Fripp and Microsoft
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/ptech/01/13/windows.sounds.ap/
http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2148180/robert-fripp-helps-microsoft
I saw this as I was blasting 1974-era King Crimson from my Linux machine. Sigh.
Although I didn’t post to one of the previous threads on artists allowing their songs to be used in commercials, I agreed with Ttop that an artist can do what the heck he/she wants with their songs or talent.
However, I can’t help but be a little disappointed in this case. Particularly given RF’s statements on the record industry and corporate culture in general, and particularly given Microsoft’s…., well, just given Microsoft.
January 18th, 2006 at 11:48 am
Well, I don’t know if it would be so bad to have a little “King Crimsonish” music when you start-up your computer…. But, then, again, I personally still share The Beatles original view of commercialism of their works….. I think when you listen to a certain song or musical style, you form a unique view in your own head of that song and then they come along and attach it to some corporate entity….. Well, it just doesn’t seem right…. Man, I didn’t know Brian Enos had anything to do with “Windows 95”…. You learn something new everyday…… And, sometimes, you just don’t like what you learn…..
January 18th, 2006 at 6:54 pm
That’s not too surprising from Eno. Remember “Music for Airports”, a modern day Muzak?
January 19th, 2006 at 12:23 pm
I’ve been waiting to comment until I had a chance to listen to the recording. Unfortunately you have to have Winders to watch it. The main voice other than Fripp’s is Steve Ball. (Side note: He and the SB Road Show played at our wedding.) Steve Ball was one of the 80’s Guitar Crafties and is quite talented. So since he works at MS, it’s not that surprising that Fripp is involved in this project. I found this Fripp quote funny: “Steve is directing me very efficiently and cruelly…” -around 3 min. Also we learn that the key of blue and green is a combination of D and E.
As for the corporate part… don’t know where I really land on this case. On one hand it seems like an interesting challenge and seemingly Fripp Soundscapes fit the bill… on the other hand it is Microsoft. Would it be any better if he were working on the Mac OS 10.5 start-up sound? or KDE?
January 20th, 2006 at 8:47 am
No doubt his contributions are probably fine, but the relationship seems incompatible with his personal aesthetic and his writings. (Is there any more un-“discipline”d OS than Windows?)
But I don’t know how to answer Jek’s last question.
February 8th, 2006 at 10:25 pm
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20020708/densmore
Check out former Door’s drummer John Densmore take on commercialism. Very interesting, and somewhat explains why he doesn’t work with Riders on the Storm.
February 9th, 2006 at 4:34 pm
Wow, he needs an editor; but it was interesting. Thanks!