Robert Fripp's Diary

Hotel Sinatra Stayed Here in

Hotel Sinatra Stayed Here in 1991, Via Veneto, Rome.

15.31 Yes, it's the middle, although perhaps just past the middle of the middle, of the Eurotour this early afternoon.

A walk around the block this morning, and then backing up the computer. It's hot. We have a lobby call for 16.30.

Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning, 24-25th. June, 2003; 00.25
Crimbus Outside Venue, Rome.

This is a gig that the Sidney Smith & El Kimberino should have attended. Sid & John's last bash was Verona,and they should have been here for two reasons:

1. To see Crimson being Crimson, and --
2. How Crimson as-it-presently-operates cannot return to Rome.

The venue: a tennis stadium, with an open space in front of the stage. Folding seats were ready to go, but it was Trey's call was not to put them out, to allow for standing-space in front of the stage. Stadium seating around the sides was sufficient for those who wanted to sit. A good call.

A strong sound with a supportive & generous audience, the flashes mainly held in check by a remarkable amount of available goodwill. But, at the end, the flashes took over, ending my show & giving me a headache. So, overall, Crimson played to a supportive audience with a strong sound & we won't be back. What a pity.

Those interested in the mechanics of process, who note that at places of transition - delicate times & vulnerable moments, when the moment is ruled by hazard - violation is most likely to occur. Well, that's true of my delicate moments: soloing, technical challenge, openness, vulnerability - flash. Accepting the nature of performance practice in this place, accepting that this is not a performance practice that I can accommodate, arrivaderci Roma. What a pity.

An interesting point while I was tuning, post soundcheck. Two young men came over and stood right in front of the stage, directly in front of where I was tuning, and stared at me. I asked, excuse me. They didn't understand this. So, I attempted to explain: tuning is a private. They didn't get this either. I tried again: tuning an instrument is like prayer. No luck on that one. I tried again: would you look at a person in prayer? They didn't quite get this either, but were two good young men. They asked: do we have to go? Well, "have to" has an element of compulsion that I find difficult to accept but, in this time, place & with these particular people, albeit enthusiastic good young men, I replied: yes.

Tuning a guitar, any instrument, is an act that goes well beyond the functional. And what are we tuning? A well-made professional instrument, even a well-crafted instrument, a Buzz Feitenised guitar or not, can simply & easily be put in tune. There are even cheap tuners easily available. Plug in and it'll tell you whether you are "in tune" or not. I have one of them. So, what are we tuning?

Firstly, it is not possible to tune a guitar. So -- Secondly, what are we tuning?

The musician is tuning themselves.

We have an overnight to Florence, arriving in the early hours. I am here on the bus, diarising. Soon, we swing by the hotel and collect the other Crims.

US Manager Charlie Hewiit has flown into Rome, and is joining us on the overnight. Charlie arrives in time for Rome, a day off in Florence & Venice. I note that few Crimson managers have flown long distances to be with Crimson in Youngstown, Ohio, before driving to days off in Detroit, Akron & Cleveland. Actually, none at all. Although I know Charlie would, as would David Singleton.