Category Archives: Robert Fripp

An Evening with Robert Fripp & David Singleton, Englishmen Abroad, California Tour Dates Announced!

For Immediate Release

An Evening with Robert Fripp & David Singleton, Englishmen Abroad, California Tour Dates Announced!

An evening with Robert Fripp & David Singleton, Englishmen Abroad, is an opportunity to ask the questions that get us out of bed in the morning…

Where does Music come from? What does it take to survive the music business? When does the impossible become possible? Can Music change the world? Why did Fripp put on a tutu and dance to Swan Lake at the end of his garden?

Englishmen Abroad is touring California before Spring 2024. May the embers of Burning Questions now be gently fanned!

Friday, February 23 – Santa Cruz, CA – Kuumbwa Jazz Center – tickets
Saturday, February 24 – Sacramento, CA – Sofia Theater – tickets
Sunday, February 25 – San Francisco, CA – The Chapel – tickets
Tuesday, February 27 – San Luis Obispo, CA – Cuesta PAC – tickets (soon!)
Thursday, February 29 – Agoura Hills, CA – Canyon Agoura – tickets
Friday, March 1 – Santa Barbara, CA – ETC at the New Vic – tickets (soon!)
Saturday, March 2 – San Juan Capistrano, CA – The Coach House – tickets
Sunday, March 3 – Santa Monica, CA – McCabes Guitar Shop – tickets
Monday, March 4 – Los Angeles, CA – The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever – tickets

Robert Fripp is a founding member of King Crimson, contributor and collaborator with Brian Eno, David Bowie, Daryl Hall, David Sylvian, Peter Gabriel, Posh Poppers Toyah Willcox and Simon Darlow, and a lot of other totally excellent people. Originating director of the Guitar Craft and Guitar Circle program.

David Singleton established DGM with Robert Fripp in 1993 and has reluctantly managed King Crimson since 2018. David is King Crimson’s producer and author of The Vicar Chronicles.

For more information: https://dgmlive.com/news/englishmen-abroad-2024

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com


King Crimson/Asia Legend John Wetton “An Extraordinary Life” Official Book Now Available For Pre-order

For Immediate Release

King Crimson/Asia Legend John Wetton “An Extraordinary Life” Official Book Now Available For Pre-order

Announcing the launch of the official book about the legendary singer and bassist at www.johnwettonbook.com

The sign-up is now open for people to be a part of this much anticipated book created with John’s family and management. Some seventy-plus people who knew and worked with John, from his school days through Family, King Crimson, Uriah Heep, Wishbone Ash, Roxy Music, U.K., Asia, the John Wetton solo band and beyond, pay witness and tribute to his life and work. Among those quoted along with his family are Steve Howe, Phil Manzanera, Bill Bruford, Robert Fripp, Carl Palmer, Rick Wakeman, Dave Kilminster, Geoff Downes (who also wrote the preface) and many, many more.

Among the stories of friendship, music and sometimes craziness are reflections on what made John Wetton such an unforgettable musician and prog rock legend.

Along with stories of John’s musical success are those from friends and family who do not steer clear of his problems, but rather explain the why, the how, and eventual triumph over them in honest and touching recollections. Along with the stories are personal and classic photos of John at work and play in two extensive photo sections of An Extraordinary Life.

He had a love for fast cars, fine food, coffee, the Rams (that’s Derby County for non-football followers), films, books, crosswords, current affairs, sport, languages, classical music – anything that would stimulate his mind that he could use to great effect in his music and lyrics.” – Geoff Downes.
https://youtu.be/OciWUvrMenk

Signing up for news and special offers at www.johnwettonbook.com will ensure a special discount when pre-order begins, allow people to have a name printed in the book and be a part of this unique project.

