Having started off the December suite of concerts in a church, it's appropriate that it comes to an end in a sacred space.[endtease] This exquisite and moving set was at a thanksgiving event to celebrate the return to health of Stephen Tebboth after a road traffic accident in May.
From Robert’s diary
A good attendance, mainly of Stephen’s friends & locals. The temperature was cold (although not as cold as Newlyn) so I remained well covered. The feeling temperature was much warmer. No idea how the music was as music, nor the performance as performance event; but I doubt whether a critical appraisal of the merits of either has much relevance to the spirit of this evening. Subjectively: not as intense as Newlyn, but everything finds its level; and playing in a church is a blessing: this was a rare privilege to function properly as a musician.
Having started off the December suite of concerts in a church, it's appropriate that it comes to an end in a sacred space.[endtease] This exquisite and moving set was at a thanksgiving event to celebrate the return to health of Stephen Tebboth after a road traffic accident in May.
From Robert’s diary
A good attendance, mainly of Stephen’s...
First of all, this is an excellent website. Talk about impulse buying! Downloading a FLAC file and a CD tray cover in a little under 3 minutes! Needless to say, I ended up grabbing a few titles in about ten minutes. This is the future of media (and the end of my bank account.) But, never mind that. This performance is simply beautiful. Shimmering like morning light in the snow. There is something crystalline about the structure and cohesiveness of t...
First of all, this is an excellent website. Talk about impulse buying! Downloading a FLAC file and a CD tray cover in a little under 3 minutes! Needless to say, I ended up grabbing a few titles in about ten minutes. This is the future of media (and the end of my bank account.) But, never mind that. This performance is simply beautiful. Shimmering like morning light in the snow. There is something crystalline about the structure and cohesiveness of the whole project that the listener can only imagine the church imbued some extra "transcendentalness" to performance itself. I love this and find its been on repeat a few times. However, I noticed on headphones some of the separation and distortion is distracting. This is a very tiny criticism in an overall perfect CD. I recommend it to anyone who loves KC and Robert Fripp. Mike
Written by Michael Flaherty
In a Minor Mood
This, the last performance of Robert’s "December Suite", is, for me, the most moving of the four released so far. While there does seem to be some search occuring here, some of the mournful longing found on the newer recordings on Love Cannot Bear and the December 2000 performances in NYC are found here. Of course, this is strictly subjective, but when I hear that mood I tend to be more drawn in, as is the case with this incredible performance. There is, perhaps, a clue in th...
This, the last performance of Robert’s "December Suite", is, for me, the most moving of the four released so far. While there does seem to be some search occuring here, some of the mournful longing found on the newer recordings on Love Cannot Bear and the December 2000 performances in NYC are found here. Of course, this is strictly subjective, but when I hear that mood I tend to be more drawn in, as is the case with this incredible performance. There is, perhaps, a clue in the title for the "Queer Jazz" piece: Minor--minor chords often being heard as sad chords. While this version of "Time Stands Still" is fairly typical of these sets, the playing on Queer Jazz has a considerably darker feel. The solos, both the "piano" sounds and more traditional electric guitar, are simply amazing. The finalle of "At the End of Time" continues the mood, bringing the set to a striking close. If you just buy one of these four performances, I would recommend this one.
Written by A V Hall
Sutton Parish Church Ely, UK
Having attended both the Wolverhampton and Ely soundscapes I find it difficult to review either of then in the conventional sense. Both were wonderful experiences but the Wulfrun Hall, where the guy in the T-shirt with a print of RF’s equipment set-up bundled past me as the doors opened shouting "I must see Fripp, I must see Fripp" was the first one to take a picture of him standing in the wings. One of his party subseqeuntly took a second picture as the guitarist sat down. Stepping bac...
Having attended both the Wolverhampton and Ely soundscapes I find it difficult to review either of then in the conventional sense. Both were wonderful experiences but the Wulfrun Hall, where the guy in the T-shirt with a print of RF’s equipment set-up bundled past me as the doors opened shouting "I must see Fripp, I must see Fripp" was the first one to take a picture of him standing in the wings. One of his party subseqeuntly took a second picture as the guitarist sat down. Stepping back from my standing position in the second row I accidentally backed into the guy who had a concealed DAT recorder and a tiny microphone positioned out of his top jacket pocket. Ely was an experience of a differrent nature. I have attempted to explain the difference between these two events but cannot. A friend replied to one of my attempts that "he plays sacred music, a church is home for him". The comment conveys everything I would wish to say and more than I could ever hope to (thank you Sandra!). Thank you to everyone who made the live events possible and the subsequent downloads available.
Written by Michael Paulus
Heavenly
This is a very good concert and I am amazed by the atmosphere it provides. I think it has the same kind of positive spirit, "Soundcapes, live in the USA" tries to create. It is very atmospheric and very complex at the same time and even though I like Fripp & Eno, especially the live concerts as well as some Frippertronics live performances (which were even more interesting and rewarding as e.g. The Power Falls can show) a lot, these soundcapes show soundscapes/frippertonics/eno loops o...
This is a very good concert and I am amazed by the atmosphere it provides. I think it has the same kind of positive spirit, "Soundcapes, live in the USA" tries to create. It is very atmospheric and very complex at the same time and even though I like Fripp & Eno, especially the live concerts as well as some Frippertronics live performances (which were even more interesting and rewarding as e.g. The Power Falls can show) a lot, these soundcapes show soundscapes/frippertonics/eno loops on a very high and subtle level, comparable to the latest Fripp & Eno album. If you missed some soloing on the 90s soundscapes, you will find it here, although it does not have the aggressive attitude of "The Heavenly Music Corporation." If you like the piano-like guitar Fripp played with Project II or Fripp, Gunn & Rieflin, you will find "Queer Jazz: Minor" interesting. It would have been perfect to see that concert live in the Sutton Parish Church Ely. It might be worthwhile to consider a film shoot of one of any future concerts in such a venue and releasing it on DVD. Certainly, it’s not the same as being there but could come close.Michael Paulus
