09.59
Bredonborough.
Today is King Crimson’s 40th. birthday. Appropriate, therefore, that my dreams in the night included Crimson in live performance.
My Crimson dreams have never been straightforward representations of unalloyed joy, of revelling in the Crimson act of musicking. More often, there are technical problems preventing and / or hindering the playing; for example, last night’s adventures were of the band in action, but without me due to sickness. I was, however, at the gig & the suggestion was made that I join in for the encore, of Red. That was also not straightforward: in the dream I had not played guitar, nor Red, for some time. Before the dream-encore began, the dreamstream moved off; and along the way, to Nashville.
A recurrent Crimson dream of the mid-1970s was of KC playing Schizoid in the open air, with the audience walking away during the (extended) performance.
Well, there we are. I hesitate before involving others in my dreams: karma enough for me to work off without spreading the wonder.
11.15 There have been several Guestbook postings on the Spirit of King Crimson…
Spirit vs Abberation
:: Posted by baku_llama on January 10, 2009
""Thus far, it seems that an answer will not be given in the diaries".
Re: The Spirit of King Crimson :: Posted by sporkfly on January 10, 2009
Rogadaire: I didn’t "worry" about it, but thanks. I didn’t like it, and I said so, so that’s fine. I’m not going to travel to ask and hear the answer to this question. Thus far, it seems that an answer will not be given in the diaries. But it is certainly worth hearing.
Spirit of Scary Monsters :: Posted by rogadaire on January 10, 2009
Some good comments on the Spirit of Crimson following my (it clearly transpires) rubbish ones. Whether or not Spirits of any kind really do visit performances is something I suspect is impossible to establish, but I am in no doubt that the appearance that they do - or of ’something happening’ that cannot be quantified - can be a highly powerful experience and in some cases a life-changing one. I am happy to leave it there.
spirit of king crimson :: Posted by elisap on January 09, 2009
one spirit of king crimson coming right up!
Re: Spirit of Crimson :: Posted by jbanks on January 09, 2009
Rogadaire wrote, "My own view is that the Spirit of Crimson is not, and cannot be, interesting. That is because it is neither more nor less than whatever Robert thinks it is, but that as no one else can possibly know what that is (not being Robert), the Spirit has no objective standard to qualify it, and is therefore - to all extents and purposes with the possible* exception of Robert’s - meaningless."
Nice snark, but you’re wrong. There are a couple of references in Fripp’s diaries to David Singleton’s views on when and where the "Spirit of Crimson" visited certain performances, and Fripp appears to give Singleton’s opinions great weight. In fact, didn’t Fripp say something to the effect that Singleton’s help in sequencing and polishing "The Power To Believe" was a key ingredient in making it a "King Crimson" album? So, somebody else has a say in "calling Crimson" who isn’t just a figment of the Venal One’s imagination.
In the Spirit of the Crimson King :: Posted by davidly on January 09, 2009
Many who’ve performed in public (I doubt there’s a shortage here) know the feeling of the performance taking responsibility for itself, using the performer as a conduit. Certainly not limited to music or theater per se, athletes often talk of being "in a zone". I can’t know precisely what someone is thinking, or better, feeling, but I can get pretty close and consider myself blessed for having had the experience of having done so. I might be so bold as to say I knew exactly what my counterparts were feeling as my body was guided by the same forces of inspiration. Floating comes to mind. I’ve always assumed that this is what Robert Fripp was referring to when mentioning a particular outing’s taking on a life of its own. Regarding the Crimson spirit, I’ve just thought that it must be his perception of this manifest in quintissential Crimson music. I suppose I could have that backwards, or inside out. I can conceive of so many reasons to ask a question, none of which involve wanting to know the answer.
