There’s an extraordinary passion in evidence in this set of scorching hot Frippertronic reels. Despite missing the solos which were played over the top of these loops, this is nevertheless an enthralling collection of moods and dynamics that stand up on their own. Loop I and III are the most dramatic of the four here, which were used when Fripp made an appearance at WMCF radio studios in Rochester, New York.
The music is full of surprises and unplanned events such as when the table supporting his two trusty Revox tape recorders is inadvertently knocked. The associated rumble becomes immediately incorporated into the music, a rhythmic thud that dances off into a slowly circulating oblivion.
It’s also brimming with a more intentional drama and there are times when the notes seem to be etched deep into the magnetic tape. Low notes howl like some demented beast from hell, whilst jagged slashing figures on Loop III are consumed in a fireball of white noise. Listen out for the deep terminal descending notes of the kind that feature on The Heavenly Music Corporation and the sizzling furnace created on An Index of Metals. It’s hair-raising stuff! Loop IV is arguably amongst Fripp’s most pastoral and lyrical of moods. A beautiful melody is allowed to slowly unfold and gradually fade into nothingness. This is blissful music from start to finish.
In making these loops available for download, DGM engineer, Alex “Stormy” Mundy, was faced with a dilemma as the tape box indicated that reels belonged to both the 5th and 6th July, 1979. Employing a bit of the “best guess” theory he’s opted for the 6th - the date at WMCF studios but it could equally be Robert’s appearance at Just A Song in Albany, New York the previous day. If anyone is able to clarify this please get in touch.
There’s an extraordinary passion in evidence in this set of scorching hot Frippertronic reels. Despite missing the solos which were played over the top of these loops, this is nevertheless an enthralling collection of moods and dynamics that stand up on their own. Loop I and III are the most dramatic of the four here, which were used when Fripp ma...
I won tickets to this event by being caller number 9 and have an autographed copy of Exposure because of it. I just put the album in a frame and looked up the date of the concert. I never expected to be able to purchase the recordings. It is such a pleasure to hear this music again. The review by Stephen Nyland says it better than I can, but I can echo his remarks. I will mention that besides the music, Mr. Fripp shared a lot of information and stories between loops.
Written by Sylvain Despretz
Rochester shows were stunning, warm, beautiful...
This recording is especially meaningful to me because I was there in 1979, and amazingly happened to be living down the street from WCMF’s little semi-basement offices in East Rochester, NY. I literally spotted a little gathering and was curious about the unlikely event they were set to attend. There were only a handful of folks, to my recollection. And so I discovered Robert Fripp - and everything changed. Frippertronics never left my heart; they still perform their mysterious covenant w...
This recording is especially meaningful to me because I was there in 1979, and amazingly happened to be living down the street from WCMF’s little semi-basement offices in East Rochester, NY. I literally spotted a little gathering and was curious about the unlikely event they were set to attend. There were only a handful of folks, to my recollection. And so I discovered Robert Fripp - and everything changed. Frippertronics never left my heart; they still perform their mysterious covenant with a part of my brain I don’t even know or understand - 36 years on, the secret dialog continues - Fripp is a true magician. For those who wondered, WCMF were the correct call letters - it stood, believe it or not, for W - "Crazy Mother F***er"... Yup - those were the days... Rochester was a university town (U of R, Eastman School of Music, etc.) which was highly receptive to experimental bands - I had no idea at the time how lucky we were."CMF" , as we simply referred to it, was a station keen on inviting bands to perform and on setting up concerts for prog groups (like Brand X, etc.) - for this reason, a lot of good soundboard bootlegs come from Rochester.But to this recording itself: it is one of the smoothest, best sounding, warmest live Frippertronics loop collection I have ever heard. A great find for the Fripp aficionado in you. It is balanced and magical. Like that warm July evening at the T-junction of Herkimer St.
Written by Jeff Miner
A very interesting set
This is a "loop only" set, so, alas, no solos However, Loop I has a very uncommon rhythmic aspect one rarely hears in these performances and it’s quite compelling. Loop IV is quite lovely and very much in the Evening Star mode - it even ends with a reference to Wind on Wind (or is that Wind on Water - I never can remember)