For more information: www.johnwettonbook.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com


An Evening Of Conversation with Robert Fripp and David Singleton North American Fall Tour 2022

For Immediate Release

An Evening Of Conversation with Robert Fripp and David Singleton North American Fall Tour 2022

Robert Fripp is a founding member of King Crimson, contributor and collaborator with Brian Eno, David Bowie, Daryl Hall, David Sylvian, Peter Gabriel, Posh Poppers Toyah Willcox and Simon Darlow, and a lot of other totally excellent people. Originating director of the Guitar Craft and Guitar Circle program. Since Covid and lockdown he has been kicking received opinion via social media with Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch.

David Singleton established DGM with Robert Fripp in 1993 and has reluctantly managed King Crimson since 2018. David is King Crimson’s producer and author of The Vicar Chronicles.

An endless stream of people ask Fripp burning questions, many of which are actually not even quite smoldering. In most cases they would be better answered by David Singleton. This is an opportunity to ask both Fripp and Singleton the questions that get them out of bed in the morning.

Where does Music come from? What does it take to survive the music business? When does the impossible become possible? Can Music change the world? Why did Fripp put on a tutu and dance to Swan Lake at the end of his garden?  Who is The Vicar?

Tour Dates:
September 16 – Toronto, ON – Royal (tickets)
September 17 – Montreal, QC – Club Soda (tickets)
September 18 – Quebec City, QC – Imperial Bell (tickets)
September 19 – Syracuse, NY – Carrier Theater (tickets)
September 21 – Ridgefield, CT – Ridgefield Playhouse (tickets)
September 22 – Boston, MA – City Winery (tickets)
September 23 – New York, NY – City Winery (tickets)
September 24 – Albany, NY – Swyer Room (tickets)
September 27 – Red Bank, NJ – The Vogel (tickets)
September 28 – Philadelphia, PA – City Winery (tickets)
September 30 – Washington, DC – City Winery (tickets)
October 1 – Annapolis, MD – Ram’s Head Live (tickets)
October 2 – Oakmont, PA – Oaks Theater (tickets)
October 5 – Cleveland, OH – Music Box Supper Club (tickets)
October 8 – Milwaukee – Wilson Theater-Marcus Center (tickets)
October 9 – Chicago, IL – City Winery (tickets)

For more information: www.dgmlive.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com


The Guitar Circle With Robert Fripp August 22-26, 2022 at The Mansion at Glen Cove, NY

For Immediate Release

The Guitar Circle With Robert Fripp August 22-26, 2022 at The Mansion at Glen Cove, NY

Four Immersive Days of Work in the Guitar Circle. Guitar & Audience Craft Techniques and Exercises for Audients and Guitarists.

An Introduction to the Guitar Circle with Robert Fripp will begin at 3pm on August 22nd, 2022, and ends at 12pm on August 26th, 2022.

Each day’s schedule is intense, beginning in the early morning and running through to the night with activities in small and large groups. The exact detailed schedule will be decided at the course itself, responding to the needs of the group.

House of Guitars: everyone welcome to join, with or without guitars (led by RF)

During Robert Fripp’s Introduction to the Guitar Circle, nothing is compulsory but some things are necessary. Robert feels strongly that alcohol and drug use are incompatible with this work and are strongly discouraged. Hey, the anticipated polyrhythms* alone are enough to deter anyone from even thinking about drinking! So, any participant who partakes in drugs or alcohol during the event may be asked to forego participating in our activities. Thank you for your cooperation.

*Polyrhythms: The simultaneous combination of contrasting rhythms in a musical composition. Rhythmic conflicts, or cross-rhythms, may occur within a single metre (e.g., two eighth notes against triplet eighths or worse!) and may even be reinforced by simultaneous combinations of conflicting metres. You will happily experience some of these during Robert’s event!

The Guitar Circle welcomes players and audients of all ages and levels of experience, from absolute beginners to professionals.

The art of craft is universal. The artful craft of Guitar Craft is also specific.

Guitar Craft is a way of developing a relationship with guitar, music, and with ourselves. Guitar and Audience Craft techniques and exercises provide a foundation for taking the performance event to a higher level.

The Guitar Circle is a way of working which strengthens community. We also rock out!

If performing music is to enter our world, the role of the audience is as necessary as the role of the musician.