Spirit of Crimson :: Posted by rogadaire on January 09, 2009
Ah, the Spirit of Crimson. Perhaps if we knew what this Spirit was, exactly, we may avoid asking unstraightforward questions about it? (That’s a rhetorical question, by the way) But what makes this an interesting question? (that’s another rhetorical one). My own view is that the Spirit of Crimson is not, and cannot be, interesting. That is because it is neither more nor less than whatever Robert thinks it is, but that as no one else can possibly know what that is (not being Robert), the Spirit has no objective standard to qualify it, and is therefore - to all extents and purposes with the possible* exception of Robert’s - meaningless. What I believe would be interesting, however, is Robert’s own analysis of what this ’Spirit’ is. But that’s no reason for him to tell us.
This and That :: Posted by Triple_F on January 08, 2009
A few things to touch on...
First, regarding Sporkfly’s question, I am in agreement that your question was, indeed, straightforward, as straightforwardness goes. But perhaps Mr. Fripp would prefer a YES/NO question, rather than a straightforward question surrounded by other straightforward questions asked in anticipation of potential answers to the first straightforward question. So, the question remains: does the Spirit of King Crimson come into existence outside of the context of the band? Yes or No.
Re: The Spirit of King Crimson :: Posted by sporkfly on January 07, 2009
I’m pleased that Robert finds this to be interesting. I am disappointed that, for the moment, we won’t be spending any time on it here.
There is one Question: yes or no, "has this happened?". Then there is followup: if yes, please detail. Potential examples were given. Possibly, Robert felt the question was being re-asked in different forms. If so, I can see how this would become tiresome.
"Seeming inability", however, is unnecessary and unfitting. I don’t like it. The posting by rogadaire showed fair perspective on this. My Question lives. It’s a great one.
The Spirit of King Crimson :: Posted by sporkfly on January 02, 2009
An interesting question for Robert as the 40th Anniversary approaches: We have read many times of the appearance of the Spirit of King Crimson in the context of the band; most recently on the 2008 Tour. Has this Spirit appeared/become available outside of the actual context of the band: LOCG, ProjeKCts, or other. If so, when? When is "King Crimson" around?
Q: When is "King Crimson" around?
A: My best shot is, it never goes away; but the particular vehicle, incarnation, embodiment and/or possibility for Crimson to come into aural range, clearly does go away, and this on a regular basis.
Potential King Crimson
Existential King Crimson Essential King Crimson
Actual King Crimson
Q. Has this happened?
A. Yes. Several times in my own experiencing between 1969 & 2008.
Q. Does the Spirit of King Crimson come into existence outside of the context of the band? Yes or No.
A. No. But the SofKC remains essentially available & in potential.
Q. Please detail.
A. That’s a longer answer/s. Since this is January 13h., & KC’s downbeat, I’ll address 1969.
It was clear, early on in the band’s existence, that something was going on. I don’t claim to speak for the experiences of the other Crims, nor the management of David & John, nor various visitors to the Basement of the Fulham Palace Café. But the consensus was: this band is special. Within the band, this element of Otherness at work, of being charmed, was referred to as the action of the Good Fairy.
From the sleevenotes to Epitaph (DGM 1997)…
5. The "Good Fairy".
________________
The act of music is utterly mysterious. King Crimson was my initiation into the magical world of playing music which then comes to life, of itself, as we played it. I had been touched before by the music of others players, but in this band music leant over and took us into its confidence.
There was something completely other which surrounded this group. I don’t believe that we went from abject failure to global musical and commercial success in nine months without something outside the band giving us help. We sometimes mentioned the "good fairy" and had the impression for a time that we could do no wrong, that something special was going on. And it was. At some shows I had extra sensory experiences - of the audience, what was happening or what was about to happen, who had walked into the club, who was listening - that I have never had since.
My own perspective on Crimson is obviously rather different from the other founder members of the 1969 band. I sympathise with the view that the only real Crimson was the first Crimson, their Crimson. I agree that this founding Crimson was charmed, but it is not the only Crimson which has had something else available to it.
I do not accept that the Good Fairy was the contribution or presence of one particular person. Nor was it the synergy available to the group acting-as-one; although this was one necessary condition for the Good Fairy to act.
