ROBERT FRIPP SE DIVIERTE

Robert Fripp String Quintet
The Bridge Between

Review

by Kelvin Hayes

Fusing the talents of Robert Fripp, Trey Gunn, and the California Guitar Trio, you'd be wrong to assume that The Bridge Between is a boring album of guitar aerobics for guitar enthusiasts. This is a wonderful piece of work. Its most dubious attribute is to sometimes descend into Sky (the Anglo-Australian outfit formed by John Williams, Francis Monkman etc) territory in its medieval harpsichord delivery ("Passacaglia," "Contrapunctus"). However "Kanon Power" and standouts "Bicycling to Afghanistan" and "Blockhead" are fretboard knitted excellence. Unfortunately, the latter two are separated by a five-minute downbeat -- "Blue" -- and the set is spoiled by a near-13-minute endgame "Threnody for Souls in Torment," which would be better placed elsewhere. None the less, you can always hit the stop button after "Passacaglia" or better, stick "Afghan" and "Blockhead" on repeat!

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Robert Fripp
God Save the Queen/Under Heavy Manners (new links 16-12-07 )

Review

by William Ruhlmann

Despite the double title, this is a single album consisting of five examples of "Frippertronics," Fripp's word for his instrumental tape loop experiments, some also called "Discotronics" to indicate more of a rhythmic impulse. Talking Head David Byrne sings the words to "Under Heavy Manners," most of which consist of words ending in the suffix "ism." Side one: God Save The Queen consists of 3 tracks of solo Fripp & his Frippertonics (sort of a tape loop - consists of two Revox reel to reels linked together that feeds back the signal that eventually decays/degrades as more notes are played over it). This technique builds up a wall of sound that can be gorgeous or scary (take a listen to "Index Of Metals" on Evening Star). Let The Power Fall is a continuation, all culled from his 1979 tour performances. Side two: Under Heavy Manners Fripp called Discotronics "as that musical experience resulting at the interstice of Frippertronics and disco." Buster "Busta Cherry" Jones adds bass & Paul Duskin drums. Absalm el Habib (er that's David Byrne folks) contributes vocals to the first track "Under Heavy Manners". Fripp's lyrics are a list of "isms" with a few cries of "Urizel O Urizel" and the hilarious interjection "Sunder Here Navy Man". The second track "The Zero Of The Signified" has no vocals. Can't understand why these weren't dancefloor hits! baja1 baja2

Bill Rieflin/Robert Fripp/Trey Gunn
The Repercussions of Angelic Behavior

Review

by Jim Brenholts

The Repercussions of Angelic Behavior is a rock CD with atmospheric timbres. It is by Robert Fripp, Trey Gunn, and Bill Rieflin. The liner notes are sparse. In fact, they're nonexistent, so listeners have to tackle this disc with no "graphic interference." Fans of Fripp looking for a sound similar to his work with King Crimson will not be disappointed. The disc is loaded with hot guitar riffs and freaky dissonance. It is not pleasant and it is not unpleasant -- it is Fripp and it meets expectations. It is a new kind of avant-garde. bajar1 bajar2

V, A, Angels In The Architecture

1. Gunfighter - Harold Budd

2. Plateaux of Mirror - Harold Budd, Brian Eno

3. Voices - Roger Eno

4. Place in the Wilderness - Roger Eno

5. Split Seconds - Bill Bruford, Patrick Moraz

6. Kleine Blume Irgendwo (Little Flower Somewhere) - Roedelius

7. Delta Rain Dream - Brian Eno, Jon Hassell

8. Distant Village - Michael Brook

9. Prelude and Yodel - The Penguin Cafe Orchestra

10. Sound of Someone You Love Who's Going Away and It Doesn't Matter, The - The Penguin Cafe Orchestra

11. Europe 80-1 - Phil Manzanera

12. 1988 - Robert Fripp

13. Chords That Bind - Robert Fripp

14. Meditation 2 - Laraaji

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Robert Fripp & The League of Crafty Guitarists
Intergalactic Boogie Express: Live in Europe 1991

Review

by Ted Mills

A brilliant live recording of Robert Fripp's League of Crafty Guitarists. From King Crimson covers and Fripp-written exercises (the several "Circulation" tracks, that turn the assembled group into a web of interconnected notes) to Bach preludes and a cover of "Wabash Cannonball," the group is incredibly sharp, disciplined, and the total opposite of loose. The title track is all that and more: an unstoppable machine rushing headlong at the listener. Probably one of the best League recordings, this is almost a final statement on the ideas and techniques of Fripp's Guitar Craft workshops (though they continue to this day). You will soon forget these are acoustic guitars: it's pure steel. baja 1 baja2