Robert Fripp & King Crimson's Future
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Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation
Forum Description: Discuss specific prog bands and their members or a specific sub-genre
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=121221
Printed Date: February 22 2025 at 05:59
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Topic: Robert Fripp & King Crimson's Future
Posted By: thief
Subject: Robert Fripp & King Crimson's Future
Date Posted: October 18 2019 at 01:19
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After the most disappointing period of circa 2004-2014, when the band was playing limited number of gigs and there was no hope for future albums, King Crimson is back and strong, touring the world extensively in recent years... and even celebrating its 50th anniversary in a very convincing manner! But my question is: what will happen next? Do you think we'll ever listen to another brand new LP from this band? If so, are there any chances that Robert Fripp will push the prog boundaries a bit further and comes up with superb "comeback" material, as was the case with Larks, Discipline or Thrak ? On a sidenote: how did you enjoy this latest band incarnation live? Is it sophisticated and thoughtful, or rather self-indulgent, redundant?
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Replies:
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: October 18 2019 at 02:19
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The current line up is fantastic live IMO, although to be fair I hadn't seen them in any other manifestation, so can't compare. I just enjoy them as I find them. As for new albums, I'd certainly buy any new release from them, but I think it's the case, as with any ageing band, their best material is always going to be from when they were relatively young, energised and more inspired. ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: October 18 2019 at 02:30
I'm planning to go back to the future to listen to the seven future albums that followed "In the Court of the Crimson King", then maybe I'll be ready to make my own King Crimson album. 
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Posted By: heavydrum
Date Posted: October 18 2019 at 03:01
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i've been in love with crimson since i was a 9 year and dreamed of seeing them for years, so when they announced the first reunion tour i went to both the concerts in my city. i've seen this line-up 6 times now and i would run back to see them another 100 times if i could, it's one of the best live shows i've seen in my life and worth every damn penny. as for the future, i'd really love to see them put out something new, even if i wasn't overtly enthusiastic about "a scarcity of miracles" i really think they could pull out one more great album. let's just wait and see :) ------------- i refuse to join any club that would have me as a member. |
Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: October 18 2019 at 05:18
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One of the best live bands out there these days but I seriously doubt they are releasing any new material. ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: AZF
Date Posted: October 18 2019 at 05:46
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Depends, if Robert wins his case to be credited as a FEATURED ARTIST on David Bowie's albums then it could be touring business as usual. But if he loses, tours, rushed out albums, opening the KC back catalogue to advertiser's, advertising for money, any old money will do to recover the costs! I would love it if Robert wasn't involved in this current legal nonsense as it has got the potential to tarnish the work he's done but clawing even more money. |
Posted By: Lewian
Date Posted: October 18 2019 at 07:05
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I remember having read somewhere (probably here) that Fripp and Belew have made peace and that there is a potential of future collaboration. I'd be surprised if Fripp had generally given up on doing new things and had become fully nostalgic these days. In fact the current line-up (which I have seen twice live and which is great) does some very original stuff arrangement-wise even if the songs they play are all old. I'd expect that Fripp would be open to a new album, but I don't know how strong his creativity still is. I could imagine Belew to have more spark these days, and it'd be a dream come true if he could stimulate the band to come up with something new and good. I have no idea how likely that is though.
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Posted By: Prog-jester
Date Posted: October 18 2019 at 07:36
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Hell Hounds of Krim Radical Action (all parts) Meltdown Radical Action (To Unseat the Hold of Monkey Mind) Devil Dogs of Tessellation Row) Suitable Grounds for the Blues Banshee Legs Bell Hassle Drumzilla Drumsons this is the NEW stuff they've been playing live only for the past 4-5 years, and it's like 40-45 minutes of material. Here's your new album  |
Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: October 18 2019 at 07:48
| Fripp is 72. Only Fripp knows the future of KC. |
Posted By: Manuel
Date Posted: October 18 2019 at 08:09
Yes, they don't seem to be interested in releasing a new album, even though they are playing some new material in their live concerts. I hope they do, and if they decide to do it, I'll be ready to buy the album.
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Nogbad_The_Bad wrote:Posted By: twosteves
Date Posted: October 18 2019 at 09:56
Exactly---funny how Fripp all his young life was interested in art---not money or so it seemed. Refusing until recently to sell KC on iTunes ---but many old guys seem to love to play live (Howe Hackett) and some do it because they need the income. I don't know where Robert fits into this. I don't know if he's paying for ex-wives or has kids he wants to leave money to. Bruford the very smart financial planner seemed to bow out early.
