Home » Jazz Articles » Robert Fripp
Jazz Articles about Robert Fripp
Starless
by John Kelman
After seeing the “Seven-Headed Beast of Crim"—words used by the group's co-founder and only remaining original member, guitarist/keyboardist Robert Fripp, to describe the 2014 incarnation of King Crimson that just wrapped up a 20-date, 10-city American tour including two exhilarating nights at San Francisco's Warfield Theatre—now is the perfect time for a detailed look at Starless: Live in Europe, the third box released in as many years by the band celebrating its 45th year in 2014. While King Crimson 2014 ...
read moreLarks' Tongues in Aspic (40th Anniversary Series Box)
by John Kelman
The idea of a 15-disc box set to commemorate the release of what was, in 1973, a single vinyl LP clocking in at a mere 46 minutes might seem a tad excessive, but when you're talking King Crimson and the seminal Larks' Tongues in Aspic, it's a whole other story. Beyond being an important addition to the legendary progressive rock group's 40th Anniversary Series of new stereo and surround sound mixes from Crimson cofounder/guitarist Robert Fripp and guitarist/keyboardist/singer Steven Wilson-a ...
read moreTravis & Fripp: Follow
by John Kelman
The potential of the improvising duo has been tremendously extended thanks to the seemingly limitless possibilities of technology. King Crimson co-founder/guitarist Robert Fripp has always been on the cutting edge of that technology, whether in the context of his now-deserted flagship group, on his groundbreaking duo recordings with Brian Eno or alone, with his series of “guitar as orchestra" solo recordings, first with the tape loop-driven Frippertronics, and now, for nearly the past quarter century, with his Soundscapes recordings. Saxophonist/flautist ...
read moreThe Wine of Silence (with Andrew Keeling and David Singleton)
by John Kelman
It's strange how things sometimes come around full circle...well, almost. After helping to define symphonic prog with King Crimson and the seminal In the Court of the Crimson King (DGM Live, 1969)--mellotrons screaming instead of a real orchestras swirling--the rigors of the road, and keeping a band together, caused co-founder/guitarist Robert Fripp to desert such problems entirely by 1975. He began touring with fellow sonic explorer Brian Eno in support of their groundbreakers No Pussyfooting (DGM Live, 1973) and Evening ...
read moreJakszyk, Fripp & Collins: A Scarcity of Miracles
by John Kelman
It's been the subject of much discussion. The closest thing to a King Crimson record, after founder/guitarist Robert Fripp closed up shop on the brief 40th Anniversary tour? Hardly. A Scarcity of Miracles may be called “A King Crimson ProjeKct" on the cover, but there's little to link the music to any of King Crimson's past lives. Or is there? With four of A Scarcity of Miracles' participants past Crims--Fripp; drummer Gavin Harrison, from the 2008 tour; ...
read moreFripp & Eno: No Pussyfooting / Evening Star
by John Kelman
Few artists think they're doing something momentous, something that can change the landscape of music. Most just follow their instincts, follow their ears, do what they do, and sometimes the result goes far beyond any expectations, personal or otherwise. When King Crimson co-founder/guitarist Robert Fripp brought his pedal board to Roxy Music keyboardist Brian Eno's home studio on September 8, 1972, hooked himself up to two Revox reel-to-reel tape recorders and, utilizing this primitive, pre-digital approach to looping, ...
read morePark West, Chicago, Illinois August 7, 2008
by John Kelman
When it was announced, in late 2003, that touch guitarist Trey Gunn was leaving perennial art rockers King Crimson, to be replaced by returning bassist/stickman Tony Levin—a member of the group during its 1980s and 1990s runs—anticipation was high. Gunn's strength was as a virtuosic melodic foil for guitarists Robert Fripp and Adrian Belew as well as holding down the bottom end, but Levin has always been considered Crimson's ultimate groove-meister. When Porcupine Tree drummer Gavin Harrison was recruited in ...
read more
Giveaway
Days remaining: 2
