Errors-To: et-admin at blackcat dot demon dot co dot uk Reply-To: et at cs dot man dot ac dot uk Sender: et at cs dot man dot ac dot uk Precedence: bulk From: et at cs dot man dot ac dot uk To: et at cs dot man dot ac dot uk Subject: Elephant Talk Digest #353 E L E P H A N T T A L K The Internet newsletter for Robert Fripp and King Crimson enthusiasts Number 353 Tuesday, 25 February 1997 Today's Topics: 6 degrees with Rush... and Metallica! Mellotron trivia. Sometimes God Hides & SSEDD Re: ROBBERTT FRRIIPPP!!!!!!! Singing The Smithsonian Institute Blues... video video Guitar Craft Tuning Soundscapes Digest 352 - encounters ALSO: zappa-mars-TOAPP crimson fans in new london KC to Al, the Rutles, a jazz great, a politician and two comedians Zappa/Fripp Connection Hall of the Crimson King.... NST info? / PossProd :( Tour Trivia Request cd list Turn Off the Gasbaggery hello ETers Re: ... & Fripp/Zappa Taboo? Frank and Robert Starless Chords Rimitti/Brook/Damage ------------------ A D M I N I S T R I V I A --------------------- POSTS: Please send all posts to et at cs dot man dot ac dot uk To UNSUBSCRIBE, or to CHANGE ADDRESS: Send a message with a body of HELP to et-admin at blackcat dot demon dot co dot uk, or use the DIY list machine at http://www.cs.man.ac.uk/aig/staff/toby/et/list/ to ASK FOR HELP about your ET subscription: Send a message to: et-help at blackcat dot demon dot co dot uk ETWEB: http://www.cs.man.ac.uk/aig/staff/toby/et/ (partial mirror at http://members.aol.com/etmirror/) THE ET TEAM: Toby Howard (Moderator), Dan Kirkdorffer (Webmeister) Mike Dickson (List Admin), and a cast of thousands. The views expressed herein are those of the individual authors. ET is produced using John Relph's Digest 3.0 package. ------------------ A I V I R T S I N I M D A --------------------- ********************************************************************** TOP TIP: Send your posts *only* to et at cs dot man dot ac dot uk. Posts sent to any other address will never make it to ET! ********************************************************************** Date: Sat, 22 Feb 1997 20:17:39 -0500 From: rbisson at courrier dot usherb dot ca ( =?iso-8859-1?Q?R=E9mi?= Bissonnette) Subject: 6 degrees with Rush... and Metallica! Hi everybody, this is my first post to ET. The rest speaks for itself! :) In ET #351, someone asked about a possible 6 degrees of separation with the band Rush. Here's how it goes: Alex Lifeson, the band's guitarist, released a solo project last year, named 'Victor' I believe. One of the many guests who played on the album was Les Claypool, bass player and singer/frontman of the band Primus. Primus recently let go of their longtime drummer, and apparently his replacement is Brain, drummer for many Bill Laswell projects, notably the band Praxis (featuring Buckethead). As it has been mentionned before, Laswell collaborated with Eno on 'My life in the bush of ghosts'. Then Eno to Fripp, obviously. Now here's something: 6 degrees of separation with famous metal band Metallica! Okay, here goes: the band's bassist, Jason Newsted, has many side projects, one of them being the band IR8, which features singer/guitarist Devin Townsend. Devin has collaborated with many people, and first was known as the lead singer/screamer for guitarist Steve Vai's band, on the 'Sex & Religion' album and tour. Steve played with Frank Zappa, and Zappa's band once featured a well-known Adrian Belew of KC. Any other suggestions? Bruno Bissonnette R=E9mi Bissonnette Ph.D. Professeur titulaire =46acult=E9 d'=C9ducation physique et sportive Universit=E9 de Sherbrooke Sherbrooke, Qu=E9bec J1K 2R1 =20 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 23 Feb 1997 03:43:38 -0500 (EST) From: Obez at aol dot com Subject: Mellotron trivia. Here are some innerestin' Mellotron facts. Having purchased Mike Pinder's CD ROM "Mellotron Archives" for my EMU Esi-32 sampler I was surprised at some of the presets. These are all stock sounds taken directly from the original tapes of the original machines of several different models, the M-400, the Mark II and the M-300. There are the usual "Strawberry Fields" flutes, the string and brass sounds that everybody used, and a few surprises. One preset labeled "Cha Cha: Swinging Flutes" has the crazy schizophrenic flute phrases heard at the end of the aforementioned "Strawberry Fields". The only difference is the Beatles played it backwards. Another preset has the exact opening Spanish guitar riff heard at the beginning of "Bungalow Bill" All a Beatle had to do was play one note and the entire intro. was played for him by the Mellotron! All my life I thought that George Harrison played that lick! More astounding is the patch called "Bossa Nova: Cello and Violin Chords". On the left half of the keyboard