The final set of his support gigs or, that portion of a show known in the industry as ‘the Fruit and Vegetable slot, according to Fripp’s diary. A few strident fretboard manoeuvres in a sense plant a flag in the ground to let punters know that things are underway. The difficulties of this slot are of course well known to Fripp; the audience indifference that sometimes can border on rowdiness, and the non-consensual photography, any or all of which can sap the performer’s ability to retain a sharp focus. A less-well-travelled player might have wilted but Fripp turns in some striking moments across these three pieces.
In what was notionally a non-smoking venue but in reality a place befogged by a pall of cigarette smoke, the guitarist goes on to note that, “The F&V Slot at 20.15. Soundscapes stopped at 20 minutes. Not all the members of the audience, who had been standing for up to 2 hours & drinking beer, were enthused; although some were polite.”
Polite or not, the applause heard at the end of the performance suggests the soundscapes reached more than a few attending in Hanover, and now, reach a few more ears in the virtual community.
Tracks in Brackets, have been previously released as part of the Music For Quiet Moments Series
