16 December 1977

AUDIO SOURCE: Rehearsal Cassette

DGM AUDIO QUALITY

AVERAGE CUSTOMER RATING

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be a fly on the wall at a rehearsal of some of your favourite musicians then wonder no more. The discovery of a set of cassette recordings in the DGM vaults dating from December 1977 provide us with the very best aural snapshot yet of how Robert Fripp started mapping out his Exposure album.

Heard in the excellent company of drummer Michael Walden (Mahavishnu Orchestra) and ex-Crimson bandmate, John Wetton, Fripp rummages through ideas for introductions, bridges, choruses, and attitude that would make for some of the most memorable points of his debut solo record.

In addition to providing several passes of the same tracks with the players responding and shaping their approaches in mid-flight, we get to hear the trio rocking out on more than one lengthy improvisation.

Taken together they represent a tour de force that takes the listener on a riotous journey into some turbulent areas that include flat-out rock, explosive jazz and funk-orientated blows, and of course, some of that high-speed chordal soloing that Fripp first served up on The Sailor’s Tale.

There are so many miraculous moments tucked away in these tracks including a run or two that would find a home in pieces by League of Gentlemen, as well as the crackling energy the trio generates as they shift gears or lock into a productive groove.

Above all, you’ll hear three musicians enjoying the moment, following an idea and seeing what might happen with ferocious contributions that’ll drop your jaw and put your bonce hairs on Red alert.

Although the audio comes from a cassette running mix, it’s certainly good enough for the attentive listener to be treated to a spectacular display of musical fireworks that will both surprise and delight.
16 December 1977

AUDIO SOURCE: Rehearsal Cassette

DGM AUDIO QUALITY

AVERAGE CUSTOMER RATING

TRACK
TIME
01
Breathless I
03:14
02
Breathless II
09:08
03
Breathless III
07:43
04
Ballad
01:16
05
Hitting The Groove Factor
11:34
06
Toy Fact Hither
06:03
07
353 West 48th Street
09:17
08
Breathless IV
04:57
09
Breathless Solo
01:16
10
I May Not Have Had Enough Of Me But I've Had Enough Of You I
01:26
11
I May Not Have Had Enough Of Me But I've Had Enough Of You II
03:38
12
Fat Itch Theory
02:02
13
Cry To The Faith
05:49
14
NYC I
02:53
15
NYC II
02:07
16
NYC III
03:25
Written by LUIGI GIUGLIANO
353 West 48th St
Excellent jams from this trio during the road to 'Exposure'. Can't help but hear "353 West 48th St" invoking the spirit of the original Tony Williams Lifetime through Fripp's chordal leads and Narada's frantic drumming invoking late 60's TW (not to mention having played with original Lifetime guitarist John McLaughlin in the second Mahavishnu Orchestra line-up).
Written by Mike Tutt
A Great Find
Never knew about this collaboration until I dug through the site. Excellent collection of demos, sound quality good too!
Written by Bill Lantz
Creation-ISM
I often revisit these rehearsals and run throughs. For anyone that’s ever wanted to be the proverbial fly on the wall while essential music is being created, this is it. It does not get much better. Narada Michael Walden was and still is a force. RF and JW are at the ready as this new music flies around them, ready to explore and shape.Thanks to the entire DGM team.
Written by Luciano Margorani
It could be much better...
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