Robert Fripp: Writer of twisted but musical riffs
A band that has endured in the guise of many incarnations is King Crimsom. Right from the get go with their first album “In the Court of the Crimson King” (with Greg Lake on vocals) Robert Fripp and his musical alchemists have been the epitomy of Prog.
For me the real treat with this band lies in the tight ensemble playing and Fripp’s song construction, riff writing and twisted guitar parts.
An album in point is “Larks Tongues in Aspic”. With the unpredictable Billy Bruford on drums, John Wetton on bass, David Cross on violin, Jamie Muir on percussion and Frippy on guitar……….put your crash helmut on! Rumour has it that Fripp couldn’t find a bass player that suited him and grabbed Wetton and taught him how to play bass. Wouldn’t surprise me.
Two Larks Tongues tracks that stand out, include Lark’s Tongues in Aspic Part 2 and Easy Money.
Easy Money has a sleazy texture about it, particularly with regard to the lyrics, the nature of the groove itself and guitar sounds employed. This particular take on money is quite different to the Beatles cover of Money by Cordy Bradford, and Pink Floyd’s treatment of the same topic.
Check out Easy Money below. Just for good measure I’ve linked in Lark’s Tongues in Aspic Part 2. Sorry the squealing larks have been deleted in the version of Aspic Part 2.
Not even scratching the King Crimson surface.
Now why doesn’t a band like Mastodon have a crack at Lark’s Tongues in Aspic Part 2, downtunings and all? Would sound unbelieveable.
gazlington 