Comments on: Performance Review: King Crimson Dethroned at the Keswick

By: David

David — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 06:05:20 +0000

I agree with Goulden. It’s easy to see what Fripp’s about. He’s no frontman and he doesn’t like spotlights.

By: David

David — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 05:59:43 +0000

Also, I’m tired of hearing people whine about not seeing Fripp. So he’s a bit of a recluse, so what? I could only see his headphones the entire night, but I really enjoyed watching him applaud with the audience. As if to say, ‘That’s MY band, and I appreciate them.’ I found it to be quite a moving and selfless gesture, actually.

By: Mark goulden

Mark goulden — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 19:11:34 +0000

As a brit I really wish KC were touring my country at the moment. I’d pay more to see them ‘f*ck up’ than I’d pay to see any other band at their best, because they’d still be a cut above. Re: Fripps mannerisms: The man has explained his attitude repeatedly. He does what’s best for the music. Belew is usually very interactive. Important also to know that Fripp never declares himself the ‘frontman’ of the band, so why the expectations of a frontman should be brought to bear upon him is beyond me.

By: David

David — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:49:44 +0000

Off-nights happen. I’m an actor and have performed in touring shows and long, long runs, and you can’t be spot on every night. It never meant the show sucked, just one bad night. People are hard on bands and actors, and their argument is always that they paid good money and they want to see them at their best. Pompous and unrealistic. When you pay to see a live performance, you take the risk of hearing a few f*ck-ups. That’s what happens. Some of these petty complaints I’m seeing remind me of the jerk-offs who walk into a restaurant and expect their server to bring them everything under the sun when he has twelve other tables. KC has other shows to play for other audiences. None of you are special for buying a ticket. All of a sudden I understand exactly why Fripp is the way he is. F*ck ‘em.

By: 21st Century Bipolar Man

21st Century Bipolar Man — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:03:39 +0000

21st Century Bipolar Man said:

“King Crimson was sloppy and laughing all the way to the bank.”

Bonehead Metal Guy Says:
Evidently Mr. Bipolar has never financed the touring of a two-drummer avant-rock quintet before. Crim will be fortunate to break even on this go-round.

Actually, I do have much touring experience and know that when you sell out a 1300 seat venue @ 50$+ two nights in a row playing “Red”, you are in the “black.”

They won’t get stinking rich playing B’BOOM but KC will have enough change left over to buy Fripp a sleep mask for the next tour (the isolation tank being out of the question, they are about as reliable as mellotrons).

Point is, it was an anniversary show and a bit of a relative toss off playing hoary old tunes the band already knew and a bit of a um, lark. Not up to typical KC standards by this hoary old reviewer, but then I’ve seen and heard them more than most. God bless ‘em for taking a breather once in a while.

By: edward pampani

edward pampani — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 05:27:11 +0000

I am HUGE KING CRIMSON FAN !

now that i said that loudly !
Why should anyone think king crimson to be non human and not have an off day or night for that matter? king crimson has never been a band who has not felt the heat of bad reviews ..

they had some off moments at the nokia when i saw them for the first time .

i will be honest even though i have accepted fripps eccentric ways i was annoyed that he never even looked at the audience but applauded the band .

he was hidden from my view most of the time and when the band took a final bow he stood looking away , CLAPPING and then quickly walked around the back to the exit .

That said i still have a high regard for fripp and consider him a genius.

There were a lot of impressive moments AND THE AUDIENCE APPEARED VERY THRILLED !

i saw some dancing (yes at a prog event) and a lot of cheering and standing ovations .(the crowd didn’t want them to stop!)

i agree with a previous comment made here : next time send a journalist who knows something about music !

By: B.B.

B.B. — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 20:49:41 +0000

i think fripp is turning into a 21st century schizoid man

By: mike g.

mike g. — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 20:20:43 +0000

come out come out where ever you are robert fripp you scared little man

By: Thomas Good

Thomas Good — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 12:47:20 +0000

Here is a review by a more competent critique:

http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/08/15/king-crimson-celebrate-40th-anniversary-with-rhythm-and-grace/

My take on the show on in NYC last evening:

Good review, great show. My 13-year-old son and I were in the cheap seats, in the ether, but the sound was pristine. Sure there were some pops as Fricke noted but overall, the mix – and the music – were very impressive. Sleepless, Dinosaur, Frame by Frame (!!) were wonderful but I went home with Red reverberating in my head. Tony Levin’s performance in Red was astounding – he played Wetton’s part and then some. Regarding the Fripp In The Box – we could see Robert from our seats – although not all of him. Seeing his left hand fly over the arpeggios on his fretboard was really something. This was particularly true when he and Levin squared off. Spectacular. Belew was uncharacteristically “restrained” – quoted as when I saw him previously (with The Bears) he was very manic. But he gave a solid performance despite the lack of “chit chat” with the audience. Elephant Talk indeed.

Lastly, Larks Tongues never sounded better – even my son had to acknowledge that Crimson was, “as good as Slayer.” I don’t think Tom Arraya would be upset if I concurred with my son’s finding.

Thomas Good, in scenic Staten Island

By: Patricia Fripp

Patricia Fripp — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 06:51:02 +0000

You may be interested to know my brother Robert Fripp thinks a review says more about the reviewer
than the reviewed. Musicians pay a tough price to perform, especially those who are modest, shy, and most happy at home reading a good book and having a coffee with his wife and bunny Willy Fred.

What you may not know is Robert is as good a public speaker as he is a guitarist.
Please spread the word about Robert Fripp’s public speaking events. He is amazing. Noobody tries to bootleg his performance. Check out YouTube and type in Robert Fripp Speaks.

Robert Fripp speaking events in Seattle, LA, and Phoenix on November 8, 9, 11, 2008.
http://www.fripp.com/patriciaandrobertfripp.html