert Fripp's Diary for Wednesday, 13th May 2009

Robert Fripp's Diary

	Wednesday, 13th May 2009

09.46

Parford Well B&B Of Wonder, near Chagford, Devon.

Room with a Dartmoor view I…

II...

A superb breakfast a la daniels.

11.04 Super Audio Mastering, Monks Withecombe, Chagford, Devon.

We are mastering the new stereo-mix of Lizard by Steven Wilson. This was a necessary preliminary to the 5.1 mix.

The mastering is going through 2 routes: valve & transistor. Mostly, where there are live instruments, valve is the way to go. It’s more human. Warmer. But for electronic instruments, transistor can be better: tighter, cleaner, more compact.

12.13 Island Records has e-written to me, c/o my Sister Patricia. More accurately, Universal Island has e-written.

Universal Island would like to print up a limited-edition poster of the Schizoid Face as part of Island’s 50th. Anniversary. I wonder, is UMG seriously claiming that Universal Island has any connection to the essence of Island Records?

The royalty offered is 3.5% on gross sales. If a poster sold for £200 this would give a return of £7 per copy. Generous or what? From my reply…

You have walked into a minefield.

Briefly, there are several reasons why your proposal is not of interest to me. One area of concern is these two clauses from your attached agreement document....

b) waive all so- called “moral rights” or similar rights now existing or created in the future in any part of the world in respect of any variations and alteration we make to Artwork under this agreement.

c) give all consents as may be necessary to enable us to exploit, and authorise others to exploit, worldwide in any and all media by any and all means (including, without limitation, the Internet) now known or developed in the future the Artwork for the purposes provided under this agreement.

I hope that I do not have to explain what is unacceptable within these clauses. On the other hand, if that were so, you would not have sent them.

A second area is this indemnity clause…

(b) Each party shall indemnify and hold us harmless from and against any and all damages, costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) incurred by us as a result of a claim arising out of or by reason of any breach of or inconsistency with your representations, warranties, undertaking, agreements and consequent amends hereunder PROVIDED ALWAYS that the claim is adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction or is settled with your prior written consent which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

I have no personal interest in your use of this iconic image to support your own promotional interests. And, were that so, the amount of money involved is in any case negligible. So, why might I provide you with a blanket indemnity against any character with an historic grievance, complaint and/or taste for trouble-making who might seek entertainment through a mischievous action?

A question for you: why do you assume that your proposal might be of interest to me?

It’s probably a good indication that my feeling, on receipt of this astonishing e-mail, is one of astonishment. How could anyone be dopey enough to send this while seriously entertaining the possibility of a positive response?

I have forwarded my reply to a top-player in the hierarchy of UMG, a character who has exhibited signs of greater wit & intelligence than several, lower in the Universal Chain of Life & Being, with whom I have had dealings; one of which is the writer of the enquiry above.

14,51    An el fabbo lunch in the farmhouse, and now back to the terrors of Lizard.

15.07    In from my pal Elan Sicroff in Massachusetts: details of a 3-month full-time residential course at Camp Caravan, Royalston, Massachusetts this Autumn, September 5th - December 1st 2009. Applications are presently being accepted. The course is in direct line of descent from the IACE at Sherborne House.

15.44    We’ll have to remix Lizard.

Onto ITCOTCK.

Schizoid. This recording is 40 years old?

18.27    I Talk To The Wind, Epitaph, now Moonchild. The sound, from the first-generation multi-tracks before sub-mixing, has an impressive clarity & presence.

18.40 Done.

Simon has spent the day raving about The Humans, an album he mastered. As I am leaving, trainee engineer Joe is watching the YouTube clip by Dean Stockings.

21.13    Parford Well Wonder B&B.

Supper at the Sandy Park Inn I…