Robert Fripp

Robert Fripp's Diary

Tuesday 13 October 2009

Holiday Inn Express Antwerp Rising

09.35

Holiday Inn Express, Antwerp.

Rising at 07.16, or 06.16 body time. The pneumatic drill began punctually at 07.45.

Reading morning at the breakfasting trough I…

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Lobby call for 09.45 & a drive to Paris.

15.46    The Olympia, Paris.

Into the TrevMobile and punctually on the road I…

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On the way out of Antwerp: a 7-mile stationary queue & slowing, approaching traffic for another 3 miles. Youch! On our motorway, all fine until the environs of Paris. Arriving at The Olympia c. 14.00 I…

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KC played here in 1974. The Paris tv show, available now on the 40th. Anniversary Release of Red, shortened by the French camera crew (for the volume, I was told), was to have been filmed here in The Olympia. A tv cameraman trod on a lead out of my pedalboard, ending the sound of guitaring, the song & the filming.

It might be noted that young rock groups were not popular among older technicians of the time, which attitude was quite evident. Also mentioned before, although relevant here: the tv broadcast of the studio performance resulted in the music for all the sex scenes in Emmanuelle being “composed” from various themes in LTIA II. The “composers” had been unable to “write” suitable music for the rumpy pumpying, until they heard Larks’; and a week later, there it was: available film music. There are additional aspects to this story: the litigation, the settlement, and various other interesting outcomes; but those for another time.

Smoke. Smoking in the theatre. Nominally no smoking, but everywhere – smoke.

To online arisings.

23.14    Hotel Most Acceptable, Chamant, France.

Sound check 17.30 I…

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Standing afterwards at the back of the stage, wondering – What shall I play? Help! And then, help appeared. The first note, and then the first motif, then the second motif, presented themselves. Help is always available, if we are ourselves available to be helped.

Onstage 19.35 – 20.05 I…

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I enjoyed the performance. Good response. Lotsa flashes.

Into the TrevMobile I…

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… and the Paris night. Past the venue where a significant proportion of 5,000 Gallicians booed Soundscapes with G3 in 2004…

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… and leaving Paris c. 32 miles into dark countryside, with little light or clues to find where we were staying. Eventually, after driving up & down the street several times, we discovered this wonderful hotel conversion of, perhaps, a period farmhouse & outbuildings.  The quality of care taken is noticeable, and gratefully welcome.

A room to lift the spirits I…

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… and even complementary wifi. A visit to the GC AAD site: I am very respectful of those involved in this superb piece of work.

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