Also see: King Crimson ~ Van der Graaf Generator
From: "Jeff Marx"
I gotta be honest with you Julius, I've never really been able to get into Fripp
music with the exception of the first KC album, so I'm a poor judge. I realize that Fripp,
is enormously important in prog and experimental electronic music, but I never connected
with his style. I'm also off the deep end in keyboard driven (sans guitars) stuff right
now but that's another story. So I'll ask you and others; what is it about Fripp and his
work that is so key to prog's past and present?
From: "George Khouroshvili"
<>
As long as IMO (!!!) Robert Fripp is the greatest (IMO!!!!!) guitarist in the Universe
(though I can't say I like all of his solo albums) and King Crimson is my all times
favorite band (probably even more than VDGG) I think I'd better stay silent. Because if I
begin to write posts on the above-mentioned subject I'll overflow all your mail-boxes
during this week (and probably part of the next too). I think it's be better to hear from
someone who is not as much of "Crimson-head" as I am but still loves and
understands KC music.
From: "Rob McMonigal" <>
The ability to pull together a rather large independent label without folding
(crossing fingers as I say that). Right now, DGM (Fripp's label) is even starting a club
for those like George and I who want to hear things that would not ordinarily be released.
Resisting the urge to go fully commercial. Obviously, the idea behind making music is to
be profitable. Let's be honest here. However, Fripp has never really done anything that
could be said to be wildly popular, designed only to make money. That makes him rather
unique. But perhaps most important is Fripp's desire to continually change his musical
style. Though he has admittedly stagnated a bit of late, in the past Fripp has always been
reinventing himself, tinkering with sounds emanating from his guitar, using different
equipment, playing with different artists, etc. If you listen to Fripp's playing, starting
with Court and progressing all the way to ProjeKCt 2, you'll see a definite, noticeable
difference. Other guitarists, much as I love them, merely refine their style. Robert Fripp
tries to keep doing different things. Maybe I am a bit biased, but that's my take on it.
From: drj_saro <>
well when you start by pigeon-holing the Crafties and RF String 5tet as "Fripp
Music" i have to wonder if you _listened_ or not. there is a _huge_ difference in
approach/attitude, sound, technique, (just about everything) between early King Crimson
and _this_ stuff. (for example) there are pieces on the 5tet where one guitar is playing
the "right hand" part while another is playing the "left hand" part of
a Bach Keyoard piece...this blows me away (and they can do it live, too!) but to your main
question...Fripp's main contribution is his _discipline_. in his own playing and in the
playing of the band...KC was "Prog School" for a _lot_ of musicians! i doubt
that Genesis could have produced Nursury Cryme or Foxtrot, if the first KC album didn't
exist! (just one example, i could also mention Van der Graaf, or any number of French
& Italian bands.) and just to close...i am _not_ a die-hard KC/Fripp fan, there are
plenty of things they have done that i don't like (but i have a certain ammmount of
respect for almost all of it) and there are plenty of bands that i like _more_, but there
is simply no denying the influence.]
From: Herb Heinz <>
I think of Fripp as the Miles Davis of progressive rock. Fripp has consistently put out
great or at least interesting music. He is a great bandleader who creates an environment
that encourages innovation, musical growth and exploration. As someone else has already
mentioned, he can always be relied upon to challenge himself and his listeners. There
aren't a lot of well-know musicians with talent that this can be said about. Although I do
appreciate his guitar playing, there others who I like better (e.g. Belew, Howe, Frith,
Frissell). Herb's List of Essential Fripp: In the Court of the Crimson King (KC); Lark's
Tongues in Aspic (KC); Red (KC); Exposure (solo); Discipline (KC); The First Day (with
David Sylvian); B'Boom (KC).