So, for the first time in the life of Guitar Craft and the Guitar Circle, we are inviting audients to this Intro, to learn the performance techniques and approaches available to Crafty Guitarists.

Performing music has its own intelligence, but can music change the world? If so, how? How does a musician become present in the place within them where music lives, or visits for a while? How is an audient present within themself when music visits? How does music come into our lives? What is involved in the process of musical performance?

For those interested in guitar playing, work will be on acoustic guitars in the New Standard Tuning – CGDAEG. Guitar meetings / workshops will be in groups of all sizes, including individual meetings with the Guitar Buddies.

This Introduction to the work of the Guitar Circle will also include classes in Alexander Technique, Orchestral Maneuvers, T’ai Chi, Zen meditation, The Process Of Performance, and Doing Nothing – As Much As You Can!

There is nothing solemn about any of this, and I’m intending to have a good time. This is an approach to perform, performing, serious performing and performing seriously.

I recommend that everyone come with an aim.

You are invited.

Robert Fripp

STAFF

ROBERT FRIPP – Guitarists and More
DEV RAY – Guitarists and More
JACQUELINE BINDER – Guitarists and More
CURT GOLDEN – Guitar Buddies
TOM REDMOND – Guitarists and More
TONY GEBALLE – Guitar Buddies
SANDRA BAIN CUSHMAN – Orchestral Maneuvers
KIM CARY – Orchestral Maneuvers
ERIN WIGGER – Alexander Technique
CHRIS DOERING – The Process of Performance
CHRISTINA FLEMING – Orchestral Maneuvers

PRICING AND REGISTRATION
Robert Fripp, Guitar Circle, and Dreamcatcher Events all respectfully ask that everyone attending be fully vaccinated and/or tested for Covid.

Musicians and music fans of all styles and levels are welcome to attend Introduction To The Guitar Circle – but we do recommend that everyone who plans on playing bring a steel-stringed acoustic guitar!

For more information: https://robertfrippsguitarcircle.com/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com


Robert Fripp “Exposures” 32-Disc Box Set To Be Released May 27, 2022

For Immediate Release

Robert Fripp “Exposures” 32-Disc Box Set To Be Released May 27, 2022

25 CDs, 3 DVDs (audio only), 4 Blu-Ray discs (audio only) Packaged in a 12” boxed set with 48-page booklet including extensive notes by Sid Smith and Al Okada plus press releases, photos and memorabilia.

The long-awaited 32-disc boxed set of Robert Fripp in the studio and in concert 1977 – 1983 will be released on 27th May 2022. The set will feature many previously unreleased tracks, outtakes and rarities as well as numbers tracks becoming on CD for the first time.

The largest in the series, “Exposures” is the ninth boxset release collecting King Crimson / Robert Fripp material from 1969 to 2008.

Featuring 32 discs (25xCD/4xDVD audio/4xBlu-Ray audio) presented in a 12” box with a 48-page booklet containing extensive notes by Sid Smith and Al Okada plus memorabilia such as tickets, posters, press releases, and more.

One of the most comprehensive boxed sets devoted to a single period of an artist’s career, “Exposures” features the complete collection of Robert Fripp’s studio and live solo material from 1977-1983, covering the period from the first “Exposure” sessions to the end of The League of Gentlemen and final Frippertronics concerts.

Steven Wilson mixes of “Exposure” in (in two versions), “Under Heavy Manners,” The League of Gentlemen studio recordings and numerous unreleased tracks from the albums’ sessions appear in Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD 5.1 Surround and 24/96 hi-res stereo audio on Blu-Ray discs 1 and 4.

David Singleton mixes of “God Save the Queen,” “Let the Power Fall” and the “Washington Square Church” Frippertronics album appear in DTS-HD Surround (Quad/4.1) and in hi- res stereo ranging from 24/48 (WSC), 24/96 GSTQ) to 24/192 (LTPF) on Blu-Ray discs 1 and 4.

