Robert Fripp

Robert Fripp's Diary

Tuesday 21 November 2006

Starbucks U District Seattle A

06.53

Starbucks, U District, Seattle.

A call to The Minx, in France continuing to deal with business.

I have persuaded the Starbucks’ manager to turn down the in-house music selection. No doubt it was selected, but not with me in mind. On headphones I am listening to a Porcupine Tree track that I have been invited to blast over.

An e-flurry awaits…

08.47  The DRM debate continues: in from a pal...

I agree with Jenner that the music labels have “raped their own business model” and are in a very difficult situation. The projections that CD sales will decline by 50% over the next few years sound about right to me, given the alternatives that people have online.

But I do not think that the government should step in and help these people. I do not think that we should legislate a tax on broadband Internet access and mobile phones that gives the music industry guaranteed revenue, and guaranteed profits, while simultaneously removing their incentive to innovate and serve niche markets.

Asking the government to prop up a dying industry is always (always) a bad idea. In this case, it is a monumentally stupid, dangerous, and bad idea.

09.21  A wet day in Seattle.

Left…

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Centre…

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Right…

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Lobby call with John at 09.30.

14.51  Jupiter Studios.

The second day recording with Jeff Fayman. This is a project that has legs…

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Jeff…

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… has brought in an article on another man who is 60…

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Sly Stallone is making new Rocky & Rambo films, acknowledging that at 60 one makes way for the next generation. Perhaps Jeff is implying that I am over the hill, an empty shell of former days. I note that Tony is 80 & doing pretty well – so maybe there’s hope for me as well.

Old Goat with acoustic…

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… kindly leant by Bill van B. This is strung in OST & I have borrowed it especially to play the original acoustic parts on Epitaph.

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In the studio, John is setting up the SV I…

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II…


III…

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Today: Soundscapes for Epitaph, including Fantasia On The Theme Of Epitaph, and acoustic & electric parts; bass crunch on Schizoid; bass crunch on Realside plus solo of terrifying flailing chordal horror. This approach burns up energy at an astonishing rate: one or two takes & it’s the end of any day for me. And the end of today’s session. John is packing & Jeff seems to be a happy boy.

20.51  A wet evening I…

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II…

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III…

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A late afternoon & evening preparing for the next journey, e-flurrying & computing.


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