is a rhythm accompaniment by a real rhythm section playing a Bossa Nova in different keys. Spread out over the right hand side of the keyboard are separate string phrases meant to be inserted as fills into the accompaniment. As I was playing the different phrases I kept thinking, "hmm, these sure do sound familiar, I know it sounds Crimsoney, but from what?" I then realized that it was the opening section of "Vroom Vroom". Fripp has taken a few of the phrases, and arranged them into a seamless performance. Each phrase is played back by holding down one key and is approximately :07 to :10 long. I experimented for awhile a got a pretty close version of what he did, although without consulting the recording I couldn't get it exactly. Other variants on the original Mellotrons were the Cha Cha with flutes, a Fox Trot with sax phrases, and a truly wacky Dixieland with Trombone phrases. ------------------------------ From: trylle%gvn dot net at cs dot man dot ac dot uk Subject: Sometimes God Hides & SSEDD Date: Sun, 23 Feb 97 10:43:58 -0800 Greetings! I have still-wrapped copies of both the "Sometimes God Hides" sampler and the "Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream" single (which includes a wonderful previously unreleased live version of 'Walking On Air'). I am willing to trade either or even both of them for a copy (new or used) of the Dinosaur single. - Tommy Kochel "Entertainment is about telling everybody that everything's alright but music is on the side of the upsetters and that's where I'm at." - Bill Bruford, Sounds, April 10, 1976 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 23 Feb 1997 15:31:27 -0500 (EST) From: Art Cohen Subject: Re: ROBBERTT FRRIIPPP!!!!!!! Thanks to Sid Smith for a great reminiscence. With all the constant fawning over Robert and Adrian that usually goes on in ET, it's nice to get a little perspective from a *true* giant of rock and roll. --Art National Ska/Reggae Calendar: www.ziplink.net/~upsetter/ska/calendar.html Boston Ska Home Page: www.ziplink.net/~upsetter/ska/index.html ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 23 Feb 1997 15:02:09 -0600 (CST) From: Michael Forrest Zink Subject: Singing The Smithsonian Institute Blues... (Okay, I know that subject header has nothing to do with KC, but the song's bouncing around in my head so...) Since it is obvious to everyone here that RF is reading these newsletters, I have a suggestion. Would it be possible to have a "question/answer session" newsletter, similar to the one for AB? Would Robert be up to this? Everyone here I know has some questions that they need answered, and RF seems like the only source for answers to many of those questions. Having Robert reading this newsletter regularly and taking an active interest in what his fans are saying could provide a rare opportunity for the fan/artist interaction a lot of us wish to have, but usually never do. So, ET & RF, how does this sound? -MZ- ------------------------------ From: "REGINALD HAMPTON" Subject: video video Date: Sun, 23 Feb 1997 17:08:24 -0600 "please help me.! I have been looking for ten years now, the king cimsom, "three of a perfect pair video live in japan". I can't seem to find it anywhere. I freind recently told me about this web site and that's how i was able to email you. I'm dying to see that video again. had it in 87 & lost it. havent' seen it since, & i've been like indiana jones searching for it, but no luck. Please email me and tell me you have this video for sale, or point me in the right direction where I can find it. Please, your concern would be most appreciated...... hampton dot associates at worldnet dot att dot net ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 23 Feb 1997 16:20:14 -0800 From: Joey Aguilera Subject: Guitar Craft Tuning Hello, I dont know if this has been discussed in previous issues but can some explaing to me the GUITAR CRAFT Standard Tuning? ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Feb 97 00:28:55 UT From: "Pete Gilbert" Subject: Soundscapes I've asked the list this general question before, but now that Robert is reading some of this, I'll rephrase my question: I've been fascinated by Frippertronics/Soundscapes for quite some time now, to the point of actually trying to "roll my own" (with mixed results). If Robert would like to share one or two points on the process of creating soundscapes I would be deliriously happy. ... maybe a "soundscapes craft" (I can dream, can't I ??) ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 23 Feb 1997 22:28:04 +0000 From: Neil Talbott Subject: Digest 352 - encounters ALSO: zappa-mars-TOAPP I have to thank Sid Smith for his encounter story with West, Bruce and Laing - it had me in stitches! As for Zappa never hearing of Fripp, and preferring to listen to Sea Shanties as a staple musical diet, has Jeremy S. Weisenberger heard Zappa's arrangements of two sea shanties on the 'Lost Episodes' album? They're full of zest. I had an interesting reply from someone who worked for Zappa for several years (thanks, Keith) who stated his preferred listening was '50s records- it was songs he liked rather than 'artists', though he made an exception for the Avant Garde Electronic music pioneer Edgard Varese whose cause he peddled throughout his life (as he did later for the exotically named Conlon Nancarrow - who produced all those crazy sounding jazzy contrapuntal piano rolls). Here's a very tentative (indeed, daft!) link between Fripp and Zappa. The Devil's Triangle - Mars from Holst's Planets - Zappa's Film score for 'The World's Greatest Sinner' on the bootleg 'Serious Music' splices on the final chord from Mars to end the piece... While still on the subject of Mars (breathing the air of other planets - to paraphrase Schoenberg) - I always feel there's a whiff of Holst in the menace exuded in 'Industry' from 'Three of a perfect pair' : one of my favourite KC albums, for all its 'one too many schizophrenic tendencies'- and its 'left side' and 'right side' reference to the human brain (wasn't Julian Jaynes celebrated at that time for 'The Breakdown of the Bicameral mind', and Colin Wilson in his studies of the occult explaining the significance of the left hand of the brain dealing with rational thought and the right hand dealing with dreams, symbols, and the mysteries of inspiration and creativity - now generally accepted). I love Adrian's lyrics (none of this 'Manlostatsea'/ Sinfield preposterousness people might expect when faced with a moniker like King Crimson), and all the songs except Sleepless which seems out of context with the charm and wry observation of the other songs. It was quite a thrill to hear the eponymous song played by the double trio on the 'Live in Japan' video, especially with Trey Gunn's interjections. The Right Side song 'Dig Me' could almost have wandered out of J G Ballard Territory (Read 'The Atrocity Exhibition' or 'Crash' to see what I mean). I like LTIA pt.III - it starts off teriffically like a sprinter running on Robert's Raebok guitar figurations - and the way it concludes with Adrian's wailing Elephant chorus over the jogging chords does have a cumulative effect, but perhaps it is flawed by being too short - the final chorus should maybe have benefitted from having a point of repose to make it more effective. If there is a low point in the album it would have to be at the end of the left side where Nuages (That which passes, passes like clouds) *Great title!* verges on tiresome noodling - perhaps the left hand brain is flagging a little here. Nevertheless, TOAPP is a greatly underestimated album and should be reassessed by anyone out there who didn't care for it first time round. I have the vinyl and cassette, and intend to get the CD as soon as I can. "Behind the apparent harshness of the music, all is silence" (MAGMA -UDU WUDU). -- Neil Talbott ------------------------------ From: oracular at webtv dot net (David Denis) Date: Sun, 23 Feb 1997 21:07:35 -0500 Subject: crimson fans in new london A big thank you to the Crimson fans in the front stage area at the Julianna Hatfield/ Oracular show at the El-n-Gee in New London ct.Thanks for the support!! ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 15:56:33 +1100 From: james dot dignan at stonebow dot otago dot ac dot nz (James Dignan) Subject: KC to Al, the Rutles, a jazz great, a politician and two comedians I wrote this to the list about a week back, but there's been no sign of it yet, so presumably it got lost at sea. I've forgotten a couple of the details I'd worked out, but there should be enough here to get some minds working... Weird Al -> Mark Knopfler ("Money for nothing/Beverley Hillbillies", in the movie "The vidiot from uhf") -> Tony Levin (credited in "Brothers in Arms"). This assumes that Tony played on BIA, though. If not: Al -> Mark -> Bob Dylan -> Daniel Lanois -> Eno -> Fripp or better still, Al -> Mark -> Sting -> Andy Summers -> Fripp Other weird connections, did I hear you ask? How about The Rutles: Rikki Fataar -> Tim Finn -> 801 (Mel Collins, among others) Stephane Grapelli -> Paul Simon -> Tony Levin (if you include the connection "Appeared in a movie with", you could start this chain with Woody Allen rather than Stephane!) Peter Sellers -> Steeleye Span (Commoners Crown) -> Fairport (various early links) -> Judy Dyble (Giles Giles & Fripp) Billy Connolly -> Gerry Rafferty -> Stealers Wheel -> (damn. I've forgotten this link, but it's a fairly straightforward process from Spooky Tooth, the next step along) or, by way of change, Former