In addition, all editions and versions of “Exposure” (including previously unreleased), original masters of all of the albums from the period and a wealth of additional material, much of it previously unreleased appear on Blu-Ray in hi-res stereo audio on those discs.

Two further Blu-Ray discs present the complete DGM archive of Frippertronics loops, masters and concert performances – over 68 hours of music in 24/48 hi-res stereo.

Three DVDs feature the main albums in 5.1, quad and hi-res stereo. Twenty-five CDs present material including the earliest existing master loops, all of the albums in new Steven Wilson and David Singleton mixes, plus original mixes newly mastered and a number of studio and live discs featuring previously unreleased and/or music new to disc.

You can pre-order “Exposures” boxed set via Inner Knot (US): https://shop.schizoidshop.com/robert-fripp—exposures-boxed-set-p1917.aspx

For more information: https://dgmlive.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, Billy James, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com


Robert Fripp “Washington Square Church” CD/DVD To Be Released April 29, 2022

For Immediate Release

Robert Fripp “Washington Square Church” CD/DVD To Be Released April 29, 2022

Frippertronics from Washington Square Church on CD/DVD (audio only)

A new set of Frippertronics from 1981 will be released in CD/DVD and 2LP format in April 2022. These live Frippertronics performances have been taken from recordings in New York City between July and August 1981 and have been mixed and produced by David Singleton from audio painstakingly restored by Alex R Mundy.

This is the Frippertronics album that should have come out in 1982. The forty years that have passed have done nothing to diminish the power of the music. The material appears on both discs with the DVD offering the audio in hi-res stereo and DTS Surround Sound, the nature of the loops lending themselves ideally to this method of production

TRACKLISTING:
1. WASHINGTON SQUARE I
2. WASHINGTON SQUARE II
3. WASHINGTON SQUARE III
4. WASHINGTON SQUARE IV
5. WASHINGTON SQUARE V
6. WASHINGTON SQUARE VI
7. WASHINGTON SQUARE VII
8. WASHINGTON SQUARE VIII
9. WASHINGTON SQUARE IX
10. WASHINGTON SQUARE X
11. WASHINGTON SQUARE XI

After completing the first round of concerts with a revived King Crimson starting in May 1981, Fripp headed over to the USA where he began a week-long residency at Washington Square United Methodist Church on 135 W Fourth Street in New York. Built in 1860, the church had historically been home to many congregations but in more recent years had become the venue for groups such as the Black Panthers, Gay Men’s Health Crisis and numerous arts organisations.

The series of Frippertronic concerts were held in aid of a Soho-based theatre group and they find the guitarist using his technique of slowly building the music from the ground up, step by step. It’s an approach which demonstrates how the addition or subtraction of a single note can change the entire mood of a piece as we move in the space of a few bars from an atmosphere of pensive anticipation to one of yearning hope.

In an interview with the Melody Maker published just weeks before these concerts, Fripp was asked why he continued to perform Frippertronic concerts. “It gives me a way of working with intimate contact with members of an audience…It’s almost an excuse to put me in a situation where one has the audience, performer and music, and in a certain kind of way something remarkable can happen. And that has happened to me, and it’s not possible in a group…Frippertronics is the most enjoyable means of playing I’ve ever found.”

The Washington Square Church performances represent some of the finest recorded examples of the Frippertronics series. Unlike other such recordings where the loops are on tape in the DGM archive but the solos require painstaking matching of existing audience recordings and bootlegs to those loops to complete the picture, the solos for these shows were actually recorded but not labelled as to which solos matched which loops. The matched pairs only became possible when DGM audio engineer Alex R. Mundy realised that the loops had been picked up, at microscopic audio levels, by the guitar pick-ups playing the solos, allowing for identification. David Singleton was then able to mix and produce the resulting audio.

The music played more than rewards such efforts as, culled from the shows, (more complete versions appear on the “Exposures” boxed set), Fripp appears to explore every sonic avenue available to him as a guitar player – mesmerising loops, overlaid with beautiful solos, fast running ‘Frame by Frame’ style lines against a looped background, powerful “Scary Monsters” type guitar noises and more besides.

