Robert Fripp and the League of Crafty Guitarists, Take 2


So, last night I drove out to Ram’s Head on Stage in Annapolis. While I had a great time at Monday’s performance and loved every note I heard, I was hoping I wouldn’t be treated to a duplicate performance. I was not and this made a happy evening even better.

The layout was the same as Monday night, with RF on the far left facing center stage. His rack, the Solar Voyager, to his right, pedals and such arrayed in front of him, the LCG starts to his left and arcs to the front right area of the stage. And I had the honor of sitting next to “Mr. Vonnegut,” who reminded me I needed a wee bit of the McClellan 12.

On Monday, I was far too excited to listen as carefully as I did last night, and I was rewarded for my efforts. I was surprised to hear Flying. I recognized it almost immediately* and it made me laugh. I couldn’t have been happier. There were other musical surprises as well, but this is the one I remember the most.

The only fly in the ointment imo, and mind you it was a wee fly, was the crowd was not as aware of what was expected of them from RF and Co. as the Birchmere audience. This group was far too eager to applaud at the briefest of pauses in the music; the LCG did not let this deter them from continuing and usually the applause died rather quickly. There was also someone who talked a few times a bit too loudly during the silences, but he was politely but firmly asked to “Please be quiet” by someone near him and he did for the remainder of the evening.

These disturbances were minor enough to not ruin the evening. I had another great night listening to some incredible music that I will remember for the rest of my life.

The final thing I’ll mention: while waiting for the room to open pre-show, two older guys came in (hell, average age for the crowd, I felt a wee bit young at 39 :P) to pick up their tix from will call. One had a really nice camera slung over a shoulder. Looked expensive. Long story short, he had no clue as to the performer’s preferences regarding photography. I had to laugh at that as I found it incredible that there’s still people out there who don’t know this about RF. GET A CLUE PEOPLE!! Along that train of thought (“wtf?”), why were people arriving 40 minutes after the show began?

Regardless, thank you, again!, Robert Fripp and the League of Crafty Guitarists for another wonderful experience. I shall never forget it.

*- I couldn’t remember the name at the time, but as soon as I got in my car, I booted up the iPod and found it. When they were playing it, I almost felt like singing along… la la la la lalala. Thanks again!.

Robert Fripp and the League of Crafty Guitarists


First off: Wow!

Having never been to see RF and the LCG, I was a little apprehensive. Although I own an LCG cd and a Soundscapes cd, I was still unsure of what to expect. I think a lot of this apprehensiveness was brought on by the fact that my concert-buddy for the evening was a good friend of mine who had almost no experience with any Frippian projeKCts. I had subjected him to early KC in the past, but I don’t think it took. Hell, I was turned on to KC 20+ years ago and years had passed before I ventured out from the cassette my Uncle had given me. But taking a veritable Fripp virgin was interesting. Especially since he passed on the offers to have a listen to cds beforehand.

The Birchmere was also new to me. From the website I was thinking “beer hall” but that turned out to be just the front room. The room for the performance was more like a banquet hall with a low stage on one side. We had tables, wait staff, and food! It was quite a change from the clubs, arenas, etc. that I am used to. It reminded me of the Cabaret Lounge of the Love Boat. Except with long dinner tables.

Upon entering the room from the bar, I stood looking around thinking of seating; a Quarter came up to me and told me where RF would be sitting and that there were seats available just to the side with a view. Off I went. I found seats 15 feet from the stool. Unfortunately, RF’s back was to us the whole performance, so no views of his hands at work. This was acceptable as my ticket for the Ram’s Head performance is more centrally located and given RF’s placement, I should have a good view tomorrow night. Last night was open seating.

The performance was everything I expected and more. I heard things I recognized from my LCG cd, but most of it was new to me. The KC and Mission: at the end were very nice. And while I was fairly certain that we would be hearing Soundscapes and the LCG, I did not expect to find them offered together. This was an unexpected treat and I enjoyed it. My only real disappointment of the evening was that it was so short. I was hoping for at least another hour, but as I mentioned, I’ll be getting 2 more hours tomorrow night so I can deal.

I did see someone take a picture mid-performance, but this person was standing against the back wall with the venue’s sound board operator in an area that one would assume to be employees-only, so I assumed she was “official” and did not say anything. Thankfully, she didn’t use the flash!

Thank you RF and the LCG for a wonderful evening. In 24 hours, I will be enjoying it again.

Patapsco, worst round ever!

At least I think it is. I shot 18 over the other day. Eesh.

I had not played since the round I played with EB when I returned his disc. I think 9 days since my last then. Below, I present to sets of numbers: the first being the round with EB (I think) and the second being the round from last Sunday morning. Both at Patapsco, natch!

