This morning I flew the United Shuttle from San Francisco to LAX. Unitedare trying a new system of rapid loading: three zones from the front andthree from the rear. Bright Idea, n'est-ce pas?
One of the assumptions of modern flying in the US is that the Happy Gigsterdoesn't have to lug their Happy Gigster Travel Pro Wheelie, and well-loadedNot-So-Happy Gigster's Knapsack, up and down flights of stairs: you walkstraight on, or are elevated / escalated. That's the assumption. Actually,when boarding from the rear an Increasingly Unhappy Gigster lugs their stuffdown a flight of stairs, out of a door, through an extending covered tunnel,and then up a portable flight of boarding steps. If everything goes to plan.
This morning, at the bottom of the first flight of stairs, a large signinformed passengers that United were "analysing" the results of their newform shuttle boarding. This sign was by the locked terminal door, in frontof which stood a surprised looking guy who didn't have the key. As half theflight's passengers entered the queue, this stationary queue of non-boardingpassengers, Mr. Smiling-And-Embarrassed went to find the key. Yes! anunlocked door! The swelling queue, now moving, entered the extending tunnelwhich Mr. S&E, looking increasingly surprised attempted to extend - beforethe tunnel stuck in unextended mode, with the passengers also stuck andtailing back. We looked up towards the food service cart, servicing thegalley, and the rear entrance to our shuttle. Eventually, this withdrew wesaw the rear-entrance door close, and through the windows a stream ofpassengers (the other half of the flight) moving down the aisle towardstheir awaiting seats.
After several minutes, no portable, movable flight of boarding stepsappeared to replace the service cart. Eventually, this half of the flightwere directed back up the descending flight of stairs, and in reverse orderwe boarded. The first of our line, nominally the first passenger who wouldhave entered the shuttle, became the last. "And the first among ye shall bethe last". And I was.
On United, the 100K Premier Executive travellers are accorded privileges,notably (for me) the privilege of entering the `plane first (along with theupper classes). Ironic, therefore, that this privileged condition shouldbecome subject to a rite of inversion, somewhat more appropriate to acarnival than the ongoing journeying of a Weary Gigster. My chosen seat,left window in the final row (because no one wants it) is (somewhatobviously) right at the back. Eventually reaching this, waiting for otherpassengers to move out of the aisle so my Travel Pro Easy Access WheelingGigster Unit might pass, and managing with some re-arrangement of overheadlockers to get my stuff (stuff, stuff, stuff) stowed, the name "Fripp" wascalled out on the intercom. The one available First Class seat, which I hadpassed so many hours before, casting towards it envious glances andcovetousness, was being offered to me - in the first row of the `plane: thisin rite of ritual atonement for having caused so much suffering to aninnocent travelling 100K PE Unhappy Gigster. Now esconced in the final row,how might I interpret struggling back to the first row as a gift offering? Aform of torment for the Working Musician to endure, willingly, gratefully,to perfect the state of their nascent soul?
I stayed where I was. Uniteed, if anyone from you reads this, pleaseanalyse the data.
Amy Worthington of the DGM / Possible Productions Los Angeles office met meat LAX and drove me in her fabbo Jeep to meet with David DelGrosso and RoryKaplan of DTS (Digital Theater Systems, Inc.) at their new offices in AgouraHills, Malibu.
Twenty-five years ago Rory was a friend of a young Bill Forth, whointroduced him to English rock groups of the period, such as King Crimson("art school wankers" to quote Robert Christgau's newly published book ofarticles) and Genesis.
The music of soundscapes, played live since 1993 (wherever possible, andthis mostly in England) is performedin 4-6 speaker quadrophonic. The Point Of Seeing which gave rise to theDouble Trio Crimson in double trio formation has not, until now, beencapable of reproduction on (stereo) recording. Now, the technology hascaught up with the musical presentation. For me, this is exciting.
What DGM is hoping to do is to sell the 2 CDS together - stereo and 5.1surround sound - in the same jewel box. Then ,the audient can drive to worklistening to surround sound in their car, and return home to soak in thebath and re-vibrate in stereo. The practicalities are a mainly a matter ofwhat is financially possible.
We also discussed launching / presenting the KC DVD in Los Angeles onJanuary 27th. 1999 to the industry and press, also hopefully to audients aswell, with demonstrations and presentations. The press & industrypresentation would be during the day before NAMM, and the publicpresentation at a store in the city that evening. This is what we areworking towards: more details later.
Then, over to a nearby small theatre to see / listen to current selectionsavailable. 1960s Motown in DTS is astonishing: not because of the surroundeffect but the enhanced sonic quality. Digital resolution has taken astaggering leap forward. This now gives the possibility of breathing aurallife into historic recordings which haven't yet quite made it onto theaudiophiles' gourmet table.
So, DTS provides the opportunity for radically new thinking about recordproduction, and the opportunity for composing / creating music well beyondthe limitations of stereo (very little music has been composed with surroundin mind); but perhaps as significant, the qualitative regeneration ofarchive and historic material which, so far, hasn't really persuadedcontemporary or audiophile ears. Today, the future moved closer.
"In The Court Of The Crimson King" wouldn't have worked in mono, and theDouble Trio doesn't really work in stereo. Look out!
And then to the new DGM office space, and meeting Bill for the first timeand Pam for the second. Eric was getting spruced up for a gig in SanFrancisco tonight (he is a drummer), so we passed and waved at each other onan intersection outside the office. This is a much better, more appropriatespace, than our previous. Light, a view up to the Hollywood Hills and of thefamous "Hollywood" sign, and storage capacity in the basement.
I checked into the DGM Guestbook, where a number of topics alreadywell-addressed in the past are resurfacing. Like, if you write to meexpecting a reply, better not to write. If you hope for a reply, include apostal address and fax number. and if your posting / letter is conditionalupon receiving a reply, better simply to blow a kiss.
And I called Toyah: she was outside Nottingham, on her way to London fromLeeds where she recorded six tv shows today. Guests included Reg Presley ofThe Troggs, and Sir George Martin, both of who she enjoyed.
Then to Ma Maison and check-in; the California Pizza Kitchen at the bottomof the Beverley Center for tasty soup and salad; the Bookstar almostopposite; and the supermarket around the corner.
It was on the music shelves of Bookstar that I came across the newChristgau. What I like about Robert is that you know where he stands: hisopinion is clearly and baldy stated and he doesn't allow facts, informationor reasoned debate to dissuade him or turn him from this opinion. Like, KingCrimson as "art school wankers" (1994 article): what does it matter that noplayer in King Crimson has been to art school? It's an opinion, after all. Alater article (1996) in the book criticises King Crimson (among others) asplaying poor (not a precise quote) rock `n' roll. What matter that Crimsondidn't play "rock `n' roll" at all? An opinion is an opinion - why botherwith accuracy?
On three occasions since 1977 I've met Robert, a consistent critic of mywork; all three occasions were of interest, and two of them amusing. Writersin the business, even myself, are generally fond of Robert's work: he'sessentially a Good Guy. And you know where he stands.
From the supermarket to my third eruption of bibliophiliacal tumescence onthis touring: the Bodhi Tree. I have been visiting the BT since 1972. TodayI strolled in hoping to simply stroll out again. No hope: two new WilliamPatrick Patterson books, including his volume on The Rope, had arrived.Restraint was necessary: a new biography of Bede Griffiths was on display,etc., etc.
Back to Ma Maison for more repacking and this Diary entry.
"We can't go far on enthusiasm, but we don't go far without it."