The set is regarded as the finest example of Frippertronics in performance.

The DVD features the material in 24/48 hi-res stereo and DTS-HD Surround Sound (Quad 4.1).

The 2LP edition is on 200 gram vinyl and has been cut by Jason Mitchel at LOUD Mastering.

Released on April 29th 2022 you can pre-order CD/DVD from Inner Knot (USA) and Burning Shed (UK / EU)

For more information: https://dgmlive.com/news/new-frippertronics-album-concert-from-1981?fbclid=IwAR1p2QYbdwadCilZZVlXug_7eHxA4LKXC5EIncLhok17XsZrqCLv21F-QJ0

To pre-order: https://shop.schizoidshop.com/robert-fripp—washington-square-church-cddvd-p1920.aspx

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, Billy James, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com


Robert Fripp’s “Music For Quiet Moments” Series 8CD Box Set Now Available For Pre-order

For Immediate Release

Robert Fripp’s “Music For Quiet Moments” Series 8CD Box Set Now Available For Pre-order

Packaged in a beautiful rigid slipcase with 58-page perfect bound book with 8 soundscape CDs

Robert Fripp’s popular “Music For Quiet Moments” series, which originally premiered on streaming services, is now available in an 8CD box set

In May 2020 with much of the world in lockdown and reeling from the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, Robert Fripp began uploading the first of 52 individual soundscapes on his YouTube channel, streaming platforms, and DGMLive.

Entitled “Music For Quiet Moments” and appearing once a week, these pieces created a space for reflection, offering a means of pausing from the day-to-day concerns and to provide a point of calm and perhaps, a sense of hope, in such troubled times.

By way of introduction, Fripp defined what he meant by the term, quiet moment:  “Quiet moments are when we put time aside to be quiet. Sometimes quiet moments find us. Quiet may be experienced with sound, and also through sound; in a place we hold to be sacred, or maybe on a crowded subway train hurtling towards Piccadilly or Times Square. Quiet Moments of my musical life, expressed in Soundscapes, are deeply personal; yet utterly impersonal: they address the concerns we share within our common humanity.”

Each of the 52 pieces was drawn from Soundscapes’ performances from 2004 to 2009 and venues/shows as varied as those for G3 (Satriani, Vai, Fripp), to Churchscapes (as the name suggests, concerts in churches), opening act for Porcupine Tree and even appearances at ‘The Big Chill’ festival.

These pieces are contemplative for the most part and range from a few minutes in length to a performance of “Elegy” in Nashville that lasts over 44 minutes. Each week this music became a gentle word-of-mouth success, as listeners eagerly awaited and discussed the weekly selections, with many encountering Soundscapes for the first time, marking their first contact with Fripp’s music as a result of the series.

While the series was not instigated with the idea of it being anything other than a weekly sequence of digital audio releases, when assembled and played back at a point when the series approached its end and all of the material had been selected, it became apparent that the series worked well as a single, distinct, body of work.

Now presented as an 8-CD set, in precisely the same running order as originally released, four sets of 2 discs each in miniature gatefold sleeves, with a booklet containing the artwork for each piece, housed in an outer rigid case, the set is released on November 19th, 2021.

Robert Fripp has been one of the most innovative and inventive British guitarists for over half a century.

Beyond his trail-blazing work with King Crimson, his collaborations with Brian Eno, David Bowie, Daryl Hall, Peter Gabriel, Blondie, and Talking Heads to name but a few have resonated with audiences around the world. In the 1990s his 1970s Frippertronics system gave way to Soundscapes and with it a new generation of performers such as Future Sound Of London, The Grid and many others were not only citing Fripp as an influence but eagerly having him appear on their records.

Some musicians inhabit genres, very few invent them, whether intentionally or arbitrarily credited with such. Fewer still continue to evolve, push forward, challenging both themselves and their audience.

