Customer Reviews

Robert Fripp: From King Crimson to Guitar Craft

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Alright, that title was a bit harsh. I did like the book overall. I found Mr. Tamm's initial level of dissection vis-a-vis Crimson to be a bit much for my liking, and didn't really feel that the book 'took off' until it became a diary of his experiences at one of Robert Fripp's Guitar Craft seminars.

The personal interpretation of the Guitar Craft process described by Mr. Tamm is a much more interesting and enjoyable read than the cold discussion of theory that precedes it.

If you're interested in Robert Fripp, King Crimson, or Guitar Craft, then your time will not be wasted.

A case could easily be made against the widespread cultural abuse of music. From muzak in its many and more "progressive" forms to advertising jingles to radio and clubs, music has been enslaved to commerce, to celebrity and to perpetuating fairly vacuous states of mind among listeners. (Someone still has to prove that a majority of people actually listen to music instead of simply "hear" it). It's also become clear that, even considering the popular music press, we approach our understanding of music in a purely colloquial way. Reviewers resolutely do not take on music as music, they simply describe it through metaphor and excessive use of the word "like". Listeners seem to accept this. Through the wordless collusion of the industry, the publications and even the artists themselves, current popular musical culture is essentially illiterate, bigoted and unable to imagine any other future for itself.

Eric Tamm's book on the work of Robert Fripp is precisely the sort of cure music needs. The book actually manages to combine a musician whose work and music strives to change both the business and the audience with a writer whose own musical credentials are up to the task specifically because the author's perspective on the work and on the man is one that remains open, receptive and critical. This is not a book about being a fan. This is not a book for fans. This is a book about how music can shape and guide us to a more profound view of the lives we live by giving the practice of music the importance and attention it actually deserves.

Mr. Tamm is eloquent on both the music and the meanings which Fripp seems to intend. The author never lapses into a false certainty about what he hears and what he understands, giving the book the right sense of investigation and learning. He manages to tell us things that matter about the music in musical terms. Fripp's propensity for odd meters are made intelligible. Some fundamentals on scales are also very helpful. The writing does not descend into a parochial tone accessible only to those who have studied music theory. The facts of the music are made quite clear and are readily graspable by anyone interested in getting at the content of what he or she happens to be listening to. Besides, it's never a bad idea to read a little over your head.

But beyond the recorded catalog of Fripp's work, Mr. Tamm is eloquent in his presentation of time spent in Fripp's Guitar Craft classes. These pages provide a glimpse of how music might function among artists and audience, free of the preoccupations of the industry. And, as we can at least assume Fripp inteads, Guitar Craft goes further, to connect principals of music with principals of life. Reading it lets us ask a question about what the practice of music can really be about, and how the pursuit of music can ultimately affect our lives and our thinking about the world. If you care about music it's worth the effort to find this book.

Eric Tamm's book started out as a master's dissertation and became an enjoyable, although at times heavy, insight into rock music's quirky guitar genius Robert Fripp. Much background and insight is given to King Crimson, all the way up to and including the album Three of a Perfect Pair (the book was released in 1991 and so doesn't cover anything subsequent, nor does it go into great detail on the touring life within the band). Tamm then takes the reader into a week in GuitarCraft, Robert Fripp's week long guitar seminar. Much is also discussed on Fripp's philosophical views and a number of pages are devoted to Fripp's study of the teachings of George Ivanovich Gurdjieff, from which I was able to cull enough information to develop a sense of curiousity about this 'prophet'.

At any rate, the book is out of print, and hard to find (even harder to pay for, or so it would seem). For those who'd like a chance to read this book, may I suggest going to Eric Tamm's personal web site, where you can download the text of the book for free.

This book is a fascinating read, and the only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is that it does get pretty heavy at times, but for the reader who perseveres comes the reward of some greater insight into a complex musical genius.

Eric Tamm originally envisioned this book as a master's thesis and, in the process of researching the book by enrolling in a Guitar Craft session, was encouraged instead to write a thesis on Brian Eno instead. He later returned to the subject of Fripp to write this book. What is offered is a more technical approach to Fripp's life than most biographies. As a fan, it was most satisfying.

I searched for my copy of this book for about 2 years, finally finding a copy in Salisbury, England while travelling. When I expressed my surprise to the clerk on finding the book, he replied that they felt obligated to carry it since he shopped at the store. I hope that's at least slightly amusing.

If you want to read more about the author and check out some related links, I recommend visiting [...]

I pretty much agree with the other two reviews that are here: it's a good book with lots of detail about each KC album as well as Fripp's solo material. The chapters devoted to the author's Guitar Craft experiences are particularly interesting. There *is* a lot of musical "pedagogy", but you have to remember that book was originally begun as a dissertation. (Tamm ended up dropping the project at the time and instead wrote his dissertation on Brian Eno, published as "Brian Eno: His Music and the Vertical Color of Sound". That book is also good, but is REALLY HEAVY on the pedagogy!)

Anyway, the Fripp book, while out of print, is well worth seeking out. If you can't find it, though, don't despair: Tamm has made the full text available on his .......

Overall I felt the book was fair in most conclusions regarding Fripp's career choices, musical directions, and mastery of his instrument. There seemed to be a few conflicts regarding his position as a fan or an author of a subject. The most disappointing slections were those that included the authors lack of appreciation for Adrian Belew's contributions to Fripp's more recent work and Belew's amazing diverse talents. Belew is more responsible for resurrecting Crimson and their fresh sound than anyone else. All serious Fripp fans should read this book. Next subject Mr. Tamm try an objective biography of Adrian Belew!