Matching Fripp.

    I was reading that thread about Fripp and the couple of guys that were in a picture on some tour about guitar freaks or something like that. The thread turned into somekind of debate about how talented Fripp is and how less talented the other guys etc. Now, if you ask me, the only guitar player that could "own" Fripp is mr. Frank Zappa, since his way with the guitar is absolutely bezerk. The style of Frank Zappa's solos is so abundant, inventive and resourcefull, that makes me look at Fripp as just a very methodical guy. Off, course, that's a subjective impression. What is not that subjective is the fact that both of them are more than talented players, and that they both, on their respective approaches, also extended those talents to the field of intense composition. While Fripp experiments are somekind of Zen soundscape, Zappa's orchestral works are just incredible; very well manufactured, still representative of Zappa's very particular point of view (humor in music), and earn the respect of Pierre Boulez, wich is quite something.

You can't compare Robert Fripp to Steve Vai and Joe Satriani... They do totally different things. The reason they asked him on the G3 tour was because they were big fans. In my opinion that wasn't very smart to do. I listen to classical music for example. But if I'd be famous I wouldn't go on tour and have an orchestra as opening act. It has nothing to do with talent or skill... they are just different.

There's a DVD and a bootleg on CD.


IMO, the problem was that Fripp committed a mistake in that tour because the audience was different, their wasnt proggers, he should play something fast like Fraktured or something like that instead of a sondscape improvisation.

^Ok, fair enough. It just seems that sometimes Satch's and Vai's overall skills and versatility are discounted just because they don't normally play progressive music (although both are influenced heavily by prog/jazz fusion artists—Joe by McLaughlin and Holdsworth and Vai by Zappa, in particular). But I'd bet, given the faith I have in these artists' experience and abilities, that they'd be excellent prog guitarists if that's what they primarily wanted to do.

Viajero Astral wrote: There's a DVD and a bootleg on CD. IMO, the problem was that Fripp committed a mistake in that tour because the audience was different, their wasnt proggers, he should play something fast like Fraktured or something like that instead of a sondscape improvisation.

That was indeed a mistake. I saw them in their 2004 tour and although fripp is my personal idol, I must say that that wasnt a great show. The soundscapes were nice, for about 5 minutes...but they lasted something loke 10 or 15, and then he played virtually no solo guitar, just him and Satriana and Vai...quite disappointing. And the only KC song they played was Red, which Vai ruined by playing some fills and solos that did totally out of place...

Why do we argue over who's better? They all made and continue to make some really great and beautiful music... what's the point of saying which is better? I do not seperate Vai and Fripp, period; in fact, I have two Vai songs right next to two tracks from "Red" together... and I think they fit perfectly well with each other.

Just don't ever tell me that Fripp's solo on "St. Elmo's Fire" was anything short of a masterpiece, or you'll get something from me.

Penumbra wrote: Why do we argue over who's better? They all made and continue to make some really great and beautiful music... what's the point of saying which is better? I do not seperate Vai and Fripp, period; in fact, I have two Vai songs right next to two tracks from "Red" together... and I think they fit perfectly well with each other.Just don't ever tell me that Fripp's solo on "St. Elmo's Fire" was anything short of a masterpiece, or you'll get something from me.

    
The comment was taken from another thread. "Who are this guys Fripp is hanging out with". Then, the "he is talented/he is not" started. What got my attention was the idea of Satriani placed by many at the same level of Fripp. Fripp is like an advanced Chess player in a world that is mostly inhabited by football players. Adrian Bellew is another one of those chess players.

I think Fripp doesn't really fit the kind of crowd that Vai/Satriani traditionally have at their concerts.  I was reccently gifted with a viewing of Vai @ the Astoria (incredible perfomance BTW,) and from the looks of things that crowd wouldn't be very receptive of Fripp on a stool makeing sounscapes.

Fusionman wrote: Joe Satriani - Engines of Creation is like no other album you've ever heard...and is just as original if not weirder than any Fripp or Bellew albums.

Man oh man you are right. I love that album. That goes to any doubters about Satch's experimental abilities. Now I just wished he kept pushing himself, but he seems content to make semi-interesting pop instrumental albums for the rest of his career. I still love his stuff, but I know he's capable of more.

@ pero.