DISC ONE

1 – Pastorale (Mendoza 3 Jun 2007)
2 – GentleScape (Barcelona 24 Jul 2009)
3 – Time Stands Still (Pershore 2 Jun 2006)
4 – Requiem (Norwich 6 Jun 2006)
5 – Time Promenade (Date and Venue Unknown)
6 – Seascape (Lichtenvoorde 13 Jun 2004

DISC TWO

7 – At The End Of Time (Broad Chalke 14 Jan 2006)
8 – Evensong (Sutton 3 Jun 2006)
9 – Promenade (Newlyn 3 Dec 2005)
10 – Pastorale (Boston 6 Nov 2007)
11 – Skyscape (Chicago 12 Oct 2005)
12 – Seascape (Chicago 12 Oct 2005)
13 – Horizon (Carrboro 21 Feb 2006)
14 – Time Procession (Carrboro 21 Feb 2006)

DISC THREE

15 – Affirmation (Atlanta 25 Feb 2006)
16 – Aspiration (Atlanta 25 Feb 2006)
17 – Elegy (Rome 20 Jun 2006)
18 – End Of Time (Barcelona 25 Jul 2009)
19 – Evensong (Barcelona 29 Jul 2009)
20 – Pastorale (Madison 10 Nov 2007)
21 – Paradise Regained (Oslo 20 Jun 2004)

DISC FOUR

22 – Elegy Pt1 (Rome 20 Jun 2006)
23 – Elegy Pt2 (Rome 20 Jun 2006)
24 – Elegy Pt3 (Rome 20 Jun 2006)
25 – Paradise Regained (Gothenburg 15 Jun 2004)
26 – Evensong (Haapsalu 24 Aug 2006)
27 – Pastorale (Mendoza 2 Jun 2007)
28 – Time Stands Still (Udine 24 Jun 2006)
29 – A Full Heart (Paris 13 Oct 2009)

DISC FIVE

30 – Strong Quiet I (Brussels 14 Oct 2009)
31 – Strong Quiet II (Brussels 14 Oct 2009)
32 – A Move Inside I (Asheville 28 Feb 2006)
33 – A Move Inside II (Asheville 28 Feb 2006)
34 – A Move Inside III (Asheville 28 Feb 2006)
35 – Drifting Gently (Chattanooga 27 Feb 2006)
36 – Drifting Firmly (Chattanooga 27 Feb 2006)

DISC SIX

37 – Time (Amsterdam 12 Oct 2009)
38 – Elegy Pt I (Hannover 15 Oct 2009)
39 – Elegy Pt II (Hannover 15 Oct 2009)
40 – Doubt (Greenville 23 Feb 2006)
41 – Consolation (Milan 29 Jun 2006)
42 – Glisten (La Spezia 28 Jun 2006)
43 – Reflection (La Spezia 28 Jun 2006)
44 – Shimmer (La Spezia 28 Jun 2006)

DISC SEVEN

45 – Elegy (Paris 22 Sep 2015)

DISC EIGHT

46 – Elegy (Nashville 1 Mar 2006)
47 – Evocation (Nashville 1 Mar 2006)
48 – A Point In Time (Rome 21 Jun 2007)
49 – Time Calls (Charlotte 22 Feb 2006)
50 – Time Present (Buenos Aires 9 Jun 2007)
51 – Opening (Nashville 17 Apr 2004)
52 – Time And Time Again (Mendoza 2 Jun 2007)

Release date November 19, 2021

Order from Inner Knot (USA): https://shop.schizoidshop.com/robert-fripp—music-for-quiet-moments-8-cd-set-p1901.aspx

For more information: www.dgmlive.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com


Robert Fripp and Electronic Duo The Grid (Dave Ball of Soft Cell & Richard Norris) Release New Album “Leviathan” June 25, 2021

For Immediate Release

Robert Fripp and Electronic Duo The Grid (Dave Ball of Soft Cell & Richard Norris) Release New Album “Leviathan” June 25, 2021

• New collaborative album from electronic duo The Grid (aka Richard Norris & Dave Ball of Soft Cell) and Robert Fripp
• Combining Fripp Soundscapes with synth, drums, programming and effects by The Grid
• Available on Double disc CD/DVD-a, 2LP 200 gram super-heavyweight vinyl and Digital album

Robert (Fripp) turned up with a truck load of amps and effects, two great big stacks including delay units with a 76 second delay and played and played and played.”

