No matter the venue, soundscapes have a capacity to open up sonic vistas that can be as daunting and unsettling as they are magical and inspirational. Here in the Iron Rail, a venue that was well-known to Fripp who had played there on previous occasions with Crafty Guitarists and ProjeKct Two, the undulating ‘scape comes with a layer of mid-piano, adding a woozy sensibility with ambiguous lines and runs that add to the dream-like atmospherics. Later, Fripp’s anguished lead guitar lines taper away into long trails of cavernous reverb at the beginning of the momentous Northampton III, adding yet another beguiling aspect to the already impressive aural architecture. Writing later in his diary, Robert says, “Who knows where the music went this evening at the Iron Rail? The audience were generous and patient, with several children present. And a slightly higher proportion of women than usual: enough for me to know there weren't very many, but sufficient to make their presence felt. And they asked questions which were more interesting (to me) than the guy questions.”
