Robert Fripp and the
League of Crafty Guitarists
Paradise Rock Club
Boston, Mass. U.S.A.
August 7, 1990
filename:locg8790flac16
performance quality: A-
recording quality: B (some speed problems and flaws, most is good)
source: master audience tape
runtime: disc 1: 72:32
disc 2: 25:53
total: 98:25
lineage: Realistic mini-mikes >
Sony D-6 deck (dolby off) >
Maxell XLII-S cassettes >
played on Naka. 125 into soundforge 4.5 >
FLAC 6 > torrent.
This is another in the glasnostrd19 series "Masters of Rock"
(although this is not rock music, or jazz. It's Fripp!
That's a musical category with its own definition.)
comments:
I'm not absolutely sure, but almost sure this was the 1990 concert, definitely from
August 7, at the Paradise in Boston. Fripp brought his LOCG into the Paradise 3 times
from 1987 to 1990, and this was the only one I saw. This "league" consisted of 11
players, all wielding acoustic guitars played with pickups. I have no clue as to the
titles of any of these songs. This is the only all-guitar ensemble I've ever seen, except
for McLaughlin/DiMeola/ DeLucia (I've got an upload to offer from them too), and they put
on a very fine performance. Fripp is a fanatic for fine sound and playing on time and in
key, and with this kind of music just one out of tune guitar or off note can ruin a whole
song. I did not hear anything like that in this show, the sound was very good and all the
guitarists sounded like they were doing just what they were supposed to be doing. That seems
to be Fripp's definition of a good concert. Even what we think of as improvisation, is very
rare for Robert Fripp, who will spend hours working out exactly how he wants his solo and
everything else in his music to sound. Precision is an ever present factor in any Frippness,
maybe more so in this ensemble than any other. Don't let the mini mikes put you off to this.
All amplified acoustic guitar music seems to work quite well with these little things, and
if not for some minor speed flaws in a few parts (maybe from squeezing ther recorder during
taping or possibly a tape that wasn't wound correctly? I did use a new cassette but that
doesn't always prevent this) this may be my very best mini-mike recording ever. I am pleased
with the fidelity, and the presence is good. I was just about in line with the right side PA,
just enough to the left to get some of the left side. I had trouble getting the second tape
into the deck, it just refused to go in there so I missed the 1st few seconds of one song,
the rest is complete. This is one of my favorite Fripp related groups (after Crimson, maybe
my favorite), and a very good way to let people know that anyone who graduated the Robert
Fripp School of Crafty Guitar (as all players in this group have), will never be shortchanged
in their ability to play a guitar. The school's headmaster is one of the very best in the
business. A black female vocalist provided some stark contrast to the guitar playing, all
her performances were short and solo. She sounded good too. Three of the crafty guitar
scool graduates went on to become the California Guitar Trio.
Do not sell this recording.
Trade freely and losslessly.
May the Frippness be with you.