Reply-To: toby at cs dot man dot ac dot uk Sender: toby at cs dot man dot ac dot uk Precedence: bulk From: toby at cs dot man dot ac dot uk To: toby at cs dot man dot ac dot uk Subject: Discipline #117 D I S C I P L I N E The Internet newsletter for Robert Fripp and King Crimson enthusiasts Number 117, Friday, 26 November 1993 Today's Topics: NEW ALBUM: The Bridge Between Viva! Roxy Music Starless and Bible Black live performances Fripp's guitar playing Careful with that axe/KC CDs in US Crimso anecdote Young Person's Guide Eugene? Where to get Craft materials? Careful With That Axe KC / Belew What is a stick? Sylvian-Fripp tour-review of show, Sittard, The Netherlands [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] From: javasque at eos dot ncsu dot edu Subject: The Bridge Between Date: Tue, 23 Nov 93 17:47:47 EST This is sort of a review for the Robert Fripp Quintet's "The Bridge Between" on Discipline Records. The track list is as follows: 1. Kan-Non Power (excellent track) 2. Yamanashi Blues (same as above) 3. Hope (downright beautiful) 4. Chromatic Fantasy (Bach stuff, Fripp soloing) 5. Contrapunctus (Bach stuff, California Guitar Trio) 6. Bicycling to Afghanistan (sort of guitar gamelan stuff, very good) 7. Blue (Fripp & Gunn track) 8. Blockhead (CGT track) 9. Passacaglia (more Bach, everybody together) 10. Threnody for Souls in Torment (endless dirge with Fripp & Gunn) Total playing time is about 48 minutes. The sound quality is excellent, but the album definitely lacks the live feeling of the Soundscape bootleg (also according to the notes included inside, some tracks were overdubbed to beef up the sound). All of the tracks, except "Bicycling to Afghanistan", "Blue" and "Passacaglia" are included in the bootleg. "Threnody for..." I think is called "Urban Scape" in the bootleg. It's interesting to hear how pieces were interpreted in both CD's, different, but equally good. The cover work is by Bill Smith studio, not as elaborate as the work for the boxes. Included is a note from Fripp regarding how he feels with his role as a musician/artist in this changing world. Did I mention, that included also are autographs of the artists? I am not sure if it can only be obtained through the mail, but anyway here are the addresses: Possible Productions c/o Mark Perry 351 Magnolia Avenue Long Beach, California 90802 fax: 310-491-1945 Discipline Records c/o Richard Chadwick Opium Arts Ltd. 17, Gosfield Street London WIP 7HE tel: 071-631-5221 fax: 071-255-1559 later, Jaime Vasquez javasque at eos dot ncsu dot edu [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1993 12:51:00 -0500 (EST) From: tim at cs dot georgetown dot edu (Tim Snyder) Subject: Viva! Roxy Music RamZ [Discipline #115] tells us how awesome Roxy's live _Viva!_ is; I agree. Simply put, this is the best live disk ever recorded. I usually hate live disks. I often like them upon purchase, even play the daylights out of 'em for a few weeks (e.g., Peter Gabriel _Plays Live_), but then shelve 'em since they have no depth. But _Viva!_ is different---lots of subtleties, lots of excitement. Some of rock's all-time finest experimentalists at their peak. The Bryan Ferry vocal on "The Bogus Man" is spine-chilling, and it shows us a Ferry who never arrives in present days. The Jobson violin solo on the opening track makes me feel like I am flying. It's a fantastic disk! Now, as to the name of our forum, how about: In Discipline Cool? Enjoy, Tim [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1993 12:48 CST From: SANDERSO at gacvx2 dot gac dot edu Subject: Starless and Bible Black live performances In Discipline #116, Michael Bloom's article mentions that "We'll Let You Know" was recorded live. I thought I should mention that other parts of the album were also live: The Mincer (except for the vocals which were added in later--the music was improvised) Starless and Bible Black (live improv--I think part was cut out in the middle to add suspense--there's a part where it gets really quiet except for a little hi-hat click, and then WHAM! the band comes in. If you listen closely you'll notice that the band's entrance is out of time, and after repeated listenings (or maybe the first time) it becomes apparent that the tape was cut there. It