Robert Fripp's Diary

Improvisation is a creative strategy

Pat & Trey are thrumming & werning away next. Here, in the basement of Chateau Belew, the wall of the studio adjoins the inner chamber. The shelf of rhinoceros objets vibrates with the power of beastly terror which erupts on the other side of the partition. The Rhythm Buddies are pulping the guitar solo of LIV into a complaisant bed of abject surrender from which Adrian will fly free. The sounds Adrian has produced on run-throughs so far are extreme, even by Ade's standards.

This morning I have spoken to Trey, Adrian, Dan Kirkdorffer & PJ Crook (in England) regarding the initiative I have in mind. And written a new programme in the TC G-Force to help the fast, flying lines in 15/16 better articulate while snapping & spitting simultaneously.

Yesterday evening I called Jeff Fayman in Los Angeles. Jeff is also taking part in the new initiative, and is persuading his associate (I use the word loosely) Al Carlyle to be involved. Al's background is intriguing, and probably not the most fortunate one could hope to have in life. But Al should be left to speak for himself (which he often does, whether in company or otherwise). I mentioned to Jeff that my own associate (I use the word even more loosely) Rocco Farte has also expressed an interest in the venture.

Rocco Farte (pronounced "Far-tay") has spent many years on the inside of the music industry, with varying degrees of success. He has worked with many of the most important artists of the last 30 years, such as pomp rocker Legs Blake, Blane Fury & Bari Neon (two bright lights of the glam-rock era), plus even more of the completely unknown, like Teddy Valiant. Regrettably, all of this has taken something of a toll upon his vital presence. But he continues to breathe, seek territory, food & sexual partners. On a clear day, his reminiscences are startling. On a day when his personal sun is obscured by clouds, even more so.

21.52
This evening I began overdubbing to LIV: "string" parts on (what Ade calls) "The Bulging Bridge". In my notes it's "Rising Bridge II". But "Bulging Bridge" is the term which has caught on and has been adopted.

We recorded the 3 part chords as, in the early Crim years, we recorded mellotrons. Split the chords (root, fifth, tenth) into two parts: root + tenth for the first pass, then the root (or moving bass line) + fifth. This presents substantially the same musical information but in a very different way, and the stereo picture changes dramatically.

What a monster this piece has become: 13 minutes of remorseless, unforgiving relentlessness. "This is what life is like when we seek to escape from the repercussions of our actions" writes the guitarist, solemnly.

Another subject: I have e-mailed off a letter regarding the new initiative to several interested and connected parties, but I'm not ready to engage tonight with the 8 e-letters waiting for me.

Yet another subject: the income raising adventures of Al Carlyle. This is a brief exchange of correspondence between myself and Al last week:

As I age, I expand the number of my talents which I can use to create new income streams for myself. [Perhaps as I age, I just expand...] But I feel I should expand my new profitability to include my friends. For a modest investment, you too can be part of my latest get rich scheme. Here is a draft of the letter I am writing, which should give you an idea of my current project:

My friends, D and J, over at J....town, Oklahoma, received a check the other day for $1,000 from the government for not raising hogs. So, I want to go into the "not raising hogs" business myself next year.

What I want to know is, in your opinion, what is the best type of farm not to raise hogs on, and what is the best breed of hogs not to raise? I want to be sure that I approach this endeavor in keeping with all government policies. I would prefer not to raise Razorhogs, but if that is not a good breed not to raise, then I can just as easily not raise Yorkshires or Durocs.

As I see it, the hardest part of this program will be keeping an accurate inventory of how many hogs I haven't raised. If I can get $1,000 for not raising 50 hogs, will I get $2,000 for not raising 100 hogs? I plan to operate on a small scale at first, holding myself down to about 4,000 "not raised" hogs, which will give me $80,000 income the first year. Then I can buy an airplane.

Now another thing: these hogs I will not raise will not eat 100,000 bushels of corn. I understand that you also pay farmers for not raising corn and wheat. Will I qualify for payments for not raising wheat and corn not to feed the 4,000 hogs I am not going to raise? I want to get started not feeding as soon as possible, as this seems to be a good time of the year to not raise hogs and grain.

I am also considering the "not milking cows" business, so please send me any information on that also. In view of these circumstances, I understand that the government will consider me totally unemployed, so I plan to file for unemployment and food stamps as well.

Be assured that you will have my vote in the coming elections.

Patriotically yours, BG.

PS: Would you please notify me when you plan to distribute more free cheese?

My (immediate) reply to Al, and in turn his (swift) response were as follows...

Thanks for your investment advice. I've decided to stop all playing and recording AND GET RICHER BY THE DAY! I would never have come to this conclusion if I didn't know you!

Sincerely, R.

Subject: Al Carlye's "Investor Of The Month Award"...

Bravo!

I read your last E-mail with great excitement! I believe you really grasped the truest depths of this not playing and not recording = Big $$$ concept... I applaud the fact that you are intelligent and avaricious enough to be able to "transcend your own ego" by not blocking out a prime investment opportunity!

From the testimonials of your own past experiences, I can say without a doubt that I believe there are many financial savvy people out there who would personally contribute their own hard earned fund$ in support of such an altruistic effort--political prisoners who may at one point in their lives have been tortured by your music is one example--certain "people of means" residing near Green Park Station are just a few of the exciting and rewarding future portfolio plannings that come quickly to my mind---but I'm certain with a little reflection and a pencil and paper, the list goes on and on! And that $mells like Big Resources to me!

I believe the "paying market" for not hearing your music is absolutely ripe and ready to burst out at this moment! Imagine how many hungry souls out there you could touch and possibly heal by just putting that guitar down right now, and begin watching your mailbox overflow with checks, money orders and cash!

Remember back in the 80's when investments like this seemed only available to people like O... N..... J...... and F..... M..?...and you probably asked yourself how can I get into something as lucrative as this not playing thing?"--well, the time is now! Seize the moment and jump aboard the money train!

Much love,

Your pal and portfolio manager, Al.