Out Of The Valley

The Toxic Tome 2 adventures continue...

There was no prog rock accompanying my breakfast this morning...

The order in the player had been changed: bland pop balladry instead of Apocalypse in 9/8 with yer crunchy nut cornflakes!

On the way up the lane...

 

 

After some two days discussing King Crimson and some of the attendant issues with Robert, today it was David's turn. Coming without any baggage at all, David has some fascinating perspectives on the band and its music. All in all, some very useful commentary.

At 12.30 it was time to depart DGMHQ. Robert was taking me over to John Wetton's house...


John was on fine form and in good fettle as we talked about his time in Crimson, and the times in which Crimson lived and worked. It was wonderful seeing John in such good health after his various tribulations of a few years ago. After a couple of hours I headed off to Bournemouth town centre to check in at the hotel.

With a spare night on my hands what to do? A night on the razzle? Or a night catching up on a mountain of transcription?

Watcher Of The Skies

The Toxic Tome 2 Roadshow continues...

More Genesis Foxtrot this morning, beginning with Watcher Of The Skies. It turns out that the helpful staff here haven't dug this copy out specially for me but rather it's playing because it happens to be the first disc in the muzak machine.Turns out there's plenty to watch out for in the skies on the way up the lane...

At 10.00 a.m. Robert and I began another day of musing upon the different natures and influences at work in a band or the structures and organisations it encounters along the way. There were times when I wondered how any music got made at all given all the obstacles placed in its way. And there's the miracle of it, I suppose. That something so extraordinary can occur, despite the very best efforts of the world to prevent it, is truly remarkable.

Sometime in the afternoon I go back to the B&B for a break and a regathering of themes and ideas.

Then back along the lane. This time I leave early so as not to have to do the walk in complete darkness and enjoy the last of the light in the valley...

Inside David and Robert are coming to grips with new technologies and new ideas...

and cakes... 

and cameras...

At 6.00 p.m. prompt Robert and I began again.

I don't know what time Robert's brain gave out but mine futzed out at around 8.30 p.m. The walk back along the lane to the B & B wasn't so spectacular tonight due to the heavy cloud that had come in. The high winds and rain lashing down also tended to keep one's attention firmly on one's feet.

The view from the office this evening...

Starting The Day The Foxtrot Way...

The Toxic Tome 2 Roadshow continues...

It turns out I'm staying in a prog rock B&B! This morning as I crunched my way through a bowl of cereal, I could hear the Mellotron solo from Can-Utility and the Coastliners piping through the speakers from the bar next door. It then went on to play the rest of Genesis's Foxtrot album. Certainly better than most music you hear at the breakfast table in hotels and the like.

Leaving the Queen's Head behind I strode off up the lane towards the business of the day. There was a wonderful frost on the ground... 

The view from the office this morning...

Starting at 10.00 prompt Robert Fripp and I discussed the many worlds of King Crimson for several hours. With a break in the afternoon, I returned to the B&B to regroup and think on what had been said.

We resumed at 6.00 p.m. prompt for more of the same.

It was completely dark as I walked up the lane on the way to meet Robert back at DGMHQ. With no street lights, and dressed in black from head to toe, I felt somewhat vulnerable as speeding cars passed by along the narrow roads.

For the walk back Robert furnished me with a torch which felt a lot safer. Looking up into the night sky I marveled at all the stars that were visible. Stunning. I don't think I've seen as many stars in a sky since I was a little boy in Walkworth.

The view from the office this evening...

I've no idea if Robert was feeling as tired as I was, but boy oh boy, was I tired after that many hours discussing aspects of the band's past, present and future.

From Here To There

The Toxic Tome 2 (that's the revised and expanded King Crimson biography in case you've just joined us) is on the road again.

Today's journey: Newcastle to Salisbury. All journey's begin with a single step and in this case, the step takes me into the coldest place known to mankind...

The view from the office this morning...

Arrival at London King's Cross bang on time, I navigated my way down to Waterloo without any hassles or delays. After a half-hour wait it was onto South West trains for the penultimate leg of the journey.

Leaving Waterloo...

Into the countryside...

Arriving in Salisbury Station bang on time...

I was picked up by the pre-booked taxi bang on time and whisked along the Chalke Valley with a lovely moon (not pictured) guiding the way to The Queen's Head - my base camp for the next couple of days.

The view from the office this evening... 

Random Penguin LXXV

1999

cover photo by Michele Turriani