No matter the venue, soundscapes have a capacity to open up sonic vistas that can be as daunting and unsettling as they are magical and inspirational. Here in the Iron Rail, a venue that was well-known to Fripp who had played there on previous occasions with Crafty Guitarists and ProjeKct Two, the undulating ‘scape comes with a layer of mid-piano, adding a woozy sensibility with ambiguous lines and runs that add to the dream-like atmospherics. Later, Fripp’s anguished lead guitar lines taper away into long trails of cavernous reverb at the beginning of the momentous Northampton III, adding yet another beguiling aspect to the already impressive aural architecture. Writing later in his diary, Robert says, “Who knows where the music went this evening at the Iron Rail? The audience were generous and patient, with several children present. And a slightly higher proportion of women than usual: enough for me to know there weren't very many, but sufficient to make their presence felt. And they asked questions which were more interesting (to me) than the guy questions.”
No matter the venue, soundscapes have a capacity to open up sonic vistas that can be as daunting and unsettling as they are magical and inspirational. Here in the Iron Rail, a venue that was well-known to Fripp who had played there on previous occasions with Crafty Guitarists and ProjeKct Two, the undulating ‘scape comes with a layer of mid-piano,...
The music for this show was advertised on posters as "Space Music." The Iron Horse is a small venue so we were quite tightly packed in to listen to Space Music.
I have two non-musical memories from this show. That Robert mentioned how Northampton is among his favorite places (it's a small and progressive town in the middle of Massachusetts). And Robert asking me a question, well more like requesting directions to where that which passes is passed.
Hearing again the sounds and intervals th...
The music for this show was advertised on posters as "Space Music." The Iron Horse is a small venue so we were quite tightly packed in to listen to Space Music.
I have two non-musical memories from this show. That Robert mentioned how Northampton is among his favorite places (it's a small and progressive town in the middle of Massachusetts). And Robert asking me a question, well more like requesting directions to where that which passes is passed.
Hearing again the sounds and intervals that Robert was leaning into at that time is like a time capsule back to that pre-millenium time when the world seemed to be opening up and getting itself together.