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Posted By: earlyprog
Date Posted: October 18 2019 at 10:06
| King Crimson will only release new material if Fripp feels - correction: knows - that it pushes the prog boundaries. Consequently, the 'comeback' material will be superb; notwithstanding that they are in fact back and have been for quite some time. |
Posted By: Barbu
Date Posted: October 18 2019 at 10:11
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At $250 per head it would be f**king stupid to stay at home cultivating plants instead of playing a little guitar on stage for an hour and a half. ------------- |
Posted By: progmatic
Date Posted: October 18 2019 at 14:03
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I saw KC last year in Cleveland (Only $60 for 10 rows back, center seat!) and they were so great it nearly brought tears to my eyes. And I agree with ProgJester that the new material they're playing live the last few years could constitute a new album. ------------- PROGMATIC |
Posted By: ProjektGemineye1
Date Posted: October 18 2019 at 15:05
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I really like this current line up. Saw them in Toronto in 2017...the famous Toronto show when Fripp walked off after their main set and refused to return for the encore due to one person taking photos with their cell phone. But it was a great show... Im shoping they come out with a studio album next...long overdue.
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Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: October 18 2019 at 16:56
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Well, there's not much of a future for Robert Fripp, is there? He is 73, after all. ------------- ...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology... |
Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: October 18 2019 at 23:32
Yeah, they have done many new songs... or improvs at least. However, as far as I remember, the ones I have already heard don't really do much for me. They are nice to have in the concerts, but I don't think they would do a very enjoyable new album... at least not for me. |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: October 19 2019 at 00:04
I am casually acquainted with Bob and his sister, Patricia. On July 7, 2019 I wrote an email to Pat Fripp about Bob's future plans, and she only wrote:
------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: October 19 2019 at 00:42
| The live gig I went to last year was the best I've ever seen. My feeling is that this is the best place for the band to thrive. New studio material? Forget it. They have such a great legacy that there is simply no need. |
Posted By: ExittheLemming
Date Posted: October 19 2019 at 07:44
Robert Fripp is 73 years old and as far as being dragged through the digestive tract of a music industry's irritable bowel goes, has paid his dues several time over. If he wishes to see out his time as a performer by playing an unimpeachable back catalogue with his mates to critical and audience acclaim, who are we to deny him this thoroughly merited succour? Just don't expect me however, to describe his subsequent output as progressive or remotely prescient with regards future developments in popular music. That would be like hiring a historian to read your palm. http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=1346807" rel="nofollow - http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=1346807 ------------- 
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Posted By: twosteves
Date Posted: October 19 2019 at 08:02
| ^well said ---while I like the idea of new music---Hackett puts it out but fans still want to hear classic Genesis --Howe said he's never put more Yes out unless he felt really inspired---He has said in interviews Squire wanted to do new albums which is how Heaven and Earth happened---he was against it. I agree with Howe unless there is some amazing inspiration seems not necessary ---he does new music thru his jazzy 3 piece. |
Posted By: tdfloyd
Date Posted: October 19 2019 at 08:03
| The latest lineup is amazing and Im a big fan of all of the rearranging KC does with the back catalog. Always want one more album but I don't think we are going to see one |
Posted By: judahbenkenobi
Date Posted: October 19 2019 at 08:04
I agree with you that there is enough material for a new album, but those are mostly percussive tracks, and I personally don't feel like that would make a very strong KC album. |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: October 19 2019 at 10:55
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I hope Fripp does at least one more tour...I missed him in Chicago the last time...,as far as studio work, I haven't really liked it as much since Red, though there are always some nice things on the later ones...especially Thrak and Power To Believe. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: tboyd1802
Date Posted: October 21 2019 at 11:11
That's really too bad. I was fortunately to have the opportunity to see them in both Denver and Chicago. I would guess something like 30% to 40% of repertoire of the two shows was different. The Denver show had more of the interlocking guitar parts that Fripp and Belew perfected in the 80s. It was a remarkable show of musicianship. Ultimately, however, of the two shows, I preferred the Chicago show. More visceral, while still retaining the excellent musicianship we have come to expect from this lineup. This show was simply remarkable. And, the venue, where to begin. The Auditorium Theatre is unbelievably beautiful venue at which to see the show. Visually stunning, acoustics beyond belief... ------------- He neither drank, smoked, nor rode a bicycle. Living frugally, saving his money, he died early, surrounded by greedy relatives. It was a great lesson to me -- John Barrymore |
Posted By: Braka1
Date Posted: October 23 2019 at 06:42
I thought that was 2015 - as the Toronto Live 2015 album seems to be largely devoted to the subject - or does he just do this every time he comes to Toronto? :)
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Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: October 23 2019 at 08:20
it would seriouslly beat the crap of that Scarcity Of Miracle release, for sure. i've only heard the first five in that list, though, and I'm not sure about the last twp drim thingies.
