Soundscaping In Ely

Blogger Will Cruttenden has sent in this account of RF’s soundscape performance in Ely on Monday night.  The venue was St. Andrew’s Church in Ely in Cambridgeshire. Will, the owner and inventor of the Duck Calmer, had this to say about the gig.

After a good three hour drive from Oxford Jenna and I found the Church in Sutton easily. It was a beautiful space and the two guitars, lunar module and selection of pedals sitting in the knave didn’t look at all incongruous. We sat near the front, quietly, dressed for cold weather, and took in the ambiance. Standing by a pillar to our left was the dapper form of Mr Fripp, looking peaceful and prepared.

This was a thanksgiving service for a local man who had recovered, seemingly against the odds, from serious illness. After a welcome from the vicar (the vicar - I suspect not) and a brief explanation of why the event was happening from James DeWinter, our man stepped up, sat down and slowly unwound the evening’s soundscape.

It began with bells and, to me, felt like it was blocked for a moment before a gentle layering of sound began. I say gentle but some of the bass notes filled the church and spoke of things more sinister than the bell tones had announced. It was my first soundscape and I was close enough to hear the twang of guitar strings being plucked, although this didn’t distract from the rich sounds emanating from the speakers. The music seemed to fall into four distinct pieces, with bent notes, loops like breathing and ghostly solos weaving in and out of patterns. I had my eyes closed for much of it and was impressed at the respect shown by the audience (admittedly, not a terribly rock ’n’ roll audience) with hardly a sound from young or old alike.

To me the music was a succession of characters, entering, playing a part and then, before you had a chance to pin them down, disappearing into the night. To Jenna it was an organic, spiritual, healing application of music. She was new to Mr Fripp and soundscapes but needed no nerdy ravings from me to enjoy the experience.

When the last sound (also bell-like and feeling appropriate to a thanksgiving) was brought to an end Mr Fripp politely acknowledged the applause and then the vicar returned to lead a brief prayer.

Jenna and I walked back into the cold night and headed home, enlightened, enlivened and inspired.

Thanks for that Will.  If any other visitors to the site saw Robert on this most recent series of performances don’t hesitate to send them in.