In setting Peter Sinfield’s gloomy meditation on the consequences of marital infidelity that forms the basis of The Letters, it’s fascinating to hear how Fripp’s parts create the overall mood for the song. The gentle yet ominous sway of the introduction has another harmony added, which in turn is then embroidered with a tender counter-melody that is busy yet incredibly delicate. Recorded acoustically and close-miced, its intricate needle-sharp pattern is designed to weave around Boz Burrell’s vocal. “I’m not sure that’s going to add a lot,” says the guitarist at the end of this particular take. Happily for listeners, at some point later he decided it would. Another great example of the tiny detailing that goes into establishing significance and meaning in King Crimson's material.