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Posted By: Prog-jester
Date Posted: October 23 2019 at 17:20
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Posted By: Barbu
Date Posted: October 23 2019 at 18:41
You deleted half of my sentence and the wink. You clearly didn't get the point. ------------- |
Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: October 24 2019 at 11:40
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Hi, It doesn't matter to me if RF and KC, don't do anything original anymore ... for many years he has been embarrassed by many bands that KC had to open for to pay the bills, and now being able to do it on his own, and not have to waste time with folks that don't care about anything except their fame ... is probably a blessing in disguise for him, although many of us would wish that he would smile one more time or two during each concert, but my take on it, from an acting perspective in theater, that his concentration to ENSURE that his fingers do not make a mistake is so strong, that him sitting down and being able to keep track of things on his monitors or to work his pedals and other details in front of him is what makes him special ... and worth the listens that we still want to experience over and over again. I look at it, as he does not owe us anything, and he should enjoy and go smell the roses and life with his wife ... for whatever time he is given to enjoy life. When it comes to music, probably less than 1% of all the artists out there get as far as he did, and is still an active performer ... and if he decides to call it a night, and then spend some evenings just goofing around and having fun with Eno, or anyone else ... is just fine with me ... another album is just as exciting as all the other ones. ------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: admireArt
Date Posted: October 24 2019 at 18:35
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Yeah! The dearly departed was a well known , and self acclaimed (Playboy interview) art predator. |
Posted By: Frenetic Zetetic
Date Posted: October 25 2019 at 02:08
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KC will always rule, and I'll definitely see them live when I get the chance. Fripp is a legend. HOWVER... I definitely feels as if he's realizing his mortality at his age, and trying to secure assets vs opportunities at this point. It only makes sense. I can't say I blame him, but I haven't been the biggest fan of him appearing to prioritize legal stuff vs new music. I get it, but I don't like it. 1969-1983ish KC all the way for me. ------------- "I am so prog, I listen to concept albums on shuffle." -KMac2021 |
Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: October 25 2019 at 06:01
There probably is a lot more in all this than we know ... and I really think that this might be the case of a group that has a gazillion pounds in the bank, and quietly sharing another nickel or two to someone that DB enjoyed and appreciated, should never have gotten to the news media ... but the greed involved in the folks with the gazillions, now working on new redo's of the old albums, is just something that is ... kinda ... I don't know ... I think everyone deserves a bit here and there, and if anyone deserves an extra dollar or two, it would be RF ... who has done so much for so many other folks ... in his own history ... and still ... gets trashed for it! ------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: October 31 2019 at 14:20
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A bit of personal insight....for quite a few years, Bob lost control/rights of his own music catalog with King Crimson. It was very personally frustrating (enraging) for him, and that is why he did projects such as his "soundscapes" tours. Eventually, he prevailed on the legal front, and now I am certain he seeks to cement his legacy....he lost many valuable years that he could have used to refine King Crimson's catalog and write new music. His sister Patricia tells me that he is quite happy these days. ------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: October 31 2019 at 20:08
Considering how much was stolen and others profited from it for a long time, it wasn't until something like 25 or 30 years ago that KC/RF started trying really hard to gain control of their work ... Yeah, it might be something in the we don't like it thinking, but in the end, they have that right and it is completely a correct thing to do.
The word "refine" for me is interesting here ... I think that RF's control of things in many of those years was not complete to the point where his/their time on the studio was severely limited, and him ... NOW ... being able to do and redo some things, merely shows that he had more in him for almost everything! And was not able/allowed to use it, because time's up ... no more takes tonight and a different song tomorrow!
------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: November 01 2019 at 17:36
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I'd be perfectly fine with him touring and playing the back catalog material that we all want to hear. I doubt I would care to hear 2020 music from him in a live setting. -------------   
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Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: November 03 2019 at 07:34
Yeah ... that's the unknown and unknowable though ... and I think that the day he stops we are going to find an incredible catalog of material that will rival Mozart's for output and quality ... and I think that some of it is cue'd in a couple of solo albums, but I'm not sure he feels "complete" with those pieces ... or that he will be able ti finish them off, unless he stops touring so much and being away from home and his studio! The "old" artists, never die ... you know that in almost all the arts ... and in one way, I like to say that they always will be alive for you and me ... I just don't want to be saying that I like the younger Mozart and that the last piece that he left was something that he could not finish and deliver ... but when we heard it, we ended up thinking it was the greatest of all the material he ever had! (Even if Salieri enhanced it, which might have been possible with so many bits that he heard from Mozart himself!) That's like me saying that I would not buy your band's anything because your time is long gone ... and no one knows, least of all YOU, that your next piece is the best of them all! ------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: tamijo_II
Date Posted: November 03 2019 at 07:53
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Don't forget that Fripp has always been and still is working on other stuff besides KC, he has created record after record, not to mention played on other peoples albums throughout the years. Just take Fripp & Travis: loads of new compositions over the last 10 years. There is a limit to how much a man can do, legal stuff or no legal stuf. ------------- Same person as this profile: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/member_profile.asp?PF=22524" rel="nofollow - Tamijo |