World Financial Centre 2nd Performance
After such a profoundly moving performance at lunchtime, just a few hours later Fripp is once again in the atrium and opening himself to the moment with, as he says in his diary, a setlist comprised of a “blank sheet of paper.”
With King Crimson co-founder Ian McDonald present in the audience, the soundscaping develops at a characteristically genteel pace. Yet as the piece is at a point of transition it's abruptly halted due to a technical hitch with Fripp's rack requiring him to restart. “This upset the overall flow. I hope the end recovered the whole,” Fripp later noted.
Once again, as it had done in the preceding two performances, the Starless theme caresses the air in poignant tribute. “This space, formerly a secular cathedral, has (unsurprisingly) changed from when we were last here in November 2000. This is now sacred ground & the site of pilgrimage. Hopefully, a site of healing, reconciliation & redemption. Playing here is comparable to Coventry Cathedral with Theo Travis on 23rd May 2008.” When journalist and radio presenter John Schaefer, who had acted as host for the concerts commented to Fripp that these performances were akin to a spiritual practice, Fripp replied “Well, this is my practice.” An appropriate summary for an astonishing run of concerts.
With King Crimson co-founder Ian McDonald present in the audience, the soundscaping develops at a characteristically genteel pace. Yet as the piece is at a point of transition it's abruptly halted due to a technical hitch with Fripp's rack requiring him to restart. “This upset the overall flow. I hope the end recovered the whole,” Fripp later noted.
Once again, as it had done in the preceding two performances, the Starless theme caresses the air in poignant tribute. “This space, formerly a secular cathedral, has (unsurprisingly) changed from when we were last here in November 2000. This is now sacred ground & the site of pilgrimage. Hopefully, a site of healing, reconciliation & redemption. Playing here is comparable to Coventry Cathedral with Theo Travis on 23rd May 2008.” When journalist and radio presenter John Schaefer, who had acted as host for the concerts commented to Fripp that these performances were akin to a spiritual practice, Fripp replied “Well, this is my practice.” An appropriate summary for an astonishing run of concerts.