kind of reminds me of "The Law of Maximum Distress" between parts one and two) Fracture (this was composed and arranged [in other words, not improvised] but it was recorded live--that "WHOOP!" that comes around about 2/3 of the way through, which was discussed here last year (as in, "which member is it?") may not be a member of the band, but someone in the audience that Fripp couldn't edit out) The fact that music as incredible as "We'll Let You Know," "The Mincer," and "Starless and Bible Black" were IMPROVISED is a testament to the skill of the musicians in the band. Scott T. Anderson sanderso at gacvx2 dot gac dot edu P.S. Let's all give Toby a big hand for doing such a great job on Discipline! [[ Thanks. -- Toby ]] [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] From: phv at equalizer dot cray dot com (Paolo Valladolid) Subject: Fripp's guitar playing Date: Sun, 21 Nov 93 10:14:10 PST > licks, Cross had an angularity that neatly complemented Fripp's mutant scales, > which were significantly further evolved than his blues-derived modes circa > "Schizoid Man." And Fripp was simply in great form, rocketing over the Actually, Fripp's guitar playing was far more sophisticated at the time of "Schizoid Man". I'm listening right now to the pre-Crimson album Fripp recorded _The Cheerful Insanity of Giles,Giles and Fripp_, which sort of documents Fripp's jazz guitar background. Even then, the man already had chops to spare. "Suite No.1" is the guitar showcase track that anticipates the guitar instrumental masterpiece "Fracture". -- Paolo Valladolid phv at equalizer dot cray dot com Cray Research Superservers, Inc. [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] From: tlkalka at mailbox dot syr dot edu Subject: Careful with that axe/KC CDs in US I can't thank her enough, but my wonderful mother got me an imported copy of the videotape "Careful With That Axe vol. 2: Robert Fripp: The Craft of the Guitar." What a lovely thing it is. It is approximately one hour, and contains inter- view footage with Fripp, performance by Guitar Craft (lots of this, it was shot during one of the seminars), nearly unedited "Neil And Jack And Me," an excerpt of "The Sheltering Sky," an excerpt of the "Easy Money" jam from a 1970's promo film, and fun for all Crimheads. It appears to be UK-produced, with -dig this- japanese subtitles. Another "Careful..." tape I have seen is about Steve Hackett, so whatever company is doing these things seems to be prog-guitar crazy. The entire KC catalogue is available (minus USA, Earthbound, and YPG) in the US. While not usually carried by your average chain store, you can probably purchase or order CDs at any independantly owned store. For anyone in the southwestern area of Connecticut, Gerossa Records, in Brookfield, is where I picked up the video, as well as the majority of my KC recordings. "Nothing he's got he really needs..." -Terry [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Date: Mon, 22 Nov 1993 11:03:29 -0600 (CST) From: 26H3KESSLERR at vms dot csd dot mu dot edu Subject: Crimso anecdote Here's my little Crimso anecdote: On Halloween night in Chicago, I attended the Sylvian/Fripp show. Alone, yes, but that doesn't mean I had a bad or good time because of that. Anyway, I watched Fripp and Gunn playing in utter awe. I haven't seen such playing in my life (I'm only 21, too young to have seen Crimson in its existence). During one song I didn't recognize, I decided to use the bathroom (too much $2.25 cups of coffee-I spent the previous weekend nights in sort of a haze). While relieving myself, I glanced over my shoulder to see a man adjusting a cheesy red shoulder length wig in the mirror. Upon looking closer, I saw that it was ADRIAN BELEW! I looked at him and smiled, and he politely smiled back. I thought for a brief moment that he was going "in cognito," because where else would a former and future KC member be more harassed than at a Fripp show? I walked up to him, and wanting to keep his identity secret among the other patrons, quietly said, "Nice wig, sir." He then remarked that John Lennon must have never run into such problems with his hair. It turned out that the Rhino King was dressed as John Lennon for Halloween! He had the whole glasses thing and