Though not intended as such, in some respects Leviathan and its creators represent between them one version of the history of British electronic music. In 1973, the curiosity of a significant chunk of the King Crimson and Roxy Music fan bases, along with an attractive price, propelled Fripp & Eno’s “No Pussyfooting” into many thousands of homes where no such recording had previously registered a single sleeve, much less a gatefold. By the early 80s Dave Ball & Marc Almond’s Soft Cell were at the forefront of a wave of synth based bands who dominated the singles and albums charts. In the 1990s, The Grid – Dave Ball (again) & Richard Norris formed a key act in what was sometimes referred to as Electronica, sometimes herded under the (almost meaningless) “Dance music” category, occasionally (equally inaccurately/narrowly) described as “ambient” music, the struggles of music industry name-taggers never quite catching either the breadth of the music involved, nor recognizing – until much later – the scope of its influence.

The Grid’s success – a number of hit singles and albums, including the million selling “Swamp Thing”, world tours, remixes for Eno, Pet Shop Boys, Yello, Sylvian/Fripp – could find a ready audience among those for whom, by now, electronic music was part of the everyday musical fabric and commonality of experience, even as it continued to evolve and develop as a form in itself.

The Grid were managed at the time (1992) by David Enthoven who had also managed King Crimson and Roxy Music from inception for many years and by now with a Sylvian/Fripp remix among their producing credits, it is no surprise that the duo and Fripp were keen to see if mutual recordings would produce interesting results – hence the arrival of the equipment described by Richard Norris above at Eastcote Studios in West London.

As Norris further notes: “Robert’s craft and musicianship was slightly daunting to us at first, being from a more DIY, post punk electronic background, but we soon worked out a language to communicate in. ‘Make it sound like a thunderstorm…’, ‘I’m going to make a sound like a bomb’, that kind of thing. After every track, Robert would say ‘Have you got any more?’ and seemed to be greatly enjoying himself. He was a very generous guest”.

The resulting Fripp recordings provided material for much of The Grid’s second album “456” and their Top 20 follow-up album “Evolver”.

But there was more, much more….

A few years ago, The Grid rediscovered tapes from these sessions, including unreleased tracks they’d worked up but never completed or mixed. A set of long solo drone pieces from Fripp was discovered along with a lost track that was then remixed to become “A Cabala Sky” by The Grid / Fripp and released as part of Bill Brewster’s acclaimed “Late Night Tales” compilation series in 2014.

Further Fripp Soundscapes from the same period were added to the mix by DGM’s David Singleton, which inspired The Grid to add new synths, drums, programming and effects to create the album “Leviathan” a 2LP and CD/DVD-a set.

Inspired by the mythical whale ‘Leviathan’, the biggest prehistoric whale that ever lived, Norris adds “I like Philip Hoare’s book ‘Leviathan’, which is about his obsession with whales and whale watching and the awe of coming into contact with such massive creatures. They are quite mysterious. Their brains are enormous, and we don’t quite know what all the brain power is doing… A bit like Robert, really”.

Having completed the album’s stereo mixes, DGM suggested the music as ideal for a full 5.1 surround mix by The Vicar. Electronic music lends itself very well to Surround Sound mixing as the listener has no fixed notion as to where any sound should emerge from. This mix features on the CD/DVD-a edition (alongside the stereo mix) and while Surround Sound is sometimes regarded as “niche” in terms of audience, the same would have been said about any form of electronic music when Fripp turned up, guitar in hand, at Eno’s place in 1972.

But then inquisitive musicians, even (perhaps especially) when they approach music from very different perspectives, often arrive at places that are as intriguing to an audience as they were to the participants.

