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August 05, 1981  |
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Inroads New York, NY, USA |
Stirring, haunting, beautiful moments July 15, 2009
Written by kevred
This is some intense, powerful, unique stuff. It’s great to hear the building of the pieces from the first echoing tone to the finished piece with solo. And it’s refreshing to say ’unique’ and mean it, because of Fripp’s open-ended approach to every performance.
In a superficial way, the image of this serious, stern fellow staring into his tape machine on a stool is the antithesis of the common idea of rock n’ roll. But as I thought about it, I realized that this is as rock & roll as it gets--going out onto a hot stage with no one else to hide behind or fall back on, no other sounds except those that come from your hands--and no idea what’s going to happen. That’s gutsy, and produces more meaningful excitement than, say, a group of bearded guys in jeans playing the exact same thing every night, where the only suspense is whether they’ll all hit the last note at the same time.
The more I listen to Fripp’s work, the more I appreciate and respect that approach to creating something unique in every moment, and the less acceptable the alternative seems.
Like an earlier commenter, I especially appreciate Frippertronics material like this for listening removed from the live performance, because of the more visceral quality of the analog format--I like to hear the physical touch of the guitarist on his strings and frets, the occasional odd effect of the pickups, the varieties of texture in the resulting sound. The more recent Radiophonics/Soundscapes and the like are beautiful in their distinctive ways, but for me Frippertronics--and the hazards and invention it represents--makes for very satisfying listening. Thank you.
(And thank you for leaving small traces of the audience noise just barely audible in a few places--it probably would have been easy to cut, but adds a small hint of the living space this occurred in, which makes a big difference. I’d enjoy hearing a recording like this that somehow included even more live ambience.)
Stormy Replies:-
The audience heard here, comes directly from Robert's guitar pick-up, which is why it is so quiet.
More Articles
Your search found 7 items (Viewing 1 to 7 of 7)
| Fan Review |
Qualitative Action Fri., Aug 7, 2009
Posted by: sarva1
I had the opportunity to meet Fripp in 1980. I learned what power falls in a brief moment... if only I had said "hello" or recognized silence as my friend... it was an immeasurable gift. Perhaps, it meant nothing to Read more
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| Fan Review |
sonictronics Fri., Aug 7, 2009
Posted by: mjboyce
I simply cannot get enough of Frippertonic material. It is stunningly beautiful, moving, compelling and devastating music. Utterly original and unique. I never tire of it - despite it apparent repetitious structure, it always sounds different and new, and it Read more
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| Fan Review |
Stirring, haunting, beautiful moments Wed., Jul 15, 2009
Posted by: kevred
This is some intense, powerful, unique stuff. It’s great to hear the building of the pieces from the first echoing tone to the finished piece with solo. And it’s refreshing to say ’unique’ and mean it, because of Fripp’s open-ended approach Read more
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| Fan Review |
Summer 81 Tue., Jul 14, 2009
Posted by: Sandro
This recording brought me back to my teenager years particularly during the summer of 81 I spent in NYC and coincided with Mr. Fripp’s week at Washington Squre Church. I was 18 at the time and went with my Read more
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| Fan Review |
Most intense Frippertronics ever Mon., Jul 13, 2009
Posted by: toycritic
I attended this gig with a friend. Since then we have often mentioned it to one another and we still agree -- decades later -- that it was the most intense RF performance we’d ever Read more
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| Fan Review |
Stunning Mon., Jul 13, 2009
Posted by: gasmrv
Is this man really 35 years old? What vision & maturity - this is indeed a stunning release. This Music is timeless.
Read more
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| Fan Review |
bag of surprises Mon., Jul 13, 2009
Posted by: ckazzer
In my experience Frippertronics touch on something which Soundscapes never quite manage to touch upon. Maybe it has something to do with analogue vs. digital technology? This release is no Read more
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