the Abbey Road suit! Anyway, I thanked Adrian for the cool show he did the previous week in Milwaukee, Wis. and jokingly said as we walked back to our seats, "These guys are good, you should think about playing with them." He responded with, "Well actually, I am." I don't think he got the joke. But the whole time I never mentioned his name or who he was. It was really really cool. So I returned to my seat and watched as the band amazed me more. When I got home, I realized I never had zipped up my fly. PS: anyone got cool crimson shirts or bootlegs (from '81-'84)? I have a couple: "Indisciple/Mining Rocks" from 1981, recorded in Stonybrook, NY and ABC tv's "Friday's" show. Elephant Talk (ABC tv) Red Thela Hun Jingeet Sheltering Sky (awesome version) Turkish tea/untitled jam (really an early instrumental of "The Howler" Lark's Tongues in Aspic, pt.2 sound quality-good King Crimson live in Tokyo, 1984, recorded from FM radio-broadcast on MTV Its got a bunch of 81-84 tunes, which I don't have written down. Excellent sound quality also for Belew-heads, anyone got any BEARS bootlegs? Much appreciated. BK [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Date: Mon, 22 Nov 93 12:31 EST From: CRM112 Subject: Young Person's Guide Young Person's guide is available in Pittsburgh, Pa on CD for $49.99 at a place called Record-Rama. It is documented by guiness as the world's largest r ecord collection, and they have every CD you can imagine without having to wait for a special order, it is just there. I believe they do mail order, so here is the phone and address... Record-Rama Sound Archives 4981 McKnight Road Pittsburgh, Pa 15237 Phone:(412)367-7330 Fax:(412)367-7388 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Date: Mon, 22 Nov 1993 20:45 EST From: CHOSSMAN at apollo dot davidson dot edu Subject: Eugene? In response to the person who asked about "Careful With that Axe": This is a Japanese laser disc, available by special order through record stores. Just ask to see the listing of available imports, it should still be on it. But, you'll need a lot of money, and a laser disc player (not on VHS). I happen to have a copy (ahem) of said film on videocassette. It is a 1991 documentary of Fripp's career, focusing mainly on his time as head honcho of the Crafties. Interestingly, all dialogue is in English, with Japanese subtitles! The design and presentation is quite fancy. The full title is "Robert Fripp: The Craft of the Guitar" and it is 52'54 long. The following songs are presented live: 1. Bicycling to Afghanistan 3'03 2. Neal and Jack and Me 5'09 3. The Sheltering Sky (clip) 4'09 4. Easy Money (clip) 2'03 5. Asturias (clip) 1'11 6. Fragments of Skylab 2'57 7. Askesis 2'09 8. Blue Balls 1'47 9. Ricer car 4'55 10. This Yes (clip) '57 11. Rhythm of the Universe 4'10 12. Easy Money (clip) 1'49 Frustratingly, Fripp plays on very little of the Crafty tracks. The interviews are full and in depth, and it's nice to see the Crafty lectures and lessons as they are actually being given. Most of the Crimson stuff is (I think) from stock footage, or promos. LPs: You guys are going to kill me, but I have lp copies of USA, YPG, AND Earthbound. All told, I spent less than 20 dollars on them. Don't worry, they exist, just LOOK. I recommend small record shops that seel bulk used stuff. Has anyone seen the music video for Sleepless? It's fantastic! Chad [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Date: Mon, 22 Nov 93 16:37:02 EST From: Ron Peterson Subject: Where to get Craft materials? I noticed when I saw a League of Crafty Guitarists show that they were selling a variety of materials near the front door including T-shirts, booklets and music. Anyone know if these materials are available directly from League headquarters and how to go about ordering them? Ron Opinions expressed |ron at vicorp dot com here are my own, | Mute Punk Pigmies Pick Purposeful not my employers. | Paths Particularly Passionately [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] From: mathias at tarkus dot ocis dot temple dot edu (mathias thallmayer) Subject: Careful With That Axe Date: Tue, 23 Nov 93 12:14:35 EST What a coincidence! When I came home Saturday, I found that my copy of the CWTA: Robert Fripp Laser Disk had arrived in the mail. Since I do not, as yet, own an LD player, I have not viewed this disc. (As least, I have a reason to buy one now.) I also received KC: Three Of A Perfect Pair, which I already have on videotape. So, you can imagine my delicious torment. I have these exciting disks which I cannot watch. Ah, but it will only make the viewing that much sweeter when it does occur. Anyway, for those who are interested, here is the track listing: Chapter 1. Bicycling To Afganistan Chapter 2. 