Q-ish. I am in no doubt that the appearance that they do - or of ’something happening’ that cannot be quantified - can be a highly powerful experience and in some cases a life-changing one. I am happy to leave it there.
A. I was not happy to leave it there. When the light turns on in our dark world, perhaps we are content to wait in the hope that it will go on again; and, if it doesn’t, we continue to sit happily in the dark. But maybe we grope about, looking for the light switch. Perhaps, the light suddenly goes on again & we seize the opportunity to re-orient ourselves. Or we may find someone with a torch.
If our need to discover the light switch is a personal necessity, we move to develop a practice & a discipline. Guitar Craft is one approach to creating constructs within which ordinary characters, with no especial musical gifts, can work together with others & place themselves in front of the musical impulse. Surely, better to meet Music face to face than to read descriptions of the experience by others? But for this, we have to get our hands dirty.
Q-ish: The Spirit of King Crimson is neither more nor less than whatever Robert thinks it is.
A: The difficulty with this view is, it negates the experiences of anyone / everyone other than Robert who has been touched & powerfully moved, maybe even to a life-changing degree, by the SofKC.
As noted on the Guestbook, David Singleton is also able to recognise when Crimson is alive & well, dwelling within the music, and distinguish this from when very good players are playing Crimson music very well >>> very badly.
Q-ish: The Spirit has no objective standard to qualify it, and is therefore - to all extents and purposes with the possible* exception of Robert’s - meaningless.
A: The particular quality I recognise as King Crimson is objective; my recognition of that quality, subjective.
Q-ish: The Spirit of Crimson is not, and cannot be, interesting.
A: It depends what interests you. The qualitative distinction between playing music well, and finding yourself being played by the music, interests me.
Q: So, what does it take to get Crimson on the road?
A: Necessity, decision, commitment, capacity, the right players, audients, business management, sufficient money & a willingness to suffer – all present all at once. Halfway decent hotels & reclining seats in vans are not quite necessary, but very welcome.
Q: Will Crimson ever work again?
A: Please see the answer above. I feel Crimson has a valuable contribution to make, but that the world will continue to fly through space without it. So, Crimson is not bound by strict necessity, as I understand that word.
Alternative quick answer: no idea.
12.23 This and That :: Posted by Triple_F on January 08, 2009
I have a straightforward, smoldering question for Mr. Fripp: what is the cost to me to call on you for advice and direction, in a time and manner which is convenient and non-invasive to you?
The cost to Mr. Triple_F to call on me: this I cannot determine. The price of my time, however, is charged at the primo rate of our London lawyer/s. Where is Mr. FFF’s location, please?
13.16 Lunch: squerd…
Squerd soup with origins in cabbages rejected by WilyFred for his dining delight. Homemade Minx Bread + beans & grapes add to our arising delight-availability, and were not offered to WillyFred, who is applying himself to choosing the caption that he feels adds the most to his quality of life.
Off to Andrew Leask, Body Worker of Wonder, in Kings Heath.
16.57 Early evening views I…
II...
21.15 WillyFred gets to work I…
II...
III...
IV...
WillyFred’s caption winners are…
Caption campaign continues crawling + 5.1 musings :: Posted by davidfsnyder on January 12, 2009
"Freebird!"
Captioned Bunny Bubble 1.9 :: Posted by artijoke on January 09, 2009
Willyfred first contemplates the Eternal Silence, awaiting the Muse for a brief moment…
WillyFred's Caption :: Posted by alliespop on January 09, 2009
This is about as exciting as it gets around here
Willyfred caption :: Posted by ironageuk on January 06, 2009
"At last; it’s Bunday All Over The World"
WillyFred Says: :: Posted by Tickledrop on January 06, 2009
"I’m not a play puppet! You can take your hand out of my ass now!"
… although he has allowed himself to play free & loose with their suggestions.
"Suffering of quality is invisible to others."