The Return of the Disc Round:

  1. Bogey, 4
  2. Double bogey, 5
  3. Bogey, 5
  4. Bogey, 4
  5. Bogey, 5
  6. Bogey, 5
  7. Birdie, 3
  8. Bogey, 5
  9. Double bogey, 6
  10. Bogey, 4
  11. Birdie, 4
  12. Bogey, 4
  13. Double bogey, 6
  14. Bogey, 4
  15. Bogey, 4
  16. Bogey, 5
  17. Double bogey, 6
  18. Bogey, 5

Definitely not a great round: 42 up front and 42 out back. 8freakin4!!! Ouch.

Sunday’s round:

  1. Bogey, 4
  2. Double bogey, 5
  3. Bogey, 5
  4. Bogey, 4
  5. Bogey, 5
  6. Bogey, 5
  7. Bogey, 5
  8. Par, 4
  9. Bogey, 5
  10. Bogey, 4
  11. Bogey, 6
  12. Double bogey, 5
  13. Par, 4
  14. Bogey, 4
  15. Double bogey, 5
  16. Triple bogey! 7
  17. Bogey, 5
  18. Bogey, 5

That one sucked as well: 46 up front and 45 out back for 91. Now that I see the totals, definitely my worst round. At least it wasn’t from the reds!

Ah well, I’ll hit it again Thursday morning I think and I’m considering heading down to Seneca this weekend to check out a tourney. Not play in, just check out. See what all the hub bubs about and maybe get some new plastic.

Patapsco, 3 days of #s

OK, so I played Patapsco yet again last week. 3 times, to be sure. I’m going to list them all in this post as I don’t want to add 3 posts, I’m lazy, and blah blah blah… Anyway, in round A, I broke 80! Not great in the big scheme of things, but in my wee world, it makes me happy.

Round A:

  1. Bogey, 4
  2. Triple bogey, 6
  3. Par, 4
  4. Double bogey, 5
  5. Bogey, 5
  6. Par, 4
  7. Par, 4
  8. Par, 4
  9. Par, 4
  10. Par, 3
  11. Par, 5
  12. Double bogey, 5
  13. Bogey, 5
  14. Par, 3
  15. Double bogey, 5
  16. Par, 4
  17. Par, 4
  18. Birdie, 3

Only one Birdie there, but look at that string of Pars! 40 on the front, and 37 on the back for…. 77! I do believe this be a new low for me on the Blues. Only a few strokes higher than my lowest from the Reds. 72 or less shouldn’t be too far away. I hope.

Round B:

  1. Bogey, 4
  2. Triple bogey, 6
  3. Bogey, 5
  4. Double bogey, 5
  5. Par, 4
  6. Bogey, 5
  7. Bogey, 5
  8. Bogey, 5
  9. Par, 4
  10. Par, 3
  11. Birdie, 4
  12. Bogey, 4
  13. Par, 4
  14. Par, 3
  15. Bogey, 4
  16. Double bogey, 6
  17. Bogey, 5
  18. Par, 4

#2 is really pissing me off. 43 up front and 37 out back for a total of 80.

Round C:

  1. Double bogey, 5
  2. Triple bogey, 6
  3. Double bogey, 6
  4. Double bogey, 5
  5. Bogey, 5
  6. Par, 4
  7. Birdie, 3
  8. Par, 4
  9. Bogey, 5
  10. Bogey, 4
  11. Birdie, 4
  12. Double bogey, 5
  13. Par, 4
  14. Bogey, 4
  15. Par, 3
  16. Bogey, 5
  17. Par, 4
  18. Birdie, 3

43 up front and 36 out back for 79. Broke 80 again, but just didn’t feel like I was playing well. 18 was great tho. Nice long drive and in the short grass for once! Forehanded an approach that landed about 3′ from the pin. Birdie was a “gimme!” ;) I need more of those.

Anyway, I had decided to take a few days off from playing and rest up a bit. Don’t want to overdue it and make things worse. It rained yesterday, so this decision was well met. Today, I received a call from the guy who’s disc I found last week on #18 (Round A). Since I’m off tomorrow and he drives thru my town daily, he’s going to stop by and pick it up. Hopefully we’ll both have time and will go play a round at P.

Patapsco, 3rd time in 3 days

I played Patapsco again on Sunday. Nothing spectacular to report. Much the same as before. The numbers:

  1. Bogey, 4
  2. Triple bogey, 6
  3. Double bogey, 6
  4. Bogey, 4
  5. Bogey, 5
  6. Par, 4
  7. Bogey, 5
  8. Birdie, 3
  9. Double bogey, 6
  10. Par, 3
  11. Par, 5
  12. Bogey, 4
  13. Birdie, 3
  14. Double bogey, 5
  15. Double bogey, 5
  16. Double bogey, 6
  17. Par, 4
  18. Birdie, 3

While I did have a couple decent holes and it was nice to end with a Birdie (really a par, if all are played as 3), the numbers shout that I am not on top of my game.