Leviathan” Tracklist:

1. Empire
2. Milkwood
3. Pulse Detected
4. Loom
5. Leviathan
6. After The Rain
7. Fire Tower
8. Zhora
9. Sympatico

The Grid / Fripp “Leviathan” Released 25th June 2021 and Distributed by AMPED Distribution

To pre-order: https://shop.schizoidshop.com/cd—the-gridfripp—leviathan-p1882.aspx

For more information: www.dgmlive.com

The Grid Management – Chris Smith @ Renegade Music chris@renegademusic.co.uk

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com


TOYAH WILLCOX & ROBERT FRIPP – CELEBRATING VE DAY HEROES

TOYAH WILLCOX & ROBERT FRIPP – CELEBRATING VE DAY HEROES

The two VE Day Heroes being celebrated within the Fripp and Willcox families:
Uncle Bill, aka RAF Flight Sergeant Alfie Fripp https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfie_Fripp, who helped in planning The Great Escape.
Beric Willcox of the Royal Navy, based in Alexandria, who guarded convoys in the Mediterranean.

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Te0qfJUidHQ

The guitar used in the video is RF’s Les Paul serial no. 9-1986; used on all KC albums 1969-74; and on the Heroes session in Berlin with David Bowie, Tony Visconti & Brian Eno at the Hansa Studios, July 1977.

Backing track: King Crimson Live In Berlin on September 12th. 2016.

Personnel: Gavin Harrison, Jeremy Stacey, Pat Mastelotto, Mel Collins, Tony Levin, Jakko Jakszyk  & Robert Fripp.
Fairy dustings provided by Bill Rieflin.

Recorded and mixed by Chris Porter.
Produced by Chris Porter with Robert Fripp & David Singleton.

Used by permission.

Vocal track & video: Toyah Willcox, at home in the kitchen, Middle England;
May 5th. 2020 on iPhone.

For more information: www.dgmlive.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com


DGM Records Launches Robert Fripp “Music for Quiet Moments” Series

For Immediate Release

DGM Records Launches Robert Fripp “Music for Quiet Moments” Series

DGM Records is launching the Robert Fripp “Music for Quiet Moments” series. They will be releasing a soundscape every Friday on DGMLive, Youtube, Spotify, Apple Music and all the main online music platforms.

Says Co-producer David Singleton, “Hopefully something that will nourish us, and help us through these Uncertain Times. I have certainly enjoyed the peace that comes with editing and mastering them. Turning a seeming disadvantage to our advantage, a year at home without touring offers the chance to listen for the first time in many cases to existing live recordings. And there are treasures to be found!”

Music For Quiet Moments…

I
A Quiet Moment is how we experience a moment: the moment which is here, now and available.

Quiet moments are when we put time aside to be quiet; 
and also where we find them.
Sometimes quiet moments find us.

Some places have an indwelling spirit, where quiet is a feature of the space:
perhaps natural features in the landscape; 
perhaps intentionally created, as in a garden; 
perhaps where a spirit of place has come into being over time, as in an English country churchyard.

Quiet may be experienced with sound, and also through sound;
in a place we hold to be sacred, maybe on a crowded subway train hurtling towards Piccadilly or Times Square.

A Quiet Moment is more to do with how we experience time than how we experience sound.

A Quiet Moment prepares the space where Silence may enter.

Silence is timeless.

II
My own quiet moments, over fifty-one years of being a touring player, have been mostly in public places where, increasingly, a layer of noise has intentionally overlaid and saturated the sonic environment. 

III
Quiet Moments of my musical life, expressed in Soundscapes, are deeply personal; yet utterly impersonal: they address the concerns we share within our common humanity.   

Paradoxically, they have mostly taken place in public contexts inimical and unsupportive of quiet.

Some of these Soundscapes are inward-looking, reflective.
Some move outwards, with affirmation.
Some go nowhere, simply being where they are.

Robert Fripp
Tuesday 28th. April, 2020;
Bredonborough, Middle England.


For more information: www.dgmlive.com

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