Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 39, Number 17, July 19, 1976.
Evening Star
Evening Star
Evening Star is the 2nd album produced by Robert Fripp and Brian Eno. It is a logical follow on from their first album together 'No Pussy-Footing', which is not surprising. When you consider their development as individual musicians, Fripp and Eno appear to have very definite directions. Here they play more as individuals, but their relationship to each other, musically, is even tighter than on their previous album.
Both artists have come along way since their entries into the music world. Comparing Eno's early work with Roxy Music, and his later material (Warm Jets, Taking Tiger Mountain etc), it is easy to see why he left. Aside from personal clashes with Bryan Ferry, his musical advancement made it necessary. Robert Fripp was the driving force behind King Crimson, and when it finally disbanded he was the only original member. The difference between his work then (i.e. In the Court of the Crimson King, Lark's Tongues, etc) and his latest albums with Eno is so profound that I wonder if it was the same artist. Because of their similar directions and approaches, 'partnership' was inevitable.
To say the album is instrumental (Fripp plays guitar. End plays loops and synthesizer) implies there is something missing from the lack of vocals, but there is no room for vocals. Avante-garde art (as this is) is sometimes an exercise in obscurity and self indulgence, taken to an extreme. When this happends it can be appreciated for what it is - shit. Whatever this album may be, it is not shit.
It is very demanding music, to appreciate it you must really listen to it, and not just once. When I first listened to Evening Star, I sat down and waited, expecting instant brilliance. I was disappointed. A little pissed off, I put it on again a while later - not much better good conversation music. After listening several more times, I began to appreciate it a bit more.
The music is essentially themes on a note and the associated harmonics. These themes are introduced in the first track 'Wind on Water' which flows directly into the title track Evening Star. These themes are developed and built on by each succeeding track.
Side one reflects Eno's playing a lot more than Fripps, and is Eno's interpretation of the basic themes.
Side two is one track entitled 'an Index of Metals'. This reflects Fripp, it's his interpretation and contribution to the piece. Fripp can reinforce, neutralise, or even override the basic tonal themes. And Eno is also a master of this, the result is a complex, sympathetic chord structure. There is a limited number of variations in the basic notes, but the different ways in which they are arranged gives body to the composition.
If you are an Eno/Fripp freak then I need not recommend this album to you, you'll have it already. If you aren't, but have diverse tastes, and enjoy new forms of music, then I recommend Evening Star to you (this is my category by the way). If you are a person with very confined tastes move onto the next review, this one's not for you.
- Jon Grainer