New Zealand Prime Minister David Lange -> Shona Laing -> Manfred Mann -> (erg. forgot again. Mott the Hoople, perhaps? I think this one links up through Mick Ronson - > Bowie -> Fripp) OK, so I got lost there somewhere, but it's given you a few more to think about! James ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 23 Feb 1997 22:58:51 -0800 (PST) From: "david a. sage" Subject: Zappa/Fripp Connection Hi All, With regard to the ongoing discussion over the Zappa/Fripp connection (or lack thereof) a copy of the interview in which Zappa indicates that he has never heard of Fripp may found by doing a search on "Evil Bob's Music Planet." Once there, select: the "Zappa Way-Cool Area" then "FZ texts" then item #6 - "Europe 1984." For those who cannot be bothered with all of the distractions which will be provided along the way (this is a neat little bailliwick of pages and sundry paraphernalia this Evil Bob's place, any chance? . . . naw . . . Fripp's not evil . . . anyone who digs action flicks MUST be alright), the URL for the specific interview is: http://www.music-planet.com/zappa/zappa.texts.shtml. The interview is generally kinda neat; most of Zappa's interviews are, and there are a bunch in here. Fripp's name comes up when the interviewer fires off a succession of guitarists of that time, in order to gain/gauge Zappa's reaction to their work. This was 1984 . . . I was somewhat surprised that he had not (or claimed to have not) heard of Fripp. I know, I know, Zappa had such esoteric tastes etc. etc. Still . . . OTOH if he HAD heard of Crimson chances are there would have been some sort of hilarious satire on ITCOTCK or whatever, somewhere in all those shows and tours he did. Anyhow, there is a textual record of this conversation as listed above for those who may be interested. Thanks, Dave. "Yet all experience is an arch wherethrough Gleams that untraveled world whose margin fades Forever and forever when I move." Tennyson -------------------------------------- dsage at uoguelph dot ca ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 23 Feb 1997 22:27:48 -0700 From: Eb Subject: Hall of the Crimson King.... I have a RCA cassette of Daryl Hall's Sacred Songs album I don't need...email me if you could use it. Of course, I don't need to tell you that it's produced by the Fripp and has his guitar playing all over it. Also, there are two tracks which I believe are revamped compositions from Fripp's own Exposure album, which was released the previous year.... I think the album is out of print (at least in the States), but I don't want more than, say, $3+postage for it. If several people want it, I guess then the price might necessarily have to go a little higher. Thanks, Eb ------------------------------ Date: 24 Feb 97 02:00:54 EST From: "Stephen M. Tilson" <71160 dot 307 at CompuServe dot COM> Subject: NST info? / PossProd :( Hello folks, I'm looking for information about New Standard Tuning. Permit me, please, a few questions. 1) Does RF use this exclusively? If not, perhaps you could name a few of the recordings where he does use it? 2) Is there extant any technical information in publication such as written exercises, chord charts, or performance tablature for NST? 3) Any team members using this to good effect? I set a guitar up in this tuning , and have been having fun with it. But I'd rather not re-invent the wheel, so if some of this technical groundwork has already been laid please let me know where I might find it. Many thanks! Best regards, Stephen M. Tilson P.S. I am truly saddened that we're losing Mark Perry and Possible Productions. I found him (them) most helpful and affable. It is a great loss. Let's hope that DGM (USA) can maintain such a high standard of service. ------------------------------ From: mnolan at pdd dot pioneer dot co dot uk (Matthew Nolan) Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 12:46:40 +0000 Subject: Tour Trivia Request I went down to my local live music venue 'Moles Club' in Bath, England recently and noticed that on their list of famous bands that have played there was King Crimson. This is a tiny place (I've even played there myself in a couple of bands several times) so I'm interested in when exactly this was. Moles opened in 1978, so I presume it must have been the 80's incarnation. Does anyone remember / know when exactly? Have they played there more than once? I wish they weren't playing-in the new material in small clubs in the US (ie *only* the US) as Moles would be a great place if they were playing-in in the UK too (not to mention the fact that I could go along an hear what's new sooner!) I'll just have to be patient. Matt Nolan. ------------------------------ Date: 24 feb 1997 11:54:54 GMT-0300 From: Fripp at siscor dot bibnal dot edu dot ar Subject: cd list Hi Friends! I need a complete list of King Crimson's cd edit. Please send me to Chicago at siscor dot bibnal dot edu dot ar. Thanks!!! ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 12:48:32 -0500 From: "Gordon Emory Anderson" Subject: Turn Off the Gasbaggery I'm Emory's father. Let's cut the shit. I've been playing the trombone for over 42 years. I've worked with Stravinsky, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, The Immortal "Pops" Louie Armstrong, etc etc....... Now Frick, let's cut the shit. You and me will play the Bird Blues changes [ie, Blues for Alice] and Giant Steps (Trane) together. And see if we can SWING!!! Early Anderson ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 19:58:04 +0100 (MET) From: stalker at bart dot nl (Christian Skina) Subject: hello ETers Here's a question for ETers This question is strictly addressed to you,the ET reader, the one sitting in the dark and listening to the KC music; I don=92t like the idea of chit-chatting with the musicians that produce the CDs in my collection, without being introduced to them.(yes, my ego is also past a big-bang) As I work as concept designer and recently I was talking to an artist who has an Internet site (with groupies and all), I asked him what (if any) good does he make from the fact that the Internet connects him with valuable people that otherwise he won't get the chance to meet (because the boat he's in is not floating the ordinary water channels). As he was thrilled of the idea of taking back from "the mortals" not only their money but their ideas as well, we have started to build up an internet environment (already registered=85)which will allow him to receive valuable feed back from his fans (there are a lot of folks out there who could design CD covers, flyers, shirts, loaded with bright ideas that will cost the artist much less than employing a Beverly Hills (however you write that)label.) I have seen that Mr. Fripp has asked the ETers some questions but I must admit, I have not red them or the answers h's got. And here is my question : Is there any of you who has been approached by the KC artists/management or has there ever been an open contest for the ETers with the purpose of producing something for King Crimson? It would be arrogant to say "ask NOT what King Crimson can do for you but what YOU can do for King Crimson" so, I won't say that. Thanx Chistian Skina (don't search your memory, you've never heard about me) stalker at bart dot nl ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 13:57:54 -0500 From: jmc at sdr dot utias dot utoronto dot ca (James MacKenzie Crawford) Subject: Re: ... & Fripp/Zappa I've seen this come up many times, and two interviews are always refered to (although I don't know what the sources are, I'm 99% sure my recollections are correct). First, there's the Zappa interview (in the '70's) where Frank is asked what he thinks of a number of other guitarists (typical questions from pathetic "rock jouralists"). Almong other, such as Richie Blackmore (I told you - pathetic question!), the interviewer mentions Robert Fripp, to which Zappa shortly answers that he's never heard of him. He then tries to impress upon the interviewer that he (FZ) is not a pop consumer in the conventional sense whatsoever. Second, there's a KC interview where Belew and Fripp are in attendance. The topic of FZ comes up, and Fripp says something not demeaning, but certainly not completely favourable about Zappa's approach to music, to which Adrian adds words like "lighten up Bob", and explains that Frank was the one who encouraged Adrian to use his wammy bar more (and thank God he did, eh?). So, does humour belong in music, or what? (Question: Are there any other huge Fripp-and-Zappa fans out there who continually needs to find more space to shelf CDs, and has lots of trouble trying to max out the RRSP contributions?) Cheers, James ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Feb 97 15:35:58 -0800 From: Christopher Jepson Subject: Taboo? Responses to a couple of statements by Robert Cervero in #352: 1. "...