21st Century Schizoid Man (BG) Chapter 3. Neil and Jack and Me Chapter 4. The Sheltering Sky Chapter 5. Easy Money (1973 Archive Footage) Chapter 6. Asturias Chapter 7. Fragments of Skylab Chapter 8. not translated Chapter 9. not translated Chapter 10. Askesis Chapter 11. Blue Balls Chapter 12. Ricer Car (sic) Chapter 13. Say Yes Chapter 14. Rhythm of the Universe Chapter 15. Easy Money Chapter 16. Starless (BG) Since the insert sheet is almost entirely in Japanese, I cannot pass on any more information. -- Mathias [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1993 15:27:51 -0600 (CST) From: 2VV7THEISENT at vms dot csd dot mu dot edu Subject: KC / Belew I too attended the Adrian Belew acoustic concert recentley. I also had the opportunity to speak with Adrian between sets. He said that himself, RF, Levin, Trey, and Marotta had been keeping in close contact. In fact, Adrian and RF spent sometime late last summer to work on some songs at Adrian's Lake Geneva(WI) home. One of the songs they wrote, Belew has played on his recent tour. It sounds excellent, something between Kudasi and heartbeat. Anyways, he said the band would get serious about recording when the Gabriel tour ends (february 1994) when Tony will be free. They will being doing alot of song writing and jamming at Adrian"s home. In fact, this is the kicker, he invited lowly old me to watch. Imagine watching the new K write songs and jam, I probably would miss the whole thing since I would have fainted on the floor. "defenders of that way of life..." Timothy Theisen 841 N. 19th St Milwaukee WI 53233 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1993 12:26:41 -0600 (CST) From: 26H3KESSLERR at vms dot csd dot mu dot edu Subject: What is a stick? What the hell is a stick, anyway? How does is differ from a regular 4 string bass, other than 6 more strings? It looks really hard to play and expensive. AIt sounds really cool, so why isn't it used more? Anyone know more about this? [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1993 10:06:42 +0100 (MET) From: E dot Roos at buro dot kun dot nl Subject: Sylvian-Fripp tour-review of show, Sittard, The Netherlands Date: Nov 21 1993 20.18 CET From: Eric Roos & Willem Hurkmans After a one-hour rail journey and a two-hour car drive we arrived at the intimate theatre of Sittard just a few minutes after 2000 of November 20. A very cautious audience which included a large proportion of Belgians and Germans [Sittard is close to both these countries] was carefully worming its way through the aisles accompanied by what I assume was the first instrumental played by Michael Brook. Initially at least this sounded like Frippertronics. This impression quickly changed as we listened to the next songs, which I can only describe as ethereal guitar to a background of intricate 'ethnic' rhythms (e.g. 5/16 + 11/16, changing into 6/8) you usually get from the Balkans or Africa. His choice of effects was never overwhelming and I found it tasteful throughout. Two of the last songs. ERR and Cora, were really quite psychedelic in their interplay of Brook with his own delayed echoes - I presume he has a timelagged distortion programme which is triggered by his pressing foot pedals (If someone has some info on how this works I' d be grateful to hear so). Throughout his performance, people kept coming in, but they were very cautious not to upset Mr Brook, they were very well-behaved and generally, paid due interest to Mr Brook's playing. After finishing his set which lasted until 2040 Mr Brook rightfully was given a standing ovation. I want to emphasize that, contrary to what Joe McGlinchey found (Discipline 114) it is a privilege to 'sit through over half an hour's worth of ambient guitar', especially when performed at this high