43 (+10) up front! 38 (+5) out back. 81 (+15) for the course. Certainly not my best effort. I can tell you a lot of this is avoidable, I just need to practice. Hopefully, I’ll be playing again on Thursday with my brother. We were chatting online last night and I think I’ve convinced him to come up for a round, seeing as he’s unemployed and has the time.

Patapsco, more pros!

So today I wasn’t planning on playing a round, although it was a thought in the back of my mind. Around 10:30am, I checked the MD forums and someone had put out the challenge: any course before 3. I tossed out Patapsco @ noon and it was game on!

I arrived a wee bit late, but that was due to an accident on 26. Upon arrival, I met O and G. On our way to the first tee, we meet W. W‘s been playing for 20 years I’m told and I should watch him play. I’m glad to hear this as an opportunity to learn is upon me. We set off and I didn’t embarrass myself too badly. :) W made an awesome shot on 3 and walked away with a deuce. I had never seen such an incredible shot in person.

My numbers:

  1. Bogey, 4
  2. Quad..@#$*^%$, 7
  3. Par, 4
  4. Double bogey, 5
  5. Par, 4
  6. Bogey, 5
  7. Par, 4
  8. Bogey, 5
  9. Bogey, 5
  10. Bogey, 4
  11. Birdie, 4
  12. Bogey, 4
  13. Bogey, 5
  14. Par, 4
  15. Double bogey, 5
  16. Par, 4
  17. Bogey, 5
  18. Par, 4

43 (+10) on the front 9 and 39 (+5) on the back 9 for a total of 82 (+15) shots.
Not my best, but I did the same on the front 9 yesterday. The game will come together. I will break 72 before my birthday. That means I need to shave 10 strokes off my game in one month. Hopefully, I can achieve this goal.

I might play a round tomorrow and another Monday. We shall see what awaits me.

And thanks go out to the other guys (they shot 65, 51, and 63!!) for showing me what can be done at Patapsco and for letting me play with them. It was a pleasure to meet them and I hope to see them again.

Patapsco: A New Achievement

Achievement? Yes, indeed! On yesterday’s round, I got my first eagle! I got a par 5 in 3. It felt nice. This was on #11 at Patapsco. The numbers:

  1. Double bogey, 5
  2. Triple!! bogey, 6
  3. Double bogey, 6
  4. Bogey, 4
  5. Par, 4
  6. Bogey, 5
  7. Bogey, 5
  8. Par, 4
  9. Par, 4
  10. Par, 3
  11. Eagle!!!!!, 3
  12. Bogey, 4
  13. Birdie, 3
  14. Par, 3
  15. Double Bogey, 5
  16. Bogey, 5
  17. Bogey, 5
  18. Bogey, 5

43 (+10) for the front and 36 (+2) on the back for a total of 79 (+12) strokes. Actually, another first: my lowest from the blues so far.

I don’t even want to think about playing all holes as 3s yet!

Damn you, Adrian Belew!

Not. I really have no desire to damn Adrian. Only to thank him and buy him a lemondrop martini. I think that’s the drink. The reason: I purchased Side Two last week and I haven’t been able to let a day go by without listening to it. I once even followed the advice at the end and listened to it again!

A little background on my musical tastes/needs/requirements: I love music. I love good music. I love well orchestrated music. This last one is important to me. When I consider buying a CD, it’s usually not a random act. I do so deliberately. On those rare occasions I have bought one at random, I have usually been screwed. How so? Well, most of the CDs I own are by artists that I enjoy and therefor I enjoy everything on the CD. When I buy without discrimination, then I end up with CDs where I like one or two songs and feel the rest is crap. I don’t like that feeling. I also like listening to my CDs in their entirety, which makes this point even more valid. How can I enjoy a CD if I don’t like 90% of it? Everyone understand?

So, I bought Side Two. 1) The music is incredible. Given what Adrian has done with King Crimson, I was not surprised that I would enjoy his solo work. I WAS flabbergasted at the fact that EVERY track on Side Two is a stunner. 2) The organization of the CD, the order of the tracks, the spaces in between… all work together on this piece. So much so, that I have yet to listen to any one song by itself. I don’t know if I can. As a whole, this CD is powerful and I love it.

So, Adrian, in closing, thank you, thank you, and keep up the good work! I can’t wait to purchase more!

Patapsco: 8th hole

This is the short tee for 8 at Patapsco. The basket is there, one just need look hard and follow these clues: Find the road going across the image towards the top. It’s just before the green stuff in the far background. Follow the path from the tee straight out and one can see a fuzzy gray thing just before the road. That’s the tee. I birdied this once from the blues. The pin is also 50′ below the tees. A great hole and one of the reasons I love this course.

This shot was with a cell phone. I hope to bring the digi-cam out one day, maybe even with a tripod, and get some nice shots.