[guitar playing by other KC members], according to Lake, was taboo as long as Fripp was at the helm." If this refers to Lake's quote in the "Young Person's Guide" booklet to the effect that "when you're in a band with Robert Fripp you just don't play guitar" -- I always figured Lake did not mean that playing guitar was taboo (in the sense of "forbidden"), but more that no one would want to. 2. "Was there a rocker with such musical breadth before McDonald?" If you mean multi-instrumentalism, I would venture Brian Jones and perhaps several others such as Robin Williamson and Mike Heron -- but I agree with your sentiments. -- CJ ------------------------------ From: Tim Regester Subject: Frank and Robert Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 22:26:28 -0000 As a fan of both musicians work, it is obvious that the two are very different but h share many things. The work of Frank Zappa is as varied as possibly any musician ever. He would write songs as diverse as "Jewish Princess" and "Be Bop Tango" as well as Symphonies and Concertos. Robert has written some diverse songs ( though not many as lyricist) but his works always seem to be group compositions with him arranging. His diversity is apparant from the raw power of some of his work such as "Red" to the simple to the simple ambient lyricism of the soyundscapes and Frippertronics. Frank it appears would lead his bands, wrote the majority of the songs and pieces but also arranged his musicians.=20 In both careers the musicians for a particular band were picked for the music. Frank moved on from Doo Wop through the Mothers to an ever changing band line up, culminating beautifully with the 1988 touring band whose accomplished playing is, thankfully well documented. Robert has disbanded KC twice in order to pursue musical projects were outside the scope of KC ( to turn a phrase). Both musicians have given us is a wealth of music that is refreshing, non-conformist ( Ok so KC are a guitar band!!) and not scared of being misunderstood by the Press and fans alike. The music always tries hard for originality and surprise, mixing beauty and cacophony and catching the listener off guard. The tools employed by both Robert and the late great Frank are the same. Superb musicians, varied time signatures, room for the musicians to breathe and when appropriate (or not) humour. Finally although both Frank and Robert have displayed an interest in/capacity for philosophy both had/have the safety valve of wit and neither seem to suffer fools gladly. It's an intriguing comparison. "The biggest commodity in the world is stupidity" - Frank Zappa "No system is universally appropriate" ------------------------------ Date: 24 Feb 97 18:35:37 EST From: XAVIER FERRANDIZ <100762 dot 233 at CompuServe dot COM> Subject: Starless Chords Starless Introduction Gm /D7 /Gm /D7 D7var D# /D# /A# /Gm D# /A# /Gm Sundown dazzling day Gm D# Gold through my eyes D7 Gm But my eyes turned within A# F Only see Gm Starless and Bible black D D# Gm D Gm The rest of lyrics is available on http://peace.wit.com/uwp/music/lyrics/k/king.crimson/red If anyone is interested on the midi version, email me X.Ferrandiz, 100762 dot 233 at compuserve dot com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Feb 1997 12:25:52 -0500 (EST) From: skantere Subject: Rimitti/Brook/Damage Dear friends, Have just received "Sidi Mansour" by Rimitti and "Dream" by Michael Brook and U. Srinivas from cdconnection.com. Just wanted to share my impressions. 1. Rimitti "Sidi Mansour" Have to disagree with some previous commentors that Fripp's presense is not apparent, or he's not in a frippy mode or something to that effect. This album has quite a lot of highest grade Fripp, both 'tronics and blazing solos. Flea on bass and percussionists did great jobs as well. Not to mention Rimitti herself. Overall, it's a richly produced curious blend of eastern tradition, dance, jazz, rock, cabaret and techno. And it's *amazing* how well do they go together. 2. Brook/Srinivas "Dream" This one is nothing short of stunning. Contains 3 pieces of slow dark meditative music and one faster, but none less meditative, piece. This album is a duo of Srinivas the great Indian electric mandolinist and Michael Brook the inventor and player of "infinite" guitar, but also features some exceptional violin, cello, and percussions. One big surprize was Brook's furious soloing, mixed high enough to fully appreciate and low enough to keep the ambient feel. Brook also produced the album. IMHO, it's a first choice to familiarize with Brook's solo work, even superior to "Cobalt Blue" (where Eno has screwed up a couple of tracks :). BTW, Michael Brook has a new CD out, called "Albino Alligator", featuring Stipe (who's that?) and Flea. One webshop listing says it's a soundtrack. Has anyone bought it yet / has any info? Also, could anyone spare few more words on Brook's collaboration with Nooten "Sleeps with the Fishes"? And lastly. A dear friend of mine got really crazy about "Damage". I'd love to locate a copy for her. In fact, the friend is so dear that I'll be willing to pay extra (but not dear enough to make me separate with my own copy :). If all fails, I'll have to consider going outlaw and buying the New Dream" bootleg. So -- any pointers to "Damage" are hugely appreciated. All the very best, Sergei Kantere Moscow, Russia ------------------------------ End of Elephant-Talk Digest #353 ********************************