level of quality! People wanting to tell Brook [or any musician, for that matter] to shut up, should themselves have the decency to leave [or be kicked out]. Mr Brook really was outstanding! If what Malcolm [Discipline 114] says about Brook's performance being even better in the studio is true, this is definitely something worth looking for. After the break which I found occurred too soon and lasted too long, all was set for the main event, starting at 2100. David Sylvian, Robert Fripp and Trey Gunn were soon recognized by us, but I couldn't be sure of the second guitarist (who at times appeared to be playing from sheet music) and the drummer (if it's correct that this is not Jerry Marrotta). They kicked off with God's Monkey, after which they played all songs from The First Day except Bringing down the Light. Interspersed were some Sylvian songs I didn't know, and Exposure from the album of the same name. Contrary to what I read in some other reviews, I did not find the sound too loud; instead it was well-adjusted, and Fripp's soloing was decently mixed in. In their rendition of 'Firepower', the sound was reminiscent of old Crimso days (comparable to the two Amstedam concerts of 1973): tight, organized and concentrated. The way 'Darshan' was played was even more stunning: nine minutes of fireworks with a brilliantly soloing Fripp at the nucleus, and pseudo- classical Fripp/Gunn duels in the bargain. The other songs, especially 'Jean the Birdman' and '20th Century dreaming' were 'just plain' superb - I guess this reflects the pleasure had by the players (and us!) The audience really went out of their minds after the set and were yelling & whistling their heads off, rightly so. Sylvian & Fripp were peering round, surveying the degree of enthusiasm I suppose. They decided on two encores, of which the first one was dreamily beautiful, the second one rather heavy rock. The show lasted until 2230. Judging the whole show I found Fripp brilliant - he displayed his mastery over a very wide range of guitar techniques and sounds, from the most refined to that of mad Orks burning down the house. He played a dark Gibson Les Paul model. Sylvian was doing fairly, but excellently empathic in 'Darshan'. Gunn was hard to judge - he sounded OK and his sound certainly makes a great difference, but we have not much to compare with. The extra guitarist appeared to make no conspicuous contribution, but I suppose (and hope) this impression will be a false one. The drummer was generally very tight and assertive, though he played generally a little too straightforward, somewhat too loud and too much like a Hard Rock man. He did show what he's capable of, though, in two nice solos - one in Firepower I think, the other in one of Sylvian's pieces. On the whole it was a great show, the sound level was just right - it was adjusted to the surroundings, the audience were great, and got their deserts! The only thing I began to wonder about, afterward, is this: Fripp seemed to be happy to 'use' David Sylvian as the 'spotlight kid'; he himself certainly wasn't subject to 'exposure' during the show; the focus was on Sylvian throughout. [If I recollect right, the same was the case at most of the Crimso concerts I attended]. My guess is that Fripp is quite happy with the situation - the band apparently have a good time playing and respond well to the eagerness of the audience. I really wonder if Fripp is, at heart, interested in resurrecting King Crimson, since he might well prefer going on the way he is and play in the RFSQ as a sideline. Mr Fripp, if you read this, be sure of our thanks & appreciation for your work. At any rate, keep going like this with your SF tour and Bob's yer Uncle! [ I'm sure readers will want me to say "thanks" to Eric and Willem for their excellent review. An thanks, of course, to _all_ our readers and contributors. -- Toby ] [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] To join this mailing list or have your thoughts in the next issue, please send electronic mail to Toby Howard at the following address: toby at cs dot man dot ac dot uk The Discipline archives are available on ftp.uwp.edu, in /pub/music/lists/discipline. The views expressed in Discipline are those of the individual authors only.