Guitarist Robert Fripp is best known for his work in King Crimson, which has gone through several iterations with Fripp as the only constant member. But he’s had his finger in many other art-rock pies throughout the years.
Fripp’s use of guitar loops to create ambient soundscapes has been dubbed Frippertronics. And he’s no slouch when it comes to playing more abrasive guitar textures, virtuosic solos, or intricate, contrapuntal math-rock guitar, either. He’s a musician capable of wearing many hats, all of them cutting edge.
Here are three playlists of vintage Fripp.
Playlist 1: Exposure
Robert Fripp’s solo effort Exposure (1979) is so good it deserves to stand on its own. Here it is.
Playlist 2: Collaborations
Playlist Two gives highlights from two of Fripp’s more notable collaborations, with Brian Eno and—more surprisingly—with the Police’s Andy Summers. I was a fan of both the Police and King Crimson in the mid-‘80s, but somehow never imagined them together. The pairing produced some nice work.
Note: More of Fripp’s work with Eno can be heard here. The collaborations above merely scratch the surface of those he’s done. (They’re simply the ones I’m most familiar with.)
More Fripp
Robert Fripp can of course be heard in the works of his main band, King Crimson, which he has led through many eras, each with its own unique sound.
And he’s made other notable appearances as a sideman. His guitar work is featured prominently on Brian Eno’s “Baby’s on Fire” and “St. Elmo’s Fire,” among others. Anyone familiar with Fripp’s guitar sound will recognize it in the wavering, high-pitched, ambient drone beneath David Bowie’s “Heroes.” And he lends a beautifully understated solo to the Roches’ “Hammond Song,” which he also produced.
Playlist Three gives a few of Fripp’s more notable performances as a sideman. I’ve focused on his contributions from the mid-‘70s through the early ‘80s, most notably with artists on the artsier side of the New Wave spectrum. The end result is a non-chronological smorgasbord of great songs featuring Fripp’s guitarwork.
Cover Art:
- Exposure: Source, Discogs.com, Fair use.
Recent Comments