Saturday, August 4, 2007

Robert Fripp

Robert Fripp is one of the founding members of King Crimson. He has carried on as the only continuous member of the band. Over the years the makeup of the band has seen many changes although the musical style has remained rather constant.

During periods when the band was not active Robert Fripp has explored other styles of music and delved deeply into "Ambient" or "Soundscape" musings.

The following is a sampling of Fripp's music arranged chronologically by the year the album containing the song was released. The performances may be other King Crimson configurations
than the original release.

In 1969 King Crimson released their first album entitled In the Court of the Crimson King, here is the title song:

In the Court of the King Crimson



In 1971 the second album - Islands - was released

Laidies of the Road


1973 saw the release of Lark's Tongues in Aspic:

Lark's Tongues In Aspic Part 1


Lark's Tongue in Aspic Part 2



Which was followed in 1974 by Red.

RED


After the release of Red Fripp disbanded King Crimson and began working on solo projects. He introduced a system of using two tape recorders to enable feedback loops and delay loops to live music. He called the process Frippertronics, recording this demonstration in 1979. During this time he also released several albums with Brian Eno, although I was unable to find samples to post here.

Frippertronics Demo


He also worked with a large goup of musicians during this same time releasing the album Exposure in 1979 as well.

Exposure



1980 saw the formation of a new band called The League of Gentleman

Robert Fripp and The League Of Gentleman



In 1981 King Crimson was reborn, producing the album Discipline which happens to be one of my favorites.

Elephant Talk


Frame by Frame


Indiscipline


Discipline


In 1982 Fripp joined with Andy Summers - formerly the guitarist for The Police. This year saw the release of I Advance Masked - the first of two albums by this duo. It was a mix of very high energy guitar riffs and pounding rhythms. Here is a rather strange, somewhat erotic video of the title track.

I Advance Masked


On the heels of Discipline King Crimson released their next album - Beat -in 1982.

Neal And Jack And Me


Heartbeat



Followed in 1984 by Three of a Perfect Pair.

Three of a perfect pair


Dig Me


Sleepless



Another offshoot project - The Robert Fripp String Quintet toured in 1994

The Robert Fripp String Quintet

Only to see King Crimson once again reborn with the release of Thrak in 1995.

Dinosaur


Walking on Air


Followed five years later by The ConstruKction Of Light

The ConstruKction Of Light


Robert Fripp - Introductory Soundscape 2003


In 2003 King Crimson released their last album to date - The Power to Believe

Level five



In 2004 Fripp again collaborated with Brian Eno releasing an album of soundscapes entitled The Equatorial Stars.

Lyra


Meissa


Ankaa


Since that time Robert Fripp has been busy working with other artists on his soundscape projects and has released several more solo albums as well as another with Brian Eno.

If you wish to explore further just follow the links below.

I will leave you now with this song from King Crimsons first album.

Epitaph


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